Turkey may headline the Thanksgiving table, but it also has a long, storied place in fly tying. From mottled wings to sturdy tail fibers, turkey feathers bring texture, movement, and tradition to some of the most iconic patterns in fly fishing. Here are five classic flies that rely on turkey—and deserve a place in any angler’s box.
1. Muddler Minnow
Uses: Mottled turkey wing
Created by Don Gapen in 1937, the Muddler Minnow is arguably the most famous turkey-feather fly ever tied. The mottled turkey wing gives the pattern its lifelike sculpin profile, making it a go-to for big trout and predatory fish everywhere.
2. Zug Bug
Uses: Turkey tail for wing case
Carl Zug’s namesake nymph uses turkey tail fibers to create a dark, layered wing case that perfectly imitates mayfly and caddis nymphs. It may look “old school,” but the Zug Bug remains one of the best attractor nymphs of all time.
3. Leadwing Coachman (Wet Fly)
Uses: Turkey quill wings
This traditional wet fly has been around since the 1800s and uses slate-gray turkey quills for the wings. Ideal on a swing during caddis emergences, the Leadwing Coachman continues to prove that classic materials never go out of style.
4. Hares Ear Nymph
Uses: Turkey wing case
The Hare’s Ear Nymph is a trout staple, and its signature look comes from a simple turkey wing case. Those mottled fibers add the perfect natural shading and segmentation to mimic mayfly nymphs in almost any river. Durable, versatile, and endlessly effective—this fly proves just how much realism a single turkey feather can bring.
5. March Brown Wet Fly
Uses: Dyed turkey tail for wing segments
One of the oldest wet fly patterns in fly fishing, the March Brown uses turkey tail to form mottled wings that perfectly mimic the real mayfly. Swing it during spring hatches and prepare for action.