Reverse Hackle dry flies dogsbody.

[bbamboo]

First its not really a Dogsbody it but should be correctly called a Welsh Terrier. Just thought I would point that out ,Or someone will
I find the correct method of tying is very important with reverse tied dry flies so I will do my best.
Up eye if you have them sizes 12 to 18
Thread black




Start the thread a little way after the eye run the thread to the bend, tie in a white or badger hackle (the shiny side of the hackle should be facing you before you start to wrap.This makes the natural curve of the hackle slopes away from the hook body.



Wrap the hackle nice and tight together. Wrap the thread around the butt to force the hackle in a backwards slope



Next tie a natural red game hackle. You must also wrap this tight up to the first hackle.
Again the hackle should be tied in with the shiny side facing you. So the curve of the fibres is backwards.
Wrap the thread tight around the butt again forcing the hackle backwards away from the hook.



This is my body material its available from most sewing shops.
If you have trouble getting this you can use anything which is a camel colour.The material you use is not really important but the correct colour is a must. I use one single strand from the twist to wrap a body.



Now time to test the fly.
Simply throw the fly onto a hard surface (the table top).
If it lands like this the hackle is to long. You must trim the hackle
Yes you read correctly trim all around the circumference of the fly
Regardless of what some tell you trimming the hackle with moderation does not distroy the floatablity of a hackle in fact it improves it.
You are increasing the contact area of the hackle to the water surface by removing the sharp hackle points.
Next test again.



It needs to land on the surface like this supported by the hackle but sitting on the eye of the hook.
This is perfect, Try some

Gary (nicho)

Bamboo rod maker.

[articwolf]

nicely tied m8...however...should you not put this in the SBS section...I'm sure everyone would like to use it as a reference one day........AW

[Mostyn]

I'm going to tie some! - Thanks Gary for the how to guide!

Regards

M

[Mrtrout]

Very interesting Gary, thanks.
S.

[Mrtrout]

Gary, why is the camel colour so critical ?

[rabmax]

I am going to tie some to give a try .Is that Embroidery thread & what's the make as i can't tell as i am not very good with upside down writing. Cheers

[arkle]

A not very often seen pattern that was devised by Harry Powell for use on the Usk. His pattern used hair from a camel coloured dog, which I gather was teazed out a lot. Perhaps a dubbed body may be nearer to the original than embroidery yarn.

[bbamboo]

Originally Posted by mrtrout

Gary, why is the camel colour so critical ?

Hi Mr trout.

I find the camel colour the most effective for this pattern.
Some text book describe the body as fawn having tried that I am convinced its not as effective as when the camel colour is used.

---------- Post added at 05:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by rabmax

I am going to tie some to give a try .Is that Embroidery thread & what's the make as i can't tell as i am not very good with upside down writing. Cheers

Hi rabmax
Its Anchor 372

[bbamboo]

Originally Posted by arkle

A not very often seen pattern that was devised by Harry Powell for use on the Usk. His pattern used hair from a camel coloured dog, which I gather was teazed out a lot. Perhaps a dubbed body may be nearer to the original than embroidery yarn.

Hi Arkle

Yes I agree you can use dubbing if you like. In fact you can use thread, herl or anything which gives you the most confidence. The Welsh terrier is a fast water version of Harry Powell, famous Dogsbody.
The Welsh Terrier was originally designed and tied by James Evans.
And first described in his book
Small river fly fishing
Published by A&C Black 1972.

Gary (nicho)

Bamboo rod maker.

[bbamboo]

If you are on the other side of the pond I can recommend this.
I got mine off ebay




Regarding Harry Powell and his famous Dogsbody dry fly.
There are in fact two versions of story relating to the invention of the fly.
The page below is taken from perhaps the definitive work on Welsh trout flies.

Michael Leighton
Trout Flies of Shropshire and the Welsh Borderland.
The book was printed in 1987 and is quite rare these days.
Well due for a reprint I think.



Gary (nicho)

Bamboo rod maker