how many fish should a fly survive?

[neil26]

i am new to tying and was wondering how durable i should expect my flies to be, obviously they only last a few casts on the river as i get them stuck up trees! but on stillwater i have less chance to lose them so was wondering what was reasonable.
the fly in questin was a peacock and black spider on a B100 hook, counter ribbed with thin gold wire but not varnished on shank prior to herl. it was debarbed.
this fly lasted 10 fish 2-5lb ,rainbow and blue, till the herl was torn off.
is this reasonable?

[allanw]

I have had shop bought spiders last 2 Fish so sounds good to me

[Shamus]

I'd be chuffed to bits mate...obviously the thin gold wire rib did its job. I've never had much confidence in the b100 and favour the fulling mill 31160, so i'd be doubly pleased

[boony]

fr a black and peacok spider thats very good.
John

[3lbgrayling]

If a fly lasts 1 fish it's done it's job,everyone after that is a bonus.

Jim

[neil26]

Originally Posted by Shamus

I'd be chuffed to bits mate...obviously the thin gold wire rib did its job. I've never had much confidence in the b100 and favour the fulling mill 31160, so i'd be doubly pleased

yes the b100 seems a bit thin and bendy because of the curve, but the b110 is too thick, i will try those hooks you recommended, thanks

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by 3lbgrayling

If a fly lasts 1 fish it's done it's job,everyone after that is a bonus.

Jim

Could not agree more.
I have just brought up the same point on Steve101'S ptn thread.
Do you want to fish all day with a fly that wills survive a nuclear bomb but not catch fish or a disposable fly that catches "the one".
My background is on rivers so perhaps its more about delicately dressed flies but surly the durability vrs fish catching applies across the board.

[guest15]

Originally Posted by 3lbgrayling

If a fly lasts 1 fish it's done it's job,everyone after that is a bonus.

Jim

Agreed Jim,

Small river flies are tied using very fine materials, these flies are getting hit off stones etc and fished in some pretty fast water.

If you catch a fish' bearing in mind even a small trout have pretty sharp teeth, and if you use forceps to remove the fly from a fish the flies will not last that long, you also need to keep an eye on the hook, catching on stones etc will blunt a hook pretty quickly!

If a fly catches me a fish i am over the moon, its done its job, if a fly falls apart after half an hour thats life! like i said they take some abuse in a river so its only to be expected.

[Jackwow]

A lot depends on who tied the fly.

[THE ROOK]

Originally Posted by 3lbgrayling

If a fly lasts 1 fish it's done it's job,everyone after that is a bonus.

Jim

well said jim thats the way to look at it mate.

wilkie