Bling is extensively used when tying streamers and Salt Water flies but that is for another forum.
IMO the category of wingless wets where you can't use too much bling is that of tying Diptera (true flies) especially Chironomids.
Here is a perfect example from my search for Silvery Chironomids Free Images...
from Chromie Bomber Chironomid Pupa-flyguys,net
Looking at his image it is easy to see why words such as Diamond, Mercury, Chrome,etc. are used in the midge fly names.
These are a few of the type of "Stick Flies" flies I learned to make at my first tying lesson in 1959. I now know them as my first chironomid patterns.
IMGP9814 by
William Lovelace, on Flickr
These all use Beaver dubbing with different wire colors. I also tied them in Muskrat, Mink, Sable, Seal, Rabbit and other blends for matching colors. All dubbing was made from scraps from Furriers or critters supplied by my .22 rifle.
In 1986 I bought the
Flies of the Northwest book from the Inland Empire Fly Fishing Club. Note that many midges are not small flies here in the Pacific Northwest. The TDC nymph pattern listed was tied on Mustad hooks 3906B, 9671 or 9672 in sizes 6-16. Here is my latest version of a 9672 #10 TDC (Thompson's Delectable Chironomid) that has become one of my indispensable flies in my vest.
IMGP9817 by
William Lovelace, on Flickr
In 2001
Midge Magic by Holbrook and Kotch lead me to tie the Diamond, Rainbow and Clear Midges, etc.. All of these are found in my dedicated Midge Magic fly box. The use of embroidery thread over a tinsel underbody makes it easy to match the myriad of colors your find on your local midges. Here are some of my Diamond midges in #!8's...
IMGP9813 by
William Lovelace, on Flickr
If you are ever at a tying show where my friend Bob Wolfe is tying his "Trout Candy" or doing his presentation on chironomids, I heartily endorse spending some time with him.
Here are some #16 Trout Candy out of my fishing supply. (tied with Stretch Magic beading cord)...
IMGP9810 by
William Lovelace, on Flickr
I also tie them in 18's and 20's.
We are now tying at a period where information is at the tips of our fingers on an internet keyboard or even a voice command. Search for images and information about bugs, flies and fishing. You can find a wide variety of flies like Ice cream cones, Buzzers, glass and metal bead head dips, glass bead scuds, etc..
In short, use bling if you enjoy it but remember that presentation is most of the game. Learn all you can about where, when, and how to fish the flies and it will provide a lifetime of enjoyment.
Happy Feather Bending & Tight Lines!!
IMGP3081 by William Lovelace, on Flickr
IMGP3084 by William Lovelace, on Flickr
