Stocks "OCTOPUS".

[Old Esox]

Hi!

relatively new member , been a lurker rather than an active member.

I've been told about a fly called "The Octopus" which seems to be doing all the damage at Stocks at the moment.

Never heard of this fly, does anyone have a picture or even an SBS for this pattern, apparently its something to do with the hackle that makes this fly so effective.


Regards,

O E.

[Hans Weilenmann]

O.E.,

There may be other patterns sharing the name, but this one might be the fly you are looking for:



Dressing here:

http://www.danica.com/flytier/aconba/octopus.htm

Cheers,
Hans W

[Former member]

Is one of Stan Headley's patterns and is in his book "Trout & Salmon Flies of Scotland.

Here is a pic and his original dressing;



HOOK: Partridge K2B or Kamasan B420, 8-12
SILK: Black
BODY: Green Olive Seals Fur
BODY HACKLE: Ginger Cock
RIB: Fine Oval Gold
HEAD HACKLE: Small golden Pheasant red body feather, wound.


Here is a picric variant I use with excellent results.



Cheers
Gerry

www.artifly.com

[Gander]

Originally Posted by Hans Weilenmann

O.E.,

There may be other patterns sharing the name, but this one might be the fly you are looking for:



Dressing here:

http://www.danica.com/flytier/aconba/octopus.htm

Cheers,
Hans W

Hans,
I think that is the Melvin Octopus. The original tied by Stan Headley was:-

Silk - Black
Body - Green Olive Seals Fur
Body Hackle - Ginger Cock
Rib - Fine Oval Gold
Hackle - Small Golden Pheasant Red Body Feather.

The Melvin variant was also designed by Stan, and is also very successful.

Old Esox,
It is the amount of extra kick/movement in this type of game hackle that gives the fly a little extra something.

Edit - Gerry beat me to it.

[ickypimp]

look like the dabblers featured in last T&S

[Gander]

Originally Posted by ickypimp

look like the dabblers featured in last T&S

I think of the Dabblers, with their cloaking and PT tails, as being a heavier dressed fly than an Octopus, but the principle of having lots of movement from the hackle is the same.

[midlander]

Originally Posted by ickypimp

look like the dabblers featured in last T&S

Odd. Surely then a Ferrari and a Ford Escort look the same? If were looking at similarities I'd say a Dabbler was closer to a Straddle Bug (French Partridge Mayfly, Gosling) and an Octopus more closely resembles a Bumble.

Nice dressings Gerry, as usual. Do you think the grub hook makes a difference?

Esox, there are numerous variants of the Octopus as well such as the Claret, Peter and Soldier Octopus. Imagine a Soldier Palmer, Claret Bumble or a wingless Red Arsed Green Peter tied in the Octopus "style"

[The Bear]

Heres one i use on Melvin ,another variation

[Wee Jimmy]

[QUOTE=midlander;260438]

Nice dressings Gerry, as usual. Do you think the grub hook makes a difference?

[QUOTE]

I think I know where you are coming from Midlander.....Somebody correct me if I'm wrong but I think Stan designed the Octopus to deal with daphnia feeders.....so I'm not sure why he chose a curved shank hook with this in mind....? for my tastes I prefer the look of it tied on a normal wet-fly hook....i.e not dressed around the bend....just a personal preference thing and not meant as a criticism.

[Former member]

Originally Posted by midlander

Odd. Surely then a Ferrari and a Ford Escort look the same? If were looking at similarities I'd say a Dabbler was closer to a Straddle Bug (French Partridge Mayfly, Gosling) and an Octopus more closely resembles a Bumble.

Nice dressings Gerry, as usual. Do you think the grub hook makes a difference?

Esox, there are numerous variants of the Octopus as well such as the Claret, Peter and Soldier Octopus. Imagine a Soldier Palmer, Claret Bumble or a wingless Red Arsed Green Peter tied in the Octopus "style"

No, I don't think it makes any difference in fact I would say I have had equal success with a
B175 as I have with Stans original choice.
Cheers
Gerry