You'll usually find a carey special fly tucked into the corner of my fly box, mostly because it's saved more slow days on the lake than I care to admit. It isn't the prettiest thing to look at—it's actually kind of a mess of feathers—but that's exactly why it works. If you've spent any time fishing the lakes of the Pacific Northwest or Western Canada, you've probably heard some old-timer swearing by it while everyone else is busy trying to figure out which micro-midge is hatching.
The beauty of this fly is its simplicity. It's one of those patterns that doesn't try too hard to be one specific thing. Is it a dragonfly nymph? Maybe. Is it a leech? Could be. Does it look like a big traveling sedge or a small baitfish? Yeah, it covers those too. In the world of fly fishing, where we sometimes get bogged down in hyper-realistic imitations, the Carey Special reminds us that "buggy" is often better than "perfect."
A Bit of History Behind the Carey Special Fly
Before it was known by its current name, this fly had a much weirder title: the Monkey Faced Mac. It was originally tied back in the 1920s by a guy named Colonel Carey out of British Columbia. Back then, they weren't using fancy synthetic materials or UV-infused dubbing. It was just good old-fashioned groundhog hair and pheasant feathers.
Eventually, the name shifted to honor the Colonel, and the "Monkey Faced Mac" faded into the history books. But the core design stayed the same because, frankly, you can't improve on something that already catches trout like crazy. It's survived the transition from silk lines to modern fluorocarbon because it taps into a fish's basic instinct to eat something that looks alive and meaty.
Why Fish Can't Resist This Buggy Pattern
The secret sauce of the carey special fly is the movement. Most of the fly is made up of pheasant rump feathers, which have this incredible way of pulsing in the water. When you pull the fly through the lake, those long, soft fibers collapse against the body. When you stop the retrieve, they flare back out. To a trout, that looks like gills moving, legs kicking, or a creature trying to swim.
Another reason it's so effective is its profile. It has a chunky, substantial silhouette. In murky water or during low-light conditions at dusk, a thin little nymph can get lost. The Carey Special, however, creates a distinct shadow that fish can track from a distance. It's a "confidence fly." If I'm on a new lake and I have no idea what's going on under the surface, I'll tie one of these on first just to see who's home.
Tips for Tying Your Own Carey Special
If you're into fly tying, this is one of the most rewarding patterns to sit down with. It doesn't require any complex techniques or expensive tools. However, there are a few little tricks I've picked up over the years that make a big difference in how the fly performs.
Selecting the Right Pheasant Rump
The most important part of the carey special fly is the hackle. You want feathers from a ringneck pheasant rump patch. Look for the ones that have those mottled greens, browns, and blacks. The fibers should be long enough to reach back to the bend of the hook—or even slightly past it. If the fibers are too short, you lose that signature "breathing" motion. I usually go for the feathers that have a bit of that iridescent sheen; it seems to catch the light just right when the sun is hitting the water.
The Body Material Options
While the original used groundhog fur, most people today use chenille or peacock herl. Peacock herl is my personal favorite because of that natural green glow, but it's a bit fragile. If you're going after toothy fish, a nice olive or black chenille is way more durable.
Don't be afraid to add a bit of weight, too. I often wrap some lead-free wire around the hook shank before I start the body. This helps the fly get down into the "strike zone" faster, especially if you're fishing without a sinking line. A little extra weight also gives the fly a jigging motion when you strip it, which can be the trigger that makes a stubborn rainbow trout finally decide to strike.
How to Fish a Carey Special Fly Effectively
There isn't really a "wrong" way to fish a carey special fly, but some techniques definitely outshine others. Since it's primarily a stillwater pattern, you're usually going to be fishing it from a boat, a float tube, or a dock.
One of the most common methods is a slow, steady troll. If you're in a kayak or a belly boat, just letting the fly trail behind you while you slowly move along the weed edges is deadly. The natural movement of your craft gives the fly a wandering, lifelike action that mimics a dragonfly nymph cruising for a snack.
If you prefer casting, try using a "countdown" method. Cast it out, count to ten (or twenty, depending on the depth), and then start a series of short, erratic tugs. I like to do three quick strips followed by a long pause. Most of the time, the hit happens right on the pause when the feathers flare out. It's a heart-stopping moment when you feel that sudden heaviness on the line.
Color Variations That Actually Work
While the classic olive and brown version is the gold standard, it pays to have a few variations in your kit. Depending on the time of year and the clarity of the water, a slight color shift can make a world of difference.
- The Black Carey: This is a killer choice for low-light conditions or very deep water. It provides the strongest silhouette against the surface.
- The Red or Maroon Carey: Sometimes trout get keyed into leeches that have a reddish tint. A dark red body with the standard pheasant hackle can be a game-changer in the fall.
- The "Flashy" Carey: I've started adding a few strands of crystal flash to the tail or the body. On bright, sunny days, that little bit of spark can grab a fish's attention from across the lake.
Why You Shouldn't Overthink It
The biggest mistake people make with the carey special fly is trying to make it look too neat. This isn't a dry fly where every wrap of thread needs to be perfect. In fact, a "scruffy" Carey usually catches more fish. If the feathers are a bit uneven or the body is a little lumpy, don't worry about it. Real bugs aren't perfectly symmetrical, and fish aren't holding a magnifying glass to your fly.
I remember one afternoon on a small mountain lake where nothing was working. I'd tried every fancy new pattern I bought that spring. Finally, I dug into the back of my box and found an old, ragged Carey Special that was literally falling apart. I tied it on, cast it toward a sunken log, and landed a three-pound rainbow on the very first retrieve. It was a good reminder that sometimes, the old ways are still the best ways.
Wrapping Things Up
Whether you're a seasoned angler or someone just starting out, the carey special fly deserves a spot in your rotation. It's a versatile, rugged, and incredibly effective tool that has stood the test of time for nearly a century. It's not about flashy marketing or high-tech materials; it's just about a design that makes sense to the fish.
Next time you're heading out to the lake and you're staring at your fly box wondering what to pick, don't overcomplicate it. Grab a Carey, find a nice weed bed or a drop-off, and let the feathers do the work for you. You might just find it becomes your new favorite "go-to" pattern, just like it did for me.