Bubble-Back Soft Hackle Series

[letumgo]

I woke up this morning with the idea for this series of flies (bubble-back soft hackles). Let me know what you think.

Bubble-Back Soft Hackle (generalized recipe)
Hook - Mustad R50-94840 (Size 12 - 18)
Thread - 8/0 UNI-Thread (color of your choice)
Hackle - Hungarian Partridge, Speckled Indian Hen, etc. (whatever makes you happy)
Bubble Back - Antron Yarn, Z-Lon, etc. (color to compliment body)
Body - Peacock Herl, Muskrat Dubbing Blend, etc. (get creative)

Spectrumized Muskrat & Speckled Hen Bubble-Back


Peacock & Partridge Bubble-Back (Golden)


Royal Peacock & Partridge Bubble-Back


Olive Muskrat & Partridge Bubble-Back


I find this fly much easier to tye than the sparkle caddis pattern I posted yesterday. I like being able to see the body of the fly, and yet having the antron bubble just over the back of the fly.

I think the antron could be treated with a wee drop of floatant to make the fly hang in the surface film. Left untreated, I think the fly will sink slowly below the surface. The sparkle of the antron should catch the light and emulate an air bubble.

[DUBBN]

Thats what I am talking about. Thinking outside the box!

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Most excellent, Dude. Love the muskrat dubbing. Unique idea for a set of flies.

REE

[letumgo]

Thanks guys. Yeah, me too. I can't seem to get enough of the muskrat/wool dubbing blends. Really easy stuff to work with.

The top fly is my favorite of the set. I like the look of the golden antron and the speckled hen saddle.

[letumgo]

Chocolate Bubble-Back Soft Hackle
Hook - Mustad R50-94840 (Size 12)
Thread - 8/0 UNI-Thread (black)
Hackle - Speckled Indian Hen (rich chocolate brown)
Tail - Five Pheasant Tail Fibers (Natural or dyed Brown)
Bubble Back - Antron Yarn (dark brown)
Body - Awesome 'PossumPeacock Herl (brown)

I think this has the makings of a general purpose fishing fly. You can fish it as a mayfly fly imitation. Trim off the tail and some of the hackle fibers to fish it as a beetle imitation. If you trim off the bubble-back, your left with a general damsel fly imitation for stillwater fishing. I'm thinking this version is beggings for black and green versions, to cover the bases.

[willowhead]

No list of superlatives is gonna cover it, so i'll just keep it short.............BRILLIANT!!!!! You are definately one of the most innovative and talented tyers we have out here nowdays Ray. It's a sahme you can't travel more and do all the shows...........not that you'd even want to nessessarily............but you'd be a big assest to the scene. You could get all kinds of sponserships and deals, and in-store gigs too. That is fantastic tying and thinking. You BETTER get that in Fly Tyer or somewhere before some turkey rips it...........and trust me, there's one out there. And just because it's here, will not make any difference.
i LOVE that top one too........put a tail on THAT puppy.

[hankaye]

Ray, Howdy;

You are fortunate to have such an imaganiation. Truly.

I really like that Spectactularized Swamp rat you are using (the first one), the rest ain't all that shabby either.

If there was a wall you would have knocked a home run over it with this set...

hank

[tie2fish]

An amazing set, Ray. Your innovative abilities apparently have no boundaries and the execution of your ideas is inspirational.

[kanutripr]

They are very nicely done. I'm curious to know what they look like in the water.



Vicki

[Ruard]

Very very very nice Ray, I like them, think that i have to buy a new flybox.

Greeting