The challenge thread!

[gadabout 0]

Feel better cencalfly.   Time for a standing fly desk?  

[niveker 0]

4 hours ago, cencalfly said:

I'll go ahead and pass.  Someone with mink can take it up.

I'll pick it up.  

Hope you feel better soon, Bud.  

[niveker 0]

Mink Tail Fluttering Caddis

Hook: #14

Thread: Tan, 8/0

Rib: Fine gold wire

Body: Pheasant tail fibers

Wing: Mink tail guard hairs

Hackle: Furnace

The wing is a tad too long and now that I look at Wright's book cover, I should have tied it on a classic Mustad dry.  And of course there is always that one stray hair. 

 

[niveker 0]

Next challenge: Z Wing Caddis

[gadabout 0]

Nice niveker!

[Chasing_Tails 0]

1 hour ago, niveker said:

Next challenge: Z Wing Caddis

I need to get a few more caddis in the box so i'll take it.

[Old Hat 0]

Great tie nivecker!  I wonder what the purpose of using mink was originally?  Sheen and the fine diameter maybe. Does it mention it in the book?

[gadabout 0]

I believe Len Wright’s original tie called for hackle fibers in the wing.  Later, somebody substituted mink tail due to its water resistance. It’s a difficult material to work with, but it functions very well in this fly.

[niveker 0]

2 hours ago, Old Hat said:

Great tie nivecker!  I wonder what the purpose of using mink was originally?  Sheen and the fine diameter maybe. Does it mention it in the book?

 

1 hour ago, gadabout said:

I believe Len Wright’s original tie called for hackle fibers in the wing.  Later, somebody substituted mink tail due to its water resistance. It’s a difficult material to work with, but it functions very well in this fly.

Thanks guys.  

Gadabout is correct, in "Fishing the Dry Fly ..." Wright calls for "a good spade or shoulder hackle" for the wing.  Not sure where or when the use of mink for the tail comes from.  A nice a glassy sheen and fairly stiff are attractive qualities for winging material.   

[Chasing_Tails 0]

Z Wing Caddis

Hook: Curved Caddis, #14

Thread: Uni-thread, 8/0, olive

Abdomen: FTD Pseudo-peacock, light olive

Back: Turkey tail

Rib: Wire, 0.2mm, chartreuse

Wing: McFlylon Poly, tan

Collar: Peacock herl

Bead: Nymph Head Evolution, caddis S, olive

Next up, something salty- The Ultra Shrimp

[niveker 0]

14 hours ago, Chasing_Tails said:

Z Wing Caddis

👍

[cencalfly 0]

On 2/1/2025 at 7:24 AM, gadabout said:

Feel better cencalfly.   Time for a standing fly desk?  

 

On 2/1/2025 at 11:37 AM, niveker said:

Hope you feel better soon, Bud.  

Thanks for the well wishes guys.

[flytire 0]

anybody tying the next challenge fly - "Ultra Shrimp"?

[gadabout 0]

Just checked my materials.  I think I can do this, so I’ll give it a shot.

[Chasing_Tails 0]

26 minutes ago, gadabout said:

Just checked my materials.  I think I can do this, so I’ll give it a shot.

It is a pretty simple fly. Here is a good tutorial:

How to Tie the Bob's Ultra Shrimp Pattern - Trident Fly Fishing