woodcock and grouse

[Kelly L.]

Okay then. I already have a few tied up. I am going to do more. Pics later.

[Kelly L.]

Okay, here are 3 colors I worked on today, with the hare's ear. I think I may prefer them without the hare's ear though. The recipe called for hot orange for the Grouse & Orange. I prefer the Grouse & Amber. I also liked the Grouse & Yellow. They will do well for fishing flies.







I did these too long today. I saw all kinds of stuff I missed, when I got that tattle tail macro lens to work on them.

[letumgo]

Kelly - These are textbook perfect, if you ask me. Beautifully fishy!

What hook are these tyed on? I really like the longer shank.

[Kelly L.]

Ray, thank you. I am glad you liked them. They are tied on a Mustad 94840/R50 hook, size 12. I really like that hook, or the Daiichi 1180. I also like the Daiichi 1550 for a longer version very much. (all 3 for the longer version) I like to practice with the 94840. I tied about a dozen flies today, and I pushed my eyes to the limit. I did make an eye appointment today though. June 6th was as quick as I could get in. I am getting such a kick out of these spiders. They are so much easier to tie, than some of the stuff I usually tie. Plus they catch fish. I am going to make a whole box of spiders, well at least one side will have spiders. The other side may have flymphs. Oh to heck with it, one box of each....lol.

[letumgo]

Ah, the Mustad 94840/R50 hook is one of my favorites.

[Mataura mayfly]

Really nice looking set of wee spiders Kelly. I like the hackle length and to me it does not look at all too long.

[William Anderson]

Kelly, thanks for sharing these. Brilliant to see the results after the discussion...for more discussion. These turned out spot on and you could fish them anywhere in the...nearly anywhere in the world and do quite well. I prefer the amber as well...nothing to do with entomology, just a fisherman's view. The markings on the grouse are beautiful. I don't have a computer and can not post a link but if you'll look around my site in the galleries or the tying sections you can get a fair idea of the difference between the woodcock and the grouse. Colors and marking vary a great deal even on a single wing of either bird so the possibilities are great. I've tied more spiders recently and wish I could post them just to illustrate a couple points. Search woodcock or grouse on Hans' site and you'll get a variety of superbly tied spiders.

You nailed these. Beautifully done.

w

[Kelly L.]

Thank you William. I appreciate the comments. I will have to go look at what you mentioned. Here is one I tied this evening. (I got a second wind, and tied 3) This is on a different hook. I think I like the Daiichi 1550 the best though, of the longer hook. This is the Grouse & Amber, on a Gamakatsu hook. (no hare's ear) Maybe this one will grow on me. I like the straight eye, and it is sharp as it can be. William, I can see you also have a Woodcock & Amber. I've been taking a closer look at your site, great stuff there, that is for sure.

[letumgo]

flawless...

[Kelly L.]

Ray, what do you think of this hook? I have this hook in about 4 sizes. I have been saving it for something special. I have not decided what I think yet. I believe the Daiichi 1550 is the best longer hook. I really like the 1640 of course. I have more 1640 hooks coming. I wish I could try that Partridge hook too, but I have to cool it on the money for a while...
Glad you liked the fly, thanks.