FLYMPH FORUM

I found this nice picture of a Large Dark Olive. Just thought I would share for inspiration.

Well, never mind about the Usk Naylor/Nailer -- it looks nothing at all like a large dark olive. I'll have to find another River Usk region pattern that better fits the swap theme.

tie2fish, Howdy;

Old/New Hats version is from Oregon ... yours is
probably good for the Usk in Merry Olde ...
If your gonna throw away any that you've tied ...
throw them my way

hank

Actually this picture is from an English site. But, why wouldn't your fly work for this Bill? I don't see any
reason it wouldn't work.

Bill - Nice...very nice!

Old Hat wrote:I found this nice picture of a Large Dark Olive. Just thought I would share for inspiration.

02largedarkolive.jpg

Looks like a giant BWO.

tie2fish wrote:Although it is not technically an "old" pattern, dating back only to the mid 20th century, I believe that the Usk Naylor (aka Usk Nailer) is a good representative of the full-bodied, relatively full-hackled patterns generally associated with trout fishing in the River Usk.

Hook: Daiichi 1530, Size #14
Thread: Pearsall's Gossamer silk #8, purple
Hackle: Dark blue dun Brahma hen
Tag: Thread wraps
Tail: Bronze mallard shoulder (3 barbs splayed)
Rib: Fine gold wire
Body: Bronze mallard shoulder barbs wrapped as herl

Bill, this is such a nice tie. I like the gradation in the herl body and the proportions are very elegant. Where did you get the recipe for this one?

Thank you for your positive comments, W. The posted recipe is a minor variation on one I found back a few years on the website of the Gwent Angling Society. For what it's worth, the photo that accompanied that older article showed a fly with decidedly more hackle than the one currently being shown, which looks pretty skimpy to me. Also please note that fellow member Hans W. has published a video of his tying of this pattern that can accessed by either Googling "Usk Naylor fly" or from his Danica website.

After a fair amount of research into the "Large Dark Spring Olive or Blue Dun" and what constitutes a "large" Blue Dun and some prototypes I have settled on style and a recipe.

I think I had to study 4-5 books before selecting ingredients and a hook size/style before coming to the realization this is a fairly simple pattern to tie.

I went with a #14 1xl ring eye Allen hook, primrose silk run thru cobblers wax, muskrat underfur and a medium blue dun hen hackle.

While waxing the thread to darken it to the proper shade I had the thought, "why didn't the original tyers use gray or dark brown silk" as that is close to what I ended up with for darkened primrose.

Last book studied was Roger Fogg's Wet Fly Fishing and Fishing which aided me in the proper head style. The flies even look somewhat like the Yorkshire style fly in the picture after I was done.

Bill (zen leecher) - Thank you for posting the details of you research. Very helpful. As I read your pattern description, I was reminded that I have a kit muskrat skin which may be useful for this swap.

Bill (tie2fish) - I received you set of swap flies in this afternoons mail. Gorgeous flies. You set a VERY high standard.

Others - there are still a few openings in the swap, and plenty of time to join in. Beginners and experts are both welcome. Come on, it'll be fun!!!