My First Fly

[Rick58 0]

Started today, I picked the Barr's Copper John in size #16. Critique is welcome, I know I have a lot to learn.

Fly Tying Recipe:

Hook: TMC 5262

Thread: Black 8/0 UNI

Weight: .015 Lead Wire

Bead: colored Gold

Tail: Dark Brown Goose Biot

Body: Wapsi UTC Wire, Red

Flashback: Pearl Flashabou

 

[Squeezy 0]

Looks awesome to me!  Nice going

[Poopdeck 0]

A very good first fly!  You tied the tail in perfectly and you have nice tight wraps of the wire. The giant lump of UV needs to be greatly reduced and the thorax could be shorter and the wire body a little longer. I would go today and drop that in a deep cold hole and  see what eats it. 

[Trouttramp 0]

Agreed, only thing wrong with that fly is that it’s not on the end of a 4 or 5x leader drifting about 6 inches off the bottom of a good trout run.

[Gene L 0]

You did a good job with such a small hook for a first fly.  It'll fish.  I would reduce the UV by a lot.  Also, you did a good job with the goose biot tail, which can give tyers problems.

[Mark Knapp 0]

I agree with them, and great job.

[niveker 0]

Very nice indeed.  I agree with Gene about the hook size.  I'm impressed with the biot tails too.  You lose the head,  and thus the fly's profile,  with such a large UV wingcase.   

[DFoster 0]

Nice job-   Your biot tails and legs are really well done and the copper wire looks smooth and tapered especially at the tail, exactly how it should be.  As a beginner with U.V. try applying it in layers.  A small drop spread with a bodkin and then cure, repeat, building layers until you get just the right amount.  That will help avoid using too much.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that your fly will catch fish, even if it isn't perfect.  Some of my first flies were awful, but what looked awful to a trained fly tyer's eye, apparently looked like food to a trout.   AND catching fish on flies that I tied was the main reason that I kept moving forward with learning to tie. I don't know what it is but there is something indefinable and special about catching a fish on a fly you tied.  I hope that a few successful outings using your flies will inspire you to continue learning this craft.   Fly tying is a challenging but very rewarding pursuit, enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Dean

 

[Rick58 0]

Thank you all for the replies and advice. Yes, I need a little less UV, I'll use that advice about layering it from DFoster. I'll watch my portions on the thorax, as Poopdeck said.

I really enjoyed tying this first one, would have done more today, but I was afraid of losing power from this storm. 

[Rick58 0]

Did a few more today.

[Lesg 0]

Big improvement on the bulk! That being said, your first looked better than my 101'st.

Les

[DFoster 0]

On 1/6/2025 at 2:45 PM, Rick58 said:

 

I really enjoyed tying this first one, would have done more today, but I was afraid of losing power from this storm. 

Rick, my favorite time to tie flies is during a snowstorm.  I can't offer a logical reason why but to me there's something a little bit magical about tying with a storm raging outside.  Usually our 2 dogs sleep next to me or under my tying desk and I can smell both the wood stove and what my wife is cooking. (she always plans a nice meal in front of a storm).   It just makes for a pleasant and relaxing time to tie flies.   

[Rick58 0]

We have another storm coming tomorrow, I'm planning on tying through his one. 😉

[flytire 0]

watch charlie

https://youtu.be/4-Injqr45YE?feature=shared

[Gene L 0]

Flytire posted an excellent link on how the CJohn should be tied.  Notice the limited amount of resin and the added weight to the body.