FLYMPH FORUM

A couple of years ago I posted this link to a book about Harold Howorth: http://flytyingjournal.blogspot.se/2011 ... s-fly.html
I remember another member had been looking for this book. If you follow the link you may see that H.H. tweaked existing patterns to his liking. One of these patterns I have been tying the last couple of evenings. As usual no photo (yet). The original pattern in question is Snipe & Purple. Mr Howorth tried to find a more durable hackle than snipe. He eventually ended up with the lesser coverts of the teal duck wing, which he found much stronger. He also added a peacock thorax as he used to do with other spider patterns. As it says in the book: "The name, incidentally, was suggested because it was at Henthorn on the River Ribble that this fly was first used in its development stages".
Since I don't have any duck wings I used snipe which probably means my fly is a one fish fly.

Can anybody offer an opinion on the differences between teal and mallard coverts?

dd

dd ~ There are at least two types of teal in North America (blue wing and green wing), and as a species, teal are much smaller than mallards. Based on my admittedly sketchy knowledge about teal, I would venture to say that teal coverts are both smaller and considerable darker than mallard coverts.

tie2fish wrote:Based on my admittedly sketchy knowledge about teal, I would venture to say that teal coverts are both smaller and considerable darker than mallard coverts.

I was afraid of that answer. Teal seems to be less available than the common mallard. Thank you, Bill.

I was pondering another question: What were the trout eating before all fly tying synthetics became the order of the day? I remember when Johnno asked about how many of us were using synthetics. Myself, I was using almost nothing. I have now found something I like; Davy Wotton SLF Squirrel in Dark Brown. It is very attractive. I have also used the yarn that John P. so generously was sharing. And Veevus thread. The well-mannered Bob Smith mentioned that many of the old manuscripts on North Country flies called for "lead coloured" silk. I like the lead/dun that is available in Veevus and Griffiths Sheer - but not for Henthorn Purple.
(Was straying there...).

dd

Oh please add a photo to this. It sounds lovely!!!

I use very little synthetic dubbing. Funny enough, the only kind I use consistently is the SLF squirrel dubbing. The dark brown being one of my favorites. I have selection of antron dubbing that I use but only sparingly at times and mixed thinly with natural furs.

Well, since you already hijacked (Hi, Jack!) your own thread....
I use a lot of synthetics in other types of flies (Bream love them), but not so much in my spiders and flymphs. Like Carl, I will put a little bit in some dubbing mixes to add a bit of shiney into the body. Not enough to really effect the color, and I usually pick something close to the same shade as the dubbing. I think it adds a bit of spark without creating a hot spot. I can't even testify whether it changes my catch rate for the better. I do know it hasn't made it worse. I'll have to tie up a few pairs and throw them together and see what happens.

Kirk

Nice thread, Stefan. Thanks for sharing this fly.

crazy4oldcars wrote:Not enough to really effect the color, and I usually pick something close to the same shade as the dubbing. I think it adds a bit of spark without creating a hot spot. I can't even testify whether it changes my catch rate for the better. I do know it hasn't made it worse. I'll have to tie up a few pairs and throw them together and see what happens. Kirk

Same here. I have used dubbing from several blends that I made up a few years ago and they included a touch of antron. These worked really well. In recent years I've been tying these same patterns using only natural materials and they well. If I could fish for hours on end day after day on the same water, I might have a stronger opinion, but I wouldn't say one way or the other over if there were a difference.

w

When trawling the net for information I only found two photos of this fly, neither of them looking as in the book, both overdressed. I would love to show you a photo, Kelly, but I can't. As a matter of fact I haven't even tied a correct version since I used snipe instead of teal lesser covert. The latter looks readily available rather cheap so I will probably order some, just to try it out. Snipe is very fragile. Last night I tied a Purple Snipe with hackle set over and under, just like the MC post Hank linked to. Six fibers in total. Sparse! I also produced an overdressed version of the Light Snipe, with the paler side of the hackle to the front. I had forgotten that detail. It made the fly tenkarish in the vice.

Old Carl; what a coincidence with that dark brown squirrel dubbing!

Mr Crazy; feel free to hi-jack. When I find some clear antron I will try to add some to some natural fur.

All; what staple length do you use when blending your own dubbing?

(I bet Billtofish ties an awesome version of Henthorn purple).

dd

Best I can do in poor outdoor light, pretty average camera (and skills) and the only pair of Snipe wings I own.

The larger wing is a Mallard Hen wing. Pretty close on the top side for colour match, not perfect..... but close.



The undersides are totally different.



One of the smaller Mallard feathers being held over one of the Snipe wings to compare.



Feather size on the Mallard is a bit larger, Teal might be a closer size match.
I do have some Teal wings here...... somewhere and when I track them down I will add some photos. MOST Teal in NZ are protected species, there is only one we call a Spoonbill or Shoveller (which I think is the same bird as your blue teal?) that can legally be hunted during the waterfowl season.
The male Blue Wing has some spectacular colouration, but the female is dull drab and somewhat earthy in colour tones, not unlike the Mallard Hen or Snipe.

Jeff, these are fabulous reference photos, thank you. I really like both kinds. That hen wing is quite lovely. I really love snipe patterns, great material. The hen looks like it could be a great sub.