Vistrand Sedge

[SharkeyP]

At yesterday's FFF meet at Barnsfold I picked up some freebie tying materials generously donated by Wobbly Face including some synthetic raffia type material called Fred Aldous Vistrand. I'd never seen it before, the packaging is either seriously retro or dates from the 60's! I immediately thought it might make a nice sedge wing and as I was already tying up some of my favourite Egg Hogs for the coming season I decided to test it out.


Obligatory up-skirt shot...

Basically I have just cut it roughly to shape and tied it in just before the brown seal's fur stage. What you see is my first attempt and as usual I've crowded the eye. It's easy to work with. Very light and stiff enough to hold it's shape. It seems to be non-absorbent too so it shouldn't harm the flotability. I'm not sure how resistant to trout teeth it is but the current version get's chewed up pretty quickly.

Thanks to Wobbly Face once again.

SharkeyP

[darwin]

Nice fly Sharkey The raffia is pretty cool, I like it.

[lhomme]

Originally Posted by SharkeyP

I'm not sure how resistant to trout teeth it is but the current version get's chewed up pretty quickly.

Don't mind about that Sharkey, tie some more. I think you'll need them, cracker fly!

Johan

[Scratch]

I'm not normally a fan of that style of realistic sedge wing, but that looks like a great product with a nice natural look to it. You've done a fine job of the tie too Sharkey.

[wobbly face]

Very nice tying SharkeyP they look the bis.
The material is Fred Aldous own brand, raffia sub. Not just for polystickles. Fred Aldous is a craft/hobby store in Manchester, they do a catalogue and have a website. Just have to watch for the stuff crinkling up when wet. And it does easily split so may want to start catching gummy trout on them sedges. I have used it for wing buds on hatching sedge imitations.

[SharkeyP]

Thanks guys,
kind words indeed. I did a quick Google to see if Vistrand is still available commercially. I haven't found a source but Fred Aldous is a big craft shop with a website. They have the similar Rialto Bast in assorted colours for not much money.

This winged sedge is just my Egg Hog with a Raffene overcoat so it will be interesting to see if it adds anything to what has been a very successful pattern for me. As ever the Trout will be the final arbiters. I think the veined translucency when viewed against the light will fool a few and so much easier than wing-burners and tea-bags.

I may experiment with permanent markers to see if a mottled effect can achieved.

SharkeyP

[dabhoy]

Nice tying Sharkey
Even if the fish rip the wings up a bit Im sure they will still take them.

[woz]

Very Nice... I hope theres a couple going spare at the next meet up...

I'll do you a swap for some 2" yellow marabou tailed buzzers

[SharkeyP]

Sure thing Woz,
I'll tie one specially for you with a 3mm tungsten bead and a yellow marabou tail so you can hang it under your bung!

SharkeyP

[black knight]

A nice egg hog variant Sharkey I hope it's as successful as your orginal. Anyway whats all this about a fly fisherman fishing with a bung at Barnsfold.
It'll be artifical maggots (Okey Dokeys) hanging below it next. We need to stamp this out before it becomes rife.