Fishing fly with black and blue feathers on a white background
Fishing fly with black and blue feathers on a white background

Atlantic Salmon Fly, Hairwing, Blue Charm - Dark Wing

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Hand Tied
in Canada
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Description

The Blue Charm – Dark Wing is a classic Atlantic salmon wet fly featuring a dark hair wing, black body, silver ribbing and a distinctive blue throat. Its strong contrast and traditional profile make it a versatile pattern for fishing Atlantic salmon across a range of river conditions.

This DcTackle dressing uses a hair-wing construction while retaining the recognizable character of the Blue Charm. A dependable addition to an Atlantic salmon fly box for anglers who appreciate traditional patterns tied with practical modern materials.

Tied in Canada by DcTackle.

Pattern History

The Blue Charm is one of the enduring patterns of Atlantic salmon fly fishing, with roots in the British featherwing tradition of the late nineteenth century. Historical dressings were associated particularly with summer and low-water fishing, and the pattern later became closely associated with A. H. E. Wood and the development of greased-line fishing on Scotland's River Dee.

Like many traditional salmon flies, the Blue Charm has evolved considerably. Earlier versions used feather wings of mallard or turkey with teal, while later hairwing adaptations substituted materials such as grey squirrel. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the pattern has also been dressed with moose hair and other wing materials, creating regional variations of a fly that has remained recognizable through its dark body, silver rib and distinctive blue throat.

Fishing Notes

The Blue Charm has a long association with summer and low-water Atlantic salmon fishing and has been dressed in a wide range of sizes and styles to suit different conditions. Smaller, sparsely dressed versions have traditionally been associated with lower and clearer water.

The pattern has become particularly well established in Atlantic Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Blue Charm variations remain common, with differences in wing material, tip colour and overall dressing reflecting local preferences and fishing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Atlantic salmon fly should I choose?
Fly size depends on factors such as water level, water temperature, clarity, season and fishing conditions. Larger flies are often selected for higher or colder water, while smaller flies are commonly used as water levels fall and temperatures rise. Local preferences and river conditions can also influence fly selection.
Are these flies suitable for Atlantic salmon fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes. These patterns are suitable for Atlantic salmon fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador, although individual patterns, sizes and presentations may be better suited to particular rivers or conditions. Where useful, additional information is provided in the Pattern History and Fishing Notes for the individual fly.
Are these Atlantic salmon flies tied in Canada?
Yes. DcTackle Atlantic salmon flies are tied in Canada by DcTackle using carefully selected fly-tying materials.
What materials are used in these Atlantic salmon flies?
The materials vary by pattern. The Pattern Recipe on each product page identifies the dressing used for that particular fly. Where appropriate, the Material Alternatives section also identifies other materials that can be used in place of traditional or specified materials.
Can I substitute different materials when tying this pattern?
Yes. Many traditional Atlantic salmon patterns have been dressed with different materials over time, often because of availability, regional preference or changes in fly-tying materials. Where suitable alternatives exist, they are identified in the Material Alternatives section of the product page.
Can I purchase the materials used to tie this pattern?
Where materials are available from DcTackle, they are shown in the Shop the Pattern section of the product page. Availability varies by pattern and material.

Shop the Pattern

Everything you need to tie this pattern, matched to the exact materials used.

Pattern Recipe

SW-001 · Blue Charm - Dark Wing

Hook
Maruto M30
Thread
Semperfli 8/0 and 12/0 Black CWT Thread depending on hook size
Tip
Oval Silver Tinsel
Tag
Bright Yellow Floss
Tail
Golden Pheasant Crest Feather
Butt
Black Ostrich Herl
Body
Black Floss with underbody of Black Uni-Stretch on larger hook sizes
Rib
Oval Silver Tinsel
Throat / Collar Hackle
Fl. Blue Schlappen tied as a throat
Wing — Layer 1
Black Opposum Hair or substitute
Head Finish
Black Thread and UV Black resin - Ultra Thin

Tying Video

Tying video coming soon.

This recipe represents the DcTackle dressing. Traditional Atlantic salmon flies often have multiple accepted variations, and materials may differ between historical, regional and contemporary dressings.

Image Note: Some product graphics use AI-assisted presentation. Fly imagery is based on actual DcTackle-tied flies; AI may be used for backgrounds, supporting imagery and visual presentation.

Pattern Notes

American opossum is a DcTackle wing standard for this dressing, although black squirrel tail or black moose hair are also commonly used alternatives. Black floss is used over a base layer of black nylon stretch; the underbody is optional and may be omitted depending on personal preference.

Black ostrich herl is included however many prefer to omit it. Its a standard on many of the DcTackle salmon flies

Light blue schlappen is commonly used for the throat, although a darker blue may also be used depending on the desired appearance. The size of the oval silver tinsel used for the tip and rib should be adjusted to suit the hook size and personal preference.

On the Water

Catches shared by anglers fishing this DcTackle pattern.

Atlantic Salmon
Gander River - NL

“10lb Salmon”