The soldier palmer is a classic wet fly that dates back to at least the 17th century. The fly was common and was documented by Isaac Walton’s The Compleat Angler 1653, though it was not known as the soldier palmer at the the time, but rather just a “palmer fly” with red body and hackle. The fly with the name “Soldier Palmer” was likely first tied in the early 1800s as a trout fly for the big lochs of Scotland. The earliest mention the author has found of a “Soldier Palmer” was within Spring Tide: or the Angler and his Friend published in 1850 by englishman John Yonge Akerman. Later, it came to be tied in larger versions to target salmon. The popularity and endurability of this fly is a testament to the fact that it is a reliable pattern for catching fish.
A good number of stocked trout have been caught trolling this small fly with a sinking line or sink tip on British Columbia lakes.
Recipe:
Hook: Fulling Mill 31530 Competition Heavyweight
Sizes: 10-14
Thread: White
Tail: Red Wool
Body: Red Flst. Seals Fur Sub Dubbing
Rib: Gold Oval Tinsel
Hackle: Brown Cock Hackle Palmered
Head: Black Thread Varnished
Originator: Unknown
Type: Soft Hackle Wet Fly