Old topic: On the subject of Tup's Indispensable...

[daringduffer]

http://www.skiptonflytyers.co.uk/CFDGim ... psWool.JPG

Picture taken from http://www.skiptonflytyers.co.uk/snippets.htm

And if you visit the site you could as well look at these Swarbrick flees http://www.skiptonflytyers.co.uk/stuartb.htm

dd

[DOUGSDEN]

Dear D.D.,
Very interesting about the tups wool. Yes, kudo's to the gentleman who was brave enough to strategically snip off the wool from that horn heavy ram. Brave man indeed!
I also remember reading the text that you had from our old pal G.E.M. Skues about the receipe for the tups mixture. I get the feeling that the finished product is alot less pink than what we shoot for today and tie with. Would I be correct in this assumption?
As always, I value your insights immensly,
Dougsden

[Soft-hackle]

If I remember correctly, red was added at the suggestion of Skues. Also a fly photo provided to me by Mike C. of one of the Tups tied by Austin's daughter was decidedly pinkish in the mix. Also photos provided by Roy Christie also showed a distinctive pink cast to the Tups wool he had harvested. The wool looked decidedly different in sunlight than in artificial light. In daylight pinkish. In artificial light-more ginger. The mix has an orange-pink overall cast to it, but looks much better loosely blended.

Mark

[DOUGSDEN]

Mark,
You wouldn't happen to have that photo of the Tups tied by Austins daughter close at hand would you? That would be very interesting. The post that you last gave was fantastic. I really like taking in any info. that all of you have. The histories behind the patterns and their materials is, to me, a great plus. Thanks everyone for sharing so freely.
Dougsden

[Soft-hackle]

Hi Doug,
If you look through this, you will find more info and the fly by Austin's daughter posted therein. Keep in mind, the fly is quite old, and some fading and soiling may have occurred. According to info I've read and what I've seen, Tup's wool is very oily and must be washed profusely to remove the oil to some extent. It also has a very translucent appearance, which very likely contributes to the effectiveness of the fly, both wet and dry.

Have fun! http://www.flymphforum.com/phpBB3/viewt ... hilit=tups

Mark

[DNicolson]

I started this article on my web-site some time ago,
I am afraid the cataracts intervened and I forgot
about it. It is unfinished and was intended to connect
Skues, Leisenring and West Country Wets.
I must try and complete it.
Y have more info buried in my files somewhere.
I hope it is of interest.
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page191.html

[hankaye]

Donald,
Thanks for a nice read over my morning coffee.
hank

[DOUGSDEN]

Mark and Donald,
Thank you for the posting concerning the Tups. That was a real eye opener in both the furs and the structure of the fly. I have for some time been collecting various furs from various animals (not a ram however) in all sorts of colors and shades of pink. It seems that no matter what shade is selected, the pattern never seems to fail to take fish. Maybe it's not so much the color (or odor?) of the dubbing as it is the structure of the pattern.
The Tups patterns recently posted by various members have been utterly brilliant. I like each and every one of them and I know that each variation will (at the appropriate time say during a hatch of any yellow bodied fly) will be quite killing. For me, it works just about all the time.
We are definately on the threshold of a pattern standard such as the March brown spider, Gold ribbed hares ear, Adams dry, etc. Maybe we are already there (I am usually late for these functions) with the ongoing and well deserving"Tups Indispensable".
Again Mark, I appreciate viewing the fly tied by R.S. Austins daughter. It gets me to thinking!
And Donald, Kudos to you for the historical end of things (your web-site for example)!
Dougsden

[Soft-hackle]

Thanks to Mike C. for sharing the photo with me. The Tups has been discussed in many forums, but I have never had it explored as deeply as it has been, here. On my own, I was very interested in the pattern and talked to other tiers and anglers that have used it and formulated mixes for the dubbing. To name a few-Mike Connor, Roy Christie, John Bonasera, Vern-O, Ed Ostapczuk, not to mention the great tiers and fishermen, here. It truly is an interesting pattern, and I agree with you, Doug, it is definitely worth carrying the pattern in a few sizes.

As with any great pattern, my belief is the combination of the right materials have made this fly a great success. The translucency of the furs used along with the silk, most likely present a very realistic looking imitation. Another interesting aspect might be how the Tups wool seems to change color in different light. I am wondering if a little UV effect might also be occurring.

It's like Prego Spaghetti Sauce -- It's In There!

Mark

[DNicolson]

There is a thought I had, it may have been made before but I seem to have
missed it, the traditional method sheep farmers monitored their rams was by
slabbering a dollop of red dye/paint on the ram's 'underparts'.
That way they could tell if a yew had been covered.
Or am I just being facetious.