The Classics: Diawl Bach

[benlikestofish]

Here's the next one...

The Diawl Bach (Little Devil)

Peter Gathercole describes it as a wet fly although I reckon it's a nymph, it always tied on my cast between a Cruncher and a buzzer when I'm fishing it.

This pattern is a firm favourite of mine, and I reckon it caught as many fish as any other fly this year. On the sunburst variant I had one memorable day at Grafham last year with 6 fish up to 5lb 11oz on this fly.

Diawl Bach is a cracking pattern that I'm sure's on most people's favourite pattern list.


The Original Diawl Bach

• Hook: Hayabusa Size 12
• Thread: Black
• Tail: Ginger Cock
• Rib: Copper Wire
• Body: Peacock Herl
• Throat Hackle: Ginger Cock

Sunburst Diawl Bach Variant

• Hook: Hayabusa Size 12
• Thread: Yellow (Head coloured gold with Marker)
• Tail: Ginger Cock
• Rib: Golden Olive Flexi Floss
• Body: Sunburst Peacock Herl
• Throat Hackle: Ginger Cock
• Cheeks: JC dyed Yellow

Red Holo Diawl Bach Variant

• Hook: Hayabusa Size 12
• Thread: Red
• Tail: Ginger Cock
• Rib: Copper Wire & Thin Red Holo
• Body: Peacock Herl
• Throat Hackle: Ginger Cock
• Head: Red Holo

My favourite variant...

Picric Quill Diawl Bach - This is as close as I can get to a variant that Cambell Baird has shown on ebay and another forum, however it does not do his justice. It's a fly worth looking up!

• Hook: Kamasan B110
• Thread: Yellow
• Tail: Flou Yellow Jay
• Rib: Stripped Peacock Quill dyed Tumeric (CB's doesnt have a rib)
• Body: Sunburst Peacock Herl
• Throat Hackle: Flou Yellow Jay
• Cheeks: JC dyed Yellow

I'm looking forward to some cracking variants and techniques being shared again this time.

[monksmyre]

Very very nice

[Hans Weilenmann]

Here are a couple more:


Zebra Crossing


Polaris


Diawl Bach Variant 2


Diawl Bach Variant 3

Cheers,
Hans W

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by benlikestofish

Peter Gathercole describes it as a wet fly although I reckon it's a nymph..

That's the thing with a DB though isn't it Ben... it's so many things to so many people. Look at the contrast between yours and Hans' patterns for starters.
With suggestive simplicity of the highest order, it can be taken for almost anything. Look at the catch returns for any water, and you will see that it features highly from the start of the season to the finish. Depending on the dressing, colours, and the way the DB is fished, practicaly all of the trouts menu can be mimmicked. It's a buzzer, a nymph, pin-fry, sedge pupa etc etc, even drowned beetles and other terestrials can figure in the DB's repertoire.

I prefer the standard DB to be on the sparse side. I sometimes remove most of the herl with a rubber, as if perparing it for a stripped quill nymph or buzzer, but stopping just short and leaving the feintest hint of herl. I'll get a few variants posted later... great thread and flies again Ben, well done.

[andrew w]

To me the DB is first and foremast a nymph, usually fished slow or static. Probably my most successful variant has been one with red hackles and a thin red holo tinsel rib. Deadly on Chew and Blagdon on anyhting from a size 10 to a size 16 depending on the season
Andrew W

[benlikestofish]

Thanks for sharing Hans,

The profile/silouhette of the Polaris is fantastic, as Scratch say's its amazing how versatile a pattern it is. These flies have given me something to think about and play with.

[Scratch]

Here's a few of my fave DB type variants then...

As I say, I like a sparse standard DB, but I've none photographed at the mo.. will try and snap that one, and a few others tomorrow.

I find these seals fur DB's very useful.. and effective, right through the season.

Hook: B175 or 170 sizes 14,12,10
Rib: Pearl or Opal Mirage. No reason not to just go with wire, or oval, or mono.
Body: Any seals fur mix that takes yer fancy
Tail: Cock hackle fibres.. again, I like to mix.
Throat: Cock or hen hackle fibres



I call this one 'Sqymph', works a treat and gets regular outings from start of season to finish.


And another couple of regulars...

Brilliant
Brilliant
Brilliant

This is going to be so different a discussion than the Conemara Black. The CB thread was more about origins and originals. With Diawl Bachs the focus just has to be on all those little variations and tweaks. I think that they can be so varied in colours and materials but still be true to what the pattern is all about.

I usually fish them as, or with, buzzers but they are also that 'if in doubt' pattern to use on a dropper with any other pattern. They are also a fly type that can be attempted by those of us with even the poorest of tying skills, but still produce something that we feel is an imatative or suggestive pattern. Love them.

This is my attempt at the red ribbed version that I had a go at during one of Campbell Baird's tying classes. (I am a really bad student having missed more than attended due to work ). There is also a head of fluorescent floss added to this one.


Excuse my poor tying. Campbell tells me that the red ribbed version is a better summer pattern.

Another great thread Ben.

[troutslayer]

Some lovely variations there, cheers.

I find a pearl ribbed DB on the point behind a couple of bushy wets is my go to set up for the brownies. I suppose it could be taken for a pin fry as it often accounts for the better fish.

[The Bear]

Another variation