Woodcock & Claret

[grey duster]

I notice on the pictures of Bob Wyatt's flies on the recent post on the step by step on the deer hair emerger by Hans that there is a "Woodcock and Claret" - does anyone use this pattern and if so when and under what circs? Exactly what plumage from the woodcock is used?
Thanks
GD

[Gander]

Originally Posted by grey duster

I notice on the pictures of Bob Wyatt's flies on the recent post on the step by step on the deer hair emerger by Hans that there is a "Woodcock and Claret" - does anyone use this pattern and if so when and under what circs? Exactly what plumage from the woodcock is used?
Thanks
GD

The wing comes from the flight feathers of the bird. A slip from the left and a matching slip from the right. The claret version seems to have been largely superceded by its counterpart in the Mallard series, but the Woodcock and Mixed is still a very popular general wet, with the green and the yellow versions also holding a following, especially at sedge time.

It is only the Wodcock and Green that gets a mention in Stan Headley's "Flies of Scotland", and a variation at that. Stan recommended tying the fly using paired slips from Golden Pheasant secondaries. A fly for high summer.

In his book "Trout Hunting", Bob Wyatt only mentions the spider version of the Woodcock and Claret. A fly tied with a hackle from the shoulder of the bird.

[grey duster]

Originally Posted by Gander

The wing comes from the flight feathers of the bird. A slip from the left and a matching slip from the right. The claret version seems to have been largely superceded by its counterpart in the Mallard series, but the Woodcock and Mixed is still a very popular general wet, with the green and the yellow versions also holding a following, especially at sedge time.

It is only the Wodcock and Green that gets a mention in Stan Headley's "Flies of Scotland", and a variation at that. Stan recommended tying the fly using paired slips from Golden Pheasant secondaries. A fly for high summer.

In his book "Trout Hunting", Bob Wyatt only mentions the spider version of the Woodcock and Claret. A fly tied with a hackle from the shoulder of the bird.

Thanks - I'll go and look it out in the text to see if it makes any comment about use!

[troutheaven]

Originally Posted by Gander

The wing comes from the flight feathers of the bird. A slip from the left and a matching slip from the right.

And traditionally with the dull side outwards, which is contrary to all other feather use that I'm aware of.

Originally Posted by troutheaven

And traditionally with the dull side outwards, which is contrary to all other feather use that I'm aware of.

I'm assuming this applies to: "Paired slips from Golden Pheasant secondaries - a fly for high summer"; & not to the Woodcock feather?



I prefer Grouse for flies of this series; more pleasing to the eye than Woodcock?


PiB

[grey duster]

Thanks all - what feather for the spider ?
GD

[Highlander]

Many Scottish flies take their name from the materials used in the construction. Normally at least one thing is a constant, invariably the wing.
As in Grouse & Green. Grouse & Claret Grouse & Red where the wing is paired slips from a Grouse Primary or Secondary & the changes are made elsewhere usually the body.
Likewise Teal & Red. Teal & Green etc etc.
The Butcher series normally has Mallard blues but there are exception to the rule but as a general guide it holds true.
Woodcock & Claret & it's ilk would also fall into this category.
Mr Wyatt's fly whilst very nice would have been better called a Woodcock & Claret Spider, like the ones I tie & name as such. It is a bit confusing, nae misleading to the uninitiated as to the true fly's marque.
Taking it a stage further I could not help but notice he had a fly on Hans' site
labeled Tummel Style. This I am afraid bears no resemblance to a true Tummel Style. Oh how I wish people would not do that, ok so not on purpose but at the least a bit of research before embarking on pastures new. The fly in its self is fine but should never have been labeled as such. Whilst I have the utmost respect for Mr Wyatt as the author of a fine book he really should be more conversant with traditional Scottish flies & portray them as such as they should be. By all means take them a stage further but for informing people best stick to correctness I think where possible. Has been a long ambition of mine to keep traditional wets to the fore & I would be failing in my task if I did not mention this.

Tight Lines
On an aside Puss in Boots said

I prefer Grouse for flies of this series; more pleasing to the eye than Woodcock

I prefer the Woodcock, why? because it is a more subtle coloured feather than the harsher Grouse with it's more distinct marking. Both of course have their uses, yes indeed.

[troutheaven]

Originally Posted by Puss in Boots

I'm assuming this applies to: "Paired slips from Golden Pheasant secondaries - a fly for high summer"; & not to the Woodcock feather?

PiB

No, Puss, I was referring to woodcock winging.

The GP secondaries woodcock variant is a one-off (or is that 'on-of'? I've always wondered)

[Gander]

Originally Posted by grey duster

Thanks all - what feather for the spider ?
GD

Mr Wyatt states shoulder.

Originally Posted by Gander

....but the Woodcock and Mixed is still a very popular general wet, with the green and the yellow versions also holding a following, especially at sedge time.

It is only the Wodcock and Green that gets a mention in Stan Headley's "Flies of Scotland.....

Ah; but Moc Morgan's "Flies of Wales" has full dressings and plate illustrations of Woodcock & Green, Woodcock & Mixed, and Woodcock & Yellow; as well as some variants with Welsh language names.


A local claret bodied favourite, is the 'Welsh Partridge'; not mentioned by Moc...
Neither can I find an official dressing, imagine a brown Partridge dabblerized Mallard & Claret, but without the wing.


PiB