Noob Questions

[Gypo]

Hi all,

Had my first attempt at tying last night. Didn't get very far though.

Couple of questions: (I've read a few archives on this already)

1) Is the DHE a poor choice for my first fly? If so are spiders easier? (My main ambitions are spiders, DHE and DHS)
2) To stop the wing fanning out while trying to attach, quality deer hair is recommended - I have Veniard Coastal Deer?
3) Is attempting on a size 12 K. B100 optimistic for my first fly?
4) Once I manage to attach the wing without it fanning, do I put a couple of wraps in on the other side of the bunch to get the upward diagonal?

I only gave it 90 minutes of effort - If you reckon I should be managing OK with the above I'll stick with it. I have a vast selection of hooks with slate grey thread on if anyone's interested? Aong with a kilo of 2mm long deer hair strands.

Many thanks in advance,
Stewart.

[Tango51]

For your first go at a DHE it may be better to use CDC instead. Same techniques but it'll be easier to tie in, when you can do it with CDC then try the deer hair. On a #12 use 4 or 5 feathers. Tie in wing, cut butts at an angle, run thread down shank, dub and wrap back to wing, lift wing and put next wraps tight in to the base of wing this lifts it and keeps it there (arrowed), wrap dubbed thread to just before eye and finish.

[Hans Weilenmann]

Stewart,

This may help:

http://www.danica.com/flytier/steps/dhe/dhe.htm

Cheers,
Hans W

[JonT]

Wotcher,

When JJO first got me into tying (I thank him regularly for the fun and fastidiousness and curse him for the expense and addiction to hoarding materials!) We tied a couple of flies in the first session to try and encompass a number of different techniques...

As I recall it was a peter ross variant (winging, working with tinsel, dubbing, false hackles etc) a nymph (dubbing, working with beads, thoraxes etc) and a daddy long legs / hopper (dry fly hackles, knotting legs etc)

I wouldn't have dreamt of a sz 12 DHE as my first fly but if you have the patience and confidence to go for it then go for it!!

I can highly recommend Gathecole's Bible of Fly-tying - had I seen this when I was learning I could have probably cut some (often painful and frustrating) corners.

Good luck with it and post your efforts when you're happy with them.

Jon

[JonT]

Oh forgot

Along with a kilo of 2mm long deer hair strands

Get a longshank hook in a 10/12 tie in some white wool protruding over the bend and cut to 4/5 mm. singe it with a flame to form a black "maggoty" eye.

wrap lead down the body and cover with thread then dob a coat of superglue along the length.

Take your 2mm deer hair snippets, mix in other mixed colour odds and ends and roll/dip/sprinkle on the tacky hook shank.

Allow to dry and blow to remove excess - you now have a weighted cased caddis.

Have fun

Jon

[A. Fluker]

My first attempt was a supposed to be a Montana!

Still trying to get there!

[Gypo]

Had another crack tonight - reckon I have 2 DHEs and a DHS (much easier) which may even float! The whole "buggy" description lets you away with a lot on first attempts

Thanks guys. (Bit early for pictures I'm afraid!)

Stewart.