I began tying the Swift streamer for a gentleman who had a cabin along Swift Lake on the south side of Mt St Helen's in western Washington. He wanted something to fish for the Dolly's that were often found at the top of the lake, where it was fed by the East Fork of the Lewis River. The spin fishermen did very well there with orange Rooster Tails, and he wanted a fly that would replicate that spinner. He loved the pattern and said it also did well for him on the Kokanee in the lake as well as for local steelhead. I tied it for him over the course of 4-5 years before leaving the area. Though I fished that area often, I had other favorite patterns I preferred and actually never fished the pattern on the water it was tied for myself. I decided however give it a try as a trout streamer in the northeast a few years later and found it to be a very productive fly here also.
Swift Streamer Recipe
Hook: #8-4 Daiichi 2370
Thread: Flo Orange 70d Ultra Thread
Rib: Fine Gold Tinsel
Body: Tying Thread / Peacock Herl
Wing: Pheasant Rump x2
Hackle: Furnace Hen
Note: The original pattern was tied with an Orange Uni-Floss Abdomen & Orange Uni-Thread instead of the Ultra Thread used now
For a full tying video, click on the link below:
Tying the Swift Streamer