Combinations - biots & pheasant tail

I like the effect that biots give a fly's abdomen. I love fishing the Pheasant Tail Nymph too. Here is a nymph that I started tying regularly for the end of least season that combines the two:




Hook: B175 #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, olive
Ballast: Flat lead (optional)
Tail: Pheasant tail fibres
Abdomen: Turkey biot, olive
Thorax & wing bud: Pheasant tail

The biot is tied over a thin layer of cement for better durability.

Cheers,
Dave.

First cast preparations.

If I was locked to using one fly for the first few weeks of the season, it would be a bead head nymph of some description. To be honest, so long as it carries that 'buggy' appearance and it will fish deep, it will take fish.

On the Wellow, my main haunt, there are plenty of deeper runs and holes where a neatly pitched fly will result in a welcome brownie. Often takes are very subtle, but a slight deviation in the leader must be met with a lift of the rod. IF it's not a fish then the fly can be rolled straight back into the pool. Working methodically with one fly is all that is needed during these cooler times - where there is bound to be plenty of water.

So, here is a selection of bead-head flies added to the box. They are all based around a similar theme, with slight variations:











Roll on the 1st of April..

DW.

May Flymph

I try to limit the number of patterns I carry with me when fishing. I know that I could probably get through the season with three or four different types. Perhaps even fewer than that? More on that another day...

However, there is much enjoyment to be taken from experimenting with materials. As a result, another box is born - the 'developmental flies'. Here is a fly destined for this box.

May Flymph


Hook: B175 #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Tail: Wood Duck barbs
Dubbing: Awesome Possum, cream
Rib: Hackle stem
Hackle: Badger hen

Cheers,
Dave.

The Para-Dun

Here's a pattern that I had tied for the Hatches article - but in a little bit more detail.

This is a fish-proof pattern. It looks delicate and will land gently, but after a good chomp by a fish it can be quickly dried with a false cast or two, and we're straight back into fishing. The wing, is a favourite of mine - TMC Aero-dry. Floats like a cork, easy to manupulate during tying and is just all-round perfect for post-parachute flies. I now use nothng else (except for vartying colour) when forming a post.

Hook: TMC 101 #14
Thread: 10/0 Roman Moser Powersilk, olive
Post: TMC Aero-dry, tan
Tail: Coq de Leon
Abdomen: Superfine, cream
Thorax: Fine hare
Rib: Waxed, spun thread
Hackle: Silver Badger

I use micrfibetts for the longer tails, but for short tails such as these, I think there is nothing finer than Coq de Leon. The colouring is very subtle.

It's a pattern with alot options. Change the colours and size and you can match alot of different upwings.

Cheers,
Dave.

Still a Place For Tradition

The following link takes you to my recent article in Hatches magazine:

http://www.hatchesmagazine.com/page/month/467

Dave.

Where they should be...

... in the surface film.





Notice the bubbles. The biot body works well to pierce the surface and the crumpled wing with the CDC gives a good foortprint.

Thought I'd shre the water shots with you.

Cheers,
Dave.

Loopy Biot

Another version of the CDC looped emergers. Again, this pattern uses the turkey biot - a really subtle and clean pale colour - but I've incorporated a Zelon wing here behnid the CDC loop.

Place this in the water and take a look at look at the synthetic wing - you'll see an effect that I think simulates either damaged or unfolding wings:



Hook: Kamasan B100 #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Body: Turkey biot
Thorax: Hare
Crumpled wing: Zelon - light dun
Loop wing: Natural CDC

Burst Biot Spider

A drowned dun imitation, I've included a biot body for that wonderful segmentation. A longish hackle here too:

Burst Biot Spider


In the order the materials are tied:
Hook: B175 #12
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Hackle: Sunburst Grizzle hen
Tail: Wood duck
Abdomen: Turkey biot, pale
Thorax: Tiny noodle of hare's ear

DW.

Shuck Vs Emerging Dun

When I posted the emerger pictures the other day and mentioned tying the longer thorax to suggest the separation between emerging dun and nymph, it was met with some interesting, positive comments. I think an emerger pattern should be representing the dun 'wiggling' from the shuck - therefore allowing (and asking) for a slightly larger than average fly. Certainly larger than the usual size you'd choose for the dun imitation.

You hear lots of people talk of fish nailing big, oversized Klinkhamer patterns. Could that be the reason? Nymph + Dun = Big?

Here are a few with abdomen tied to strictly represent the nymph body:

PT Paraloop


Hook: Partridge 15BN #20 - #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Abdnomen: PT fibres
Rib: Uni Pearl mylar #16
Thorax: Hare
Wing: Woodduck
Hackle: Mix of dark dun & Golden Badger in mono loop

PT CDC loop


Hook: Partridge 15BN #20 - #14
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Abdnomen: PT fibres
Rib: Uni Pearl mylar #16
Thorax: Hare, dyed olive
Wing: Natural CDC

Cheers,
Dave.

Secret Barbs

I like the way the white hackle tips of this grizzle hen are almost invisible extensions of the darker portion:



Hook: B175 #12
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Tail: Woodduck
Body: Hare, dyed olive
Hackle: Grizzle hen
Rib: Hackle stem

Biots and Quilled Emergers

I always think that quill bodies look incredibly realistic. Simple tying with maximum effect - ideal. Here are a few emergers with either biot or porcupine abdomens:

CDC & Biot Emerger


Hook: Partridge 15BN #18 - 14
Thread: Sheer 14/0 tan
Abdomen: Turkey biot
Thorax: Hare, dyed olive
Wing: Natural CDC

Porky CDC Emerger


Hook: Partridge 15BN #18 - 14
Thread: Sheer 14/0 tan
Abdomen: Porcupine Quill
Thorax: Hare, dyed dark olive / brown
Loop Wing: Natural CDC
Emerging wing: Woodduck barbs

Parabiotic Emerger


Hook: Partridge 15BN #18 - 14
Thread: Sheer 14/0 tan
Abdomen: Turkey biot
Thorax: Hare, dyed dark olive / brown
Post: TMC Aerowing, tan
Hackle: Badger

I've tied the thorax pretty long here. I like the idea that the divide between thorax and abdomen represent the division between shuck and emerging dun.

Further inspiration needed? If you haven't yet seen his work, take a look at Nik Dahlin's Quill work:
http://www.danica.com/flytier/ndahlin/ndahlin.htm

Cheers,
Dave.