Bird's Nests color combos

[Old Hat]

Some of you asked for samples of the different colors I use for my Bird's Nest. I have always tied my nests for mayflies. I tie them a little thin and with sparser wood duck than Cal's original. See Doug's example for a better tie of the original. Still messy though. I also tie some with small beadheads either copper or nickel.

The original is on the left. The basic mix is 50% Austrailian Opposum, 40% Hare's mask and 10% natural seal. The others are variations.

The second is a yellow one. Use the Australian opossum, lighter hare and yellow seal for this one.

The next one is the Spectral Bird's Nest. The 10% seal is a mix of the primary and secondary colors of seal.

The last one on the right is my dark nest. I use Australian opossum, hare dyed dun and black seal.

reduxBirds Nest 4.jpg (165.04 KiB) Viewed 3778 times

reduxSpectral Birds Nest Dubbing.jpg (198.56 KiB) Viewed 3778 times

[Roadkill]

But have you created one for the Salt yet?

[Old Hat]

But have you created one for the Salt yet?

Pretty sure a version could be made into a shrimp pattern fairly easily.

[Roadkill]

The Spectral blend looks like a good sub for the tan UV2 scud/shrimp dubbing that I bought last week!

[Theroe]

Tell you what, Carl - that has to be one of the nicest spectral blends I have ever seen.....LIKE!!

[Old Hat]

Dana - Since I first made a blend years ago I've been hooked. I bought into the theory behind spectral blends from the get go.

[letumgo]

Marvelous series of flies. This colors would cover a very wide range of insects.

It is no wonder this pattern has become such a confidence pattern for you.

I need several rows of these in my fly box, come spring.

BTW I love the idea of a salty shrimp version. Great suggestion.

[Mike62]

Thank you for posting this, Carl. I love this pattern. I've turned into a dubbing junkie and this just strings the addiction along.

[ronr]

Carl.. I'm now glued to my desk tying a set of these bird's nests... I'm absolutely certain that when the redfish start rooting those juvenile shrimp off the bottom in the shallow flats, that your birds nest will work... maybe with some bead chain eyes added.... I know.. wont be a certifiable flymph...but I think will fool a redfish..or a spec....or a flounder ....

[Terrestrial12]

Great work! I actually have a lot or Cal's birds nest dubbing from his personal collection as well as some of his dyed flank and various other dubbing blends if anyone would like to see photos for reference.