1hook 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2024 Hi everyone, I’m wanting to create a shadow box of Pennsylvania mayflies for my tying area. I was recently at the Catskills fly fishing museum and got inspired by all the neat displays. my question when it comes to this is in regards to fly size. When creating a shadow box do you tie flies on hook sizes typically larger than normal for better display? So instead of a sulpher on size 14 , would you tie it on a size 10 or 12. Also do you tie all the flies the same size or do you make them true to size? If I wanted a BWO in there would I tie it on the size 20 hook!? Would that then look wierd next to a size 10 green drake? Just looking for thoughts and opinions, never done this before. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2024 i have never put flies in a shadow box but i would put my winged wet flies all tied on the same size hook i would also position them in alphabetical order in your case i would place them in order of size starting from the smallest at the top to the largest at the bottom you might also position them that is appealing to your eyes google "flies in shadow boxes" and see how others have done it. there are lots of example images Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capt Bob LeMay 0 Report post Posted November 15, 2024 Here's something I've long suggested for any of my anglers wanting a trophy to mark a particular catch... Using a shadow box, add a photo taken that day - with the fly that was used (and carefully cleaned afterwards) mounted underneath or above that pic... The few samples I've seen over the years were outstanding if done carefully... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1hook 0 Report post Posted November 15, 2024 That’s a good idea captain. I’ll have to remember that. Even a beat up fly that caught 20 fish on one of those perfect evenings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted November 15, 2024 I've built shadow boxes for other items ... not flies. To show off a particular item, you don't change the item, you build the box to show it off. Do one with a narrow range of fly sizes. Once you get outside of that range, start another box with the next up/down range. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites