Invicta Flies - Gray Goose
Sawyer's Gray Goose (shown below on the right) uses gray goose fibers and gold wire. It could represent the callibaetis nymph as well as other aquatic forms. Sawyer's pheasant tail nymph is similar, and has been altered a bit over time, particularly here in the United States. Below is my "Americanized" version of the Gray Goose, also good for imitating a variety of nymphs.
 "American" Gray Goose
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 Sawyer's Gray Goose
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Hook: Mustad 3906B, #14-18
Thread: Danville's Prewaxed 6/0, black
Tail: gray goose wing quill fibers
Ribbing: fine silver wire
Abdomen: gray goose fibers
Legs & Wingcase: gray goose quill fibers
Thorax: peacock herl
Tying Instructions:
1.) Place hook in vise and secure thread, ending at bend.
2.) Tie in wire ribbing, the portion to be wound extending beyond bend.
3.) Clip a few fibers from the gray wing quill of a goose. For size 14 use six fibers, for size 16 use five fibers, and for size 18 use three. Align the tips and tie in at bend, length of tail 1/2 to 3/4 hook shank length.
4.) Wind thread forward to halfway or 2/3 up hook shank.
5.) Wrap butt end of goose quill fibers arouns shank forward to thread. Be sure to cover tie-in thread at bend. Clip excess.
6.) Couter wrap wire ribbing forward to thread. Tie down and clip excess.
7.) Clip another section of goose fibers for the legs and wingcase, ten fibers for size 14, eight for size 16 and 18. Align the tips and measure for length. Tie in with tips pointing toward the bend, the length 3/4 the shank plus the hook eye. Clip excess.
8.) Tie in four strands of peacock herl by the tips. Wind thread back to rear of thorax. Twist herls to form a rope. Wrap this around shank forward, then back again to the thread. Tie off and clip the excess.
9.) Wind thread forward through peacock herl to front of thorax. Pull goose fibers forward and lash down with four wraps of thread.
10.) Divide the tips of the goose fibers into two equal bundles. Pull one bundle back on the far side and lash down with a couple thread wraps. Do the same for the remaining bundle on the near side of the hook.
11.) Form a small head with the tying thread. Whip finish and cement.