Hi Davie, Truely a great video, which provides an historical insight to the way classic Salmon Flies were tyed. It’s also fascinating to see the way large feathers and materials were utilised to create these old fishing patterns… a masterclass. Regards, Wayne 😀👍
Hi Davie, I used to have so much anxiety tying spey flies. Your tutelage and demeanour has been a tremendous help. The calm cadence in your voice has helped me tremendously.
I love watching you tie with found materials. Makes me want to comb the river banks looking for heron feathers even though there aren't aany salmon within eight or 9 hundred miles from here. Dee flies are so unique. The Spey flies are more hansome but the Dee wings are fasinating.
A unique one-of-a-kind fly; enjoyed watching you tie it. In the US, using a heron feather could bring a large fine. Your blind eye technique is a good one. I have Mike Martinek 6XL and 8XL, so can try a similar fly. Thank you Davie, your teaching skills are first class.
I find feathers here and there and save them to tie with. As well as other materials. Brilliant tie, as usual. Love to meet you and shake your hand someday, Davie, but alas, I fear I'll never see that day. It saddens me, but at least I was able to experience you and your passion this way. I wouldn't dream of embarrassing myself by trying to fish with you. Lol. I'm very new to fly fishing and haven't quite got the hang of the cast just yet. And at my age, I may never. Lol Peaceful days and tight lines, my friend.
Hi Kyle, I'm glad you enjoyed the video and one time I mentioned this to a friend online and lo and behold we did meet even though we lived a thousand miles apart so you never know our paths could cross one day..Tights lines to you too and all the very best.. Davie..
Brilliant as always Davie, you make it so simple...I have tied many streamers too but it always costs me a bit...you have to have a lot of patience and practice....I consider myself to be quite a good fly and streamer tyer. I congratulate you, as always, you are a teacher to follow... a hug from Tierra del Fuego. Argentina
I'm typing as I'm watching this. I have not tied a Dee style yet, only Spey style. Davie here we cannot own a Blue Heron feather, some provinces you can get permission. Not that I necessarily know when I have one, but I buy feathers from a Grey Asian Heron that have been dyed, they are permitted without trouble. I have Pigs hair/wool I bought years ago. There are farmers raising those pigs here in Alberta but not so easy to find a cooperative farmer. I thought one hide with a straight razor, would create a supply I could share with Tiers doing Dee or Sort flies. Folks Davie has a video out on making replacement Cat Gut out of nylon line by furling it. Just type in Davie McPhail Cat Guy and it should bring it up. Loved the video instruction Davie, thank you!
Great fly Dave. I have been trying to tie some " classic looking " flies by using mohair yarn for the body. I think they are Ok looking but could you plz tie one like that for us to learn from you???
Beautiful as usual Davie, I don't know how I missed this one, I'm starting to really enjoy the Dee style flies, but they doesn't seem to be as many known named patterns but it seems more acceptable to have the body of one type with what ever wing you have ? Is that the way it's ment to be ? Unlike Classics and to a certain degree Spey flies where you have to stick to the proper pattern , or you have to add that word 🤬 'Variant'.
Hi TheCanary24, I'm glad you liked the fly. I can see what you mean as normally you wouldn't do this but the eye on this hook was huge though the style of the shank and bend was perfect for tying a classic style salmon fly like this one..The fly could be fished or they would look great in a frame... All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail thank you so much for your clear and understandable explanation. You're inspiring me. You have talent and you're using it in a perfect way! Wishing to be like you one day:)
Very nice tye, Davie... What type of wax do you keep on your index palm? Thank you as always! Great presentation! Also, what are you using, looks like clear plastic to hold the hook in the vise?
Hi Aaron, I have a PayPal donation button on my UA-cam home page so when someone donates over the month I send them a number using there PayPal email..Thank you for asking and I am glad you enjoyed the video.. All the very best Davie
if planning on using it the temper on the steel may have softened during the heating on the oven , hope the hook doesn't straighten out on a fish of a lifetime ! i made this mistake as a boy burning the straggly feathers off of damaged flies to salvage the good hooks for worming . hooked and lost a decent fish as the hook failed ! any secret flies for wee spate river back end fishing ? that dee fly is a monster , take its an early season fly ?
Hi captianflint89, I did drop the hooks I did into ice water which I should have mentioned as they are solid and thanks for mentioning it as many will read your comment..Willie Gunn with a red head is very hard to beat as it's a favourite of mine as well as a Red Devil both tyed on a copper tube..It is an early season fly due to it being a monster... All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail just noticed your reply .. i will put your tips into practice next year and see if i can dig a fish out my local burn on the red devil or the willie gunn , thanks for your tying tips as always !
Morning Ross, I would class braid as a flat twisted tinsel and lace as a round tinsel twisted to form a rope just like I used in this fly.. When I read the old dressings in the books and it asks for lace I use the twisted tinsel as it is just the same in my view..Good luck in the draw and thank you for your support.. All the very best Davie
Morning Keith, I have tried many a time to sharpen my scissors when they go blunt but I never get them close to what they were so I end up just buying another pair, I have thought about buying a proper sharpening machine but they cost a small fortune..I do like a 4 inch razor scissor which I have bought from companies like Fulling Mill they are a better quality and last a lot longer than the ones you see around £15 which will last a few months depending how you use them.. I also use a small pair of curved scissors for muddler heads which I normally buy off Ebay that are good enough for me. All the very best Davie
Hi from Kansas City MO I have a ceramic rod to finish up the edges on knives and scissors. For rough work I use a diamond stone. The only trick is to keep the angles the same as you draw the blade through the stone and don't get in a hurry use a good lube & don't Rolla the edge over. If you want to use a high speed buffer wheel and grit be very careful not to heat the blades.you don't want to remove the temper of the steel. Good health for you and your's 🎣🤠 Dave Hughes
It was a traditional style. It.may have imparted a bit more movement to the fly and perhaps looked better than a big eye on a hook. Those are just a couple of reasons; I've never really heard, or read a definitive answer. Traditional seems to be about the best explanation. It's been said eyes were more difficult and/or a more costly processs, but eyed hooks have been around for thousands of years and the needle makers who traditionally made hooks had no problems putting eyes in needles. Even if they just stamped the end flat and drilled a hole in it, that would be an eye. Perhaps early eyed hooks had a quality control problem and rough edges, which often frayed and broke gut leaders. I'm sure there were a few varieties of eyed hook available at the time - up and down eyed - but if you couldn't source the style you wanted in the quality you wanted, maybe dispensing with the eye and lashing on a gut eye made sense. Perhaps Davie has a definitive answer. I think it's just a combination of reasons and primarily because fully dressed 'artful' flies look a bit neater that way and so it becomes "Traditional"
Lovely salmon fly davie! I'm from ayr and been watching your videos over the years. Have you ever fished the river ayr through Auchincruive? Cheers, Thomas
Morning Thomas, I have fished the Auchincruive stretch many times as I am a member of Annbank angling club it's just that I have not filmed myself doing it yet so maybe next time...I'm glad you enjoy the videos and maybe we'll meet there some day.. All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail morning Davie, be great to see you film / fish this stretch of water hopefully next time, hope to see you down there all the best, Thomas
Hi Davie, Truely a great video, which provides an historical insight to the way classic Salmon Flies were tyed. It’s also fascinating to see the way large feathers and materials were utilised to create these old fishing patterns… a masterclass. Regards, Wayne 😀👍
All I can sayy: An other masterpiece of the master flytyer.
Hi Davie, I used to have so much anxiety tying spey flies. Your tutelage and demeanour has been a tremendous help. The calm cadence in your voice has helped me tremendously.
Hello Davie. Beautiful work. These classic salmon flies are truly work of art.
Fun seeing a single feather found on a fishing trip turn into a beautiful free style salmon fly.
Thanks Davie. I’m purely a trout man but enjoy watching you craft those big flys also.
Love the little tips like unraveling the braided tinsel to keep that profile. Another great tie thank you Davie.
Being a Mitherwell man I love the Claret and Amber body🤣🤣.
As usual a masterclass Davie showing your vision in tying flies.
Stay well,Big Davie
I love watching you tie with found materials. Makes me want to comb the river banks looking for heron feathers even though there aren't aany salmon within eight or 9 hundred miles from here. Dee flies are so unique. The Spey flies are more hansome but the Dee wings are fasinating.
Beautiful fly Davie.
So good fly, everytime the colors are great, believe me, continue your SUPER flys .
Beautiful Davie, love the old patterns. And the still catch fish! The GP is still right up there for me
Very nice Davie. Well done
This fly is beautiful. What a great job.
A unique one-of-a-kind fly; enjoyed watching you tie it. In the US, using a heron feather could bring a large fine. Your blind eye
technique is a good one. I have Mike Martinek 6XL and 8XL, so can try a similar fly. Thank you Davie, your teaching skills are
first class.
I find feathers here and there and save them to tie with. As well as other materials.
Brilliant tie, as usual. Love to meet you and shake your hand someday, Davie, but alas, I fear I'll never see that day. It saddens me, but at least I was able to experience you and your passion this way. I wouldn't dream of embarrassing myself by trying to fish with you. Lol. I'm very new to fly fishing and haven't quite got the hang of the cast just yet. And at my age, I may never. Lol
Peaceful days and tight lines, my friend.
Hi Kyle,
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and one time I mentioned this to a friend online and lo and behold we did meet even though we lived a thousand miles apart so you never know our paths could cross one day..Tights lines to you too and all the very best..
Davie..
Thanks for the great video, you answered many of the questions I had about tying these flies.
Mr. Davie is a pleasure and an inspiration to watch! Cheers!
There's a conversation piece! 👍
Absolutely a wonderful tie and lesson. I especially like the repurposing of the hook.
I really like these specialty flies! I make some for display, and the colors are great! Thanks!
Another beautiful fly Davie loved the fact you found the Heron feather. I will be tying a few similar patterns for sure
Beautiful use of a found feather it takes an artist eye to see the beauty in ordinary objects tight lines davie
A classic
nice to see the skills and traditions of tying from a master
I love your classic videos Davie! Would love to see more.
Brilliant as always Davie, you make it so simple...I have tied many streamers too but it always costs me a bit...you have to have a lot of patience and practice....I consider myself to be quite a good fly and streamer tyer. I congratulate you, as always, you are a teacher to follow... a hug from Tierra del Fuego. Argentina
Beautiful always love that style of salmon fly's thanks for sharing
Beautiful tie sir!!!
Absolutely brilliant!!! I really enjoyed this fly! Thank you for sharing!
Super looking pattern! 👌
Beautiful tying 👍
I'm typing as I'm watching this. I have not tied a Dee style yet, only Spey style. Davie here we cannot own a Blue Heron feather, some provinces you can get permission. Not that I necessarily know when I have one, but I buy feathers from a Grey Asian Heron that have been dyed, they are permitted without trouble.
I have Pigs hair/wool I bought years ago. There are farmers raising those pigs here in Alberta but not so easy to find a cooperative farmer. I thought one hide with a straight razor, would create a supply I could share with Tiers doing Dee or Sort flies.
Folks Davie has a video out on making replacement Cat Gut out of nylon line by furling it. Just type in Davie McPhail Cat Guy and it should bring it up. Loved the video instruction Davie, thank you!
Lots of wild boar where you live. Excellent dubbing and it can be bleached.
Just brilliant.
Great fly Dave. I have been trying to tie some " classic looking " flies by using mohair yarn for the body. I think they are Ok looking but could you plz tie one like that for us to learn from you???
Quality 👌👌👌
Yes Davie, the availability of quality materials is not even close to what it was even a decade ago. 👀
Hell, even a few years ago. The people behind the PLANdemic purposely screwed with everything. And continue to, today.
Beautiful as usual Davie, I don't know how I missed this one, I'm starting to really enjoy the Dee style flies, but they doesn't seem to be as many known named patterns but it seems more acceptable to have the body of one type with what ever wing you have ? Is that the way it's ment to be ? Unlike Classics and to a certain degree Spey flies where you have to stick to the proper pattern , or you have to add that word 🤬 'Variant'.
Благодарю, Дэви! Класс!👍🤝🇰🇿
Очень красиво! 👍👍👍
So nice but I didn't understand, why yiu vut the eye of the hook?
Hi TheCanary24,
I'm glad you liked the fly. I can see what you mean as normally you wouldn't do this but the eye on this hook was huge though the style of the shank and bend was perfect for tying a classic style salmon fly like this one..The fly could be fished or they would look great in a frame...
All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail thank you so much for your clear and understandable explanation. You're inspiring me. You have talent and you're using it in a perfect way! Wishing to be like you one day:)
Very nice tye, Davie... What type of wax do you keep on your index palm? Thank you as always! Great presentation! Also, what are you using, looks like clear plastic to hold the hook in the vise?
How do I donate to the monthly draw? Great video as always!
Hi Aaron,
I have a PayPal donation button on my UA-cam home page so when someone donates over the month I send them a number using there PayPal email..Thank you for asking and I am glad you enjoyed the video..
All the very best Davie
if planning on using it the temper on the steel may have softened during the heating on the oven , hope the hook doesn't straighten out on a fish of a lifetime ! i made this mistake as a boy burning the straggly feathers off of damaged flies to salvage the good hooks for worming . hooked and lost a decent fish as the hook failed !
any secret flies for wee spate river back end fishing ?
that dee fly is a monster , take its an early season fly ?
Hi captianflint89,
I did drop the hooks I did into ice water which I should have mentioned as they are solid and thanks for mentioning it as many will read your comment..Willie Gunn with a red head is very hard to beat as it's a favourite of mine as well as a Red Devil both tyed on a copper tube..It is an early season fly due to it being a monster...
All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail just noticed your reply .. i will put your tips into practice next year and see if i can dig a fish out my local burn on the red devil or the willie gunn , thanks for your tying tips as always !
Hi Davie, is the braided tinsel described as lace in some of the old recipes of these flies?
Morning Ross,
I would class braid as a flat twisted tinsel and lace as a round tinsel twisted to form a rope just like I used in this fly.. When I read the old dressings in the books and it asks for lace I use the twisted tinsel as it is just the same in my view..Good luck in the draw and thank you for your support..
All the very best Davie
Thanks Davie, much appreciated.
Do you sharpen your scissors or just get a new pair? Any recommendations? Thank you kindly.
Morning Keith,
I have tried many a time to sharpen my scissors when they go blunt but I never get them close to what they were so I end up just buying another pair, I have thought about buying a proper sharpening machine but they cost a small fortune..I do like a 4 inch razor scissor which I have bought from companies like Fulling Mill they are a better quality and last a lot longer than the ones you see around £15 which will last a few months depending how you use them.. I also use a small pair of curved scissors for muddler heads which I normally buy off Ebay that are good enough for me.
All the very best Davie
Hi from Kansas City MO
I have a ceramic rod to finish up the edges on knives and scissors. For rough work I use a diamond stone. The only trick is to keep the angles the same as you draw the blade through the stone and don't get in a hurry use a good lube & don't Rolla the edge over. If you want to use a high speed buffer wheel and grit be very careful not to heat the blades.you don't want to remove the temper of the steel. Good health for you and your's 🎣🤠 Dave Hughes
Which style wing do you prefer? I think the "Dee Wing," would give more movement to the fly? Were they designed differently for this reason?
The Dee is a fast flowing river and this is why it developed a style of its own, so I believe.
Novice here. Why the nylon eye? Just how it used to be done or is there some function to it ?
It was a traditional style. It.may have imparted a bit more movement to the fly and perhaps looked better than a big eye on a hook.
Those are just a couple of reasons; I've never really heard, or read a definitive answer. Traditional seems to be about the best explanation.
It's been said eyes were more difficult and/or a more costly processs, but eyed hooks have been around for thousands of years and the needle makers who traditionally made hooks had no problems putting eyes in needles.
Even if they just stamped the end flat and drilled a hole in it, that would be an eye.
Perhaps early eyed hooks had a quality control problem and rough edges, which often frayed and broke gut leaders.
I'm sure there were a few varieties of eyed hook available at the time - up and down eyed - but if you couldn't source the style you wanted in the quality you wanted, maybe dispensing with the eye and lashing on a gut eye made sense.
Perhaps Davie has a definitive answer.
I think it's just a combination of reasons and primarily because fully dressed 'artful' flies look a bit neater that way and so it becomes "Traditional"
🔥👍👍👏👏💪👌🤝
Ma cosa' sull'indice della mano destra !!!!🤔🤔🤔
Lovely salmon fly davie! I'm from ayr and been watching your videos over the years. Have you ever fished the river ayr through Auchincruive? Cheers, Thomas
Morning Thomas,
I have fished the Auchincruive stretch many times as I am a member of Annbank angling club it's just that I have not filmed myself doing it yet so maybe next time...I'm glad you enjoy the videos and maybe we'll meet there some day..
All the very best Davie
@@DavieMcPhail morning Davie, be great to see you film / fish this stretch of water hopefully next time, hope to see you down there all the best, Thomas