Oliver Edwards deep diving shrimp

[christy27]

I watched a dvd last night Oli Edwards tying his deep diving shrimp. It took him ages and much as I liked it I simply couldn't be ar$ed to attempt to tie it. Guess it would take me an hour and be certain the nearest tree is where it would end up-first cast . I'd go home for the chainsaw if after all that .

So I try my own version. 10 mins . This is the first try. Sure it will need tweaking and any ideas are welcome. Looking through the photos I see lots wrong, to dark, to leggy, to everything. Easy to become discombobulated with the whole idea . Your thoughts gentlemen and ladies...please

[Buzz]

Nothing wrong with it other than what you have stated.

My mates and i a few years ago went through a phase of doing all OEs realistic nymphs, the heps and beatis etc. We fished them in all sorts or rivers in all sorts of conditions and came to the same conclusion which was traditional PTS or HE outfished the realistic copies.
Shame really, you want them to work they look so bloddy good.

Interestingly they are being pushed by Fulling Mill as "tactical" just now yet i dont know anyone who fishes them regularly over trad patterns or modern twists of the classics.

[North Country Angler]

Interesting Mr Buzz. I did exactly the same a few years ago and for a while became something of a convert to the church of Sir Edwards.

Found exactly the same as you - back to the PTNs and HEs I went, cap in hand, tail between the legs......and all the better for it. That Jeremy Lucas chap has it about right I reckon - the slim, dense profile of a wee bead headed PTN allows it to sink rapidly into the feeding zone, thus making it essentially, a tactical fly

But seriously, the semi realistic OE heptas and baetids are absorbing to tie, satisfying to have in the box......but frankly not worth the hassle. The only times they have ever pulled me out of the sh*t are a couple of occasions when I sight fished to large trout holding stationary in shallow slow flowing water. They worked a treat then when maybe the standard patterns wouldn't have passed such leisurely scrutiny.....dunno. Also, the baetis nymphs work well fished shallow on early season, pre-rising LDO feeders - they get maybe a couple of outings each season.

Not a bad exercise in improving your general tying techniques though.

M

[Buzz]

Its been a while i should maybe give them another go, i dont tend to nymph to sighted fish, its more chuck it and chance so i best get a few knocked up again just in case.

My hair brain conclusion was they lacked life, moving fibers, natural colour contrasts etc and as you stated NCA significant weight.

[christy27]

Thanks for your thoughts guys. I have taken them both onboard and they will stay. Guess in my heart the fly is attractive but experience (yours both) has proven they are not to fish. I'm quietly driffting back to Sawyer and simplicity.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by christy27

Thanks for your thoughts guys. I have taken them both onboard and they will stay. Guess in my heart the fly is attractive but experience (yours both) has proven they are not to fish. I'm quietly driffting back to Sawyer and simplicity.

Christy please fish them, you just never know.
Proving us wrong would be good!
Just wait untill you loose one though...

[christy27]

Thanks for the encouragement. Be certain, we will give them a good swim. Drown the feckers if we have to . Their first outing is going to be on the Lugg, the Eyton beat, 30th this month. For me and my fishing partner being there (where ever) and trying is paramount. Needless to say, we will publish pics that will make you all drool. Ahem .