As Tim Flagler notes in the video below, the Cream Variant is “an oldie, but a goodie.” Indeed, I remember seeing this pattern for the first time as a child—it is the epitome of delicate fly fishing, and I remember thinking that all flies used for fishing should be this beautiful.
Also, as Tim notes, it’s a great all-season searcher, particularly useful in late spring or summer when sulfurs, PMDs and gray drakes find their way to the water.
The Cream Variant might be a tricky tie for beginners—the quill body is a challenge for many, like me, who don’t do delicate very well. Also, it requires good “geometry,” as Flagler notes, because, when it’s not quite right, the fly will float with its tailfeathers to the sky. Not good.
But, as with any fly worth tying, the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Give it a shot and see what you think.
— Chris Hunt