Something Borrowed Softhackles

[CreationBear]

I was playing around with a couple of materials that folks have been kind enough to send my way in the past year--horsehair from REE, and sulphur peacock eyesticks from tie2fish; nick Ray's "Horsehair Overcoat" and this is what you get:









Hook: Alec Jackson Soft Hackle, #13
Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Sheer
Tail: Chukkar flank
Abdomen: Horsehair
Thorax: Waspi eyestick, sulphur
Hackle: Chukkar

At any rate, a basic tie, but I'm thinking that this is another good application of the Alec Jackson soft hackle hook and its "Crystal" finish--in hand, the colors of the underlying Griffith's Sheer (cinnamon, claret) really pop.

[DUBBN]

Your flies and photos are amazing. I dont know if it's your skill in both, but your patterns always seem to be so well balanced in color and proportions. It's always a pleasure to see your work.

[willowhead]

What Wayne said.....

[hankaye]

CreationBear, Howdy

X-3 !

hank

[Roadkill]

Beautiful flies!

[michaelgmcgraw]

Yup! Nifty!

[CreationBear]

Thanks, gents--I do think I'll have to play around with my white balance/saturation settings a bit...the colors are a bit more subtle than what show on my monitor. At any rate, the horsehair/sulphur/chukkar combo blends pretty well...though I think I'll have to save William's llama and Narcodog's urine-stained for another fly.

[tie2fish]

I agree, CB -- your work is consistently excellent. I think folks should send you lots of materials just to see the beautiful things you can create with them.

[CreationBear]

I think folks should send you lots of materials

Funny you should say that...I just returned to my library carrel this morning after being away for the summer and found a grouse feather on the floor, stripped and ready to tie in. I think you have to file that under, "You know you have a problem when..." At any rate, thanks for turning me on to the eyesticks...a real subtle color that looks better on the hook than it does in hand.

[North Country Angler]

Bear,
Have you ever tried coating the shank of the hook with tipex before winding on the thread. The thread colours stand out even more and looks good under the overlying Horsehair. It adds to the translucent effect of the fly.