Swap suggestion feeler.

[Mataura mayfly]

I will say that hen mallard is hard to get to hackle well on a hook. It's a bit stiff. I think Whiting needs to come up with genetically engineered hen mallard and have them fly by where I'm hunting.

zen, how are you wrapping your hackles? If tied in by the stem after stripping the fluff, then yes- they can be a bit stiff in the stem and tend to twist on wrapping. Stroking the fibres back and holding each wrap back with your off hand helps.
Another good option is to tie in by the feather tip, shorter fibres and thinner stem. You can also strip the leading edge fibres so you are using half a feather, giving a sparser hackle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhAvsmK_ ... 5&index=35

Is a good example of tying with hen Mallard, albeit covert wing feathers and not the body feathers you all have.

[zen leecher]

I'm stubborn and use a stem tie. I do dent the stem with my thumbnail and it's working for me but Whiting does need to come up with genetically engineered hen mallard.

I watched the video and was surprised that dubbing touched to the thread and then wound would tighten up as it did.

[Mataura mayfly]

I'm stubborn and use a stem tie. I do dent the stem with my thumbnail and it's working for me but Whiting does need to come up with genetically engineered hen mallard.

I watched the video and was surprised that dubbing touched to the thread and then wound would tighten up as it did.

Davie is a bit like Hans, he has tied a couple of flies before and makes it look a heck of a lot easier than most of us find things to be. One day I hope to be good enough to consider making videos....... just consider mind!

[Mataura mayfly]

Well, as of around 3PM this afternoon (Sunday local time), my slate should be cleared, giving me some time in the later afternoon/evening to get my swap flies tied and sorted. Then get them in to the Post Office before 1PM tomorrow so they arrive over there on time and I am not holding up the swap from afar!

[Smuggler]

Here is my pattern, Ossum Possum.


Thanks again Jeff and Wayne for sending me such a ridiculous amount of new material, I don't think I could use everything if I tried.

Flies are on the way!

[fflutterffly]

I'll be incorporating so much stuff from the 'Roscoe' dealio for the next decade, plus the surprises I've received in some of the fly packaging. Boy if this isn't December the holidays sure are arriving early!

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Got'em done and just have to do up the toe-tags and slip'em in the mail;
Thought I'd line'em up for a class photo ... unruly little buggers kept movein' around...



hank

[Dwclapp]

Mine are ready to go out in the mail. I haven't ever seen what proper toe-tags should look like. I Hope these are okay.


Here is the final product.

[zen leecher]

I see I won't be fishing my "soft kitty" and messing it up.

[Smuggler]

Yea really... wow. Very creative.