Mallard and Claret var

[Ruard]

For Orkney this fly. I searched a hackle that was something like a brown mallard.



Hook: Hayabusha 390 # 12
Thread: black Danville's
Tail: Crest of goldfasant
Body: Claret seal dubbing in splitted thread (thanks Hans)
Hackle: Ginger/brown Metz hen saddle

Greeting

[willowhead]

That's beautiful.

[Stendalen]

Great colours, I really like claret.

Martin

[CreationBear]

That's a great looking fly...as luck would have it, I found myself tailing my last bunch of flies with GP crest as well--maybe Hans' "Boar-ing" pattern was an inspiration for us both.

A question for you: while I love the look of the Metz hackle, why did you substitute it for "real" mallard? Would duck be too "springy" for the conditions?

[Ruard]

That's a great looking fly...as luck would have it, I found myself tailing my last bunch of flies with GP crest as well--maybe Hans' "Boar-ing" pattern was an inspiration for us both.

A question for you: while I love the look of the Metz hackle, why did you substitute it for "real" mallard? Would duck be too "springy" for the conditions?

I don't remember the Boar-ing fly: my inspiration cam from the mallard and claret with a tippet tail and because I have a whole head with tippet and crest the variation was there.

With the mallard I could not make a nice hackle, tried it in a split thread but it was not what I liked. This hen hackle was better and with the same colour.

Thanks Willowhead and Martin

Greeting

[CreationBear]

Ruard-- Thanks for elaborating....and good luck in the Orkney's--a beautiful place, no doubt. BTW, when I'm tying "duck" soft hackles, I use Hans' technique: as you begin the fly, cut the fibers from the rachis, then use a pinch-wrap to secure them near the eye of the hook with the tips pointing to the right (if you're a right-handed tyer.) Once you complete the rest of the fly and your thread's near the head, you can sweep the fibers back and use your wraps to angle them where you want.

[letumgo]

Beautiful fly Ruard. Lovely color scheme.

[tie2fish]

A great looking fly, Ruard. The only way I've been able to get mallard to set properly as hackle (for a pattern called a
Gosling streamer) is to strip one side.

[Ruard]

Thank you all for the nice words. I do not have small mallard feathers and the brown mallard that I have is to springy.


Greeting

[willowhead]

tie2, or anyone interested.....one thing i do whenever wraping soft hackles.....whatever the fly, whatever the feather, whatever the hook size.....is keep my bodkin in my mouth as i'm working.....by the handle end of course. i never have to look for it.....it's always right where i need it when i need it and i can use it to seperate fibers as i wrap and keep fibers from becomming traped as i go. i almost never make a single (completed) turn without makin' absolutely sure i have EVERYTHING under control, fibers wise, before i begin the next turn. Course for flymphs, we're not talkin' that complicated a tye.....what, a half to a wrap and a half.....?.....but keepin' that bodkin right where you can grab it at any time.....sure as heck can't hurt. And i use a VERY fine needled bodkin for that job......VERY fine.