Secret Weapon
Fly of the Month 03.25 - Secret Weapon
This local fly pattern is provided by Roger Lowe of Cashiers, North Carolina and is published in his book Roger Lowe’s Fly Pattern Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains. The fly pattern which is similar to the prince nymph was originated by Allene Hall (1918-1995) of Bryson City, North Carolina. This fly [pattern] was first tied in the Smokies as a year-round consistent [fly] pattern. Years later, the Modified Secret Weapon was originated by Don R. Howell of Brevard, North Carolina. As the bead heads became popular, the Green BH (bead-head) Secret Weapon was originated by Benny Joe Craig of Waynesville, North Carolina.
Our museum Stream Blazer, Bernice Allene DeHart Hall, “True Mistress of the Vise” was half of an innovative fly tying couple credited with originating a number of fly patterns. Her husband Fred is generally credited with having originated the Thunderhead and the Adams Variant, two popular patterns which now enjoy widespread popularity. They were both accomplished fly tyers when it came to turning bits of fur, feather, and thread into trout-fooling creations which were as functional as they were beautiful. We believe that Allene’s role was bigger than most folks imagined. Unquestionably she produced more flies than her husband. Allene was always in the background, usually busy at her vise as Fred talked. She just smiled, added an occasional comment, and kept on working. Most impressive was the big boxes of flies, hundreds upon hundreds of them, which would be close at hand. She would whip out another fly in what seemed like mere moments and add it to an open box. Their banner years in producing flies were the 1950s and 1960s, with weekly shipments going out to individual anglers and fly shops all over the country. Her grave marker in Swain Memorial Park indicates she saw military service in some capacity, almost certainly as part of America’s all-out effort in World War II.
Our museum Stream Blazer Fred Jamison Hall (1913-1983), “ The Business Savvy Fly Tyer” was a veteran of World War II. He spent most of his working life as an employee of Carolina Wood Turning Company (circa 1930), Swain County’s largest employer at that time. Fred pawned his shotgun for $50, purchased tying supplies and tied in his spare time. Fred eventually, because of physical problems, devoted full attention to the tying vise as he was barely known to be an angler. Meanwhile Allene, his wife who was at least as skilled as Fred, turned out scores of flies every day for many, many years. They supplied flies via mail order for shops throughout the region and on the national level as well. Fred Hall got many of the ideas for his flies from local fishermen such as Claude Gossett and Commodore Casada, Jim Casada’s father. Fred was for the most part a professional fly tyer and savvy business man making or at least eeking-out a decent living at the tying vise. Fred and Allene worked in tandem on some flies, with her doing part of the work and Fred other aspects of it. Each had their specialties, as Fred did most of the hair wing patterns. Along with his wife Bernice Allene DeHart Hall,
Fred and Allene are generally credited with originating a number of fly patterns including the Adams Variant, Light Caddis Buck, Thunderhead and of course the Secret Weapon According to Allene, while these patterns were immensely popular with clients, their top sellers were the Tellico Nymph and Yallerhammer. They taught a number of local fly tiers, including Jim Mills, owner of Raven Fork Rods. Their banner years in producing flies were the 1950s and 1960s, with weekly shipments going out to individual anglers and fly shops all over the country. Their graves may be found in Swain Memorial Park.
Winter is a great time to use the Secret Weapon. Absent are the other anglers on the water fishing a favorite stream and the trout sill have to eat to survive. Here in the South the brown and brook trout have almost stopped spawning, trout can still be seen on gravel flats and they will hit almost anything that drifts by them. Water temperature is important to consider when fly fishing is the winter. Check the water periodically, and look for temperatures that rise or stay the same. Rising water temperatures will cause the fish to start feeding. If the temperature of the water drops, fly fishing will slow down. Look for areas where sunlight is on the water for an extended period of time. These types of places tend to be warmer and yield better winter fly fishing.
Presentation is always important and key to winter fly fishing. The fish tend to be slower and will not travel as far to eat a fly. The best presentations are slow and accurate. Fish an area of water slower than normal and cover the entire section before moving on. For sight fly fishing, place the fly accurately in front of the fish. Trout do not move very far to chase a poorly placed fly in cold weather
Secret Weapon
Fly of the Month 03.25
Secret Weapon Green BH Secret Weapon Modified Secret Weapon
Hook: 9671 Mustad Hook: 9671 Mustad Hook: 9671 Mustad
Size: 8, 10, 12 Size: 8, 10, 12, 14 Size 8, 10, 12, 14
Thread: Black Thread: Green Thread: Black
Weight: (optional) lead substitute Weight: Green tungsten bead Weight: (optional) lead substitute
Tail: Golden pheasant tippets Tail: Golden pheasant tippets Tail: Golden pheasant tippets
Body: Peacock herl Body: Peacock herl Body: Peacock herl
Wing: White goose biots, Wing: White goose biots, Wing: White goose biots,
forked, tied flat wing forked, tied flat wing forked, tied flat wing
Hackle: Coachman brown Hackle: Coachman brown Hackle: Coachman brown
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Tying Directions:
- Tom Adams, Alen Baker
This local fly pattern is provided by Roger Lowe of Cashiers, North Carolina and is published in his book Roger Lowe’s Fly Pattern Guide to the Great Smoky Mountains. The fly pattern which is similar to the prince nymph was originated by Allene Hall (1918-1995) of Bryson City, North Carolina. This fly [pattern] was first tied in the Smokies as a year-round consistent [fly] pattern. Years later, the Modified Secret Weapon was originated by Don R. Howell of Brevard, North Carolina. As the bead heads became popular, the Green BH (bead-head) Secret Weapon was originated by Benny Joe Craig of Waynesville, North Carolina.
Our museum Stream Blazer, Bernice Allene DeHart Hall, “True Mistress of the Vise” was half of an innovative fly tying couple credited with originating a number of fly patterns. Her husband Fred is generally credited with having originated the Thunderhead and the Adams Variant, two popular patterns which now enjoy widespread popularity. They were both accomplished fly tyers when it came to turning bits of fur, feather, and thread into trout-fooling creations which were as functional as they were beautiful. We believe that Allene’s role was bigger than most folks imagined. Unquestionably she produced more flies than her husband. Allene was always in the background, usually busy at her vise as Fred talked. She just smiled, added an occasional comment, and kept on working. Most impressive was the big boxes of flies, hundreds upon hundreds of them, which would be close at hand. She would whip out another fly in what seemed like mere moments and add it to an open box. Their banner years in producing flies were the 1950s and 1960s, with weekly shipments going out to individual anglers and fly shops all over the country. Her grave marker in Swain Memorial Park indicates she saw military service in some capacity, almost certainly as part of America’s all-out effort in World War II.
Our museum Stream Blazer Fred Jamison Hall (1913-1983), “ The Business Savvy Fly Tyer” was a veteran of World War II. He spent most of his working life as an employee of Carolina Wood Turning Company (circa 1930), Swain County’s largest employer at that time. Fred pawned his shotgun for $50, purchased tying supplies and tied in his spare time. Fred eventually, because of physical problems, devoted full attention to the tying vise as he was barely known to be an angler. Meanwhile Allene, his wife who was at least as skilled as Fred, turned out scores of flies every day for many, many years. They supplied flies via mail order for shops throughout the region and on the national level as well. Fred Hall got many of the ideas for his flies from local fishermen such as Claude Gossett and Commodore Casada, Jim Casada’s father. Fred was for the most part a professional fly tyer and savvy business man making or at least eeking-out a decent living at the tying vise. Fred and Allene worked in tandem on some flies, with her doing part of the work and Fred other aspects of it. Each had their specialties, as Fred did most of the hair wing patterns. Along with his wife Bernice Allene DeHart Hall,
Fred and Allene are generally credited with originating a number of fly patterns including the Adams Variant, Light Caddis Buck, Thunderhead and of course the Secret Weapon According to Allene, while these patterns were immensely popular with clients, their top sellers were the Tellico Nymph and Yallerhammer. They taught a number of local fly tiers, including Jim Mills, owner of Raven Fork Rods. Their banner years in producing flies were the 1950s and 1960s, with weekly shipments going out to individual anglers and fly shops all over the country. Their graves may be found in Swain Memorial Park.
Winter is a great time to use the Secret Weapon. Absent are the other anglers on the water fishing a favorite stream and the trout sill have to eat to survive. Here in the South the brown and brook trout have almost stopped spawning, trout can still be seen on gravel flats and they will hit almost anything that drifts by them. Water temperature is important to consider when fly fishing is the winter. Check the water periodically, and look for temperatures that rise or stay the same. Rising water temperatures will cause the fish to start feeding. If the temperature of the water drops, fly fishing will slow down. Look for areas where sunlight is on the water for an extended period of time. These types of places tend to be warmer and yield better winter fly fishing.
Presentation is always important and key to winter fly fishing. The fish tend to be slower and will not travel as far to eat a fly. The best presentations are slow and accurate. Fish an area of water slower than normal and cover the entire section before moving on. For sight fly fishing, place the fly accurately in front of the fish. Trout do not move very far to chase a poorly placed fly in cold weather
Secret Weapon
Fly of the Month 03.25
Secret Weapon Green BH Secret Weapon Modified Secret Weapon
Hook: 9671 Mustad Hook: 9671 Mustad Hook: 9671 Mustad
Size: 8, 10, 12 Size: 8, 10, 12, 14 Size 8, 10, 12, 14
Thread: Black Thread: Green Thread: Black
Weight: (optional) lead substitute Weight: Green tungsten bead Weight: (optional) lead substitute
Tail: Golden pheasant tippets Tail: Golden pheasant tippets Tail: Golden pheasant tippets
Body: Peacock herl Body: Peacock herl Body: Peacock herl
Wing: White goose biots, Wing: White goose biots, Wing: White goose biots,
forked, tied flat wing forked, tied flat wing forked, tied flat wing
Hackle: Coachman brown Hackle: Coachman brown Hackle: Coachman brown
<photo>
Tying Directions:
- Tom Adams, Alen Baker