Royal Coachman (Dry)
The Royal Coachman dry fly is among the most recognizable patterns in American fly fishing history, dressed with the upright white quill wing that distinguished it from its wet fly ancestor. The peacock-red-peacock body with white duck quill wings and brown hackle is an outstanding attractor on any moving water. Particularly productive during August and September when fish are opportunistic and willing to rise for almost any visible fly.
- Type
- dry fly (Mayfly)
- Hook sizes
- #10–16
- Target species
- trout
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Dry fly hook #10–16
- thread: Black 6/0
- tail: Golden pheasant tippet fibers
- body: Peacock herl, red floss middle band, peacock herl
- wing: White duck quill segments, upright and divided
- hackle: Brown rooster hackle
Tying steps
- Mount hook and start black thread; tie in a short golden pheasant tippet tail.
- Wind peacock herl for the rear body third; wind red floss for the middle band; wind peacock for the front third.
- Reinforce the peacock with fine gold wire wound over.
- Select two matched white duck quill segments; tie in upright and divided with figure-eight wraps.
- Tie in a brown rooster hackle; wind 4–5 turns.
- Build a small neat head; whip finish and lacquer.
- Apply lacquer to the completed thread head; allow to dry completely before handling the wings.
- Inspect the wings from the front — they should be perfectly upright, equally divided, and symmetrical.
- Hold the fly at arm's length and view from below — both white quill wings should appear symmetrical, equally bright, and form matching paired slips.