A few more spiders

[Donald Nicolson]

Large Yellow Dun Spider
Hook: Grip 14723BL size 10
Silk: Pearsall Primrose
Rib: Hot Yellow wire
Body: Yellow Camel fur
Hackle: March Brown Brahma Saddle, tied sparse


March Brown Steelhead Spider
Hook: Dai-Riki 270 size 8
Silk: Red
Rib: Medium oval silver tinsel
Body: Brown camel fur
Hackle: Brahma Hen Saddle, March Brown


Brown Nymph
Hook: Veniard nymph, size 14
Silk: Pearsall gray
Tail: Rusty Dun hen fibres, short
Rib: Hot yellow wire
Body: Dark brown 'possum
Thorax: Rusty brown camel
Hackle: Rusty dun hen


Pale Dun Nymph
Hook: Veniard Light Nymph size 14
Silk: Pearsall Primrose
Rib: Hot Yellow wire
Body: Grey Dun Fur
Thorax: Grey Dun Fur
Hackle: Light Dun Hen


I have acquired some more Brahma hen saddles and intend to dress some
Steel-head Spiders.

[CreationBear]

All of them will fish, but I especially love the body taper on the first one..."yaller" is the only color you need here in the Southern Appalachians most of the year.

[Donald Nicolson]

Thanks CB,
That was the first one tied, when you see them large like this, a lot of careless dressing shows up.

[letumgo]

Donald - Could you please explain the dubbing techniques used on the bottom two flies? They are all beautiful flies. I am especially drawn to the bottom two. They just look so darned "buggy" (sincere compliment). I look forward to seeing your steelhead spiders.

[CreationBear]

Not much wrong with that fly that I can see--though Hans might have exclusive Schengen Area rights to that Grip 14723BL if you leave the UK. Otherwise, I'm really liking the the short hackle on that style of hook--I could see tying them down to #16's for a sulphur, especially this time of year.

[Soft-hackle]

Sweet! Love them all, Donald.

Mark

[cicvara]

-Nicely done, excellent flies.

[Donald Nicolson]

I rather went into auto-tie with some of these, I tend sometimes if I am listening to music,
to dress them without consciously thinking about it. A bit like auto driving a car and listening to the radio
at the same time.
The dubbing technique was basic noodle dubbing on waxed thread. Small amounts initially, building up to a thorax.
The wax was a rather hard Veniard wax, my lamp is an bright white 50w, throwing off quite a lot of heat.
I hold the wax cake near the lamp for a few seconds just before applying it. I also keep twisting the dubbing after every wrap. There is also that I used Camel fur quite a lot, as is well known a favourite dubbing of mine. The Brown Nymph had a body of 'possum, which is nice and hairy although thinly dubbed, the thorax was camel which is the opposite of 'possum, much shorter in the staple but dubbed thicker.
The Pale Dun Nymph used Grey Camel which gives a nice neat body and thorax.
I like camel and 'possum for opposing reasons, but also because they dub very easily.

I hope all of that made sense.

[Mataura mayfly]

Donald, while it is true that macro photography can pick up thiny glitches...... I am struggeling to see any here!
All very nice looking flies. I have a draw to the first example, just looks really nice in form and taper, plus you got to love the look of those hooks. I might have to have a look for some of those next month whilst in the Northern Hemisphere.
Possum and Camel look to make a fine mix, for the reasons you have mentioned, but if you find them easy to dub with- see if you can find some black tail fibres from an Aussie possum. That stuff makes Seal seem awfully tame!

[gig]

They all look great Donald but I love that Brown Nymph, it would do so well in my local waters