FLYMPH FORUM

I’ve been on a kick lately to tie more North Country Spiders based on the information stated in either T. E. Pritt’s book “Yorkshire Trout Flies / North Country Flies” or Edmonds’ & Lee’s book “Brook & River Trouting.”

The dressing is quite simple and uses only two materials – black thread and black ostrich herl. I used Daiichi #1550 , size 16 hooks.

Although Pritt’s dressing doesn’t mention it, when I wrapped the thread down the hook shank, I left a 6” – 8” tag of thread to use as a ribbing to make the delicate ostrich herl a little more durable.

Bob,

I like your idea for strengthening the herl. For these smaller flies I find the fly shop ostrich herl is generally too large. The easiest way to get small herl is from a feather duster. They come in natural gray or black.

https://www.featherdusterdepot.com/category-s/181.htm

Nice Joaniebo !

wsbailey wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:05 pm Bob,

I like your idea for strengthening the herl. For these smaller flies I find the fly shop ostrich herl is generally too large. The easiest way to get small herl is from a feather duster. They come in natural gray or black.

https://www.featherdusterdepot.com/category-s/181.htm

Bill

Thanks for the suggestion. Looks like there's enough black ostrich herl in the two plumes I have to last for a very long time. Figure my little Black Gnats should be "over bodied" like my wet flies are "over hackled", staying consistent, eh?

Bob



'

Vickie uses these for butts and heads on her Atlantic Salmon flies. If I need some short fiber ostrich, I steal a few barbs from her. https://feathersmc.com/product/dyed-bla ... ch-plumes/