Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

[Mataura mayfly]

Dun:
Color - usually some shade of gray. Also the sub imago stage of a mayfly.
Dun Hackle:
Gray-brown to medium gray, sometimes with a tinge of blue.

Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly tying circles!

If you have a copy of "A Dictionary of Trout Flies" (A. Courtney Williams) go to page 168, February Red patterns and explanations take 2/3rd's of that page and about the same of page 169. There is a reference to the Treatise (1496) pattern of a Dun body and wings from a Partridge, but also several other regional UK patterns with slight variations.

[Mataura mayfly]

This is another interesting take.

http://masassushionafly.com/the-sister- ... rs-part-3/

Note the lack of wrapped hackle- that apparently showed some 100 years later than the time of the Treatise.

[redietz]

This is another interesting take.

http://masassushionafly.com/the-sister- ... rs-part-3/

Note the lack of wrapped hackle- that apparently showed some 100 years later than the time of the Treatise.

How would he know? The only work from that era*, and for the next hundred years, is the Treatsye, and it doesn't say.

*"from that era" -- at least in English, there are earlier works in Spanish and German, but every country had its own traditions, without much sharing between them

[redietz]

Dun:
Color - usually some shade of gray. Also the sub imago stage of a mayfly.
Dun Hackle:
Gray-brown to medium gray, sometimes with a tinge of blue.

Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly tying circles!

Even more so; 150 years ago; "dun" as an insect referred to the caddis fly.

Whenever you see it in a historical angling text, it should raise a red flag -- you really need to ask yourself exactly when the book was written to figure out what the word means; it's changed meanings over time in every way it's used.

[Mataura mayfly]

This is another interesting take.


How would he know? The only work from that era*, and for the next hundred years, is the Treatsye, and it doesn't say.

*"from that era" -- at least in English, there are earlier works in Spanish and German, but every country had its own traditions, without much sharing between them

How would he know? He doesn't and is guessing just like the rest of us- hence me saying it is another interesting "take".

[swellcat]

[Dun:] Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly-tying circles!

Agreed. Thanks for saying it.

____

[wsbailey]

From "A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF MIDDLE-ENGLISH"

Dun, Dunne, adj. dun, dull brown, MD, Manip.; donne, MD.—AS. dunn; OIr. donn, dond (Windisch).

Bill

[letumgo]

Interesting additions guys. The information shared so far, leaves a fair amount of "wiggle room" for interpretation. I need to play around at the vice, to see what I can come up with. Hopefully tonight I can find time to do some more tying.

Anyone else wanna take a swing at tying an authentic February Red?

[Ruard]

Hi Ray,

Here is a picture of the stonefly:



Here is the description in the book of Goddard:

]

http://musicarenje.top-forum.net/t2482- ... ptera-risi

This is a link to a site with pictures and with patterns/recipes.



Perhaps this is of any help?

Greeting

Ruard

[Mataura mayfly]

Anyone else wanna take a swing at tying an authentic February Red?

Verify "authentic"! To late for me to try for this one, what with making the hooks from large sewing needles and all.