Whats in a Greenwells Glory and few thoughts on flies.

Ask a none fly angler to name a fly pattern and the chances are the name Greenwells Glory will be the one mentioned, it is certainly one of the oldest recognised patterns and yet its one that very few anglers I come across seem to carry.  Anglers now seem to want the newest trendy patterns and the older patterns seem to find little favour.  Personally along with the red tag family that I have previously mentioned the Greenwells is one of the ever present patterns that I carry,  along with the Kites imperial both tied in various sizes from a 12 to a 20 and with various shades of hackles will cover all the Olive family of flies. and a few others as well.
I am constantly mystified why anglers I meet have fly boxes stuffed with dozens of patterns and yet they only cover a couple of sizes which are nearly always 14s and 16s .  Personally I beleive that fly size and correct presentation is almost more important than the pattern. 

 I have given up wondering what the exact dressing Cannon Greenwell beleived was correct as every text you read seems to give a slightly different pattern.  However I tie a well waxed yellow thread body with a light gold rib and a few hackle fibres as a tail.  Hackles vary I will occasional go very light using a golden badger hackle but mainly though the colours I use are below...There is an Indian cape and a genetic neck and saddle cape

The Greenwell is one of the easiest of ties which suits me I like quick simple flies that I am happy cast into tight places and risk losing. Also I dont like using winged patterns.  I find winged flies lead to leader twist and offer no appreciable advantage over hackle only patterns. 

The fact is both the Greenwells and the Kites Imperial  in a range of sizes and hues and  tied on varied hook patterns tied sparse and full will I beleive provide more fish in the net than a load of patterns in a ltd range of sizes, They work very will tied parachute style as an emerger pattern as well.  I think It was said that Oliver Kite used his imperial pattern to the exclusion of all other dry patterns and he certainly knew a thing or two.  Give them both a go you wont regret it.....