Variations On A Theme (more caddis variations)

[willowhead]

Well, undoubtedly we all put human scent on our flies, and so far as i know, that hasn't stoped folks from catchin' fish. i was just curious as to your thoughts. i have a very high regard for all you Brits (obviously, not to be lumping Scottsman & Englishman, cause i don't really understand what all that's about), in terms of all things technical. The BEST mixing (audio) consoles in the world are British, jet engines, etc., etc. Tkx.

[letumgo]

Magnificent fly Donald! I am a big fan of your tinsel technique. I love how you combined this with the colored underbody and the segmented rib. Great stuff! Personally, I do not think the nail polish will have any significant odor once it has dried. The volatile components should evaporate as the fly dries, leaving just the resins behind. In my opinion, scent should be of minimal concern. The main advantage of the UV cure resins tends to be time. They are can be cured in only a few seconds. I know many tyers add a final coat of clear nail polish over the UV resin to eliminate any tackiness. So in the end, the outer layer is still clear nail polish. I doubt it is a problem.

Mark - The butt end of the fly is wrapped over the bare hook shank. It looks like it has a flash tag under the tubing, but that is just the reflection of the light off the surface of the hook shank. The rest of the underbody is just thread. I completely covered the tubing and the copper wire core with the tying thread. I am puzzled why it looks like there is a strand of copper running inside the fly. Again, I think it is an illusion, created by the way the light reflects back from the body. The next time I am in Jo Anne Fabrics I plan to buy some of the thread that Bill used. It looks like it gives the fly an interesting sparkle.

[willowhead]

Ray.....tkx. for the info.....btw, i just happen to know you and i (so far) are the only two that have seen Bill's newest.....(the green one with the bead).....does that body KILL or WHAT?

[letumgo]

It sure does!

[DUBBN]

I tyed a few of these up for my trip tomorrow

The underbody is again a base of Lt Cahill thread
Lt olive tubing with Chartreuse wire inserted




On another note, here in western Colorado there are a few tail waters that grow some very large trout because of a constant supply of Mysis shrimp that are flushed out of the reservoirs which dam these rivers (Frying Pan, Blue, and Taylor rivers).


For years one of my best patterns is a Midge pattern called the CandyCane, and it works especially well where Mysis are present. All it is, is a 2x long hook in sizes 20 to 14, palmered with White ostritch and ribbed with Red Krystal Flash. Thats it. Simple and effective, just the way I like a pattern to be.

While I was tying the Caddis pupa using Bills midge tubing method, I got the brain storm to try it on the Candy Cane. I think it turned out pretty darn good.
Hook - Mustad 9671 size 16
Thread/underbody- White Gudebrod 10/0
Body- ClearMidge Tubing inserted with Red Krystalflash
Collar- White Ostritch



I messed around with some Blue Krystalflash aswell.

[willowhead]

Your such a hard core angler............man, ya gotta love it..........followin' your exploits is fun.............keeps me in touch with all the good aspects of the whole thing.........like what you said bout a "pattern"..........(more or less), easy & simple=effective. That really sums it up well, when it comes to a good fishin' fly. You really exemplify what it's all about when it gets funneled down to the essence of it. i hope you have a lotta good years on good water ahead of you.

[tie2fish]

Your innovative tying is a continual inspiration, Wayne. Every post is an adventure in creativity.

[DNicolson]

Here are two more. I find these larger flies a lot easier.


Blue & Silver
Hook: Size 8, Partridge YK12ST.
Thread: Black.
Rib: Medium Silver oval tinsel.
Body: Black thread underbody, Silver holo.
Coated in Sally Hansen.
Thorax: Blue fur.
Hackle: Blue Brahma hen.



Claret Caddis
Hook: Size 8, Partridge YK12ST.
Thread: Chinese Red
Body: Red Thread underbody, covered with Pearlescent tinsel.
Rib: Red wire.
Covered in Sally Hansen.
Thorax: Claret Peacock herl.
Hackle: Claret Dyed Grizzle hen.


I broke the thread when I tried to whip finish, the head is a bit wonky.

[letumgo]

"wonky"...I love that word.

Beautiful flies, Donald. I especially love the first one. Silver and Blue is such a lovely color combination.

[tie2fish]

Wonderful colors, Donald.