Purple & Spruce

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Mike62
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Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:50 pm
Location: Northern Maine

Purple & Spruce

Post by Mike62 » Fri May 07, 2021 6:20 am

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
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Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by DUBBN » Fri May 07, 2021 6:35 am

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

Purple hates me as well
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Ron Eagle Elk
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Joined: Sun Feb 22, 2009 12:33 am
Location: Carmel, Maine

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Ron Eagle Elk » Fri May 07, 2021 10:12 am

Nice looking purple fly, Mike. Any chance of a pic of the feather, unwrapped? Sounds like a good one to have.
"A man may smile and bid you hale yet curse you to the devil, but when a good dog wags his tail he is always on the level"
Mike62
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Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:50 pm
Location: Northern Maine

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Mike62 » Fri May 07, 2021 11:53 am

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.
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Ron Eagle Elk
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Location: Carmel, Maine

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Ron Eagle Elk » Fri May 07, 2021 4:55 pm

Mike62 wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 11:53 am 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.
"A man may smile and bid you hale yet curse you to the devil, but when a good dog wags his tail he is always on the level"
BrkTrt
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Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2018 5:52 pm

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by BrkTrt » Sat May 08, 2021 5:33 am

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
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Location: Midwest City, OK

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by FlyFisherMann1955 » Sat May 08, 2021 5:51 am

Ron Eagle Elk wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 4:55 pm
Mike62 wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 11:53 am 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
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Theroe
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Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Theroe » Sat May 08, 2021 6:44 am

🤣😂
Soft and wet - the only way....
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Ron Eagle Elk
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Location: Carmel, Maine

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Ron Eagle Elk » Sat May 08, 2021 9:04 am

FlyFisherMann1955 wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 5:51 am
Ron Eagle Elk wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 4:55 pm
Mike62 wrote: Fri May 07, 2021 11:53 am 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...
"A man may smile and bid you hale yet curse you to the devil, but when a good dog wags his tail he is always on the level"
Mike62
Posts: 1043
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:50 pm
Location: Northern Maine

Re: Purple & Spruce

Post by Mike62 » Sat May 08, 2021 1:08 pm

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