Woodcock and Silver Spun Body

[William Anderson]

Ruard, after your fantastic thread on these wire spun bodies, I knew I would be trying them soon. They were just the procrastination I needed so here's one I put together. I used Uniwire Small, not Extra Small, which would make for a very different effect and something more like I would typically, but this really adds some weight and an attractive body. I have seen these bodies lots of times and I will certainly do more with this as my tying continues to evolve. If you like the theory of silvery gasses showing inside the pupal sack as a caddis launches toward the surface, it would be difficult to find a better method. Thanks so much for the nudge to try this.

Woodcock and Silver Spun Body

Hook: Orvis 549F up eye nymph hook
Thread: 14/0 light yellow
Hackle: Woodcock shoulder feather
Body: Silver UniWire - Small spun in a Clark's spinning block, Spun body is Red Fox underfur.
Thorax: Aussie opossum with a bit of spikey guard hair.



w

[Mataura mayfly]

Really nice work William.
I imagine the thorax dubbing "washed" back along the abdomen by current or stripping would lead to a nice under-glow of the wire, eluding to the appearance of those gasses you speak of.

[CreationBear]

Ah, this one will fish...belongs on a Grip 14723, though.

[Ruard]

Very well done William. I like the way your body first is silver and then there is more dubbing on it. Nicely done.

The theorie of the gas bubbles is not accepted by everyone.

Greeting

[tie2fish]

Ah, this one will fish...belongs on a Grip 14723, though.

I was thinking more along the lines of that vintage Mustad 3913B, but then this dressing would look tremendous tied on a coat hanger.

[Old Hat]

Very nicely done William. I too love the transition and the taper in that body. Very lively looking fly with subtle bling and utilitarian to boot. Just super.

[CreationBear]

I was thinking more along the lines of that vintage Mustad 3913B

That would work nicely, too--I'm a sucker for sproaty, curvaceous hooks, especially when "caddis" are being alluded to.

[William Anderson]

(I thought I posted to this earlier and I guess it just didn't stick. I'll try again.)

So, thanks again for all the comments. I love those curvy caddis style hooks myself. I think most of my patterns actually fish best on them, but at the moment I have a small supply of these up eye nymph hooks on the station and they make for some interesting compositions as well.

Ruard, your point is well received regarding the gasses, the theories, believers and non-believers, and I'm not really either. If there are mercury like triggers in there, then good for me, and if not, then I like the way Carl discribed the utilitarian bling. I'll have to remember that. It'll be one of those phrases that sticks with me as I'm tying.

I'll try to remember to soak a few of these as I'm taking pics. I've forgotten how interesting those pics can be and always enjoy seeing patterns in their natural surroundings.

w

[Roadkill]

Great fly, I'll tie up a couple just to see if they work out West.

[DUBBN]

Your Woodcock series is awesome Wiliam!