Purple & Spruce

[Mike62]

This one is for Alan. He knows purple is my kryptonite but he challenged me to tie a purple fly anyway. Not wanting to disappoint the man, I tied this one yesterday. The hackle is from a Spruce Grouse my daughter shot by accident last fall. My camera skills don't do justice to the feather. It's almost jet black with a beautiful white barring running through it.

Hook: Orvis tactical #12
Body: Ancient Richardson's purple silk
Thorax: 2 twists of herl
Hackle: Spruce Grouse

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[DUBBN]

Your camera skills are fine, and the pattern looks great.

Purple hates me as well

[Ron Eagle Elk]

Nice looking purple fly, Mike. Any chance of a pic of the feather, unwrapped? Sounds like a good one to have.

[Mike62]

I'll try and get a couple to photograph. The barn cats got most of the good ones; I had to scrounge the few I have left off the floor.

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I'll try and get a couple to photograph. The barn cats got most of the good ones; I had to scrounge the few I have left off the floor.

Sorry, Mike, but that's just too funny. Back when our Springer Spaniel, Ghillie, was just a puppy, Vickie was cleaning house and scooted his puppy playpen over next to my tying bench. On top of my bench was a brand new, never had a feather plucked, Whiting Cree Gold cape. Long story short, bird dog did what bird dogs do, and ate the cape. There were a few feathers laying on the floor, but most passed through the digestive tract of a certain puppy. I did NOT wash those feathers off and use them.

[BrkTrt]

Mike,

I'm telling you purple loos good, and when you finally drift that fly you'll see what I mean.
Of course the hackle you used is spectacular and that will contribute to fly's success.

Nice work.

Alan

[FlyFisherMann1955]

I'll try and get a couple to photograph. The barn cats got most of the good ones; I had to scrounge the few I have left off the floor.

Sorry, Mike, but that's just too funny. Back when our Springer Spaniel, Ghillie, was just a puppy, Vickie was cleaning house and scooted his puppy playpen over next to my tying bench. On top of my bench was a brand new, never had a feather plucked, Whiting Cree Gold cape. Long story short, bird dog did what bird dogs do, and ate the cape. There were a few feathers laying on the floor, but most passed through the digestive tract of a certain puppy. I did NOT wash those feathers off and use them.

Question for REE: Did you keep both your puppy and your wife?

Thanks- Ken

[Theroe]

[Ron Eagle Elk]

I'll try and get a couple to photograph. The barn cats got most of the good ones; I had to scrounge the few I have left off the floor.

Sorry, Mike, but that's just too funny. Back when our Springer Spaniel, Ghillie, was just a puppy, Vickie was cleaning house and scooted his puppy playpen over next to my tying bench. On top of my bench was a brand new, never had a feather plucked, Whiting Cree Gold cape. Long story short, bird dog did what bird dogs do, and ate the cape. There were a few feathers laying on the floor, but most passed through the digestive tract of a certain puppy. I did NOT wash those feathers off and use them.

Question for REE: Did you keep both your puppy and your wife?

Thanks- Ken

I did. Unfortunately, we lost our Ghillie last June at only 11 years of age. My wife, fishing partner, fly tyer extraordinaire, and great cook is still with me. If she keeps out fishing me...

[Mike62]

Not the best representation of Spruce Grouse color. I need a better contrast color, I think.

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