Bracken Clock variation

[Kelly L.]

Okay my next line in my fly box on the back side, will be the Bracken Clock. I decided to try a little variation. I added a copper wire for support of the peacock herl. I have 1-3 twists of copper in the rear tag spot. (I used fine wire) Then I let some red show in the back of the fly. From the photo I saw in a book, it had no red showing in the rear. I know the hackle is too heavy. My next flies I will try to lighten that up. I would like to hear your thoughts on this. I used a Daiichi 1560 hook. This fly is a size 10. I hope bass might be attracted to it. Most all the flies I tie will be size 12-16. But I wanted to make a few in a bigger size, for bass...just to see if they might be interested. I also made a couple of these with much smaller heads. I found this to be a bit closer to the original though. Any thoughts, or ideas on this, would be welcome.

[hankaye]

Kelly L. Howdy;

Think it looks just Grand!
As far as the density of the hackle goes the fish will thin it out
to their liking.

hank

[redietz]

I agree with Hank that the hackle will thin out, but I'm not sure that this particular shouldn't have fairly heavy hackle. It's a beetle imitation, and I would think it should be fairly stout.

[Kelly L.]

Okay guys, thank you very much for your opinions! This is a nymph hook, 1xl, 1x strong. I thought it would do well for this pattern. Do you like the head size like this, or should I adjust that? I think the original had a big head. I can make a smaller head with no problem. A bigger head would be even less difficult, of course. I thought this was a happy medium, but leaning towards the original. I want bass, to trout sizes.

[Kelly L.]

Here is one I did earlier this evening. It has more sparse hackle. I think it is closer to the photo I saw. However, this fly was not as pretty, as the other. But it does show the slight variation change I made. You can see the copper wraps on the rib, and the tag work. The hackle was more sparse, but it did not want to behave. This is just a fishing fly. But still I'd like to get it right.



Well on my computer you could see the copper wire wraps. Once I uploaded it to Photobucket, the wraps almost disappeared. I don't know what happened with that.

[Mataura mayfly]

This is where our friend Donald would be to the fore. Very little is written of and very few colour plates appear of this particular pattern.
Donald had researched and posted examples of not only this fly, but other obscure or area specific wet flies of Wales and the greater UK.

From the limited knowledge I have of the pattern, I would say you pretty well nailed it- guessing that your variation is the wire rib versus the red silk rib? As stated above by Bob, I too believe the hackle should be reasonably full and long. I also agree it is meant to imitate a beetle.
I would be inclined to stick to a standard shank length, but that is just me- too used to tying plump Coch-y-bondhu I guess.

Not sure if I am allowed to do so, but the following are photographs of a plate in the Veniard Fly Dressers Guide and shows the Bracken Clock with a full long hackle.





Might be my computer settings or the red silk bleeding through, but the bronze herl in your first offering almost looks magenta dyed, nice colour for craft store stock!

[Ruard]

Hi Kelly,

Here is some information from the book of Moc Morgan: Flies of Wales.



Not to good a picture but....



This information could be useful

greeting

[Kelly L.]

Jeff, my variation is the copper wire, which I used fine wire. I also let the back of the fly show red. I also wrap 1-3 (like two) wraps of copper wire at the tag...before wrapping over the herl. Then I put a few wraps of copper wire rib over the herl for strength. Without it, the fish will most likely make quick work of the fly, and tear it up. I also used a 1x long hook, instead of a standard. My herl that I managed to get is a reddish bronze color. The color is awesome. You can't see it well in the photo. The herl is a great color, but it is not long, and full, as I would like. Thank you for the photos. I tried to look online, but I see conflicting versions. There was not much said about this fly. So your photos helped. Your photo shows a peacock herl RIBBING, which the photo in my book, does not. I have seen this look online. A Guide to North Country Flies and How to Tie Them is the book I have, and it does not look like your photo there. The hackle goes past the hook point. Since I used a 1x long hook, I barely went to a point right past the point. I did know this was to represent a beetle. (or cock roach)

Ruard, your piece from the book, was very helpful. I don't know what they mean by the hackle being square on the hook. I didn't realize the feather should be on a certain point, to be useful for this pattern. I chose a larger feather, but I know it is the right kind by color. It has the black tip on it, once it is wrapped. I do have what I believe is called a black melanistic pheasant skin. I should try that look here too.

Thank you both for this. I have studied what you both said, and viewed the photos. I very much appreciate the time you took, to help me out. I don't want to tie a whole row of something, and not have it fairly close to what the intention was.

[letumgo]

Kelly - I am following this thread closely. I am enjoying all of the posts. The supplemental information/history is fascinating.

[JohnP]

I like your version a lot, Kelly, and I am also following the historical discussion with interest. I like the proportions of yours tied on the longer-shanked hook. I did a version a while back, but yours is better.