kate mclaren

[s19mcw]

hi can any one tell me how to tye a kate mclaren fly i have looked on you tube but there is nothing and would it be a good fly to start to learn with?

thanks
stuart

[sweenytodd]

There you go >>>>> Step by Step Tying Instructions for the Kate McLaren

[shuck raider]

Wouldn't be my choice for a first fly as it involves a couple of techniques better practiced separately, viz palmered hackling and dubbing.

Suggest you begin with something simple like a Black Spider to get the hang of hackling, then progress to a Black Pennell where you'll learn tail placement and ribbing. Next perhaps a Briggs' Pennell which has a dubbed body. Finally try a Zulu which is quite similar to your Kate. Tie half a dozen of each of the above and progress slowly, you'll be surprised how your techniques improve as you progress. Learn to walk before you learn to run!

HTH

[weight_forward]

Shuck raider beat me to it, but here's mine anyway;

Stuart,

I would personally not recommend starting with a Kate Mclaren as your first ever fly. The palmering for the body is a few steps up the ladder in terms of techniques.

I would go for a simple thread buzzer first, to get used to thread control, tension and whip finishes. Then as a progression in tying using traditional wets I would go;

Black Pennel – ribbing and head hackles.
Peter Ross – tinsel bodies (harder than it looks), dubbing.
Kate Mclaren / Bibio – palmering.
Mallard and Claret – rolled wing.
Blae and Black – slip wings.
Invicta – throat hackles.

From there maybe a muddled hobbler!

I hope that helps.

Steve

[maharg]

Have a look in the "Classics to date" sticky at the top of the fly tying section.

[s19mcw]

thanks every one i will try what you have said and if they look ok i might post a pic and get your thoughts

[sweenytodd]

That is a good way for some people to start , with simple things first I agree .
A Kate Mclaren is not exactly complex is it ???

I just dived straight in with tying flies I knew I would be using , Dabblers etc .....

I do think one thing that would be of most help to anyone just starting out is to actually have someone show you first hand , real life , right infront of you things like dubbing , ribbing , tying in and tying off etc ...

[slim71]

If you can manage up to the Glasgow Angling Centre over the weekend Dave McPhail will be giving a demo on how to tye prity much anything you ask him