Quote:
Originally Posted by Black-Don
Should all dabblers be tied / palmered with hen hackles ? Wouldn't the cloak keep them afloat anyway ?
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The original Dabbler was tied with cock, and as such, best suited to top or middle dropper work on floating or intermediate lines. The Dabbler would be fished high in the water (with a decent wave) 'ploughing a furrow' if you will, though the top few inches or so of water for the bulk of the retrieve, then lifted to the top and 'dibbled' for the last few yards. No doubt many anglers soon noticed the powers of the Dabbler fished on sinkers, and adapted the dressing to include hen, therefore inproving movement and sinkability. The skinny variety soon followed, which are very sparse, and almost nymph-like.
So, we have several different styles under the one cloak, as it were. All depends how you intend to fish them Don. Cock/bushy - high in/on the water, and high up the leader. Hen - deeper, and lower down the cast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black-Don
Re. bumbles, I thought they were supposed to float in the surface film which would have inclined me to tying them with cock hackles have I got the wrong idea  |
That's correct regarding the cock hackles Don, but try not to think of them as 'floating' in the film. They're wet flies - you control them, pull them, dibble them etc. The cock hackle keeps them high in the water and creates disturbance. The stiff, shiny cock also palys a big part in the look of the fly, enhancing translucency and colour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Black-Don
Regarding stiff hen hackles would half stripping them help with a softer less floatable fly but still give a decent representation.  |
Got yer cock and hen in a twist there Don!
Once you've understood what the differences achieve Don, then ye can start messing with mixed hackles, stripped etc.
Hope that helps mate.
Are Dabblers Dry Flies
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