#178 - West Branch Ghost Variant #1

Tied by: Dwayne Miller
Originated by: Duane Vigue

Hook: Partridge CS15 #2/0
Thread: White
Tag: Flat silver tinsel
Tail: Peacock sword
Body: Dark blue floss
Rib: Embossed silver tinsel
Belly: Peacock herl followed by white bucktail
Throat: Silver Dr. blue schlappen
Wing: Four grizzly dyed blue hackles
Shoulder: Guinea fowl feather dyed blue
Eyes: Jungle cock
Head: Black

Notes: The West Branch plays a big role in Duane Vigue's patterns. There are at least 7 streamers designed by Duane which carry the West Branch identifier, among these are the WB Silver Ghost, WB Yellow Ghost, WB Witch and several variants of the West Branch ghost itself. On the West Branch the Osmerus Mordax (rainbow smelt) are a staple in the salmons diet and they can come in a variety of shades from light gray to dark blue/black. Although these patterns were developed and intended to be fished on the West Branch, they have been highly successful anywhere smelts and minnows are abundant. This holds true for even the sea run minnows such as in the lower end of the Kennebec and Saco Rivers.