Little Blue

[DUBBN]

I have no idea why I keep using this Blue Mylar tinsel. I don't even like Blue. It probably mirrors my mood. I developed two dry sockets after having 3 wisdom teeth pulled last week. I am having to use vacation days over this.

It's been awhile since playing with over sized hackle so I sat down and dreamed this up. Probably a direct result of Percocet!

Heres the link to using over sized hackle as done by Charlie Craven:
http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox ... rentID=155

Hook - Mustad 3399, size 12
Thread - UTC 70, Black
Abdomen - Blue Mylar
Thorax - Cottontail Rabbit underfur
Collar - Partridge

[letumgo]

Marvelous fly, and one I would happily fish.

Sorry to hear of your dental dilemma. Not fun.

[Mataura mayfly]

Nice work, blue is a very underrated colour in fly tying and in my experience Rainbow trout do not seem to mind it at all- especially a flashy blue like your mylar. Brown trout do not seem that fussed on it here, but the Rainbow like it. It is popular in a lot of Sea-run patterns as well.

Sorry to here of your dental woes. Not a subject I hold dear and have been guilty of assaulting a dentist......
But if the drug educed funk you are in leads to more experimentation at the vice- I say go for it.

If you check Lawrence Finney's site I believe he has a video of another method of using larger feathers for hackle ah-la Dabbler style, where you clip a bunch of bronze Mallard and roll the barbs around the hook with the thread. Just another method and another string to your bow.

[DUBBN]

Jeff, my GOOGLE skills are not up to par. I could not find the "Lawrence Finney" site or his pattern. I am really slipping as Hans has/had a video of tieing in barbs out over the eye, then pushing them back over the body. I use that method as well, but can not find the link.

[Mickalo]

Dubbin,

I think what Jeff maybe referring too is a similar method used by Charlie Craven for tying a Bird Nest, one of my favorite patterns. I've also heard of it referred to as "distribution method"

http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox ... rentID=158

I also use allot of blue & purples in my panfish flies. That looks like a great fly to try out, nicely done.

MIke

[Mataura mayfly]

Try this one, http://www.finneysflies.com/videos_69.html
Lots of useful information on Lawrences site, but the videos are few. His wire weaving- you have to witness to believe. He showed me "how to do it" when I visited him. His hands moved like the blurred flurry of a quail rise! I saw the bare hook and the end result- how the inbetween bit happened I am not quite sure!

[DUBBN]

Thanks for the link Jeff. That will keep me busy for a few hours!!! Going stir crazy here.

[DUBBN]

I think I resist this technique because I struggle with the large, covering heads. I always seem to leave a little material showing. I know the fish care less, but just the same.

[Mataura mayfly]

Ah, the eyebrow effect! Fish don't mind and macro photography makes it look a lot worse than it really is.
In Lawrences video you will see him use his thumb nail to push the clipped butt ends back and wrap from in front of the cut ends- back toward the "wing" hackle.
Like anything- practice practice and practice some more, you will be tying perfect Dabbler heads before your gums heal.

[DUBBN]

Ah, the eyebrow effect! Fish don't mind and macro photography makes it look a lot worse than it really is.
In Lawrences video you will see him use his thumb nail to push the clipped butt ends back and wrap from in front of the cut ends- back toward the "wing" hackle.
Like anything- practice practice and practice some more, you will be tying perfect Dabbler heads before your gums heal.

I do the same thing with my thumb nail. Always have. That's how bad I am at this technique. Material still shows.


I will say that the UTC70 thread does a better job of laying flat than the Bennichi or Sheer 14/0. For me*

* disclaimer to keep from hurting others feelings.