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Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 6:14 pm
by fflutterffly
This is a go to fly. Is it considered a flymph? I say yes. Does anyone truly know how this fly was tied? Does anyone directly have knowledge of this fly from Cal Bird? I see so many different flies called bird's nest. I've been tying mine with Gray Australian Possum (thanks MF). It's a great looking fry but not the true pattern. I'll have to incorporate some seal, which I have and hairs ear... Thanks again Mr. Downunder! I know Ralph Cutter learned this fly from Cal, but Mr. Cutter does not have a YouTube video out on the process. I'd like to see a video done on the original tie.

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 6:54 pm
by redietz
You can certainly make the argument that it's a flymph. I've always considered it to be more of a fuzzy nymph.

A hard fly to categorize.

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 7:24 pm
by hankaye
fflutterffly, Howdy;

Difficult to tell as there is nothing to base an opinion upon..
Got a picture ???

EDIT:

Did a quick Goo-goo search ...
Something like this?
http://www.flyline.com/fly_patterns/nymphs/birds_nest/

hank

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 8:41 pm
by fflutterffly
Hankaye, I saw his website as well but I'am looking for a video to watch. HEY!!! HANS!!!! Can you say bird's nest Video. Thanks folks

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 10:42 pm
by redietz
fflutterffly wrote:Hankaye, I saw his website as well but I'am looking for a video to watch. HEY!!! HANS!!!! Can you say bird's nest Video. Thanks folks
While we're waiting for Hans, here one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFFm2lEvj9Y

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Sun May 19, 2013 11:02 pm
by hankaye
redietz, Howdy;

Thanks for the video...

hank

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 12:01 am
by JohnP
Here's another version:

http://youtu.be/0obuRdElCKs

I think there are almost as many versions of this fly as there are gold-ribbed hare's ears. ;)

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 7:38 am
by fflutterffly
thanks for the links. I've checked them all out. What I'm looking for is someone tying the bird's nest the original way. No bead head's, no synthetics. But I think I've got it. This is not a complicated tie, not like a perfectly thread wind on a Peacock and Orange or some other beautiful fly. This is meant to be down and dirty.

Thanks again, the andy burn seemed to explain it the best. I appreciate the help.
A

I'm looking for seal to make my dubbing spiky! I've tried beaver, but it just doesn't look right in the mix. Any suggestions?

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 8:44 am
by Old Hat
I see a lot of "original" dubbing mixes as 50 aussy opossum, 40 hare's ear and 10 seal. Orvis does list the 1959 original as 50 aussy opossum and 50 dyed coyote. Which is the only place I have seen that listing, but I would hope Orvis has a reason for this departure. My guess is, like all tier's, Cal Bird experimented.

This pattern and the Hare's ear make up probably 80 percent of my nymph flies. I tie it standard and beadhead.

Re: Cal Bird's birds nest

Posted: Mon May 20, 2013 10:11 am
by JohnP
Angora goat makes a good sub for seal.