FLYMPH FORUM

Changed out the hackle - original called for duck shoulder, but I couldn't get it to work, so I used an aftershaft feather in a split loop (pheasant here; partridge, quail, grouse, etc have them, too). Nice thing about this stuff is you can adjust the length to get neat looking hackle on really small flies (and it's a lot cheaper than a hen cape); color is somewhat limited. Tied here as a PMD, change colors to suit your needs

hook - Dai Riki 305 #16
thread - Danville 6/0 primrose
tail - hackle fibers light dun
abdomen/head - dubbing pmd rabbit
hackle - aftershaft
overwing - midge Krystal Flash pearl


mash barb, start thread, tie in rib, wrap back to point above barb




strip off some hackle fibers; measure (shank length) and tie in






dub thread, dub abdomen up to 2/3 mark






unwind thread to remove any twist, split with bodkin




prep aftershaft, grab with clip






insert in split thread, slide off clip, release, trim away from stem








spin, moisten, wrap








tie in KF




dub head






tie off, trim KF, half hitch x 2, SHHAN




Regards,
Scott

Again very nice sbs but, more importantly great use of the aftershaft.

Split thread can be such a good friend. Great job Scott

Scott, I believe I owe you a proper welcome and a big thank you for your recent additions/SBS posts. This is such a wonderful job demonstrating each step. It's funny I don't remember seeing this before (and I have that book, it's just been years) but your fly is really along the lines of several flies I've been tying lately. On the larger mayfly soft-hackles, I've been fooling around with a dubbed head and setting the hackle back a few turns. It sure looks nice here, especially with such a short fibered and soft "hackle". Nicely done.

w

The Marc Petitjean "Magic Tool" plastic clamps are handy to have on your bench, but if you don't have them, large binder clips or the clamps sold to seal opened snack bags will also work.

Nice pattern design, reminds me of one of my favorites, The Bird's Nest.