Woodcock spiders

[Premerger]

The recent post by WiFlyfisher in Tying Wingless Wets got me thinking about soft hackles.
I too was reading Dave Hughes, the 2nd edition on Kindle.
Dave mentions the Snipe and purple. I hadn't used the pattern before 2 weeks back and had some positive takes on it.
Rainbows went straight for it. That purple must have pulling power.
I tied these up using woodcock hackle.

The lower 2 use shorter, mottled brown hackle and the other 2 have a longer light coloured hackle.
I couldn't resist tying 1 with a primrose silk body.

[letumgo]

Are the lighter colored hackle from under the wing? I need to pull out my woodcock wings to refresh my memory.

I can see why you tyed the one with primrose. The body color looks like a natural fit with the lighter hackle.

Is that hares ear dubbing for the thorax?

[Premerger]

Ray, I got the light coloured hackle from this skin.
Below the beak, in the neck area.





There are very nice mid-tone hackles on the upper side of wings but these light ones were from the neck.
You're right about the hare thorax. It is brushed out to make it a little more spikey.

[Mataura mayfly]

Tim, I don't think your feeding your Woodcock very well- he is looking a bit dehydrated, almost a bit flat looking.

Nice looking spiders, I think I like the darker hackle better..... but I am not a trout.
Purple is THE colour. Ask any Western Steelheader to list his favourite patterns or at least pattern colours and I bet purple will be up near the top if not the top.
Our 'bows come from California originally- so they should like purple.

[letumgo]

Thanks Tim.

[Smuggler]

Very nice spiders. I'd fish those in a heartbeat. That woodcock with primrose really speaks to me, Tim.

Where's that skin from if I may ask?

[zen leecher]

Very nice spiders. I'd fish those in a heartbeat. That woodcock with primrose really speaks to me, Tim.

Where's that skin from if I may ask?

I haven't had much luck finding woodcock skins in the US. I'd like to know of a source also.

[daringduffer]

I have bought other tying materiel from this seller - starling and seals fur - and been pleased by the quality:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Woodcock-Full-Sk ... Sw5dNWiW10

dd

Sorry, mixed things up, bought snipe from him. Pleased with what I received.

[Premerger]

Very nice spiders. I'd fish those in a heartbeat. That woodcock with primrose really speaks to me, Tim.

Where's that skin from if I may ask?

A friend sent it from the UK.
Don't know where from exactly, sorry.

[Premerger]

I have bought other tying materiel from this seller - starling and seals fur - and been pleased by the quality:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Woodcock-Full-Sk ... Sw5dNWiW10

dd

Sorry, mixed things up, bought snipe from him. Pleased with what I received.

That looks good and the price seems reasonable.
I also get wings from Veniard here, NZ$7.
A steal!