My first real try

[wayne s 0]

Here's a try at the realistic, I feel its far from a true realistic but it gave me a good idea of what is involved. It is a crane fly.

[DHise 0]

Nicely done.

[Fred H. 0]

Wayne, very good first attempt.Though a crane fly is a simple insect it is very hard to do well as a realistic fly.Your thread wraps on the abdomen are too tight and the segementation too defined.The abdomen should be long and slender with very indistinct segments.You can use super glue on you legs at the joints to help hold them in position.On the wings try cutting one at a time shaping it to look like the insect wing. you can make a wing burner or just make a template using card stock paper once you have one your happy with.If you have any question reply here or PM me. Once again good first effort.

Fred

[British mike 0]

Hi Wayne

Ditto what Fred has already said. If you study a picture of the realistic you wish to tie and keep refering to the picture to get the perspective and everything in proportion.

The internet is great for this as you can often get pictures from all angles of many insects also the colors are there to copy.

As Fred said if I can help let me know

Thats a great first attempt though. keep practising, thats the secret to all tying techniques

 

Tight threads

 

 

Mike.........................

[arkle 0]

Hi Wayne.

 

Very pleased to see you here, there are some very interesting sections on this forum & some extremely knowledgeable anglers & tiers as well. All of them are always only to willing to offer help, advice & encouragement.

 

I saw earlier this evening that this is going to be your submission for "My Angle's" cranefly swop on another forum we're both involved with & I am looking forward to seeing these flies in the "flesh" if that's the right word.

 

Earlier this year I donated a selection of flies to the "Monnow Auction Appeal" on yet another forum, & "My Angle" or "Loopy" as he is known there purchased them, amongst the flies I donated were 3 "daddy's" like the one's below, I think this may have set the seeds for this swop, which I gather is the first one that he's run.

 

I'm still not entirely happy with any of the wing materials that I've used so far, and believe you me there are several dozens of them. But the fly fairs not that far away, so maybe I'll find something there - I've been saying that for the last 3 years mind !

 

I'm 50/50 as to whether or not to put this type of pattern in or a wet one that I've a tremendous amount of a faith in, as a fishcatcher that is.