Alaska Mary Ann

The legendary Alaska Mary Ann is the official fly of the Alaska Flyfishers and comes with quite a pedigree.  If you're up to a little research about the pattern there is plenty to be found on the internet.  However, you will find different variations of the story- depending on the website  It is claimed that  even the originator, Frank Dufresne,  told various stories of it's origination.

Don't let the name fool you into thinking this is strictly an Alaskan pattern.  This late 1920's pattern made it's way into the Pacific Northwest steelhead fame where it remained popular into the 1970's.  While popularity has waned significantly the Alaska Mary Ann maintains a small following today.  Lesser known is it's effectiveness as a trout streamer.  And you should in be in the know!

The Alaska Mary Ann doesn't represent any specific baitfish, but it does mimic minnow profiles perfectly.  It is slender, pulsates (depending the the winging material) and the predominately white profile, with a touch of red, provides plenty of visibility even in off colored water.  Some veteran anglers claim the Alaskan Mary Ann may work effectively as a flesh fly pattern, too. I've have used it successfully for winter steelhead, dolly varden, bull trout, cutthroat and rainbow.  If in doubt- use white!  There is something about the color white that can really trigger the fish into hard strikes. 

I carry a small cache of the Alaskan Mary Ann's in various sizes in for late fall and after the spawn fishing.  The key to fishing this pattern after the spawn is to start with smaller patterns and work your way up to larger sizes keying in on the size of the baitfish in the water.

Materials

Hook:  3XL to 6XL.  Sizes 2-12 (TMC 9395, Size 4 pictured)

Thread:  UTC 70, White for the layering the underbody.  UTC 70 black for completion.

Tail:  Red hackle fibers (Schlappen pictured)

Body:  White floss or chenille.  (White silk pictured)

Ribbing:  Lagartun, silver, medium.  5 turns minimum.

Wing:  Bucktail, temple dog, or choice.  Polar bear was used on the original.  (Pictured is Arctic fox)  Wing should be slightly longer than the tail.

Eyes:  Jungle cock