First go at this sort of thing How I tie it, not how to tie it !

Dressing

Hook : 12-16 Dry Fly (#14 Partidge SUD here)
Thread: Red ( Danville's Flymaster here)
Body: Rabbit underfur, tip just tying thread ( I like the "tip" to occupy about a third of the body)
Tail : Rusty blue dun cock*
Hackle : Rusty blue dun cock**


* I took the dressing from John Roberts' Guide to River Trout Flies. The cape I've used is a Metz Rusty Dun, which is getting a bit bald now, and the pickings are slim, so I'm not sure how well it fits. Roberts suggests mixing a red game cock with a blue dun, as an alternative. I've always used the same neck - if the pedigree is wrong, the fish don't seem to care

** I'm sure I've seen (online) Hans of this parish putting a hackle on using something like the method below.

1. Wind on a base of tying thread. I come back up a few wraps in advance of tying in the tail



2. tie in the tail



3. I usually just splay the tail fibres with my thumbnail, then take a thread wrap underneath



4. wind the thread up to within about an eye width of the eye.( I remove the tail butts just before - not shown - forgot all about it and carried on tying ) Mount the hackle.Dull side forward (on winding) for me. I just carry the stalk back quite a way to form a smooth underbody



5. dub a robe of rabbit underfur for the body



6. rather than stop where the hackle will be secured , I just carry on and form a bed of rabbit fur for the hackle to sit on. I just find it easier to control the hackle this way - especially if the stalk is a bit fat and unruly



7. Leave the thread hanging where you wish to tie off the hackle



8. wind the hackle back to the hanging thread


9. secure the hackle with no more than a couple of threadwraps. Wind the thread through the hackle. Deliberately.





10. Whip finish.
Job done






One of my favourite "old school" flies

Comments,critique, insults or over-ripe fruit welcome

.D.

Tails too long and thick, too much hackle, body's too thick and you used the wrong thread and hook, other than that it's OK.

Hehe only kidding .D., nowt wrong with that. Very good step by step, thank you and let's see some more.

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D,

Just a minor, but I believe, pertinent suggestion. I would move the tying in of the hackle(s) to the front of the queue. Bit quicker, bit neater. I think.

1. Attach thread at eye, perhaps three somewhat overlapping turns.

2. Wrap over hackle butt(s) to 1/3 shank, keeping the hackle stem(s) on top of the shank. Trim excess.

3. Wrap towards bend, tie in tailing material. Trim butts of hackle fibers such to 'meet' the hackle stems. This will ensure a smooth and even underbody.

4. Remainder of fly I would do same as depicted in your step by step.

See what you think.

Cheers,
Hans W

Worth a try


Thanks,


.D.