Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

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Mataura mayfly
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by Mataura mayfly » Tue May 20, 2014 1:00 am

Dun:
Color - usually some shade of gray. Also the sub imago stage of a mayfly.
Dun Hackle:
Gray-brown to medium gray, sometimes with a tinge of blue.

Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly tying circles!

If you have a copy of "A Dictionary of Trout Flies" (A. Courtney Williams) go to page 168, February Red patterns and explanations take 2/3rd's of that page and about the same of page 169. There is a reference to the Treatise (1496) pattern of a Dun body and wings from a Partridge, but also several other regional UK patterns with slight variations.
"Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout".... Irish proverb.
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by Mataura mayfly » Tue May 20, 2014 4:14 am

This is another interesting take.

http://masassushionafly.com/the-sister- ... rs-part-3/

Note the lack of wrapped hackle- that apparently showed some 100 years later than the time of the Treatise. ;)
"Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout".... Irish proverb.
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redietz
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by redietz » Tue May 20, 2014 5:54 am

Mataura mayfly wrote:This is another interesting take.

http://masassushionafly.com/the-sister- ... rs-part-3/

Note the lack of wrapped hackle- that apparently showed some 100 years later than the time of the Treatise. ;)
How would he know? The only work from that era*, and for the next hundred years, is the Treatsye, and it doesn't say.

*"from that era" -- at least in English, there are earlier works in Spanish and German, but every country had its own traditions, without much sharing between them
Bob
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by redietz » Tue May 20, 2014 6:00 am

Mataura mayfly wrote:Dun:
Color - usually some shade of gray. Also the sub imago stage of a mayfly.
Dun Hackle:
Gray-brown to medium gray, sometimes with a tinge of blue.

Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly tying circles!
Even more so; 150 years ago; "dun" as an insect referred to the caddis fly.

Whenever you see it in a historical angling text, it should raise a red flag -- you really need to ask yourself exactly when the book was written to figure out what the word means; it's changed meanings over time in every way it's used.
Bob
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by Mataura mayfly » Tue May 20, 2014 7:23 am

redietz wrote:
Mataura mayfly wrote:This is another interesting take.


How would he know? The only work from that era*, and for the next hundred years, is the Treatsye, and it doesn't say.

*"from that era" -- at least in English, there are earlier works in Spanish and German, but every country had its own traditions, without much sharing between them

How would he know? He doesn't and is guessing just like the rest of us- hence me saying it is another interesting "take".
"Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout".... Irish proverb.
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Re: What Have We? Dun?

Post by swellcat » Tue May 20, 2014 9:59 am

[Dun:] Perhaps one of the most confusing words to have the pleasure of gracing fly-tying circles!
Agreed. Thanks for saying it.

____
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by wsbailey » Tue May 20, 2014 10:31 am

From "A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF MIDDLE-ENGLISH"

Dun, Dunne, adj. dun, dull brown, MD, Manip.; donne, MD.—AS. dunn; OIr. donn, dond (Windisch).

Bill
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by letumgo » Tue May 20, 2014 11:30 am

Interesting additions guys. The information shared so far, leaves a fair amount of "wiggle room" for interpretation. I need to play around at the vice, to see what I can come up with. Hopefully tonight I can find time to do some more tying.

Anyone else wanna take a swing at tying an authentic February Red?
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by Ruard » Tue May 20, 2014 2:28 pm

Hi Ray,

Here is a picture of the stonefly:

Image

Here is the description in the book of Goddard:

]Image

http://musicarenje.top-forum.net/t2482- ... ptera-risi

This is a link to a site with pictures and with patterns/recipes.



Perhaps this is of any help?

Greeting

Ruard
There will allways be a solution.
http://www.aflyinholland.nl
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Re: Historical Pattern Question (February Red - circa 1496)

Post by Mataura mayfly » Tue May 20, 2014 2:42 pm

letumgo wrote:
Anyone else wanna take a swing at tying an authentic February Red?
Verify "authentic"! :lol: To late for me to try for this one, what with making the hooks from large sewing needles and all.
"Listen to the sound of the river and you will get a trout".... Irish proverb.
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