I've used as large as 25 lb Amnesia (tough to get the knot seated correctly) and that looks good on a size 16 hook. In green with dark hare's mask for the thorax it's a real good green caddis larva imitation. With 8 lb Amnesia you get a beautiful small body that looks great on a TMC 2488 size 26 hook.
It doesn't seem to, but who really knows. I think trout might get so fixated on the bright segmented abdomen and the darker thorax that they disregard things like the hook and the tippet.
Thanks for the size variation for larger and particularly smaller patterns. I love to tie very small, and am always looking for patterns which would look good on a 24 or 26. Thanks again. All the best, Sean
That's a great pattern. Can't wait to try it for the roach here in the UK to see if I can make them mistake it for a bloodworm! Incidentally, soap works OK to lubricate the knot, but I've found that a thin smear of cooking oil works even better.
+Jeff Dosser I whip an original snell knot (like tying a hook) on a bodkin needle, pull it up till it's nearly tight, slide it off the needle and snug it up with 2 pairs of pliers. It's a bit harder to explain than it is to do! I use 20lb breaking strain sea fishing line (because it's cheap!) which is 0.45mm dia. If you're in the US I'm not sure what that is in inches. Hope that this has been useful. (My fishing buddy has a GoPro camera - I'll have to see if I can get him to make a video of me demonstrating my method.) Regards.
+David R Bellairs Awesome, just tried my first one and it came out beautiful, I use my hands to do both half hitch and whip finish. Did it with 30 Amnesia on a large sewing needle in my vise.Will work great on size 18, thank you so much for sharing. Just got back into fly tying last year after not doing it for over 35 years,I am 74 now and like a kid in a candy store with all the new materials, techniques and tools available. Have a great and blessed day and again thanks so much for sharing...Oh yes I am in the USA
I wonder, have you ever tried 15lb mono and colored it with permenant marker to broaden the color palate? I am going to try it tomorrow and I will let you know how it works. There is sometimes a lessening of color where you tie, but it can be touched up. Just an idea, thanks for the viedos they are great! All the best, Sean
+Arkansas Red A herl thorax would look great, but I usually tie this pattern so small, sz 20 and below that the herl would look really large in relation to the rest of the fly. Maybe give a small amount of peacock ICE Dub a try for about the same effect.
I've seen another fly that uses this same technique and couldn't figure out what they did. Now I know, This is awesome! Thank You for sharing.
They work great too!
What a great way to show just how to tie this (or any) fly. Thanks
I've used as large as 25 lb Amnesia (tough to get the knot seated correctly) and that looks good on a size 16 hook. In green with dark hare's mask for the thorax it's a real good green caddis larva imitation. With 8 lb Amnesia you get a beautiful small body that looks great on a TMC 2488 size 26 hook.
How do you come up with these flys there mind boggling
It doesn't seem to, but who really knows. I think trout might get so fixated on the bright segmented abdomen and the darker thorax that they disregard things like the hook and the tippet.
Man, that is awesome. Thanks for sharing this pattern.
Thanks for the size variation for larger and particularly smaller patterns. I love to tie very small, and am always looking for patterns which would look good on a 24 or 26. Thanks again. All the best, Sean
Very creative! I have used mono and small glass beads but I think this looks better-thanks!
Nice tying !
Best regard from Italy.
Paolo
That's a great pattern. Can't wait to try it for the roach here in the UK to see if I can make them mistake it for a bloodworm! Incidentally, soap works OK to lubricate the knot, but I've found that a thin smear of cooking oil works even better.
+David R Bellairs
What kind of cooking oil do you use?
+Jeff Dosser It's just some rapeseed oil I found in the kitchen. Although now I have devised a way to make the bodies without using any lubricant.
+David R Bellairs Would love to know how you do it. and what size line you use...
Have a great and blessed day
+Jeff Dosser I whip an original snell knot (like tying a hook) on a bodkin needle, pull it up till it's nearly tight, slide it off the needle and snug it up with 2 pairs of pliers. It's a bit harder to explain than it is to do! I use 20lb breaking strain sea fishing line (because it's cheap!) which is 0.45mm dia. If you're in the US I'm not sure what that is in inches. Hope that this has been useful. (My fishing buddy has a GoPro camera - I'll have to see if I can get him to make a video of me demonstrating my method.) Regards.
+David R Bellairs Awesome, just tried my first one and it came out beautiful, I use my hands to do both half hitch and whip finish. Did it with 30 Amnesia on a large sewing needle in my vise.Will work great on size 18, thank you so much for sharing. Just got back into fly tying last year after not doing it for over 35 years,I am 74 now and like a kid in a candy store with all the new materials, techniques and tools available. Have a great and blessed day and again thanks so much for sharing...Oh yes I am in the USA
Thanks. Will try a small amount of peacock ICE dubbing. I've tied an 18, but I see what you mean about an imbalance in the fly using peacock herl.
Love this pattern too, works great also as an ice fly. What type of cooking oil ?
I wonder, have you ever tried 15lb mono and colored it with permenant marker to broaden the color palate? I am going to try it tomorrow and I will let you know how it works. There is sometimes a lessening of color where you tie, but it can be touched up.
Just an idea, thanks for the viedos they are great! All the best, Sean
Very nice. Thanks
Try a clear mono and color sharpie (felt marker) sa Sean mentioned. I'm sure they're permenate markers in Holland.
Very ingenious.-
Excellent
thanks great midge nice
Does this float or do you fish it like a zebra midge or WD40?
It does not float. I most often fish it behind a weighted nymph.
Would peacock herl work as a thorax?
+Arkansas Red A herl thorax would look great, but I usually tie this pattern so small, sz 20 and below that the herl would look really large in relation to the rest of the fly. Maybe give a small amount of peacock ICE Dub a try for about the same effect.
You may also try herl that is closest or part of the eye of a peacock feather.