People who've seen the foam hopper SBS know i use liquid latex for certain flies. One type that i have been using extensively is dry ephemera imitations with a latex body. They're quite time consuming to make (i manage 5 bodies on 5 tying vices in an hour) but they are well worth the effort. I have yet to come across another pattern that will outfish flies tied with these bodies (please convince me if you think you have one!). I'll start by posting the body SBS and will do a finished fly asap but i am also curious about any models you will come up with in the mean time (maybe we could organise a swap, afterwards)

Start by mounting a degreased needle (of your choice) horizontally in a tying vice and apply a layer of liquid latex.

Lay two or three previously cut mallard or any feather fibers on top of the needle (the length exceeding will be the length of the tails).

Add a ribbing thread underneath and let the lot dry until the latex becomes transparent.

Start fixing the binding thread (i use white uni-nylon 70 or 210 denier) at the base of the needle and work your way up to the point in loose, slightly spaced turns. Separate the ribbing thread from the tails with the last turn at the point.

Apply a second layer of latex with a dubbing needle and separate the tails, holding them in position whilst the latex dries.

Once dry, wind the thread back up the needle and apply a third coating. A tiny drop on the base of the tails will make sure they stay in position forever.

Rib the body before the last coating dries, put a drop of latex on the tread to fix it and catch it in a pair of hackle pliers to hold it whilst drying.


When almost dry put the nails of your thumb and forefinger on the needle in front of the body and push it of the needle.

Give the drying body its final shape and leave it to dry completely. This thin, light, white body is soft, flexible, keeps its form and can be coloured at your wish with indelible markers.


Enjoy,
Johan

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Johan Janssens

Looks great Johan, thanks for posting! I can see why it takes so long to make them though.

Alan

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"Angling may be said to be so like mathematics in that it can never be fully understood" - Izaak Walton

Thanks Alan,

yes they do take time to make (especially the drying in between stages!). I usually make a few 100 (different types of two and three tails) during the winter and tie what i need during the season, usually the night before a fishing trip! The fly itself takes about 3 minutes to make. Unless of course you want to examine all the possibilities of latex for realistic fly tying. This one took me three days...



Not for fishing though and it's been a few years now, i wouldn't begin on one again . What for? Yet, lifelike flies (provided they are "easy" to tie and don't look like stiff, plastic caricatures) still have my preference although i know a bunch of hair or a simple feather on a hook can be darn good fish catchers

Johan

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Johan Janssens

thats brilliant mate thanks for sharing

Spread a thin layer of 'copydex' on a sheet of glass. It needs to be about the width of your thumbnail. Just before it dries completly roll up the strip at an angle so as to make the tapered body of your Mayfly. Once it has cured you can mount it on the hook. Fibers for a tail can be laid on one edge so as to be rolled in and fixed as you form the body.
Rod.

Thanks for the tip Rob!
I'll have a look at this "copydex", i didn't know it.

Kind regards
Johan

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Johan Janssens

What latex do you use? Copydex always goes a gross colour for me.

Cheers

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http://flyfisherlady.blogspot.com/

Try the tape used to seal pipe joins, don't know whats its called found some in my dads toolbox for a nice body, a bit of superglue thorough helps hold it together as well as gsp thread so it slips off easily

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Fisherlady, i thought you were into plain old fashioned stiff likes hackled traditional dries , only?

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Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God.

Johan, Copydex is just liquid latex, same as you are already using. Just a different technique.
Best wishes

Alan

P.S. Fantastic, realistic fly there Johan, great craftsmanship! But like you say, not for fishing.

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"Angling may be said to be so like mathematics in that it can never be fully understood" - Izaak Walton