FLYMPH FORUM

The fly posted by Doug as a "Local Favorite" the other day really caught my eye, and looked to be something a fish would readily eat. So, I decided to come up with a version of it using chartreuse thread and a waterhen wing feather for hackle. I showed the result to Doug and he suggested that I post it. The hook is a Daiichi 1550, Size #16 and the body is twist-dubbed muskrat underfur.

Beautiful tie I love Muskrat flies!

Fishable Perfection. The only way to make that fly look nicer, would be to hang a fish off the back end.

You do nice work Bill (understatement).

While stretched out on the couch over here, I can see that working well Bill.
The light coloured thread, coming through the dubbing once wet.
And that hackle. The waterhen really is a beautiful hackle.
You've done well to get a nice body taper in a #16 too.

Out of curiosity, did you try a separate spun body with that thread?

Nice Bill!
Out of further curiosity- what happens if you hit that fly with a black light?
Okay- not literally "hit it" ..... shine a black light on it. Gives the impression the chartreuse might be kind of like hot spot thread?
Keep up the practise, one of these days we will not be able to tell your flies from Doug's.

A person could not go wrong with yours and Doug's versions. Great looking patterns.

Thanks guys. I had not thought of trying spun bodies with that thread, Tim, but it might well be worth a go. Jeff, I like your observation about the "hot spots"; the thread is actually more florescent than what shows up in the photo. Even under my halogen tying light, it "glows" some.

tie2fish wrote: Even under my halogen tying light, it "glows" some.

Interesting. There must be a bit of an underglow to the whole body then with thread bleed through.
Be cool to see if there is any difference in hit rate to a fly tied with this thread and say one tied light cahill colour- or if there was more success with this one fished in cloudy water.