Detached body damsel. How the...?!?

[shpeil]

I came across detached body damsels in my local shop, tried them out this year, and now fancy tying some. There's a pic here of the general effect I'm after, though of course, we could use different colours etc:

http://www.troutlure.co.uk/displayFu...product_id=129

My main issue is the detached body/tail. It looks to me like it's braided. It also looks to me (on the shop-bought flies at least - not so obvious on the link) that it's made from marabou. So last night I stuck a needle in the vice, tied on some marabou, and tried to braid it.

Now, I was brought up with two older sisters, so I know I know how to braid hair! But trying to braid this marabou stuff was driving me nuts. Happily, no digital camera, so you're not going to get the chance to laugh at my attempts.

Have I got the wrong end of the stick? Is it really braided? On a needle? And is it really marabou...? Have done a search and not come up with anything. All tips gratefully received!

Cheers,

Neil

[BRUCE1]

you could try this ..

http://www.flydressers-guild-herts-b...te_damsel.html


or this style...

Detached Bodied Daddy Long Legs

[shpeil]

Thanks for that. I'd found those on my search, and may have to resort to one of them, but it's just not quite what I'm after... The beauty of the flies I bought was that the tail was very flexible and still (relatively) sturdy. Course, I accept that I may care more than the fish...!

[boony]

Hi try this (sorry no pics)
Tie in some thin mono subtle not stiff.
Then tie in the marabou bunches then braid it along the mono.
Tie the marabou of with thread at the end, whip off and add cement.
John.

[t1978d]

You could tie just the body and tail on a size 12 or 14 hook, break the hook at the bend and attach it to a buzzer hhok with mono then do the thorax.

[Angus McLeod]

Hi Neil,
Try separating the marabou into three slim bunches, then wet them thoroughly. Anchor them to a fine needle with a few turns of thin matching thread, the tips pointing over the back, and whip finish. Then plait the strands forward for the required length. Slip off the needle and tie on to the hook. The
critical part of the operation is to make sure that the bunches are well wetted, then they can easily be manipulated individually.
Angus

[shpeil]

Thanks guys - will give all these a go.

Neil

[shpeil]

Woo-hoo! Result. Okay, so the fly in question isn't very tidy and is held together with super glue, but I've got the principles sorted, and now it's just a question of a bit of practice. Excellent stuff!

[tubefly]

Here is another form of detached body

http://ukflydressing.proboards.com/i...lay&thread=377

Harry