Dr Bell's Black Buzzer?

[benlikestofish]

I am currently working on a couple of classics threads, one being the Black Buzzer, and I need a bit of help with some history before completing.

I understand that the first recorded pattern was Dr Bell's black Buzzer in the 1930's but I'm struggling to find the exact dressing. I understand it was black wool with a silver oval rib, with a tuft of white wool at the head, I could probably join the dots but I would like to be accurate.

Thanks in advance for any help

Cheers
Ben

[Scratch]

As it happens Ben...... here's something I prepared earlier....

Dr Howard Bell (of 'Amber Nymph' fame,amongst others),was credited with creating one of the first modern specific buzzer pupa patterns. Apparently, Dr Bell could be seen on the banks of his beloved Blagdon, fishing, thinking and devising new patterns every Friday and Sunday from the early 1920's for 40 yrs! Not a bad fishing quota by anyone's standards eh?
Sure, with the buzzer being one of the stillwater trout's main food items, there have been countless 'suggestive' patterns around for hundreds of years that at least emulate if not imitate the buzzer in either it's pupal, pre-hatch or hatching stage. But Dr Bell was one of the first to have a go at direct imitation.

Dr Bell's original tying went something like this....

Hook - Medium/Heavy Guage
Body - Black Silk
Rib - Flat gold tinsel
Breathers/Wing - White Floss/Poly yarn/Antron etc.
'Legs' - A few Mallard fibres.

[weight_forward]

That'll never work, needs a few coats of Sallys, some pearl mirage and some biot cheeks

Very neat tie though!

[Scratch]

Jeez sorry Ben! I just went striaght to yer question there, and missed the bit about another classics thread. I already had the info and pic from an old thread, so I posted it. Sorry if it's p!ssed on yer chips. On the other hand, feel free to use it. I'm sure you tie could tie a better one though

[benlikestofish]

Crikey mate, are you psychic!

That's great, I hope I haven't ruined a thread you were preparing.

I'm glad I asked as its not what I was expecting. I imagined something rougher and more wooly!

What do you think are the 5 most important buzzer patterns? I was thinking Dr Bells Original, Coves Pheasant tail nymph, Blakestone, Epoxy, and Flexifloss.

---------- Post added at 10:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Scratch

Sorry if it's p!ssed on yer chips. On the other hand, feel free to use it. I'm sure you tie could tie a better one though

I will not better that and I probably won't fish it so will be pleased to borrow the pic. Cheers

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by benlikestofish

What do you think are the 5 most important buzzer patterns?

Brancusi, Jelly-Bean, Clear on Black, Chartreuse, and Olive 'Spanthrax'

In me dreams eh

I'd deffo go with Bell, Cove and Blakestone. But when we get into the era of Superglue, epoxy, spanflex, I think there are a plethora of quality patterns, but to be honest, much of a muchness. I do like the work of the Bewl boys (John White/Bob Braden) though. Are we talking exclusively 'sunk' buzzers? ..... What about the Shipmans?

[benlikestofish]

Originally Posted by Scratch

Brancusi, Jelly-Bean, Clear on Black, Chartreuse, and Olive 'Spanthrax'

In me dreams eh

I'd deffo go with Bell, Cove and Blakestone. But when we get into the era of Superglue, epoxy, spanflex, I think there are a plethora of quality patterns, but to be honest, much of a muchness. I do like the work of the Bewl boys (John White/Bob Braden) though. Are we talking exclusively 'sunk' buzzers? ..... What about the Shipmans?

I think I'll stick to the sunk buzzers, I don't know much about the Bewl boys patterns although I know a few people to ask and will make some enquiries.

I think the Shipman's deserves a classics thread all of its own, maybe one for the future Need to finish the Black Buzzer and Green Peter first!

[IanG]

Originally Posted by weight_forward

That'll never work, needs a few coats of Sallys, some pearl mirage and some biot cheeks

Very neat tie though!

Whoa, Whoa......... although said in jest....... stay with me.... What about a version of the pictured buzzer, but; i'm wondering what it would look like if, the mallard fibres were tied maybe 2/3rd's down the shank, but as flush to the body as poss rather than angled and proud. Then....... plastered down with hard as, (whole body too) - sort of buzzer with legs, although not in the process of emerging (its a heavy glue buzzer after all) - but pre-hatch legs, there under the skin, for all (trout) to see. I would/will give it a go - however the evidence, if worth looking at would be best photographed by Rob - any chance??

Ian
ps - no, I have not been drinking, or sniffing brasso or owt........

[Scratch]

Originally Posted by IanG

Whoa, Whoa......... although said in jest....... stay with me.... What about a version of the pictured buzzer, but; i'm wondering what it would look like if, the mallard fibres were tied maybe 2/3rd's down the shank, but as flush to the body as poss rather than angled and proud. Then....... plastered down with hard as, (whole body too) - sort of buzzer with legs, although not in the process of emerging (its a heavy glue buzzer after all) - but pre-hatch legs, there under the skin, for all (trout) to see. I would/will give it a go - however the evidence, if worth looking at would be best photographed by Rob - any chance??

Ian
ps - no, I have not been drinking, or sniffing brasso or owt........

You tie it mate, I'll snap it

[IanG]

Done and done - however you do realise that you have just effectively offered me on a plate the exclusive "nuff respect" rights on what could be the next big thing in buzzer patterns. What's that sound???? Why, it's Dr Bell rotating in his grave...............