At the Bench

Today i took a nice ride down to my local fly shop, The Complete Angler.  I needed to purchase some materials allowing me to craft some basic aquatic insects.  Scott, was very helpful in the shop and set me up with a hare's mask, thread, beads, hooks, and a few other items.  The store has moved, but is still located in the same parking lot, on the Post Road in Darien, CT.

   Upon my arrival home i was greeted by my dog, Penny who wanted to eat.  After taking care of my friend i sat down at the bench and got to work.  Like i said earlier, these hooks are small.  I started with the Tiemco 3761 size 16 paired with a 3/32 gold bead.  I made a few wraps with the thread up at the eye to ensure the bead would sit properly.  After i secured the bead i worked the thread back and put in a piece of rabbit fur for a tail.  The easy way to explain the set up is the long guard hairs were the tail and all the under fuzz was what i used for the dubbing.  I did not need a lot of either.  Before i spun the dubbing on the thread, i secured a length of gold wire, and went forward with the dubbing.  The dubbing took a few attempts but i got it in short order.  Half way up the shank i stopped and wound the wire forward for a rib, and put in the end of the wing case, which i used a duck feather for.  As a side note, you would think that with all the ducks we shot this year i would not have to buy duck feathers.  Well i had to buy some duck feathers.  After securing the wing case i ran more dubbing right to the bead.  Once i reached the bead i folded the wing forward and anchored it.  A whip finish and a drop of head cement and i was good.  Look out Trout!!!!

     I want to say that the freshwater fly tying is a different animal than saltwater, and frankly i think it is a lot more difficult.