traditional salmon flies?

[matt_b]

I've just come across some amazing traditional built wing salmon flies - absolutely amazing works of art.

Are they actually used for fishing, or are they really just that - art? It seems almost sacreligious to chuck them into water and get them torn apart.

And if they are used, are they any good?

Just curious.

[salmoman]

You'll find that most of these flies are for show rather than for sticking on the end of your line.
There are one or two full dressed flies that are used and do still catch.

[krazzed_maggot]

I've tied a few "classic" flies and have fished with them, not caught on them yet but I'm just a bad fisher lol

Kendo

[s fontinalis]

many stacked wing tiers will tie two versions, one for the shadow box, and one which can be used if requested. The shadow box variety is usually all original materials which were used back in the 1800's when many of these were developed. The 'fishing variety' usually have reliable substitutes for the more expensive feathers in the shadow box flies. A lot of time goes into tying these flies.
I recently tied my first Jock Scott, all told i was sat a the vise for about 3 hours, and it ended up looking like it had already been fished!
take a gander


I think a few more years of practice will be required before i get to the shadow box quality. However, this one being my first, i will box it as a memory of where i started!

[krazzed_maggot]

nice fly the Jock Scott, I haven't had the chance to try and tie one but have got one tied from Davie McPhail which is going to get framed love the looks of the classics and have only tied a few basic classics. The Green Highlander is a great fly and still catches today

Kendo

[s fontinalis]

This one is tied on a 3/0 hook, which is way to big for the wings on it. Or should i say the wing are too small for the hook. I'm currently working on two other on a size 1/0 hook and a size 2 hook, i'm just waiting on a few more materials to come in for the wings so i can get them finished.
They are fun to tie if you have the patience to sit down and tie them. And if you get good at it, a potential back hand earner on ebay or for mates.
There are some great tiers out there in and great videos online of guys tying stacked wings. I started off with the what i consider the top fly to tie - so i guess the only way is down once i get good at it.

[krazzed_maggot]

yea the jock scott is a great fly and probs one of the hardest to do, my first one was a Durham Ranger easy to do to learn proportions tied a green highlander with was brutal I just havent got the patience to sit there for hours I can do 30mins ago a fly that takes people 3 hours takes me 7 or 8 lol

Kendo

[matt_b]

Where would be the best place to get a couple to put on the wall? They are really appealing - and there's no way I have the skill or patience to do something like that! Even my GRHEs look scruffy...

[s fontinalis]

i guess start on ebay, but there are also classic fly tying forums. I can link directly to them, but you can hit classicflytying.com and either look on the trading floor page, or contact the tiers directly.
There is one thread on there titled 'Flys for sale' from a tier in Aberdeen.
You will have to register to be able to contact him.
If i could tie them better i'd offer to do a couple for you - but that will be a long time in the future.

You can also looking the 'Classic and Artistic Salmon Fly Tying' section to see the quality of the flies folks are tying. I'd bet if you contact some of them directly you'll be able to pick up a few flies, but they might not be cheap

[krazzed_maggot]

Originally Posted by matt_b

Where would be the best place to get a couple to put on the wall? They are really appealing - and there's no way I have the skill or patience to do something like that! Even my GRHEs look scruffy...

as s fontinalis said classic fly tying forum there are amazing tiers on there but you might have to pay a decent price for them as they do take alot of time and materials

Kendo