Pete Hidy flymph

[chase creek]

The information exchanged in this thread is fantastic! As are the photos of the flies. I think this thread is typical of what makes this forum so special - the absolute willingness to share the knowledge and the history of this corner of the sport. Thanks.

[Soft-hackle]

DUBBN,
Hmmm, I'm probably wrong or mixed up, myself. Not thinking as clearly as usual. Sorry- lots on my mind.

Mark

[DUBBN]

Doesnt take much to confuse me Mark.

[Soft-hackle]

DUBBN,
You are correct--It is Cockerel, but Leisenring mentions a fly called the Dotterel Dun in his discussion on hackles. That is how I got confused.

Mark

[Kelly L.]

Gingerdun, those flies are amazing. Thank you for your willingness to share these rare gems.

[gingerdun]

I had a few moments, so here is another Pete Hidy flymph. Looks like controlled chaos.

[Kelly L.]

I like that one a lot too. How in the world does he keep the middle tail fiber from attaching to the one next to it? When I tried 3 fibers, one would attach to the next, or the middle one leaned to one side or the other, and would not sit right in the middle. It was maddening for me.

[gingerdun]

Kelly, I don't know what those fibers are. Others know more about it than I do. Some fibers are more webby and sticky than others. I like using duck fibers like merganser and lemon wood duck for tails because they tend to separate easily on the fly. But Leisenring and Pete Hidy said they often used the longer fibers from cock feathers.
I'm a relative beginner, but I have found that when I cut the three tail fibers, I separate them on my work surface, and shift them around to align the tips, maybe even spinning them in my fingers before tying them onto the hook. But I am one of the least experienced tiers on the forum, so perhaps one of the experts might chime in here about tails.

Lance

[Kelly L.]

Thank you for your thoughts Lance, much appreciated. Maybe someone will be able to give more details.

[CreationBear]

so perhaps one of the experts might chime in here about tails.

I'm going to be all-ears as well, since I've never been able to figure out exactly what a tail is on a flymph, especially since I suspect the long, relatively limber fibers pictured on these flies pretty much disappear in the water if there's a bit of current.