Not The Last Of The Mohicans!

Clark Colman explores the origins and development of the Marsden’s Mohican, a mini lure whose availability and effectiveness is a fitting tribute to the larger-than-life character after whom it’s named.

- Clark Colman

I’ve a feeling that my dad, Jeff, might be a little disappointed with this feature. When I let slip its title a few weeks ago he immediately conjured up images of British redcoats, French bluecoats and Native American Indians slugging it out for control of North America in the Seven Years’ War of the 1700s – conflicts immortalised in one of his favourite reads, James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans.

A Different Kind Of Mohican

First published in 1826, this stirring historical adventure story has become a classic of its kind, and with its haunting soundtrack, easy on the eye leading actors (a rippling Daniel Day-Lewis and sultry Madeleine Stowe – take your pick, ladies and gents!) and dramatic action scenes, the 1992 film of the book is well worth watching, too. So, to both Jeff Colman and those readers who share his enthusiasm for such matters, I can only apologise if the very different Mohicans and battle scenes below aren’t quite what you might have been expecting!

Having used the Mohican (in its various colour combinations) consistently on stocked fisheries throughout the last couple of years, both personally and with clients, I can certainly vouch for its effectiveness and versatility on such venues. My good friend Leigh Fidell, an AAPGAI instructor based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, has also done rather well on it while targeting wild Stillwater brownies, and it’s only a matter of time before, like one or two other flyfishers have already done, I take it for a swim in running water.