niveker

Lol

Sorry guys, I had it in my mind that these were due next week. Just gave them to the PO this morning.

Same here, one with straight jaws, one with jaws that are curved/slightly off-set. No complaints after a year or two.

Nice

Odd that the photos did come through on the only other site I post to.

Let's get small! Next challenge: Sawyer's Grey Goose Nymph Pretty simple, maybe some new tyers will pick it up. Important point to remember is that the challenge rules DO allow for subbing materials.

I thought so, checked the '23 & '24 thread didn't see it. Didn't even think to this year's. LoL. I don't know what happened. They were up there after I first posted them. Deleted and reposted. Hopefully just a glitch in the matrix. Thanks for the consolidated challenge list Norm, very helpful for those of us who are still writing the year 2024 as the current year.

Let's get small! Next challenge: Jack Tucker's IOBO (It Oughta Be Outlawed) Humpy

Brammer's Mini Pheasant Craw side view top view bottom view Hook - #4, down eye Bead - 4mm flat black Thread - black Keel - 2 strips lead wire on top of shank Antennae - pheasant tail Claws - back feathers from melanistic pheasant Body - 4 back feathers from melanistic pheasant Carapace - red neck feathers from normal pheasant with an aftershaft feather to fill the gap in behind bead. Tied a little differently from Gunnar, who ties it streamside here: https://youtu.be/_oSB1OkQmEw. - used down eye hook instead of 90 jig - added a keel to ride hook point up - used darker melanistic pheasant - added the aftershaft feather as I didn't like the gap after tying in the last 2 neck feathers I like it more than I thought I would, its got a nice impressionistic shape on the vice, will have to find out how it swims. Photos failed to load again not going to deal with it tonight. Hopefully the photos will stay this time.

Those look awesome, Mr. Willy

I'll tie one up tonight.

Looking forward to it, thanks.

Probably the only name brand of hooks I buy, otherwise I use less expensive hooks, but with Mustad I know what I'm getting as far as size and shape go.

LoL - those and the previous post look great. wing on the second one really looks good.

I'll follow the original pattern as best I can.

Meh.

Nice work, that last would catch crappies in my local lake. 👍 another beauty

Excellent info, thanks to you both.

Thanks Heff2.

For the Murdich Minnow swap, looking to pick up some head material, lots of options: Ice Chenille Palmer Chenille Estaz Cactus Chenille Finesse Body Chenille Frizzle Chenille Does it make a difference? Looks like the latter three are a bit bulkier for building a head. Appreciate any feedback.

Next challenge fly: Brammer's Mini Feather Craw

Cowbell Cray Tied three, I'm done. I found it to be an aggravating fly to tie. Now I know why I have seen them selling for $7-8 a pop. Left to right: first, second, and third tie. I found getting the portions correct to be the hardest part. Happiest with the last one, as far a proportions go. Of course, I tied mine hook point up, which complicated the tying a bit. It makes no sense to me NOT tie a crawdad with the hook inverted. I think in the comments section of Charlie Craven's YouTube tutorial, he mentions the fly is meant to be fished under a bobber so there is no need to invert the hook, but fishing a crawdad under a bobber makes even less sense to me. Anyhow, here are my meager offerings for this challenge. I didn't realize until I was writing up the recipe that I had forgotten to tie in the rubber legs along with the claws, probably saved myself a couple of choice curse words with the omission. Hook - # 6 octopus / #6 bass bug / # 6 caddis pupae Thread – Tan Eyes – Melted mono Mouth – Natural pheasant tail Claws – Pheasant breast feathers Back – FTD SP Pearl BB brown/ FTD Baby Bug Back gold Rib – Copper wire Hackle – Brown Dubbing – FTD UV-X Rainbow Dubbing, rust / Aunt Lydias Rug Yarn, tan Hook #2 – Any ol' ring-eye hook Cone – Tungsten to size Joint – Dacron backing Back – FTD SP Pearl BB brown/ FTD Baby Bug Back gold Rib – Copper wire Front Legs – Burnt orange hares mask

Glad I didn't Google it. I just assumed he meant Fly-Agra, which, I have also heard, is simply paraffin and white gas. Bergman's formula from Trout, 1950: I have never made or used it. From what I've read, it works so well because after the gas dries, the fly is lightly coated with wax. I doubt there is much, if any, oily residue. A somewhat aged post of a comparison of fly floatants by DrLogik: http://www.drlogik.com/flyfloatants.html As to the issue your having, I have no solution (pardon the pun). Maybe, using a rubber band, slingshot the flies across the room? Shoot them into a basket and it could turn into a fun little pastime.