The Lady Caroline

The Lady Caroline is a classic Scottish Spey fly created around 1875 by Geordie Shanks, head ghillie at Gordon Castle. It was reportedly named for Lady Caroline Elizabeth Gordon-Lennox, daughter of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon and an accomplished angler on the River Spey. Its long body hackle and low-set wings create a graceful profile and lifelike movement in the Spey’s powerful currents.

Curated by the IdentaFly fly fishing team.

Tie the bronze mallard wings low and slightly tented instead of upright. This helps the fly track correctly in heavy current while allowing the long hackle fibers to move freely beneath the body.