FWALSH

Phil : I have used ginger and cream on my Sulphurs and have not noticed any real difference in catch ,and I live in Newfoundland too........Frank

Beautiful flies . I think the RAT's are among the nicest looking hair wings and yours are no exception...Frank

Phil:Fly tiers' get together is on tonight,Thursday at 7:30 at the SAEN office. Damian: Your flies have not arrived yet . I'll send you a PM re the competition . BY the way if I can return your kind gesture with acouple of Newfoundland flies just let me know . I'd be only too glad to do so.......Frank

Damian : You are right-all flies were retained by SAEN and have been or will be used to raise funds for salmonid conservation at auctions etc . I sat as a judge for the competition and also am a SAEN Board member ......Frank

Damian : I'll be lucky to get even one salmon fly done I think . All my bench time is used for getting flies done for a few upcoming fund-raising auctions I tie for.............Frank

Phil: I would start the tip and tag portions on the straight part of the shank as it should have a better chance of not being destroyed by a salmon..........Frank

Dries for trout wets for Atlantic salmon...........Frank

Great looking flies.Congratulations.....Frank

I hope to enter a few flies for the first time this year-likely fishing flies for Atlantic Salmon.......Frank

Damian: We got back from our trip a couple days ago . Four of us,four days fishing did not even see a salmon on five rivers fished . Water a bit on high side but quite fishable . However water was COLD about 44-47 degrees F . Of a total 30 or so fishermen we know of there were 10 fish caught , mostly larger ones released .We're off again June 16 for another week hopefully much better results in order.......Frank

Phil : A lot of us use embroidery yarn for our salmon fly bodies . It can be divided to allow for less bulk and tapered bodies are easy to make using it . It makes for a longer-lasting fly or so many of us think;it's also a lot less costly than using silk . I use the good silk for feather wings .........Frank

Damian : I would have some size 10's and size 12 (even a few size 14) before fishing here in Newfoundland.We have found over a few years now that the smaller sizes are very effective.We are heading to Bay St. George area for opening day June 1 for a week or so-will let you know what works after we return...Frank

Have you looked at Grey Fox hair-it has better marking than Grey squirrel.........Frank

Phil: Don't count the feather wings out for salmon fishing . They do work and are enjoyable to fish with . When fishing one it is as if you make a connection with the history of Atlantic salmon and the use of feather wings for the many years they were in use. I don't use any of the rare materials and usually go with a simplified version for fishing-the fish don't seem to mind ..........Frank

I use Mustads for my flies with the exception of Atlantic Salmon flies on 36890 hooks. I dislike the return loop on Mustad as it is not tapered just cut off abruptly . This tends to create more bulk when I want this part of the body to taper off............Frank

I use 3399 and 3399A for tying Humpies . They are fine to use as long as you heavily hackle the fly . In larger sizes of 3399A they are also good for Atlantic Salmon.........Frank

The shrimp patterns are usually tied on curved shank hooks . They are also called scuds which are similar to freshwater shrimp. As to colours I'd tie in orange or pink/red bodies also in darker colours such as brown,black and olive. If you don't have any curved shank hooks just carefuuly bend a standard hook shank,such as Mustad 3399 or 399A with a needle nose plier. Try sixes 6 and smaller . You might also want to try some wooly buggers and worms as they can imitate leeches,dragonfly nymphs etc..........Frank

Philip : I would recommend you try a few shrimp patterns also some olive colour nymphs including bead head ones . As to size up to # 6 would be effective I'd say . If you want to try a dry fly I'd go with one with a silver tinsel body with black hackle in sizes down to # 16 . Good luck..........Frank

Philip : Have you tried using hen nackle for the Adams-it makes great wings as it has more web and barring then rooster hackle.Also the tips are more rounded than rooster.For Wulff wings I have used calf body hair for years.It stacks easier than most calf tail as it is usually straight hair.Try it I think you'll be pleased with how it looks......Frank

Damian: I haven't fished much for Atlantics here with Spey flies but would say you might try Thunder & Lightning and Lady Caroline. I 've heard these two lately from a few buddies.......Frank

I heard about this store a few days ago from the owner. I hope to get time to visit there over the weekend and see a local flyshop for the first time in a few years........Frank

I've used an HMH Standard for about 20 years now -tried others but always come back to this one for its versatility and reliability.......Frank

I usually tie mine with antron dubbing as Randall Kaufmann called for .With good hackle and the elk hair tail and wing they float like corks..........Frank