The Salmon Bomber Pattern - a comprehensive history
Partridge's 92 years of business they decided to review and revisit patterns that have long been part of their heritage and are as relevant today as they ever were. In this article we’re visiting origins and evolution of this iconic pattern to be able to present this versatile hook in a different light.
“Long regarded as the undisputed king of salmon dry flies, the Bomber is the high-flying aerial ace that has earned its unique place among other notable patterns in the salmon fisherman’s fly box.
The Bomber was originally designed as a commotion fly for fishing in the headwaters of the Miramichi River. It was the late Father Elmer Smith of Prince William, New Brunswick, Canada that takes the credit for the first Bomber – initially, he intended the Bomber to be fished sub-surface, he later thought it to be well suited for dry fly fishing and had various versions of the fly made.
Rumour has it that Smith got his initial inspiration for the Bomber fly after seeing a salmon rise to the cigar-butt he had just thrown in the river . . . the pattern was created as a variation of a deer-hair mouse which was used for sea-run Brook Trout in Maine.
Today the Bomber is Canada’s (possibly the world’s) Number One Salmon Dry Fly Pattern, used by most salmon anglers and it is tied in multiple colours and sizes.
Years and hundreds of variations later, the Bomber in all its hybrid forms, has delighted long rodders and continues to prove an effective fly for a range of kyped creatures from salmon to steelhead.
While variant of the Bomber abound, they can be broadly divided into two basic styles. The original design of Reverend Smith, which was popularized by W. W. Doak & Sons, features a single wing and tail, with a tightly packed body close-ribbed with hackle. The Quebecois design which shows the strong influence of the noted American salmon dry fly tier, fisherman and guide Lee Wulff, is essentially a combination of a bi-wing, heavily collared and a sparser clipped body and tail, with longer hackle intended to support the fly.
Though the two styles are often interchangeable, the design differences are indicative of the waters in which they are fished. The Doak-style is favoured in Eastern tannin-stained salmon waters, or in the turbulent steelhead rivers of the West where the fly can be skated or riffle-hitched to great effect. The Quebecois design, with its forward-facing wings and lighter body, is perfect for launching long arching casts that allow the fly to gain hang time over salmon resting in clear pools, landing as a natural and fished like a trout fly.
The two types of “original” bombers styles – tied by Jamie Pike.
Needless to say, the rapid rise in popularity of the bomber, a specific salmon dry fly hook was called for. It had to be light, but strong with the ability to hold purchase in the jaws of a leaping, cartwheeling salmon and have enough shank length to provide a base for the clipped hair body design. Enter one John Warren Duncan (1948 – 2007), “Dunc” to his friends, a prolific salmon tyer from New Brunswick whose fame at not only the precision and style of his dressings but also his incredible speed, soon gained him a prominent position in the realm of the great Canadian salmon fly dressers. His many pattern creations have stood the test of time and are still popular today. However, it was his collaboration with the late, great Alan Bramley, former owner of the Partridge of Redditch, England that resulted in the development of a unique salmon dry fly hook, specifically engineered for the bomber design.
Partridge Original Bomber Hook.
The Bomber has been in continuous production singe the 1980’s. The pattern remains a Salmon Dry Pattern produced on light but strong wire, micro-barbed hook with a gape deep enough to spin a clipped hair body and have plenty of bite clearance. Returning to the original strength of the down loop-eye design, the hook was also given a deeper more elegant sweep with a deadly beak point for added holding power. The traditional bronze finish will be complimented in 2023 by black nickel finish provides a contemporary salmon finish. Available in sizes #2 to 10, so this hook can easily be used to tie a wide variation of styles and patterns to fit the river, the season and the species.
This hook pays tribute to the history of this iconic fly and to the men who, through their efforts, have given the thrill of taking salmon & steelhead on a dry fly to anglers worldwide.”
References
Photo of Father Elmer James Smith the designer of the exceptional salmon dry fly pattern. Information and image from Miramichi Salmon Museum – Doaktown, New Brunswick, Canada.