vb1971

Thanks Mike I had no red swiss straw for legs so I improvised. The first two have legs made from knotting and gluing together (Thin UV resin) 6 layers of red floss and the third hoppers had red monofilament line (12lb) that I found in the garage. I prefer the floss in regards to how it sits on the water but I am pretty sure the trout don't take that into consideration. Size, colour and a less than perfect cast seems to be all that is required. You will laugh but I normally don't take photos of the trout. And if I do it is usually after I have taken a keeper out of the fish smoker! I have finally learnt to tie pheasant tail fibres for legs and they do look more realistic. I have since spent a few hours knotting and gluing about 50 pairs of legs which will last me for some time and will go onto my future hoppers and I will use some sort of red paint to colour the knot so it resembles our hoppers a little closer. Cheers VB1971

It's Hopper time in Victoria, Australia and every average fly fisherman like me looks like a pro!!!! Even these roughly tied hoppers were a success Cheers VB1971

Hey Everyone. Thanks for the tips. utyer I am keen to know what you keep in your trail kit Cheers Vb1971

Including the Romance!!!! HEHEHEH Cheers MIKE

Thanks Flytire Was trying to add some "ROMANCE" to my idea!!!! Maybe a nice hinged wooden box with a vice platform, some bobbin and tool holders. Having said that cant believe simple solution was taring me right in the face HHEHEHE Cheers VB1971

Hi Everyone, I just purchased a small fly tying vise which I intend to bring along with me on fishing trips in case I need to tie something specific. This had me thinking as to whether some of you guys and gals out there have a streamside specific box you bring along that has basic tying materials and capacity to hold a vise (See vise pic attached) I would like to build it myself and would love some ideas (note: my carpentry skills are rudimentary). Look forward to the feedback Cheers from Downunder Note: I only fish for trout so will not need anything too big VB1971

Sorry posted incorrect Klinkhammer pic

Hi Guys, Some flies from a tying session over the weekend Cheers VB1971

I use something similar and loved it

I Iike it. Proportions are things that come with time. I have been tying for just over 12 months now and my whole box is occupied by flies I have tied. Although they are not all to proportion I still love the feeling of a trout taking a fly I have tied!!! I can also take some credit for the trout caught by my wife and nephew!!! Cheers VB1971.

Hi Guys, I agree with the use of foam or spun hair for the abdomen. I haven't fished it yet an will hopefully get out later this afternoon. It is a top water pattern. Cheers VB1971

Sorry. By back I meant the abdomen Cheers

Hi guys. The back is black chenille and the thorax is silver thread. I think the deer hair is stacked. Will try tie it tomorrow and report back Cheers

Thanks guys. Will give it a shot tonight Do you think a high vis to post could improve this fly? Cheers

G'day Everyone, Our local trout are enjoying the benefits of hoppers and cicadas as we come into Summer (Southern Australia). The photos attached are of a cicada pattern that has been proving successful which I would like to tie before the weekend. I am a little confused as to how the black deer hair wing and head is formed. It looks like it would be spun but under the head and thorax section there is a grey thread. How is this achieved? Is the deer hair tied on top and then clipped? I have only been tying for 12 months and have not come across a fly like this. The guy at the shop couldn't help. Any advice appreciated Cheers VB1971

BTW I have never actually seen black mayfly where I fish...... BUT the fish don't seem to mind Cheers VB1971

Hi FlaFly Here in Victoria, Australia a black spinner or dun is my fly of choice if there are rainbows rising just on dark. Cheers

By the way. This not expert advice (far from it) as I have only been tying for 12months. This technique is common for the Klinkhammer and so I now use it on all 'post' flies Cheers VB1971

Hi Quacker, I tie the hackle to the post so that the concave part of the feather is up against the post and tied up to the spot where I will later commence wrapping. I then complete the fly without wrapping the hackle. I then reposition the hook in the vice so the post is horizontal and I tie in spider wire at the base of the post. I then wrap the hackle and tie off using a whip finisher. I find this does not grab the hackle barbs normally. Hope that helps VB1971

Hi everyone, We are heading into a serious drought (Melbourne, Australia) and the small streams I visit are fishing as though it is mid summer! With water levels falling and eater temperatures increasing rapidly, the Klinkhammer under these conditions appears to be the fly of choice. It is landing me trout at first light, during a hatch (or in the absence of a hatch) and when there and aren't any rises. The key is size. If I fish a #14 may not get any interest. Change to an #18 and it's all systems go! It's amazing thing this fly fishing and love the fact that you always keep learning. Three cheers to the Klinkhammer. Parachute Adams comes a second close

The Good ol'Tag retrocarp! A must in every Australian fly box. Cheers VB1971

G'day TCTROUT Is that tied on a size 18-20 hook and what did you use for the wings? Cheers VB

Under 10 mins for nymphs and dries with no paired wings such as spinners. emergers such as Klinkhammers also <10 min 10-15 mins for dries with paired wings and spun deer hair flies (eg goddard caddis and Adams irresistible) 15+ flies fro muddlers and some hoppers Cheers VB1971

At least when my wife catches a trout I can always say Behind that great trout, was a great fly...... tied by a great man!!!!

Hi Xenopus, This was a big problem for me when I was starting out even if I new the dimensions and how much shank to leave. One day my wife had this great idea. if just before tying the fly off the head looks like it will be crowded then undo the whole fly and start again...... it worked!!! Also she will only use flies I have tied that are not crowded which means I have all the troubles on the river threading the tippet!!! I can still crowd the eye but usually when I am in a rush tying just before heading out Cheers VB1971