Doug's Duns

[willowhead]

i love that tapered look as well Doug.....but for me, i'd just much rather tye in by the tip (just in front of the abdomen), and wind forward. i don't see any need for the thread to be wound back thru the hackle to get back up to the eye. i spose the added durability is a good thing, obviously. But it you "seat" your hackle turns well, and tye snug.....what's the problem if a fly catches only 10 fish rather than 20, before it falls apart........i mean "REALLY." If there's a problem there, you either to cheap about the whole thing, or you don't really love tyin' flies.........imnqsho
Just one man's point of view, but that's what keeps things interesting. Now another guy will say, well.....if you don't adhear to doin' things the old tried and true way, you don't really give a hoot bout tradition............PALEASE! Course, he's perfectly entitled to his opinion.....but for me, that's pretty much an unsbstantiated value judgement..........& like you said.....the fish takin' abilities of a fly tyed with all the hackle up front are just as great anyway.....are is a streamers or nymphs tyed with no hackle. All it really comes down to is whatever bips your bippy in a fly, good presentation, and keepin' it fun.
Hope you enjoy and are inspired to try new things with the hooks when you get them. From one Jazz Messenger to another, if you get my "drift.".

[willowhead]

Obviously, the word "you" in the above statement bout, "if there's a problem"......was meant figurtively or generally, not personally.

[kanutripr]

Tying in hackle is strictly personal taste. I have no problem tying in the hackle last when I am creating a pattern, have managed to break the hackle off by being clumsy (it happens once in a while ) or when tying a streamer and want more substance at the head of the fly. I like tying in the hackle first with soft hackles, especially small ones because I already know it's going to be there, I can control it's placement and it reminds me to stop when dubbing the body. It's stronger and easier to get a small or non-existent head. By tying it in first you've already started a buildup in the area of the thorax (as opposed to the head) which helps begin a nice taper and lays the foundation in that area. I guess, to me, it simplifies the whole process.

Again Doug, absolutely wonderful flies. I will try this weekend to take some of the flies you sent me. It'll give you some more to share with us.

Take care my friend.


Vicki

[JohnP]

Thanks for the recipes and tying instructions, Doug. Do you strip the fibers off one side of the hackle before you tie it in?

[DUBBN]

Dougsdon, thank you for the kind words on my attempt to copy such a woderful looking pattern. By the looking at the crisp clear photos posted by Bill, I knew, or I should say surmized that antron was involved. I looked everywhere in my supplies for some clear or Gray Antron. I know it's there, but I cant find it. I also felt I could get close to your pattern with Muskrat, so I "fudged". I found some Sow-Scud light Gray dubbing by Spirit River. I would say that this mixture is probably 1/3 Antron. I mixed the Sow-Scud dubbing with my Muskrat. If I had to guess I would say that the proportions are 2/3 Sow-Scud, and 1/3 Muskrat under fur.

After getting the dubbing close to what I thought looked like yours, the rest was easy. Light Dun Hen Hackle for the tail, and Collar, and Gray 8/0 Uni Thread. Being the fly is Gray I didnt add ribbing. I dont know why, but for some weird reason I can't put ribbing on a Gray fly. I know, it's weird.

Bill (tie2fish), thank you so much for posting those pics. Mr. Dougsdon, thank you for taking the time to share such a great pattern.

[DOUGSDEN]

Dubbn,
I am glad to hear that you are mixing your own as it were with antron and muskrat! You just can't go wrong with that combination! This is how great patterns are born, or re-born, or developed. I am just pleased as punch that you are putting these materials together in such a neat way! I have the feeling that we may not be scratching the surface as far as good blends of dubbing are concerned to fit the style of the patterns we are tying!
Yes, kudo's to our pal Bill S. for doing such a great job in photographing these patterns! He's a real peach of a guy! Thanks again friend!
John P. Sorry, but no I usually don't strip off the fibers from one side of the feather before the wrapping begins. At least not on flymphs. This is really a great idea! I do this on other nymph patterns (Dave Whitlocks famous and wonderful Red Fox Sq. Hair Nymph!) and it's terrific! Wow! Thank you John. I can't wait to try this at the vice. You are on to something!
Thank you one and all for the encouraging words and comments about my tying. I have to admit that I am the small pine tree in the forest of huge sequoia's. It is nice to learn from and share with each other thru the connections that have been made on this fine forum!
Next up.....Green beasty receipe! Good night to all!
Dougsden

[DOUGSDEN]

As promised (forgive my slowness), The Green Beasty!

Hook: TMC #9300 in your choice of sizes. #10's are great, #12's are just right, #14's are getting smaller but it's still nice to have a half dozen on reserve just in case everyone starts getting a litte finicky, and #16's are just about out of sight....literally! I can't hardly focus in on this size! Geeze, when you turn 50.....
Thread: Black 8/0 Uni-thread on the smaller end of things or 6/0 Danvilles.
Dubbing (or Dubbn!!): Krystal Dub from Hareline Dubbin, Inc. in a color called Olive Brown. This stuff is amazing! It, of course, gives the fly it's signature color and with the moderate amount of antron mixed in, it seems to glow even in low light conditions!
Tail: A few fibers from the same black hen cape that will be listed below for the hackle!
Rib: Fine green wire. Ultra wire is an excellent choice for this! The rib is optional of course. It does help somewhat in shaping the body of the fly and it adds a great deal to the durability.
Hackle: A few turns of black hen either tied in by the tip or by the butt end, your choice!

This is one of the patterns that I like to tie with all the turns of hackle at the head of the fly. It also works great as a flymph pattern where the hackle is spread out over roughly the front one third of the fly!
I hope you enjoy my highly descriptive receipes that I post on occasion (I know, not nearly enough!). Sometimes, it's not practical to post an encylopedia as I do with each pattern but it sure is fun! Enjoy!
Dougsden

[letumgo]

Genuinely appreciated, my friend! Wonderful reading. You have inspired me yet again...

[JohnP]

Great information and wonderful ties. Thank you for sharing, Doug.

[hankaye]

Doug, Howdy;

Good to see you posting again, been awhile.
Thanks for the recipts. Those are som kind of amazing flys you turn out.

hank