Claret Gray & Red Starling

[letumgo]

Claret Gray & Red Starling
Hook - Mustad Model R50-94840 (Size 16)
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (Claret/No. 14)
Hackle - Starling Back Feather (Dyed Red)
Body/Thorax - Muskrat Dubbing (Natural / guard hairs removed)

This pattern was inspired by Wayne's (DUBBIN) recent wine colored fly. I just wanted to see what it looked like with red starling hackle. Thanks for the inspiration, Wayne.

Here is a close up of a version with a longer dubbed body. I have tyed some with simple muskrat thorax (small ball of dubbing) and some this way. I like them both.

[DUBBN]

Absolutely gorgeous!

[chase creek]

Great color combination Ray. Interesting to see red Starling hackle.
Did you dye it yourself? If so, what type of dye?

[letumgo]

Rodger (chase creek) - I recently found the skin at the Dette Fly Shop (http://www.detteflies.com/catalog/80), in Roscoe New York. The skin was already dyed red. It was the first time I had ever seen starling dyed red. Lovely stuff.

[kanutripr]

Wow awesome! I love that starling skin too! Perfect with that thread. That'll catch fish.

Does one get muskrat at the fly shop or is that special order? I don't think I've seen it around here. I've seen a couple of dead ones on the road though. I'm going to have to look for some.



Vicki

[letumgo]

Vicki - I bought mine as a small patch of fur (50 mm x 50 mm). Most fly shops will carry muskrat fur. If you can't find it at your local shop, send me a PM with your address and I will send you a piece. I went rooting around, thru my materials, to find mine after seeing Wayne's Muskrat soft hackle. I've just gotta try it.

[kanutripr]

Thanks for the offer Ray. I will check a couple of stores in Guelph first. I haven't frequented them as much, they may have them.

Thanks again.



Vicki

[letumgo]

Since you live in Canada, you could always trap one! My Dad and I use to trap every fall and winter (raccoons, mink, muskrat, beaver, otter, fishers, and an occasional bobcat). Those were the good ole days. It feels like I live in a different time now...

[willowhead]

Ray, that's because, you DO. GORGEOUS flies Bro.

Vicki, Muskrat is very easy to find..........try cliking on the url (Link) that Ray has posted above...............should be no problem. When i talked with Misa last (few hours ago) she was over at the Dettes making dinner. She's done that every night this week..............her and Mary have a ball together. And she gets free tyin' lessons from Mary outta the deal to boot.

[kanutripr]

Easy for you to say. I'm having problems just getting a darn starling skin around here. If the fly shop doesn't come through in the next couple weeks (they said they would) I'll just have to look farther afield. Or go out into the backyard and start throwing rocks!



Vicki