Missy Mallard

[Hans Weilenmann]

Missy Mallard
Hook: Kamasan B175 #14
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, black
Hackle: Hen mallard, marginal wing covert
Rib: Wire, silver fine
Body: Magpie tail barbs

Cheers.
Hans W

[Smuggler]

Great looking fly Hans, the use of magpie and the mallard hen marginal covert is fantastic. Under-utilized feather from the duck IMO.

[tie2fish]

That's really attractive, Hans, and well tied as usual. It is comforting to see that I'm not the only tier to end up with mallard hackle barbs acting a bit "wonky", but the effect is actually very lifelike. It's also ironic that the magpie is so very well behaved here, as it is usually the unruly one.

[Izaak]

For a nice dark pattern you can't beat this one! Beautifully tied. A nice alternative to the more common starling and peacock herl, which is a killer in its own right. I've caught lots of trout using this size down to #22. The smaller sizes are great for imitating midges. Recently I used one during a trico hatch when I didn't have any trico patterns with me and was able to fool a few fish with it. Was there a video attached to this?

[William Anderson]

Hans, magpie and dun, seems hard to beat. I love these clean little herl spiders. This hackle selection is spot on for this pattern as well. Just a perfect simple little bug. With magpie you could really tie these in smaller sizes for killer droppers.

w

[Mataura mayfly]

Many tiers that are not wee wet or spider orientated have Mallard wings in pairs for quill slips and probably toss the rest of the wing when the quills of the primaries have been used. This is a nice example of what can be done with the left overs.
Mallard wing coverts tend to be a heavier barb than traditional hen or gamebird hackles, can be unruly as a wrapped hackle, but do have a place in the wet fly World.

The photo does not do justice to the Magpie herl, from what little experience I have with European Magpie it is quite iridescent.

Very tidy example Hans, subtle flash in the body and earthy dun tones in the hackle- nice combination.

[Kelly L.]

I love this one. The name is very fitting too. Missy size, not a Queen size. Very simple, functional, and yet, it is
going to be a great little fish getter. It is also visually appealing as well. Hans, two thumbs up for me.

[letumgo]

Hans - I took one look at the hackle and swore it was a jackdaw feather, then I read the recipe. Very surprised to read hen mallard marginal wing coverts. Interesting! Where did you buy mallard hen wings? I tend to mostly see the wings for male birds in most of the shops. The male wings seem to be more in demand for the feathers used in "The McGinty" fly.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Where did you buy mallard hen wings?

Some bags of hen mallard feathers arrived courtesy of an active forum member who will remain nameless, but lives on the south island of NZ....

[letumgo]

Ah. Got it.