Once again for those who missed thin in FF & FT here is the Something for Nothing Spinner.

Cheers,
Alan.

__________________
Progressive Fly Tying available from 1st November.
Visit www.progressiveflytying.com for details

Alan,

Read the article and loved the flies. Have tied up a few already - but have used fibbets for the tails. Especially on a fly like this, the stripped herl gives a lovely look.

Thanks for the advice with tying these.

Dave.

The thing isn't to try to slavishly copy but adapt. Microfibberts are fine I just use Coq de Leon for three reasons; I like the natural look, they work out less expensive and I have a supply. If you can show them I'd love to see your variations or uses for this idea.

Cheers,
Alan.

__________________
Progressive Fly Tying available from 1st November.
Visit www.progressiveflytying.com for details

I'll post / email you some pictures. May not be 'til next week due to work commitments - but I'd be interested to hear your thoughts / feedback.

Loved that article Alan. What size of hooks would you recommend for them if I were fishing small lochs?

__________________
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

I'd start with a size 12 but go as small as you can. This isn't a specific pattern but a few ideas to use when you are imitating spinners. Abuse it in any way you want to get the right result for your situation. You don't need to know the Latin names of insects to be an imitative fly fisher. Observe what the fish are feeding on and copy it at the vice. As John Gierach said "Knowing the Latin names for insects only lets you **** and moan in a dead language when you get skunked (blank)".

Cheers
Alan.

__________________
Progressive Fly Tying available from 1st November.
Visit www.progressiveflytying.com for details

At the end of the day doesn't imitation come down to afew things; size colour and profile?

__________________
Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

There is a bit more to it than that but yes it does. Attitude and behaviour are two other things that spring to mind. Some days the fish will take anything others they can be so picky it is unbelievable.

Cheers,
Alan.

__________________
Progressive Fly Tying available from 1st November.
Visit www.progressiveflytying.com for details

This is a great pattern Alan, ive tied it using several different colours, however i think the best thing about this is the technique for splitting hairs.

Ive tried many ways to split the tail and it keep its shape over time and found your method very effective, and really simple! Im even using this type of tail on some comparaduns and it works a dream.

Ill post some pics of it when i find the camera.

Keep up the good work.

Chris

What type of fibres can you use for these sort of tails?

Cheers Chris