Orl Fly

[Donald Nicolson]

Here is the Orl Fly again, a flat scan. A better view for you Hank.
I think your right Lance, flat scan is the best.
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page621.html

[Mataura mayfly]

I like both views Donald, but this one shows the better side perhaps.
Lovely wee tie.

[gingerdun]

Donald,
Great to see you experimenting with this. The latest link, with the lid down, appears to have the highlights blown out, causing the lightest hackle barbs to break up. This could be caused by your scanner setting, possibly doing some auto-exposure. I turn off all the auto adjustments, and just go for a plain scan. Sometimes I need to do a little tweaking in photo-editing software like Photoshop, iPhoto, Photoshop Elements, or the like. Or the scanner software might enable you to adjust the scan beforehand. The key is to try to keep detail in the shadows and highlights. Once you get the formula right, then it is smooth sailing.

This may be too technical, but it really isn't too difficult to grasp the histogram. This graph has become commonplace on digital cameras and scanner software, showing how the tones are distributed from light to dark. The ideal is to have the tones go all the way across, without actually "hitting the wall" at either end. When the graph tones go up the wall at either side, that means you have lost detail. Your scanner software probably has a tone adjustment scale like this, which might aid in fixing tone problems in the highlights and shadows.
Sorry if this is ridiculously geeky. But I teach it to all my students, who get it pretty quickly.

[hankaye]

Donald, Howdy;

There was nothing wrong with this fly's first portrate...
just thought it was camra shy... , . This
newer portrate IS much better.. Appear more ...
contemplative ...

Lance, nice how-to. Makes me want to run out and get
a scanner to play with, just zero room to use it ...

hank

[Mataura mayfly]

Lance, when you get a spare minute post up a full "how to" on scanning will you.
I cannot even find if my scanner has auto settings so as to turn them off, mind you it is one of those multi station Brother fax, copier, scanner and printer things, so it possibly does all things OK and none of them well.

But thanks for making the mysterious histogram a little less confusing.

[letumgo]

Thanks Lance. Another example of why this site is so special. The talent here amazing, and freely shared. I learn something new every day.

Donald - Beautiful fly and scan.

[hankaye]

Mataura, mayfly, Howdy;

Jeff, I can smell the rubber burning all the way over here in N.M.
I know you're trying to figure out how to give your old vise a ...
histogramarectomy (?????), so you can get it to fit in the
scanner/fax/copier/do-wha-diddy/whatsamacallit??? ehh

hank

[Donald Nicolson]

I thought I would check out what the "Orl Fly" represented. The only relatively modern reference was in Roger Fogg's "Manual of North Country Trout Flies". It is northern English dialect for the Alder fly. I should have dressed it heavier on a larger hook. It is a good wingless representation of that fly. I shall re-dress it and post it.

[letumgo]

Looking forward to it, Donald!

[Donald Nicolson]

I have been doing a bit of research on the 'Alder Fly'.
Just from memory, Dave Hughes gave high praise to the 'Alder' as a fish catcher.
I also found a recipe for Preston Jennings's 'American Alder' pattern, which has affinities with the British pattern, not surprising as it is, I think, the same insect. After reading Dave Hughes on alders, I thought of dressing a spider (i.e. wingless) version. I did not get round to it, as with many of my ideas . I was two hundred years out of date.
I'll dress them on size 10 hooks, Roger Fogg recommended #s 10 or 12.