Few flies in the angler's box carry the timeless appeal of the Black Pennell. This iconic wet fly, designed by H. Cholmondeley-Pennell in the late 19th century, has been a go-to pattern for trout and salmon anglers for over a century. Simple, effective and versatile, working on rivers and stillwater. What more could you need?
What makes the Black Pennell so effective in Scottish hill lochs? Its dark, understated profile mirrors insects we find in these waters, such as black midges and small terrestrials blown onto the lochs by the wind. The subtle silver ribbing and soft hackle give the fly just enough sparkle and movement to draw the attention of wild trout cruising near the surface.
We use them in size 16-10, depending on the target and condition, and they all work! Hill lochs are often windswept, creating rippled surfaces where wet flies like the Black Pennell truly shine. Fished as part of a traditional loch-style setup, with a team of two or three flies, the Black Pennell works beautifully on the top or middle dropper. We usually fish it on either a floating or intermediate line, depending on the depth and conditions, but a big one also works well as a lure on a sinking line.
The Black Pennell features a sleek black body, I tie it simply with a semperfli classic waxed black thread, a silver ribbing for added flash, and a soft hen hackle collar. Usually I will use 2x wet fly hooks.
Now for the fun bit; I have some lovely indian hen capes, and a furnace and badger colouring has turned up the heat on my pennels. The black and white hackle paired with an amherst pheasant tippet look s amazing, and the furnace colour gives it that extra lure. I cant wait to get them out on the water and field test the colour variations.
So, next time you’re planning a day on the water, be sure to bring a few Black Pennells along, and don't be afraid to play about with them. You just might discover the next 100-year pattern. Tight lines! 🎣
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