A Few Spiders on a new hook

[Old Hat]

found some these hooks at a favorite shop. I hadn't used or seen them before but I really like them. The hook is black chrome, fine wire, barbless and with a very slight up eye. I have only found them in a #14, may be the only size available. The hook is more on the #16 size compared to a lot of others.


Hook: Owner 5177-951 #14 Mosquito Hook

Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Scarlett red waxed with dark cobbler's wax
Hackle: The green blue rump feather of a starling
Body: thread over wrapped with a two strand twist of dun dyed Yak hair



Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Scarlett red waxed with dark cobbler's wax
Hackle: Speckled Badger hen cape
Body: Natural Australian Opossum under fur



Thread: Griffith's 14/0 orange well waxed with a dark cobbler's wax
Hackle: green blue rump feather of a starling
Body: thread
Thorax: Teeny pheasant tail dyed yellow

[hankaye]

Old Hat, Howdy;

Those be some DY-NO-MITE Flys young dude.

hank
old fart in training...

[willowhead]

Killer tyin'.........slick flies.

[Ruard]

Very well done Old Hat. Nice use of the wax on the last one.

Greeting

[tie2fish]

Old Hat ~ The consistency of your excellence is amazing.

[William Anderson]

Carl, these are very thoughtfully put together. I like this hook very much. You've taken full advantage of the proportions and shape. Daiichi makes something similar, as does grip, but this would be hard to beat. I couldn't pick a favorite and they are very consistent. Innovative too with the yack under fine tying thread. I have tried the cobblers wax on 14/0 and it makes me nervous as a routine technique. I don't like to break thread if I'm tying a batch and avoid methods that slow the continuity of motion. I swear I would be breaking every other fly. You've done it beautifully. I also like the yellow pheasant. Are you dying this stuff yourself or are you teaming up with Ruard and his "smoldering kitchen of color". (smiley)

w

[Old Hat]

Thanks guys, the comments are too generous.

The cobbler's wax I just picked up as well, I have broken the thread while waxing it but not tying. I don't know the normal consistency of the cobbler's wax. Mine was a little "crusty" on the outside, but as soon as I broke into the shell it was dense and sticky and easy to rub onto the thread. In fact the tips of my fingers are black now.

William, I'm not dying the materials myself, although I dabbled in it a bit with the Nemes' Swap, that has been my extent of dying. It is definitely on the to experiment list though. The Pheasant tail I used here comes from Jim Teeny, who sells it for his Teeny Nymphs. If you don't dye, he has some wonderful colors. My favorite is the antique gold.

[daringduffer]

Old Hat ~ The consistency of your excellence is amazing.

So true - you excel!

But the competition on this forum is tough (I know that it's not about competing). There are quite a few skilled tiers here. It is very inspiring to watch this space.

dd