Pete Hidy's Gray Grizzly

[William Anderson]

Lance, this is such a treat to see. I always feel that impulse to try to recreate your dad's flies when I see one. You've done a remarkable job with your own versions. I am always fascinated with the care and obvious purpose in materials selection in your dad's flies. Thanks for sharing this.

[gingerdun]

Bill, Jon, W, thanks for checking in. Nice to know that there is still interest in these old flies.
I found another Pete Hidy Grizzly Flymph, 18 mm long, a good 5 mm longer than the first one on this string.
My guess is that these date to the late 1970s.
Pete's annotations are on the card.
I am curious to know if any of you are familiar with this pattern.
Just wondering what its history might be, and who originated it.

Lance

[CreationBear]

These are certainly a treat to see, if only to appreciate the subtleties of a truly talented fly tyer. In this case, I'm intrigued by the use of the the longer fibers of a hare's mask in the dubbing brush--at first glance it seems almost a secondary hair "hackle." The proportions of the tailing material also answers (for me at least! ) the age-old question about what "stage" a Hidy flymph represents...obviously a spent dun.

[gingerdun]

Jon,
I've never heard it said quite in those words, but you're right. Those hare's face guard hairs do look like a "secondary hair hackle," tied into the spun body.

A spent dun? (Done dun!) Could be. Sure doesn't look like a spinner.

I've been reading BUGWATER, Arlen Thomason's fascinating book of photographs of mayflies, caddis, stoneflies, damsels, in their native habitat (Thanks to Bill Lovelace for turning me on to it). Thomason is just one of many authors who remarks upon how many hatching insects are crippled, or, more importantly, unable to completely free themselves from the shuck (which he photographs). I think that this is maybe why my father started tying bulkier, shaggier flymphs than what Leisenring liked.

Lance

[Smuggler]

Lance, these are indeed a treat to see. You dads hastily written notes along with your take on the pattern are splendid to look at.
Words can't describe how awesome that is, thanks much for sharing with us.

[Kelly L.]

Outstanding. I LOVE THESE.

[letumgo]

These flies remind me a lot of DUBBN's trusty Muskrat fly, and a couple of Polly Rosborough's fuzzy nymphs. All proven highly effective. Wonderful contribution Lance.

[Soft-hackle]

GREAT post, Lance. Very inspiring and informational. I need to get back to my vice. I have been unable to work on anything, lately, with the chemo I'm currently on, but I l-o-n-g to do to some tying. Soon, I hope, Soon!

Mark

[gingerdun]

Ray, Kelly, Eric—Thanks for checking in here. Means a lot to me.
And Mark, I'm sure I'm not the only one that has been thinking about you and your family every day.
Thanks for mustering up the energy to say Hi. Glad you liked the posts.

I will try to keep on sharing some of the Pete Hidy material. Even though I have looked at everything a dozen times, I am still not fully understanding what I'm looking at. Attempting to imitate Dad's tying is gradually growing on me as a challenge. It also is also giving me new eyes as I go through his collections of hackles and spun bodies.

Lance

[tie2fish]

Thank you, Lance, for keeping this thread alive with another wonderful example of your Father's unique tying skills.