Detatched daddy long legs help!!!

[Plodger]

Hi all, my mate has just bought a load of raffia and we want to tie some daddies but we're unsure how to do the datatched body bit. I suggested plaitting a metre of it and tying thread in pairs every inch and cutting it between the thread but is this the best way?

Plodger

[Chris Reeves]

I don't want to disappoint but the detached body daddies don't use raffia. When wet it goes too soft to be a body.
Raffia is used on traditional wet daddy patterns tied on long shank hooks.

Daddy "Long Legs" (wet dressing) (By Highlander)

hook:10-12 L/S
thread:brown 6/0 waxed
rib:fine gold wire
body:brown raffia (wet with saliva before winding as it makes it easier to work with & create a nice ribbed effect)
hackle:brown Partridge
front hackle:Gold Pheasant tippets,wound on "full"

It also makes great bodies for wet mayfly patterns.

For a detached body you ideally need something that floats. Foam cylinders are best, Deer hair is excellent or you can use or make your own pre formed tails and tie them in. Here are a couple of examples

Green Daddy ~ Detached Body

Detached Body Daddy Long Legs Turrall DL02

Regards

[andy macbog]

Just my 2p's worth . . . .

I really like the veniards micro-chenille for detached bodies - it floats really well, with or without floatant, and is soft enough that you need not fear bouncing fish off with the rigidity of some of the larger sizes of deer hair body. It also has a lovely translucency when you hold it up to the light with a more opaque central core suggestive of the alimentary canal/guts of the daddy.

A

[Plodger]

Thanks guys, I have been using very thin strips of foam which work really well but my mate got a very good deal on the raffia so is determined to use it. We'll tie up some wet daddies and see how we fare. Also tie some with the micro chenille when I get some this weekend.

Many thanks again

Plodger