Honey Hen and Plastic Baling Twine

[William Anderson]

I was helping (trying to help) a new member determine why some of the oldest dressing links were defunct and saw a pattern that I don't recall seeing the first time. I tried again to find it and didn't, so I can't give credit to the tier, but he just felt compelled to use some orange plastic baling twine for a soft-hackle body. It struck me as one of those things you see it and just have to give it a go. Like wondering through a farm on a field trip with third graders, the whole time scouting materials without embarrassing my daughter.

Anyway, I saw this post a couple days ago and how in this dense suburb I found a small section of orange plastic baling twine the day after seeing that pattern, I'm not sure. But naturally...it had to be done.

Hen and Plastic Baling Twine

Hook: unknown
Thread: 14/0 Brown
Hackle: Honey hen cape
Body: strand separated from a dirty length of baling twine.
Thorax: coarse mix of nymph dubbing, contents unclear.



w

[DUBBN]

Personally I cant imagine posting a pattern without adding a little something as to why the pattern came to be. Your story is as great as the fly itself. Really good stuff William. That twine brings back memorys of race horses, and milk cows for me.

[letumgo]

I bet you the hook is a Mustad 3906. That barb has got to be a Mustad hook. I know they are not fish friendly, but I love the look...

Great fly, William, and no doubt that it is a seriously effective fly. Very harmonious color combination, by the way. It has a certain zen quality to it.

[Smuggler]

How awesome is this pattern? I mean bailing twine... really?
Simply genius, thanks for sharing!

[tie2fish]

Well done, w. I really like the way your mind works!

[Izaak]

w,

Package it up with a fancy name and who would know the difference! Certainly works for me!

[Hans Weilenmann]

*chuckle*

William,

If this fly were a small boy, it would be a knobby kneed one *teasing*

Well done, good sir.

Cheers,
Hans W

[William Anderson]

Thanks everyone. I'll have to stash it in my brookie box. I found the twine on my walk to the bus stop, but I do have some things from my trip to the farm. They will likely show up at some point.

The hook is a vintage Mustad 38932. I don't know if I've tied on these before, but I love the way the shank and bend are such a subtle curve.

[gingerdun]

William,

I can't keep up with all the posts right now, yours included, because I'm just racing against the clock all the time. But I had to say I love this, and that wiggler post, and the classic Brown Hackle you slipped in there.
Inspiring.

Lance

[Mataura mayfly]

Not too many stream beds here in the lower reaches of NZ where farming prevails you can walk without finding some of that twine somewhere on the river bed, I have an excuse to pick some up now besides cleaning the environment!
Nice use of an unusual medium.