Ausable Spider

[Hans Weilenmann]

This one is for Mark L



Ausable Spider
Hook: Kamasan B175 #14
Thread: Danville Flymaster 6/0, scarlet
Hackle: Hen, brown & grizzly, mixed
Rib: Tinsel, gold
Body: Australian possum - in split thread, tying thread bleeding through

Cheers,
Hans W

[Roadkill]

Great looking fly!

[Boris]

Hans,

Looks pretty good.

For the body you list "split thread", I'm assuming the possum fur is placed inbetween and the cord is twisted to hold the fibers, yes? If so, what's the advantage over twisting the fur on the cord as many other flies require?

[Hans Weilenmann]

For the body you list "split thread", I'm assuming the possum fur is placed inbetween and the cord is twisted to hold the fibers, yes? If so, what's the advantage over twisting the fur on the cord as many other flies require?

Boris,

Split thread technique is one more tool in the toolkit, but it is one which I increasingly more reach for - it is so versatile. If you check out my channel on youtube you will see it used in a variety of ways.

In the Ausable Spider it allows me use very 'skinny' dubbing, allowing the thread to bleed through. A similar effect will be much harder to achieve by mere twisting dubbing around the thread. The split thread approach also delivers a very durable fly, by virtue of its construction.

In my tying I will use whatever method is the most suitable to achieve the look&feel of the result I am after.

Cheers,
Hans W

[William Anderson]

Hans, this one has all the markings I aspire to. The sparse dubbing and mixed hackle really makes a nice impression. Beautifully done.

w

[Boris]

Thanks Hans. I can see what you're saying about durability & allowing you to get thinner cover for the body.

I'll have a look at the channel.

[gingerdun]

Hans,
You continue to entertain and enlighten us with new takes on old ideas, raised to an inspiring level of craft.
After I get over my plump, scruffy dubbing stage, I'll try some of these slender beauties that you show us. I confess that I have yet to try the split thread. A little intimidating, but that's no excuse. You make it look easy enough, but I will make sure nobody is looking when I try it.

Lance

[Soft-hackle]

Hans,
It's a beaut, and Fran would have liked it as well! Does it look similar to mine?

http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... usable#p54

Mark

[Hans Weilenmann]

Hans,
It's a beaut, and Fran would have liked it as well! Does it look similar to mine?

http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... usable#p54

Mark

Mark,

Why do you think I typed as the opening line "This one is for Mark L"?

I tied up my interpretation of the Ausable Spider with the memory of yours in my mind.

Cheers,
Hans W

[Soft-hackle]

You used the right dubbing-opossum, as Fran did, originally. His was a real cinnamon color, and toward the end of his long stint and career in the Adirondacks, he began to "dye" the opossum the proper color.

Thanks for your tribute!

Mark