Glanrhos Flies

[DNicolson]

Here are a trio flies from a my first renewed Glanrhos attempts.
Not wingless, but they are soft hackles.

No 1 was a simple dressing with what was surplus on my bench.
Hook: No12 Varivas.
Silk: Hot Orange Pearsall.
Hackle: A brownish hen hackle.


No 2 had a bit more aforethought, tending towards a March Brown.
Hook: No 12 Varivas.
Silk: Hot Orange Pearsall.
Hackle: Brown Hen with broad tip.


No 3 had more purpose towards an Early Morning Dun.
Hook; No 14 Varivas.
Silk: Yellow Pearsall.
Thorax: Small ball grey camel.
Hackle: Pale dun hen.


I had intended to try a couple from Sylvester Nemes, but when I sat down at the desk
I realised that I did not have his book to hand.
I laid down the silk for the body, then tied in the wing, followed by wrapping the hackle.
I found it not much more than tying a conventional Spider.
There is not much mention of them in the literature.
The earliest is in Roger Woolley's Modern Trout Dressing.
They seem to have been only fished on the river Wye by an Englishman called
L. J. Graham-Clarke and his friends. here is an unfinished article on my web-site.
http://donaldnicolson.webplus.net/page101.html

[narcodog]

DT, I tied some of those awhile back and I thought that the wing and hackle were from the same feather. The wing is tied then the hackle is wrapped and tied off. Was I incorrect?

[DNicolson]

You are quite right, all these flies were tied that way.
The wing is the tip of the hackle feather.
Did you ever fish the flies you tied?

[narcodog]

I gave most of them away. I did keep one or two and fished them but I don't remember is I caught anything. I thought they were pretty neat flies.

The first few I had problems keeping the wing from twisting but I corrected that wrapping the wing on then putting a locking wrap behind the wing then coming forward with my thread and completing the hackle wrap.

[Old Hat]

Interesting, I had always thought the at the wing tip was much smaller on this style. I can see this as having steelhead possibilities.

[William Anderson]

Donald, these are just brilliant. Nicely tied. I too thought the wing was smaller based on other ties that I've seen, but that doesn't mean much considering all the variations in indiviual preferences. Plus this hook is going to hold the proportions much differently than a standard length straight hook. I like these a lot. Johnno tied up a collection of these some time ago and posted them here with a article. You might find that interesting if you can find it. Very cool, Donald.
w

[DNicolson]

Thank you one and all, I have had these flies in mind for quite a while, About four or five years.
I just charged in and tied the flies. I did not try too hard to get the wing straight.
They are meant to be drowned, badly hatched emergers. So, if the are a bit on rough side,
it does not matter to much.

[DNicolson]

I am afraid I cannot find Johnno's post or article William.
I started a project in 2006 on my old website on the Glanrhos flies.
The article at present on my site is the one from 2006, I had big plans for it,
but that is when my eye problems started and I was not able to complete it.
Apart from the info on the web-site, I had prepared a lot of hackles and acquired
a large collection of fibre and felt pens to try out my experiments.
Unfortunately the onset of the cataracts was quite rapid, and it was only when
I had my operation last year that I was able to use a PC and get back on-line.
Never-the-less, the info in the article, unfinished though it may be, might be
of interest. The flies that I dressed recently were rather slapdash,
but they seem to have worked, as I said on another post, pure serendipity.
I shall dig out the old materials, if I can, and finish the article.
Still, have a look at it on the site.

[William Anderson]

Donald, I know I'm not the only one who is thrilled that you're eyes are recovering and you are able to spend some time doing something you truly enjoy. It's great to have you here. I read your article a few years ago. Your site really is an amazing resource. Thanks for putting so much thought and effort into it. These flies really are great to see.

w

[letumgo]

Brilliant flies Donald. I like the look of the longer wing.