Hen and Seal 1250 +

[William Anderson]

For me, using the dubbing blocks has been a great help in managing some of the coarse fibers and I don't seem to have that magic (or is it decades of experience ) touch that some have in getting the right balance of profile, translucency and action with furs like seal, snowshoe and I remember having a very tough time with black bear (I'll revisit that after seeing Carl's nice work). So the block helps. Ribbing helps as well, but just binding it down isn't quite the answer. Here are a couple of recent attempts, for better or worse.

Hen and Seal 1250
Hook: Daiichi 1250
Tying Thread: 14/0 Primrose
Hackle: Pale dun Hen
Rib: Gold Tinsel
Abdomen: 2-3 part light olive seal blend pre-spun on Primrose silk on a Clark's spinning block
Thorax: natural seal




Partridge and Seal 1260
Hook: Daiichi 1260
Thread: 14/0 Brown
Hackle: Partridge
Tail: Partridge
Body: Part seal, part hare's mask pre-spun on Primrose silk on a Clarks spinning Block



I believe these are getting there, but now and then I wish it would work out a little nicer. These were the best of the sets .

w

[Kelly L.]

Love both of them!

[DOUGSDEN]

William,
Both patterns are drop dead gorgeous as your tying usually attest. I see more life, more light and dark, more hard contrasts in #2 than I do in #1. However, many of our favorite insects "come up" with a certain subtlty that can only be found in the appearance (and you did a darned good job in conveying this subtlty) of #1. I think that sometimes if the colors are allowed to meld together with the ribbing shinning up thru them, it seems a little more realistic esp. to our trout friends eye that rarely misses much coming up or going by him or sometimes both at the same time! You have done well on both accounts! I always enjoy what you have to offer William!
How do you spell subtle-ty? suttle-tee? I never won a spelling be in my life!
Doug

Side note....Do you find it easier to control density, translucency, etc. with the spinning block? I know its harder to control body shapes sometimes with a tightly wound and set (with wax) prespun body. This is a matter of experience with handling the thread and furs of which I have little of! D.

[William Anderson]

Thanks Kelly, thanks Doug.

Regarding the density, translucency, I know I was achieving bodies with a drop loop that I was very happy with and fished very well. Well enough to send me on a sometimes narrow path using these flies in lots of circumstances. The result of a dubbed noodle no doubt is lacking compared to a drop loop, split thread or prespun body (imho and if your desired effect requires the revelation of the underbody and the liveliness to make the entire body seem alive). Enough practice with any given method will give you the effect you're looking for...mostly. I believe I'm now finding desired results that were not available to me before. The difference here is that I'm experimenting with materials and blends that I avoided because I never felt I could control them to my satisfaction. Some can, I find the creating and pre spinning of bodies using all sorts of materials is easier and more interesting when done on the block. Its a work in progress, but I'm certainly enjoying the process.

These both seem effective, based on lots of other effective flies I would have confidence in them. The second fly seems to have its life force strapped down into a girdle. Maybe that offers attributes we see in other flies we know are effective. Maybe I would like to see the dubbing and underbody experience a little more mobility. I have piles of flies that contain both traits, so its only about Duran time

[William Anderson]

(Duran time?? Frickin phone and auto spell insert)...stream time and the pleasure of working lots of flies.

I'm rambling. I like having the opportunity to explore any materials with confidence and achieve the desired result using the infinite control of the block method. I know a couple years ago I would have heckling and throwing rocks...but its working. (no harm in some eye rolling from the back row)

[tie2fish]

Lovely work, William.

[letumgo]

(back row heckler).

Great flies W.

[chase creek]

Can't see nuttin' wrong with those, William. Good lookers, both of them.