modern Michigan streamer · by 2015
Hawkins Nutcracker
Also called Nutcracker
Likely origin MidCurrent (citing the Detroit Free Press) and several Orvis articles agree Hawkins designed it; no year is given.
History
Chuck Hawkins of Hawkins Outfitters near Traverse City designed the Nutcracker, a muddler-headed sculpin streamer with a long white rabbit tail. MidCurrent introduced it as a new Orvis fly that was taking big Michigan browns, quoting Eric Sharp's description in the Detroit Free Press.
Orvis sells it among Hawkins's own patterns, and he has repeatedly named it his top streamer for resident trout, especially big browns before the fall spawn.
Materials
| Hook | Streamer hook (size not documented) |
|---|---|
| Tail / body | White rabbit strip, about four inches |
| Accents | White and olive marabou, grizzly hackle |
| Flash | A few strands of thin red and pearl Flashabou |
| Collar | Olive deer-hair tips swept back |
| Head | Olive deer hair spun and clipped bullet-shaped |
Tying video
Hawkins Nutcracker | Streamer Fishing by Hawkins Outfitters
Sources
- "New Trout Flies: The Nutcracker." MidCurrent (citing E. Sharp, Detroit Free Press).
- "Trout Bum of the Week LII: Chuck Hawkins." Orvis News, September 28, 2015.
- Hawkins, C. "Pro Tips: Chuck Hawkins's Top 10 Michigan Flies." Orvis News.
- Monahan, P. "Ask the Experts: What Are Your Top 5 Fall Flies?" Orvis News, October 20, 2020.
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No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.