Paco Soria
Spain
Paco lives and works as a professional veterinarian in Gerona, Spain. Although he works with all animals his most interesting specialty is breeding Coq de Leon. There is no better authority that I know of.
The Ter River is within 5 minutes of his home and provides areas of good trout fishing. On weekends and holidays he drives three hours west to his ancestors home in a small village called Gerri de La Sal, nestled in the Pirineos Mountains. From his bed, or tying desk, he can see insects hatching and trout rising in the beautiful Noguera Pallaresa River.
Pictured at left is Paco's friend Jordi, fishing the beautiful Noguera Pallaresa River. Pictured below right is the town of Gerri de la Sal and an arrow points to Paco's ancestor's home. Below that pcture is a closer picture of the Noguera Pallaresa River.
Paco remembers fishing when he was 5 years old by using the "guarnicion" method.
This is a traditional Spanish method of attaching three wet flies to a nylon line, with a ball float, and casting with a current
(casting) rod. He couldn't afford tackle because his mother was widowed and had to support 6
children, so he relied on finding guarnicions in tree branches that others had lost.
In the afternoons he made a point to fish near the Priest because he fished from shore and lost a lot of guarnicions to trees in the water. He would remember the location and return the next morning in his bathing costume, with a big knife to cut tree branches, and retrieved the rigs.
The local Priest furnished flies for many years. Paco said he suspected the Priest was aware of his fly retrieval method and lost the rigs
intentionally, or he was the worst fisherman on the river, which was not
likely. He regrets never confessing to the Priest even though he feels the Priest knew.
Paco (holding trout above) said he gets his genetic fishing traits from his grandfather, who died while fishing the Noguera Pallaresa River. He hoped that when his time came he too would leave this world as his grandfather did.
Paco uses Coq de Leon to tie many different patterns. One of his most creative
accomplishments is the "Ugly Fly" method of tying dry flies. It may not be attractive
to some fly anglers but it certainly is attractive to trout. The Ugly Fly method
provides a very realistic fly on the water and has proven to be very effective.
Click Ugly Fly Instructions to learn how to tie them. Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth so you may have to settle for regular dry fly hackle. Be sure to choose the highest of quality stiff dry fly hackle with as much glossy appearance as possible. The flies may not be as good as Indio Coq de Leon but likely better than traditionally tied dry flies, especially in still water to runs and even small riffles.
Click Coq de Leon for detailed information about these unique feathers.
To purchase Coq de Leon please visit our store on-line at http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html and select "Feathers" then Coq de Leon.
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Ugly Fly Instructions
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sure to visit our on-line store at http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html Tier:
Paco Soria
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One of Paco's Flies:
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for your tying needs.
Hook:
Dry fly #16-#18.
Thread: Brown.
Body: Brown herl or dubbing.
Wing: Stacked Pardo Coq
de Leon fibers.
Hackle: Brown.
Tier: Paco Soria
Spain's Catalonia
Flag
Hook: Short
dry fly #12 to #16.
Tail: Coq de Leon.
Body: Red thread.
Rib: Yellow thread (
Flag is yellow with 4 red strands).Hackle: Coq de Leon Indio (dark) palmered over body (see Note 2).
Wings: Two Coq de Leon hackle tips.
Note 1: This is a pattern by my good friend, Juan Lorite, from France.
Note 2: The trick to obtain a nice "conic" hackle is to trim it to shape before you tie it in. This differs from the "Ugly Fly Method" of trimming in that the hackle fibers should be longer at the tip and tapered shorter toward the base of the feather.
Ed's Note: Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth. You should use the most glossy and stiff traditional hackle as possible. It may not be as good but will work as a substitute.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry Fly #18.
Thread: Brown.
Body: Fine green Swannundaze or Larva Lace Nymph Rib tied over
gold tinsel.
Hackle: Light dun (palmered).
Wing: Chocolate fur dubbing.
Note: The Chochin was designed by Luis Antunez.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry fly #18-#20.
Thread: Light brown.
Eggs: Green herl.
Body: Light brown herl.
Wing: Stacked Indio or light Pardo Coq de Leon fibers.
Hackle: Trimmed Indio Coq de Leon feather.
Ed's Note: Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth. You should use the most glossy and stiff traditional hackle as possible. It may not be as good but will work as a substitute.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry fly #18-#22.
Thread: Pearsall Gossamer (Light Olive).
Tail: Indio Coq de Leon fibers.
Body: Thread.
Wing: Hackle tip tied using the Ugly method (see
note).
Hackle: Indio Coq de Leon neck feather tied using the Ugly method.
Note: Check out the Ugly Fly
Instructions to tie this fly.
Ed's Note: Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth. You should use the most glossy and stiff traditional hackle as possible. It may not be as good but will work as a substitute.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry fly #18.
Body: Green and brown condor substitute.
Wings: Stacked Pardo Coq de Leon fibers.
Hackle: Tip of Pardo Coq de Leon
feather trimmed to size.
Anthenes: Two Pardo Coq de Leon
fibers.
Note: I tie this caddis to fish difficult browns in slow waters but
usually without antennae.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook: Dry
fly 3x long 14.
Tail: Deer hair (dyed grey
or dun).Body: Larva Lace clear body material (over hook shank).
Ribbing: Dark green thread.
Wings: Same as tail.
Thorax: Bronze or dubbing of choice.
Hackle: Dun (short).
Notes: This pattern represents the male mayfly, "Oligoneuriella rhenana."
Instructions: Debarb the hook if desired. Cut a plastic tube about half the hook length and insert the hook through the tube. Attach the thread at the front and rib the tube while moving the thread to the hook bend. Tie on tails, securing the tube, make a "rod" knot (or whip finish), trim thread, and cement. Attach black thread at front of hook and tie on wings, thorax, and hackle. This method makes translucent bodies on many other fly patterns.
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry fly #16.
Thread: Purple.
Tail: Indio Coq de Leon fibers.
Eggs: Poly or Antron dubbing (Green).
Underbody: Flat Mylar tinsel (Gold).
Overbody: Fine Swanundaze or Larva Lace Nymph Rib (Reddish).
Wing: Hackle tip tied using the Ugly method (see
note).
Hackle: Indio Coq de Leon (Silver) tied using the Ugly Fly method, but with
all lower fibers clipped off.
Note: This fly, designed by Luis Antunez, represents the Ephemerella ignita
mayfly.
Note: Check out the Ugly Fly Instructions to tie this fly.
Ed's Note: Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth. You should use the most glossy and stiff traditional hackle as possible. It may not be as good but will work as a substitute.
Select One of Paco's Flies:
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Tier: Paco Soria
Hook:
Dry fly #14-#18.
Thread: Red wine color.
Tail: Indio Coq de Leon fibers.
Body: Red wine herl or micro chenille ribbed with fine metalic tinsel (Silver or
Gold).
Wing: Hackle tip tied using the Ugly method.
Hackle: Pardo Coq de Leon hackle tied using the Ugly
trimming method
(see note).
Note:
Check out the Ugly Fly Instructions to tie this fly
(Bottom of this page).
Ed's Note: Indio Coq de Leon is as rare as hen teeth. You should use the most glossy and stiff traditional hackle as possible. It may not be as good but will work as a substitute.
Select One of Paco's Flies:
Other Information:
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.
By Paco Soria
Coq
de Leon translated means Rooster from Leon, a province in Spain where the
breed originated many centuries ago. Although Coq de Leon has been forever
popular in Spain its popularity in the United States is limited due to it's
rarity. That’s unfortunate because Coq de Leon feathers have exceptional
qualities not found in traditional hackle. Their iridescent hues,
translucent appearance, stiff durable texture, and exceptional natural
waterproofing are unmatched by the best of traditional genetic hackle, or any
other tying materials.
A relatively small area spreading along the mountains of northern Spain is the source of the highest quality Coq de Leon available. Spaniards traditionally believe that if Coq de Leon roosters are removed from this area they will loose their magical powers, and there is merit to their belief. Fertile eggs have been transported to other areas and hatched only to discover the off springs lacked the exceptional feather quality found in their Spanish parents. Even live roosters will soon loose their high quality when taken outside the specific mountain range.
The likely reason for this phenomenon is the rooster's high vulnerability to changes in specific environmental factors of which they have adapted to over many centuries. These factors may be the chemical and mineral content of food and water and/or varying natural radiation in the uranium rich subsoil that affects their renal glands, which in turn produce the exceptional plumage.
The
environmental factor may be a prerequisite for superior quality but another very
important factor is the Spaniards loyalty to traditional methods of rearing and
harvesting the feathers. They rear them in cool dry climates at least
2,300 feet above sea level and provide little protection during winter
months. They also avoid the negative effects of sunlight and confinement
by allowing them to free range (run loose) in large outdoor shaded areas. This may
result in losses to cold weather and predators but it’s considered necessary
to ensure top quality.
Only one in ten eggs will produce a good quality Coq de Leon rooster, and because of their sporadic genetic trait, you must hatch hundreds to get a variety of colors. They will provide colors to match most hatches but if you want unnatural colors you should use dyed traditional hackle. Coq de Leon's natural waterproofing characteristic resist dyes and attempts to dye will reduce the feather's special qualities.
Because of the complexities of rearing Coq de Leon, it is not feasible to kill and skin them. So the limited number of useable feathers are individually plucked in a special way to reduce discomfort. This tedious process is known as strepping and only takes place every three to four months during the first quarter moon. It takes that long for the feathers to develop and the traditional moon phase is believed to encourage maximum growth. The first mature feathers, limpias, develop at 6 months of age but they are of poor quality and are strepped only to allow growth of usable feathers. The finest quality feathers come from roosters at least two years old.
In summary, you have to hatch hundreds of eggs for only a few roosters, rear them in open shaded high altitude areas, wait two years to harvest a limited number of feathers from each one, and then only three or four times a year. Whew! Now you know why quality Coq de Leon is not normally found in catalogs or fly shops, however, it is available.
Types of Coq de Leon
There are two basic types of
Coq de Leon, Pardo and Indio, based
mainly on pattern design. Each are divided into many subtypes according to their
Spanish color names.
Pardo type feathers normally have a spotted to mottled design in shades of dark brown (appearing black) to light brown (appearing beige), with various hues of yellow, orange, red, and gold colors in between. For example: Pardo Aconchado has a yellowish brown circular mottled pattern and Pardo Corzuno has a very dark brown fine mottled pattern.
Indio, on the other hand, have either a plain or slightly spotted design and range in shades of white to black, in shades of gray with hues of red, gold, silver, and other colors in between. For example: Indio Negrisco is brilliant gray to black and Indio Plateado is pearl like grayish silver.
Although the best quality of Pardo Coq de Leon comes from the western mountains of Leon, the best quality Indio is found in central Spain’s Cureno Valley and the Pirineos Mountains of eastern Spain. I found the smaller sizes, used for Paco's Ugly Fly hackle, are mostly from the Pirineos Mountains. The smaller hackle is very rare because for centuries the Spaniards bred for large wet fly hackle.
Both Pardo and Indio are ideal for tails, wet flies, caddis
and stone wings, etc., but the dry fly hackle for the Ugly Fly is tied with
hackle feathers of the Indio type. They are thin yet stiff enough to maintain their shape when abused. Their
brightness and translucence are also exceptional features.
Because they are so difficult to find you may substitute with a top quality dry fly hackle. Because the Ugly Fly requires trimming hackle for blunt ends, it is a good way to use those seldom used large feathers on your cape (neck). For Whiting 100 type packaged feathers you should get a larger size than needed. Size 10 would allow trimming for a size 14 or 16 fly.
Indio feathers are not as popular as Pardo, probably because Pardo is more available and more colorful, however, they are just as effective. In fact, used as dry fly hackle, especially with the Ugly Fly, they are more useful and effective than Pardo.
Select One of Paco's Flies:
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Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.
Information and Instructions
By: Paco Sorias and Ed Gallop
The Ugly Fly is not a specific fly pattern and,
in my opinion, not "ugly" as the name implies. It is a method of applying hackle to a
fly that sounds like it would be ugly.
It involves trimming oversized hackle to hook size (for blunt ends), cutting away the underside into an inverted "V"
shape (rest realistic in surface film), and it only has one wing (also realistic
above water). Yes... That sounds ugly, but ugly is only in the eyes of the
beholder. Trout love the Ugly Fly's realistic appearance and that is good
enough for me.
Trimming hackle is not a new concept. It just never caught on because fly anglers don't like the
way it looks. But, take a moment and think about it. An insect's feet are not pointed like
untrimmed hackle and there are not tons of them bunched up under the thorax either.
The Ugly Fly's limited number of hackle wraps allows for fewer legs and the overlapping method of
applying it causes them to extend at different angles. This, and the inverted "V" shape, allows the
feet to contact the surface where they should, along the sides of the body and thorax.
The inverted "V" shape also causes the fly to land upright and ride low in the
water, just like the real insect.
The single wing concept is not unheard of either. I've been tying certain dun patterns like that for
years because when duns dry their wings they hold them upright like tiny little sailboats floating
on the surface. It may not be popular in the fly tying world but it works
great. Not that traditional two winged flies don't
work, they do, but so do single wings.
Lets look beyond appearance to the more physical concept of floatation. Contrary to what some
may think, trimmed hackle will not absorb water. In fact, it will float better because the blunt ends
don't penetrate the surface film as easily.
Any hackle will float longer when trimmed but the unique texture and natural waterproofing
quality of Coq de Leon hackle makes it float much better and longer than
traditional hackle. Floatants are not needed
and should be avoided because it will reduce it's translucent appearance of Coq
de Leon. Dying will also reduce
translucence and besides, dye won't take well due to the natural waterproofing characteristics.
Indio Coq de Leon is the Ugly Fly's magical ingredient. The specific wrapping and trimming is
the application that makes it work so great. Indio Coq de Leon is a very
rare feather from a specific type of Coq de Leon rooster found in Spain.
Unfortunately, it is not readily available so we suggest the stiffest and most
glossy traditional dry fly hackle as possible. Pardo type Coq de Leon is
available in our on-line store (link at bottom of page). Select at least
2 or 3 times oversized hackle to ensure the blunt tips after trimming. You can use the Ugly Fly method with
any oversized dry fly hackle. It may
not look or behave nearly as well as Indio Coq de Leon but it will perform
better than than the typical upright dry fly style.
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.
Instructions
When I was young I couldn't afford commercial hackle. I was limited to barnyard roosters and often ran out of the smaller sized hackle. I started trimming the plentiful oversized hackle to fit the fly. They didn't look that great but the fish didn't seem to care. It seemed the trimmed hackle flies floated longer and at times produced better.
After getting to know other anglers who would inspect my flies, and was able to afford commercial rooster necks, I converted back to the traditional way of tying dry flies. It wasn't until my good friend, Paco Soria, showed me his Ugly Fly method of tying that I realized the advantage of trimmed hackle. His method took it even farther by cutting the hackle from the bottom of the fly into an inverted V shape. All this came together as he explained why his style performed better.
Paco lived in Spain and was a Coq de Leon breeder so had an ample supply of Indio. He sent me some and I was amazed at the stiff glossy fibers. They were unlike any hackle I had ever seen before. After tying several Ugly Flies with the Indio hackle I gave them a try. They looked more realistic on the water and apparently the trout thought so too. I've fished them in Virginia, North Caroline, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania with excellent results in riffles and runs. They are my favorite dry fly style, even with commercial genetic hackle. They may not be as effective as Indio Coq de Leon but I found them to be more effective than traditional hackled style flies.
I tried in vain to improve Paco’s Ugly Fly method but he obviously perfected the style before introducing it to me. You can alter the Ugly’s body but I suggest you follow Paco’s instructions precisely on the wing and hackle. Don’t waste your feathers.
Dry fly hackle usually comes from the neck or genetic saddles. Be sure to use the best quality hackle you can afford. The more glossy and stiff the better.
Step 1: Tie in the tail and body of the fly you wish to represent, leaving the thread in the position pictured. The hackle's stiffness supports the fly on the surface better and the glossy texture repels water better, thus floating longer with less scum, build-up.
Step
2: Position the feather brilliant side up with tip pointing to
left. Prepare the hackle by grasping the tip (used as the wing) between the left thumb and
finger. Be sure to grasp just enough fibers so the wing length will be
between 1½ to 2 times the hook gap.
With the other hand, grasp the fibers below the wing and slide them toward the base. This will flare out the fibers perpendicular to the stem.
Cut away 3 or 4 fibers from between the wing and flared fibers (both sides) to allow room for thread when attaching to the hook shank. Trim the hackle fibers evenly on both sides, the same length or slightly shorter, than the wing is long.
Make sure the trimmed hackle is sized to the hook.
Trimming before wrapping is a lot easier than trimming afterwards.
Trim away top feather fibers as shown in bottom picture. Leave only enough fibers on top side for 2 or 3 turns in front and 2 to 3 turns behind the wing. This should be about 2 cm or 13/16" (inch) or a little more for larger than size 16 hooks. This will allow for wraps toward rear to include fibers from both sides of feather but return wraps forward will involve only fibers on one side of feather. The reason for this is to reduce the amount of disturbance to fibers on the return wraps, creating a better spread of fibers for more realistic footprints.
Step
3: Tie in the wing tip by laying the hackle tip toward the rear
and in line with the hook. Wrap the thread snug behind the wing 2 or 3
times to support the wing upright and then forward to the head
position.
Note: If your wing is different than the hackle then tie them in separate, but always leave the base of the hackle in front of the wing. You can lightly splay wings by tying the hackle stem through the middle.
Step 4. Wrap the hackle two times after it starts to flare, once in front of the wing and once behind it.
Note: I sometimes wrap hackle twice in front and back but it is not quite as realistic on the water.
Step 5. Then maneuver it forward, overlapping and oscillating through the previous wraps, once behind and once forward of the wing. The reason you overlap hackle is to make the fibers stick out at angles to appear as legs along the front of the body. This will not happen if you tie the hackle the traditional way, or try to flare with thread.
Step 6. Tie off the hackle, clip, and whip finish. The hackle should appear sparse and flared as pictured.
Step 7. View the fly from the front and trim the underside hackle to an inverted "V" shape (see picture).
Note 1: You may find it easier to remove the fly from the vice and hold it in your hand. The inverted "V" causes the remaining hackle to rest in the surface film as tiny little insect feet.
Note 2: I usually place a drop of penetrating head cement or Zap-a-Gap on the underside of the hackle wrap to give extra durability and extended life. However, this may decrease it's floatability.
Now comes the best part... Go fish the "Ugly Fly" and you'll see for yourself how realistic it appears on the water. Not only will it fool the trout but it will fool you too. Keep an eye on it because it will blend in with the naturals so well that you loose track of it.
Select One of Paco's Flies:
Other Information:
Be sure to visit our on-line store at
http://www.flytyingworld.com/angling/index.html
for your tying needs.