Old flies

[cadwallader]

Firstly, I am a relative novice.

My question is I have inherited a lot of old flies (1970s) which look, to my untrained eye, like butcher variants. However some of the hooks are bent when looking from top to bottom and some of the hackles etc are bent and slightly out of position.

Should I dump these on the above grounds or am I being wasteful of good flies?

Many thanks.

[roll cast]

To get the flys looking a bit better hold them over the steaming spout of a boiling kettle this should help with the hackles and wings. The hook is off set , the point isn't paralell with the hook shank, meant to help either hookups or keeping fish on.

[Chris Reeves]

Steaming is a great way to recover crushed hackes, but if they don't spring back immediately don't keep them in the steam for a long time there will be no more improvement. If they do recover its like a little miracle as they pop back into shape

Steam is also very hot, use a pair of forceps to hold your flies not tweezers or fingers

Regards

[maharg]

Check the hooks for any signs of rust. Sometimes the dressing is stained etc. If any rust spotted, bin.

[cadwallader]

Many thanks all. I dont believe there is any rust but I will check again. I am going to attempt a steaming session over the weekend to see what happens. Glad to hear they should be OK as someone obviously put a lot of effort in tying them in the past.

Any tips how to fish a butcher?

[Gander]

Originally Posted by cadwallader

Any tips how to fish a butcher?

I've always found it best fished on the point. A good fly for this time of year. Floating line or intermediate would be ideal.

Just make sure your old hooks aere still sharp.

[cadwallader]

The hooks do seem sharp although not the chemical sharp of modern day.

Sorry to be such a dullard but "on the point"?

[Chris Reeves]

Most traditonal wet flies were fished as part of a team of three flies on a short line, this method gave rise to the modern competition techniques. It was originally a method for the lochs of Scotland and loughs of Ireland and was named after them.

Basically you have three flies anything for 3 feet to 6 feet apart, The one nearest the fly line is usually called the bob fly, or "top dropper". It was normally a heavily dressed palmered fly that caused a lot of disturbance.

The middle fly is less heavily dressed and often imitates an emerger

The point fly is the furthest away from the fly rod and is the least dressed of all and often represents a nymph or small fish, it is usually on a heavy hook to help turn over of the cast and to anchor the flies in the surface film in strong winds.

Hope this helps

[cadwallader]

Excellent Chris.

Is there any point then in fishing a Butcher by itself? My adventures using droppers usually result in disasterous tangles.

[Gander]

Originally Posted by cadwallader

Is there any point then in fishing a Butcher by itself? My adventures using droppers usually result in disasterous tangles.

You could still catch on a single Butcher, but you increase your possibilities of hooking fish if you persevere with droppers. When fishing from the bank, I usually only use a single dropper. As a beginner, try about 8ft to the dropper with a further 5 ft to the point fly. Remember when casting, that turnover of the cast is more valuable than trying to squeeze out a few extra feet in distance.