Total Flyfisher : The legging-loop

[tanushiheadbash]

If you have this months Total Flyfishing you will have seen an article about a hatching olive emerger pattern that uses a "method" called a legging loop to tie legs below the fly thorax.
I have read it and followed the pictures through about a dozen times and to be honest I really don't get it- either visually or textually. Does anyone know of a decent video showing this method clearly- or willing to make one? ( have searched the web but legging loop brings up ladies tights most of the time!)
The flies shown look really good and while I am not much of a fly tier ( I can tie a Klink, various common bugs, buzzers and lures- not really cracked wings other than on Daddy longlegs!) would love to have a go. Also I am not that familiar with some of the materials mentioned- some sort of synthetic "quills" and "filo" plumes- the only filo I know is the pastry variety!
Can anyone help?
Also does anyone sell these patterns- I don't generally buy flies unless they are really small ones well beyond my capabilities or to use as a guide- but they look like a nice pattern to have in the box- if I can't do it myself.
cheers
Kenny

[emerger1981]

quills are from feathers so you need to know what quill?
could be a peacock quill and a filo plume is the small feather joined on the underneath of hackles, usualy the partridge filo's used..

[spidersplus]

Kenny,

The clue is in the name of the product - VN synthetic quills - VN stands for Virtual Nymph - the company that Steve Thornton runs - who wrote the article.

Any stiff nylon will work fine - the legging technique devised by Mr. Thornton is rather fiddly - basically you tie in two "quills" or lengths of nylon that act as posts on the underside of the fly - then wrap a partridge feather around the posts so the fibres splay out to look like legs.

There are much easier ways to get the same result - simply catch in the partridge feather by its very tip behind the thorax (on the underside), advance your thread to the front of the thorax then lay the feather towards the front of the thorax and tie down - job done!

I do not know of a video clip showing the technique but it is covered in Steve. Thorntons book.

Does that help?

Kind regards

[peepingcaddis]

I hold my hands up this guys, I thought it read okay and was explained, but reading it over and over I can see why it would seems tricky.
Spiderplus has explained an easier way, catch by the tips, advance the thread and pull feather up and under, tie off, Same effect.

[tanushiheadbash]

Thanks guys. The "VN Synthentic Quills" I have to admit I thought VN stood for Veniard! ( I admit I never read the sidebar about the author- or at least not as closely to relate the mention of Virtual Nymph with the "VN" in the example article. I did a search and I see there is a website Virtual Nymph - Home so will have a look there. I do understand what you mean re: tying the feather on from below the Thorax - I can see how that would work
thanks a lot- brilliant Something to try when my new vice comes for my birthday

[spidersplus]

Sadly the images of the technique shown in Steve Thorntons book are not really much help - why on earth did he shoot the pictures against a white background (white cat in a snowstorm ...)

The technique is not for beginners that's for sure - very fiddly and easier ways of getting similar results.

Kind regards

[woz]

Must say very big of you Mr Cullen for your comments, I'd say many others wouldn't and kept there head down! Good on ya! Great mag and my favourite!

Subscription looming when I sort the job situation and the flybox and line I won a few months back are still going strong!!!

[tanushiheadbash]

Originally Posted by woz

Good on ya! Great mag and my favourite!

Have to agree with woz- I have only had a couple of copies of Total Flyfishing as I had not seen it until passing through Gatwick Airport a few week backs and the Grayling article caught my eye. I have to say I also find it the best of the fly fishing mags out there. A good mix of subject matter. Good job!
Kenny