Tying the Doc Spratley Streamer

Doc Spratley Streamer

I originally used the Doc Spratley successfully on many Canadian lakes in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. It was developed by Dick Prankard of Mt. Vernon, Washington, in the late 1950’s. One story of its development occurred in Prankard’s fly shop when his close friend Dr. Donald Spratley walked in quietly and unnoticed behind Prankard as he was tying a fly. When he said "Hi" it startled Dick and he broke his tying thread. Slightly perturbed Dick said, “Dang it Doc Spratley, just because of that I’m naming this fly after you!”

This fly is a great lake pattern that can represent caddisflies and leeches. It’s also a great steelhead pattern and can be tied with black, green, orange or red wool.

Materials: 
Hook:  Mustad 9672, sizes 4-8,

Thread:  3/0 black

Tail:  Grizzly

Body:  Black wool

Rib:  Silver oval tinsel

Hackle:  Grizzly

Wing:  Pheasant tail

Head:  Peacock herl (optional)

Tie in the tail and attach the rib and black wool.

Wrap the wool forward and tie off 3/16 inch of the eye. 

Follow with 4 to 6 wraps of tinsel. Attach the front grizzly hackle.

Spiral the hackle forward 2 to 3 times and wrap 

slightly back over it so it’s at a 45 degree angle.

Tie in the wing without extending beyond the

length of the tail. Tie off the head and cement it.