Leisenring Spider (SBS/Tutorial)

[hankaye]

Ray, Howdy;

That's OK, I'm very happy with my Phone that is just a phone with a few tools, calculator
(figuring out the electrical part of my monthly fees to the Park), and the timer (reminds
me to move wet laundry to the dryer then when it's done). Other than that I don't really
have any use for nor inkling to twist my brain into utter confusion attempting to puzzle-out
the proper sequences then having to remember each for the next go-round. A phone need
only be a phone ... "an that's all I've got ta say about tha-at " F. Gump 1994

hank

[fly_fischa]

Great post Ray, lovely ties, it's nice to be able to see the progression. The book makes for an interesting and appropriate prop. Cheers K

[Premerger]

What a great resource for anyone wanting to tie the pattern, Ray.
Well done and thank you for that.
It is another fly I'm eagerly waiting to receive.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Ray, Howdy;

That's OK, I'm very happy with my Phone that is just a phone with a few tools, calculator
(figuring out the electrical part of my monthly fees to the Park), and the timer (reminds
me to move wet laundry to the dryer then when it's done). Other than that I don't really
have any use for nor inkling to twist my brain into utter confusion attempting to puzzle-out
the proper sequences then having to remember each for the next go-round. A phone need
only be a phone ... "an that's all I've got ta say about tha-at " F. Gump 1994

hank

You and me Hank. I have an old fashioned flip phone. No pictures, web browsing, or texts. It makes phone calls. I just found the calculator and alarm clock. I usually leave it on the coffee table and charge it up once a week to see if anyone has called. Usually not.

[hankaye]

Ron Eagle Elk, Howdy;

We're not technically challenged ... we just have better things to do.
I do keep mine with me when I venture away from the homestead, never
know when ya need back-up .

hank

[NJpatbee]

Ray - Thanks for taking the time to put together such a detailed post and great job tying the original pattern.

[TZNorway]

Hi,

Very nicely fine step by step. I just have a dumb question. Is there a particular reason to pre-fabricate the body as opposed to doing a dubbing loop or splitting the thread?

Cheers from Norway,

TZ

[letumgo]

TZ,

All three methods will work, but the prespun bodies was the way Leisenring originally tyed these flies. Newer techniques (dubbed bodies and split thread), will create similar looking and fishing flies.

I think it is important to remember that the tying technique was created in a time when bobbins did not exist. Spinning bodies on waxed silk thread cores allowed the bodies to be created separately (arguably giving "precise" control of the body shape) and simplified the tying process when using a strand of waxed silk pinned to the bench.

Leisenring's spun silk bodies result in very durable bodies, but I'm not sure they would be significantly more durable than the other two methods (tyed with modern tools/techniques).

When recreating historical patterns, I like to use the old method. Even if only for the learning and first hand experience involved with the technique. Anything I learn, can then be incorporated into my own patterns/experimentations (abominations)

Have fun!

I am glad you found this forum. It is nice to see you jump into the conversation.

[TZNorway]

Hi Ray,

Thanks for the explanation. Now this makes a lot of sense. I also like to keep traditions alive. Most of the stuff the guys back in the days came up with are solution oriented towards the goal of catching fish. This as well with the least amount of flies destroyed in the process I suppose.

When I started tying I did split the thread - might be due to my hair splitting nature;) - for inserting dubbing. I found this much easier than dubbing in the conventional way. I reversed the tying too by going backwards from the hook eye to the bend and then rib the body with the tying thread. I had not much literature to refer to so I had to come up with my own way, never forgetting trying to destroy the fly with my thumbnail. This was because I had terrible experiences with the pretty badly tied flies available at the local tackle guy.

Later I ran into Mike Connor, a Yorkshireman living in Germany. He showed me lots of stuff and I was happy to her him approving my approach somewhat.

Like you I also use a glass of water by the vice to test the flies.

I’ll definitely give this pattern a go - minus the block though. I don’t have such an apparatus. But I just got some very nice dubbing from an unfortunate young hare. He did not survive the meeting with a car grill.

Thanks for the warm welcome by the way.

Cheers,

TZ