Birdnest from Doug

[DOUGSDEN]

Bill Lovelace,
Wow! I really like your Birds Nest! The color really catches my eye! Also, your pattern is more "open" and I mean that in a very complimentary way! I can see plainly the body and ribbing thru the hackle and the head (thorax more so) is more defined and a bunch more sparse!
Wonderful work Bill! I like it very much!
Dougsden

[Roadkill]

Dougsden,

Not a doubt in my mind that your tie is a marvelous fish catcher as well. For the last 2 days, I had fun discussing the Bird's Nest at the NW Fly Tyer and Flyfishing Expo with both novice tyers and others like me who tied and fished these decades ago.

Bill

[ronr]

Don't forget to use Opossum!!
https://singlebarbed.com/2007/08/25/birds-nest/

Letumgo...would this be a bump?

[ronr]

Ray,

Here is this mornings blend for the Expo.

I used rug yarn, Australian Possum (L) and Hare's Mask (R)...
IMGP5829 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

This is the spectral blend after cutting and mixing in my dedicated dubbing/coffee grinder...
IMGP5830 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

My final Dubbing blend...
IMGP5832 by William Lovelace, on Flickr

This photo from my little point and shoot camera of the finished dubbing doesn't due the spectral coloration justice.
But there are a myriad points of color glinting subtly but dramatically in the fur.

Happy Nest building everyone!!

Ray another...

[Terrestrial12]

Sorry, I know this is old but I'm really tired of Facebook so I find myself browsing here more and more. I'm a massive fan or Cal Bird's work. I might have posted them in another thread but I've got several of Mr. Bird's dubbing blends from his personal collection if anyone wants to see them for reference. Also a few bags of his dyed mallard and teal. I have his regular, "light", olive, and "dark" almost black.

[Partsman]

T12, I would leave to see the blends, I have tried a mixing some of my own dubbing but so far kind of under whelmed.
Thanks, Mike.

[Roadkill]

Terrestrial12,

Photos of Cal's dubbing and feathers would be a great addition to this thread!

If you have one of his dubbing tools that would great to throw in as well. I like the shape of his hook and make my own out of brazing rods.

[NightWatchman]

This is a great posting. Enjoyed reading all the informative posts.

[Terrestrial12]

Roadkill you and I are the same. I love Birds/Matarelli's dubbing hook. I can't afford one that kind of money for one so I make my own out of TIG rod lol. I mean...Frank hand made his in his basement so what's the difference, right? I'll post up some pictures

[Terrestrial12]

Here is a photo of Mr. Birds dyed flank. Maple sugar and olive