FLYMPH FORUM

Still learning, I've been busy tying "unmentionables" like Woolly Buggers, Bead head nymphs, etc. Even a squirmy or two. But this evening, I decided to tie some classic Spiders.

Partridge and Orange
TMC 103BL size 17
YLI #216 Bright Orange Silk
Hungarian Partridge Upper Breast





Snipe and Purple
TMC 103BL size 17
YLI #244 Eggplant Silk
Jack Snipe Lesser Overcovert (Leisenring writes that the best hackles come from Jack Snipe Undercovert, but I didn't want to waste the few feathers that are there on my skin, while I'm still learning)





Waterhen Bloa
TMC 103BL size 17
YLI #214 Daffodil Yellow Silk
Waterhen Lesser Undercovert
Mole and Pine Squirrel dubbing (Robert Smith wrote that Water-Rat, the original dubbing for the WB, has a bunch of guard hairs. I like coarse dubbing so I mixed a bit of the standard WB dubbing, Mole, with Pine Squirrel)



To the naked eye, these ties looked decent to me, but my photographs really accentuate the flaws that are there. But you can also appreciate the sheen of the thread and the texture of the feathers. My hackle is a little bit too long.

This doesn't refer specifically to Spiders, but my biggest problem in tying is crowding the head. I'm getting better at this though.

Dale

You seem to be your toughest critic. Macro photography has helped alot of us improve our tying skills.

Ten years ago I did not want the hackle to go beyond the barb. Still, today , some patterns I tie , I stick to that standard. Normally I use hen hackle to achieve the shorter hackle length.

When I use partridge, grouse, or hen pheasant I prefer the length of the barbs be as long as the feathers you used on your three spiders.

You are doing good work. Keep it up and I am sure you will achieve expert status in no time.

Dale, Are you tying in your feathers by the tip or by the butt? Just curious.

Excellent looking spiders to my eyes.

Oenophileangler, Howdy;

We are all our own worst critic it appears. Toss them to some trout and see what they think
as they are truly the best critic of all. Should the length of the hackle require some adjustment
then they will take care of that for you. Just a few phrases that have been handed around yet
still apply. Me, I have no opinion as I don't care to chew on sharp things covered in thread and
feathers.
Tight lines, always a good sign.

hank

Ron Eagle Elk wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 7:53 am Dale, Are you tying in your feathers by the tip or by the butt? Just curious

Usually tied in at the butt. Sometimes when I have to use a tiny feather, I tie in by the tip because my hackle pliers won’t bite into the tip.

If you go back in time, the illustrations of North Country flies in the books by Edmonds & Lee (1916) and Pritt (1886) show much longer hackles on these types of flies. (Meaning, yours seem fine.)
Here's a link to Edmonds & Lee

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc2.ark:/13 ... =%3Bseq=39

Check out Pritt's Partridge and Orange... (Couldn't copy and paste the pic, just the link)

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hwg1mx? ... 8231885-62

You're doing great and you'll only get better in time. And from what I see, it isn't going to take much time at all.

I have found it helps at times to mark 2mm behind the eye with a Sharpie. Use that mark as a border for your material, as in don't cross that line. Then when your materials are tied at the line you will have room for your head without crowding the eye.

Fishnkilts wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 1:05 pm I have found it helps at times to mark 2mm behind the eye with a Sharpie. Use that mark as a border for your material, as in don't cross that line. Then when your materials are tied at the line you will have room for your head without crowding the eye.

That's a good idea! Sometimes I need to put a thread base down toward the head, and then it gets tapered down to the eye, meaning materials flow down to the head. Especially with Deer and Elk.

Dale

chugbug wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 12:32 pm If you go back in time, the illustrations of North Country flies in the books by Edmonds & Lee (1916) and Pritt (1886) show much longer hackles on these types of flies. (Meaning, yours seem fine.)

dc04c0aa-a8b4-4d8e-b7db-32ac2abe7f6f.jpeg

Here's a link to Edmonds & Lee

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/uc2.ark:/13 ... =%3Bseq=39

Check out Pritt's Partridge and Orange... (Couldn't copy and paste the pic, just the link)

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/hvd.hwg1mx? ... 8231885-62

I have read this as well, but the current "style" appears to be shorter. John Shaner has suggested just trimming the edges, as this was done in the distant past. But again, style frowns upon that.

Dale

Oenophileangler wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 3:38 pm But again, style frowns upon that.

Dale

The only style that matters. To me.