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.