FLYMPH FORUM

Here are some close ups of the flies - all thread is Pearsall's old spools. All hooks are Kamasan B525 Size 16 unless otherwise stated.
Sorry about the quality. Strangely these were shot on a white background using a commercial Portable Photo Studio.
I will have to do these again for the book but I hopes you enjoy them.
1. Orange Partridge.

Thread Old 6A Orange
Hackle Cock Partridge.
I always fish this on the point or as a first dropper.


2. Greenwell's

Thread Old Yellow (pulled through my hands to get a 'dirty' look - I don't use wax - this is a trick I use following on from that of the Clyde tiers show were mainly Shipyard workers and it is said that they dirt from their hands gave the flies a 'steely' appearance. Anyway that is what I do.)
Body ribbed with fine gold wire
Wing is Starling (rolled)
Hackle is a Hen Greenwell's
This is my favourite fly and is on my leader 80% of the time as the top dropper.


3. Bailey Kite

Thread old Purple (almost black)
Body is Heron, twisted and ribbed with fine gold wire
Hackle is a Generic Hen Hackle - Blue Dun.
This seems to be a great killing fly and I fish it on the 1st dropper. Picture does not do it justice.


4. Dark Snipe

Thread old Purple (as above)
Hackle Snipe
I should fish this a bit more than I do but i find it goes on the pint or fist dropper when fish are taking small balck flies just under the surface.


5. Hare Lug and Plover

Thread Old Yellow (not dirtied this time)
Body lightly dubbed hears ear (lug)
Hackle Golden Plover
This is another favour especially when I see some caddis around.


6. Waterhen Bloa

Thread old yellow dirtied the same way as the Greenwells.
Dubbin is Mole (and as little as I can - I strip excess off after I have tied it)
Hackle Waterhen
Where would a NCF man be without this fly hey. BWO's and other small upswings are scared when this goes on the point.


7. March Brown (Bailey)

Hook - 12
Thread the same as the Orange Partridge
Body is twisted Rhea ribbed with fine gold wire
Hackle is dark Hen Partridge
This is my version of the March Brown and it works equally well on the point when large brown mayflies are up in Tasmania.


8. Large Dark Olive

Hook - 12
Thread the same as for a Waterhen Bloa
Body twisted Heron and ribbed with fine gold wire
Hackle the same as the Bailey Kite
This fly works well when the LDO's are hatching. Better in the creases alongside rough water on any dropper or point/


9. Waterhen and Red

Thread is old Red
Hackle is waterhen
This is a stunning fly to use as the water fines off after a spate while it is still tea coloured.


10. Woodcock and Hare Lug

Thread same as Orange Partridge
Body Hares ear dubbed a little thicker than the Hare Lug and Plover
Hackle Woodcock
THis is another fly that kills well when the sedges are about.


11. Light Sedge

Thread same as the Hare Lug and Plover
Dubbing Hare Poll dubbed the same as the Woodcock and Hare Lug
Wing Landrail Sub (Dyed Starling)
Hackle Landrail Sub (Dyed Starling under covert.
This rivals Hans Elk & CDC and really works right on dark. Always the top dropper.


12. Dark Sedge

Thread is old Brown
Body is Hare Poll
Wing is from Grouse
Hackle is Grouse upper covert
Another good fly and my own pattern. Works well when the darker caddis and sedge are about.


13. Endrick Spider

Thread is same as Orange Partridge
Underboddy is a wrap of copper wire
Body is Pheasant cock tail
Rib is silver wire
Hackle is grey Partridge.
Not a well know modes spider by extremely good as a point fly early in the season. This is the only spider patter that I use that has weight.


14. Bailey Needle

Thread is old Purple and Grey twisted together to give a segmented effect
Wing is Starling, rolled and tied in so that is flows over the body
Hackle is Starling
This fly is on the point most of the time when the Needle Flies are about in late summer. Great fish taker and can be tied in various sizes.


15 Sea Swallow

Hook - 18

Thread White
Wing from Black Headed Gull
Hackle from upper covert Black Headed Gull.
Not often seen this fly (poor photo) but a great fly on the point when the PWO's are about.


Enjoy.....

SWEET!

Lovely. Thanks for sharing.

Masterful tying. I especially like the bodies.

Impressive. I need to study these. Thanks for posting.

Philip, Howdy;

I have been enjoying this display of your handywork so much I clean
forgot to post my admiration for the flys you've tyed. (head-slap emotcon here),

hank

Very nice ties, like them.


Greeting

Thank you all,
By the way, the sedges have a hurl head of a single turn of cock pheasant.

Very nice set Philip,..... but how does Philip fish em ?

If you have any insights into say , an LDO hatch - which thankfully is not all that far away. The internet is awash with flies, how anglers breathe life into them whilst fishing is the real interesting bit .

The start to this season COULD be a little unusual , we have had a very mild winter in ireland and I presume the UK also, will this bring the early season hatches forward by a few weeks, will we see the LDO's starting to trickle off a little earlier ? - even if this is just wishful thinking it certainly increases my anticipation for opening day, march 1st.

Secrets Otter.
Seriously, I have churned over in my mind doing a series on fishing NCF's on the forum. But I am also writing a book. Conflict hey.
Three words come to mind....Total Dead Drift.