Happy St. Patty's from the Irish Lord

When I came into work today, I wondered what I could possibly post related to St. Patrick’s Day and fly fishing.  Then I remembered a particular fish who fit the profile perfectly.  Meet the Irish Lord.

My buddy Stacy and I were enjoying a crystal clear June afternoon off the mouth of a coastal Alaskan stream.  We were hopeful the incoming tide would eventually deliver a pulse of fresh King Salmon.  Not one to waste valuable fishing time, I began to probe the tideline for whatever might be lurking off the mouth. I tried several baitfish patterns to no avail.  Then I deployed a blue and chartreuse Reverse Marabou Spey Tube fly tied by my friend Tom Larimer. That’s when I stumbled on an Irish Lord feeding frenzy.  King Salmon were soon forgotten.  The water began to froth with the maws of giant Irish Lord’s. I don’t think Tom had these denizens of the deep in mind when he designed the fly, but it was a lock.  Here’s to the Irish Lord! Possibly the most underrated estuary gamefish in Alaska.