Snipe & Purple 5-25-2013

[Kelly L.]

Okay, here is the Snipe & Purple on the Gamakatsu hook. I am doing more, some with the 1640 hook too.

[DUBBN]

In my opinion that is perfect. Simple, graceful, elegant. You have great skills lady.

[Mataura mayfly]

Very nicely and neatly done!

[Kelly L.]

Thank you guys, that means a lot. Okay, I did one on a 1640 hook. I am gonna take a few shots. Hopefully the macro won't disappoint me too much...lol.
K

[JohnP]

I would agree with the other posters - that fly is perfect.

P.S.: It sure is quiet around here with all the heavy hitters in Roscoe. I hope they post some pictures of the gathering.

[Kelly L.]

I agree John, it is quiet in here. That is one reason I decided to post in here today. I am glad you liked the first fly. Here is the Snipe & Purple on the 1640. The body is good, but the hackle looks a bit unruly. It didn't help that I dropped it before I took the photo...lol. I like both hooks. But I like the tying job better on the first one. You probably won't see such a small head on my flies in the future. That is as small as I can go, I think.

[Mataura mayfly]

Again, really nice and neat Kelly. That is a fine looking head for the bulkier thread, you handled that really well.
I like your hackle and it does not seem unruly to me at all. Once underwater I guess unruly will be the order of the day.

How are you finding the Snipe to use? Is it well behaved to wrap and not too prone to breakage?

[Kelly L.]

Jeff, I got this snipe from Narcodog. (thanks again!) This is the second round of Snipe & Purple that I have tied. I am still not done with them. I have several more to make. I decided I am making two boxes full of spiders. So by the time I get done with one box, I ought to have it down pretty good. There are so many patterns I want to tie. I got that book in Friday. I thought it would be here by Mother's Day, but it wasn't even close. I am running out of the Snipe though, so that is a problem. I have more, but not a lot more. One wing is pretty well picked clean. The other one is probably half way gone. You are right about once the fly gets wet, that will help smooth out the hackle. Since it was a short shanked hook, I had to use smaller hackle on it. Both of those flies are size 12. (in the photos above) Oh, I forgot about a couple of your questions. The hackle is easier to wrap if it is larger. I have had a lot of problems with the hackle stem breaking on me. These wings I think, are fairly old. So that might be part of it. It is not nearly as bad as starling though. (to me)

[hankaye]

Kelly L. Howdy;

Both flies are very well put together.
My compliments ...

hank

[JohnP]

The snipe hackle is much lighter than I would have expected. Both of your flies are very well tied.