Perhaps I just liked his attitude. One of the greatest Catskill fly tyers, a man anglers who have done anything to be able to buy his dry flies, and when they asked Rube Cross “what was so special about your Cross Special” he flatly stated that it was a good fly and he had the materials. No lauded secret trials for just the right shade of fur or hackle, no sir, just the plain truth. You have to admire a man like that.
We learned more about Reuben Cross a couple seasons ago when a new biography was penned by author Richard Lodge, and I am pleased that Mr. Lodge undertook the extensive research required to pen his “The Rise of the Neversinker”. If you haven’t read it, you should.
For some reason, I have never been a fan of the Light Cahill dry fly. Can’t say exactly why, though maybe the fact that the colors never seem to be consistent over various descriptions. I have caught some trout on the fly, but not all that many, nor particularly memorable ones.
Something struck me about Cross’ pale fly though. That beautiful light brassy, grayish hue that is so hard to describe, even here in the Catskills where it had it’s birth and growth: natural dun. Pair the quintessential dry fly hackle with a pale, creamish white fur and the wondrous wood duck flank feather and you have one handsome dry fly to match all of the summer creamy mayflies.
I hope to tie a Cross Special later this afternoon onto my leader and see if I can find a big, old brownie who likes it just as much as I do!
Bright Waters Catskill 