The Classics: The Wulff's

[benlikestofish]

Well its been a long time since I did the last 'Classic', so I thought it about time to do a few more to help pass away the winter.

If you wasn't around when the first of these threads were done, the idea is to all share variants of these classics patterns and spread a bit of experience and success stories you have had

So this time round of chosen the series of Dry Flies tied originally by Lee Wulff in the 1930's. I understand he designed it for flowing water, but I'm more used to using it on the lochs during Mayfly.
He used deer hair, bucktails and moose hair to make a more robust dry fly that would be more bouyant and withstand multiple captures better than the delicate dry flies he was using. It was also purposefully a bit of a mouthful to distinguish itself amongst the naturals.

I sure wouldn't be without a yellow and a green one during the mayfly. In fact I have loads of them. I would hazard a guess that a yellow wulff is the most popular dry fly on Corrib during May?

My good friend Sunray, sent me some fine Wulffs a few weeks ago and by observing his great flies its allowed me to improve tying this pattern which I used to hate tying!

Here are some of the originals and some variants- (I may have a couple of materials wrong as it seems that there are numerous slight tweaks, and its difficult to find the true origins)

Grey Wulff

• Hook: B170 equiv Size 10-12
• Thread: Black
• Tail: Brown Bucktail
• Body: Blue Dun / Grey Rabbit Hair
• Body hackle: Red Game / Brown
• Wing: Brown Bucktail

Royal Wulff

• Hook: B170 equiv Size 10-12
• Thread: Black
• Tail: Moose Hair
• Body: Peacock Herl
• Body: Dividing band of Red Floss
• Body hackle: Ginger/Brown (I used Saracen's - Intense Fiery Brown)
• Wing: White Calf Tail

Yellow Wulff

• Hook: B170 equiv Size 10-12
• Thread: Brown
• Tail: White Calf Tail
• Body: Yellow Floss
• Body hackle: Ginger (I used Saracen's - Picric Red Game Amazing Cape!)
• Wing: White Calf Tail

Ginger Wulff Variant

• Hook: B170 equiv Size 10-12
• Thread: Brown
• Tail: Yellow Squirrel Tail
• Body: Amber Seals Fur plus added Litebrite
• Body hackle: Ginger (I used Saracen's - Picric Red Game Amazing Cape!)
• Wing: Yellow Squirrel Tail - Tied slightly more forward

Green Wulff



Yellow Mayfly Wulff Variant

• Hook: B170 equiv Size 10-12
• Thread: Brown
• Tail: Pheasant Tail plus a few strands of Olive DNA
• Rib: Brown Floss
• Body: Bright Golden Olive Seals Fur plus added Litebrite
• Body hackle: WOI over Ginger Metz Saddle(Gerry - Artifly)
• Wing: Yellow Squirrel Tail - Tied slightly more forward

Thats all for now, I may add some more later depending on how many others add!!

Look forward to seeing your favourite variants.

Merry Xmas
Ben

Previous Classics -

Dabblerhttp://flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=34338
Connemara Black http://flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32543
Diawl Bach http://flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32898
Cruncher http://flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=33627
Golden Olive Bumble http://www.flyforums.co.uk/fly-tying-forum/35485-classics-claret-golden-olive-bumble.html#post581318

[A. Fluker]

They will fly.

Very good Ben.

[x dave x]

Very Nice

Dave

[g bigtrout]

Hi Ben ...do these fish better clipped underneath m8??

Been tying some things similar, not tested yet though

[benlikestofish]

I do clip me wulffs underneath as I fish them, but only take off what I need depending on the conditions.

Not sure about you pics mate, to be honest I'm a bit puzzled by some of them Think the first one might work but it ain't no wulff!

[dabhoy]

Really nice flies Ben
I love the combination on the yellow mayfly wulff.

[maharg]

Good to see you back mate, thought you had run away and left us.
Got a couple of Classics up my sleeve and will post over the hols.

[benlikestofish]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

Really nice flies Ben
I love the combination on the yellow mayfly wulff.

That's the one I reach for come mayfly week, although I do like my detached bodied mays as well

Thanks for the comments

[saracen]

Hi Ben,

As discussed in the Pm here is two of my most productive wulff variants.

My mayfly coloured cape and wool, top two.




Grey / Iron blue Wulff.


Merry Christmas,
Saracen (Sam)

[benlikestofish]

Cheers Sam, I'll be adding some of the lower one to my armoury, I have a load of the top one already.
I don't think i'll ever have enough yellow and green wulff's!