charlie maclean

[deerstalker]

has anybody got the dressing for the above?

[spidersplus]

Deerstalker,

I tied some Charlie Maclean patterns for a client about three years ago as a bespoke order - sadly did not keep the email from the client which listed the exact dressing but will send a message to that client to ask for the details.

I will get back to you.

Kind regards

[deerstalker]

thanks i will look forward to hearing from you

[Gander]

The pattern I have is as follows:-

Tail; Glowbrite 4
Body;(rear third) flat silver lurex
Rib; fine silver wire
Body Hackle; palmered Ginger cock only tied Loch Ordie style over front two thirds.
Head; White cock (or hen) tied sloping back.

I think this is the original tying as created bt Iain Christie of South Uist, but I am not 100% sure. Personally, I would put a silver wire rib on it. There is also an Alan Liddle variant, where you change the body hackle colour for a black one giving you the Black Charlie.

[Jackwow]

What is the front two thirds of the body?

[Gander]

Originally Posted by Jackwow

What is the front two thirds of the body?

Ginger hackle tied Loch Ordie style. There is no body material as such, just close turns of hackle over the tying thread.

[Former member]

Tail was originally Fluo red wool, then there was a couple of turns of flat silver tisel. The body hackles were White cock at the back then palmered furnace cock in tight turns to the head then a white cock hackle to finish at the head.
Cheers
Gerry

[spidersplus]

Deerstalker,

Just received a reply to my email to my client - Gerry has the dressing right:

Tail: a short tuft of orange red fluoro' wool
Tag: in front of tail, a couple of turns of flat silver tinsel
Rear Hackle: a few turns of white cock hackle, tied to slope backwards
Body hackle - Furnace cock - doubled
Ribbing: oval silver leaving just enough space between turns to provide room for the body hackle (very closely ribbed!)
Front hackle - 2 - 3 turns of white cock hackle, tied to slope backwards.

I am sure you know that Charlie MacLean was a South Uist ghillie now long gone - he designed this pattern plus the Solicitor, the Holy Willie and the Wee Peter.

I have a picture showing all four patterns which I can email to you if you give me your email address - email me at info@spidersplus.co.uk

Kind regards

[Former member]

Ian Christie, a solicitor on Skye was the originator of all the flies listed by spider and as he stated the Charlie was named ater a Ghillie in South Uist, I have all the original dressings about somewhere.
Cheers
Gerry

[spidersplus]

Oops - sorry Gerry, I was just going by what my client told me!

I bow to your deeper knowledge of these patterns.

Kind regards