March Brown design drafts

[Kelly L.]

Been a busy week, but I've been working on this. Here's the result—not very refined, but better than before perhaps. I opted for a two-tone body, like Tups.

Suggestions welcomed, as always.

Hook: Tiemco 5263, size 12, 2X heavy, 3X long
Thread: Pearsall's gossamer Hot Orange, vintage on wooden spool, real orange, not the yellowish replacement
Hackle: India Hen Back, Natural
Body: Light blend, dyed rabbit, ginger, yellow, and Squirrel belly. Dark blend, Hare's cheek plus dyed rabbit, ginger, rusty brown and squirrel belly. On Hot Orange silk
Rib: Lagartun varnished French Tinsel, Oval, X-Strong, Medium
Tail: Hooded Merganser

GingerDun

GingerDun, that is one hot fly there!!

[Kelly L.]

I looked just now at some photos, I originally had 2-3 fibers for the tail, but after a while I stopped splitting them. Guess I better split them again....and make them longer. I am enjoying this thread.

[DNicolson]

I know this is supposed to be a wingless wet-fly BB,
but when I saw the comments about rather crude dressings of nymphs,
I th ought you might like to see what are probably one of the earliest nymph illustrations.
Note the date, it is said that Skues was no mean fly dresser.



By-the-way Kelly, I used all the wooden spooled Pearsall's silk I had years ago,
now I use what is available, have you had a look at YLI or Clover silk, they have
a bigger range of shades than Pearsall.
I have a problem relating shades to the numbers, here is a UK web-site that
has given names to the YLI silk shades. I have no doubt you can buy them cheaper
in the USA, but it gives you some idea what is available.
http://www.sewcreativequilts.co.uk/shop ... i-silk-100

[DNicolson]

Here is the Clover silk range :-
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page251.html

And here is their site:-
http://www.clover-usa.com/products/69433/Threads

[Kelly L.]

Thank you Donald. I had heard of the YLI, and I've heard good things about it. I have not bought any yet. Is it just like Pearsall's Gossamer Silk? Of the YLI and Clover, is there a difference in your mind? Plus another question...do they fit my silk bobbin or will I need a special bobbin for those other brands? I do have one Matarelli bobbin, and that is all.

[wayneb]

Hi Kelly;
YLI 100 silk thread fits standard bobbins, the spools contain 200 meters of thread and are slightly larger in diameter than a standard fly tying thread spool.

Wayneb

[Kelly L.]

That is a definite plus Wayne, thanks!

[DUBBN]

I know this is supposed to be a wingless wet-fly BB,
but when I saw the comments about rather crude dressings of nymphs,
I th ought you might like to see what are probably one of the earliest nymph illustrations.
Note the date, it is said that Skues was no mean fly dresser.

Well, atleast we know they could draw.

[gingerdun]

CreationBear suggested modifying the dubbing blend to include longer fibers, which sounded worth a try. I found some long vermillion fibers that are probably mohair in my father's materials. I cut them up slightly, keeping them relatively long before adding to the blend I had been using previously. Much harder to lay this fiber mix evenly on the thread on the Clark Spinning Block, but I managed eventually. This body should be more effective at holding bubbles underwater than the shorter dubbing I had been using. I'm not completely satisfied with this hackle. Might try to find something better on the Partridge skin. But I like its reddish tone, and the mottling, which may be too subtle. Advice welcome.

Hook: Tiemco 5263, size 12, 2X heavy, 3X long
Thread: Pearsall's gossamer Hot Orange, vintage on wooden spool, real orange, not the yellowish replacement
Feather: Unknown, see scan
Two-tone Body: Light blend, dyed rabbit, ginger, yellow, and Squirrel belly, with red mohair added. Dark blend, Hare's cheek plus dyed rabbit, ginger, rusty brown and squirrel belly. On Hot Orange silk
Rib: Lagartun Non-Tarnishing French Tinsel Metallic X-Strong 05153
Tail: Pheasant tail barbs

[DNicolson]

That feather, based on its dark brown/black colouring looks a bit like
a woodcock or grouse, but both woocock and grouse here in Europe have
more pronounced barring. It could be from one of the North American
game birds.