Partridge Breadcrust

[redietz]

William,
Myself, I'd prefer one of our ties, or the original one using the grouse tail. It is a pain getting the feathers ready for wrapping.

I've entertained the thought that the Breadcrust is so effective because of the scent of blood from where I've cut myself splitting the grouse tail. It just doesn't seem right to be able to tie one without using a razor blade.

[Soft-hackle]

Bob,
I did the same thing. Had to have stitches.

Mark

[William Anderson]

Mark, the flies that Mike tied and the one shown in the orvis case are a long way from what I thought the pattern would have been. Split quills over wool? I thought the wrapping of a quill and cutting the fibers close to the stem in a taper that would create a shape, was the point of the Breadcrust. I don't know where I got the idea. Your pattern and mine are very similar and very different from Mike's. And the one shown in the link to Charlie Craven's Fly Box is again, a different thing alltogether as far as I can tell. I'm sure they are all very effective, but I like your pattern a lot more than the others. If what we are tying is not really a Breadcrust, then we should call them something interesting. Toasted Baguettes?

w

[Soft-hackle]

Hi William,
The one on Charlie's site is very close to the original. The base of the clipped fibers on the grouse tail are much thicker than those we have used. The overall effect IS a very crusty looking bodied fly a lot like Charlie has tied. Mike's fly? Im not sure where it came from or how the pattern evolved into that. I know it'd be much easier to tie than the one with grouse tail. Take a look at this. The fly in the photo has way to much hackle for my liking, and the head's a little too big, however, the body is more in keeping with the results I have gotten using the grouse tail. The base quill was not quite as obvious, either, but that could just be a variation in how it was wrapped on the hook. Mine exhibited more of the cut fibers, again, looking like a cased caddis.

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytyin ... 06fotw.php

Mark

[William Anderson]

Based on what I've read, that fly looks to be more like what I had in mind after hearing the description/pattern. You're right about the execution of the pattern, but the variations, if they are accurate are interesting. I would NEVER waster an entire tail feather. I have several of these ruffed grouse tails and absolutely love for herl bodies on small softies. I do plan on tying some of these, but they will definitely be of the variety you and I have shown. I'll just call em something else.

Thanks for all the info.

w