Prairie Hen and Orange (Vintage Mustad)

[letumgo]

Prairie Hen and Orange (Vintage Mustad)
Hook - Vintage Mustad Model 3121 Limerick Turned Up Eye hook (Size 12) - Thanks Mark!
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Hot Orange)
Hackle - Prairie Hen Hackle - Thanks Doug! I've been very stingy with these, so I still have a few feathers left.
Abdomen - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Hot Orange)
Rib - Tag end of the tying thread, colored with a brown Sharpie Marker (Thanks for the inspiration Wayne & Davy McPhail!)
Thorax - Hares Ear Dubbing (Natural)

[hankaye]

Ray, Howdy;

ARRGGG, Ahab, ye'll not be turnin' to many loose with that Barb ...

, , .

hank

[letumgo]

Hank - Agreed. These were definitely catch-and-keep style hooks. I bet it took a good strike to set these hooks past the barb. In terms of visual aesthetics, however, I love these hooks. Combines three of my favorite hook elements (limerick bend, harpoon-like barb and turned-up-eye).

[Soft-hackle]

A knock-out, Ray! Well done. Looks very traditional on that hook.

Mark

[letumgo]

Mark - I had been saving these hooks for a special occasion. I decided that this was a way I could include you in my tying demonstration. I remember you handing me this box of hooks during your demonstration a couple years ago. Very much appreciated.

[Mataura mayfly]

Way cool looking fly, but got to love the look of that hook!

The good thing with those barbs is, you can set that barb, let the line go slack- take all pressure off the fish, roll a smoke- light it- smoke it to the end- stub it out, lift your rod and woohoo....... the fish is STILL there!
I do not often fish barbless, as a rule the fish are bigger and the damage minimal.

[Soft-hackle]

Made before mini barbs were "fashionable".

Mark

[Smuggler]

That hook is the bee's knee's, so cool.
Pattern isn't bad either
Thanks for sharing, Ray.

[Kelly L.]

I love the hook, and the entire fly, as well as photography. Ray, you did a sweet job on this one, LOVE IT.

[DOUGSDEN]

Ray,
No problem on the Prairie Hen! I checked with my local supplier recently who hunts these birds on his property out west. He did not make the trip this past season! He was complaining about heart trouble and arthritis and old age....I told him he'd better get out there soon and bring home the bacon as it were because there was a whole core of folks on this forum that are depending on him to ....... you realize that I am kidding about this? I love off beat humor!
Your pattern looks fantastic! The vintage Mustad is quite cool and it does harken backwards to a simpler time! Wow! It does have a harpoon for a hook point!
Great stuff Ray! We really appreciate the eye candy that you make! I wish I had a tenth of the talent that you have behind the vice!
Doug