hopperfisher 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2012 Being new to fly tying and having a constant sense of curiosity, I wondered today if plant materials are/were ever used in tying. I'm sure someone out there with as vast a knowledge as I have witnessed here probably knows something of this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bugsy 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2012 Raffia, kapok, cotton, balsa and cork. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deeky 0 Report post Posted November 1, 2012 The problem with most plant materials is that they break down fairly quickly, particularly when they get wet and then dry. As mentioned above, there are a few, but not many. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FishDragon 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2012 I don't know of to many plant materials for fly tying, the ones mentioned would be it but maybe imitating plants or plant parts by tying flies would be a viable idea to try. This year when fishing atlantic salmon and pondering flies while on the water I was thinking about the colors of the leaves changing and the colors of the flies changing as the year progressed. More orange, yellow and red colors being evident in the trees and fly boxes later into the fall. Also seen many salmon/grilse smash at leaves that were floating on the water. I was thinking to my self of trying to imitate a leaf floating on the water for next years season. The area I fish has very dark tinted water(but clear and clean) and a dark colored bottom and it is hard to wrap your head around what the fish would see when looking up. They would see blue skies (when sunny), clouds, and trees as well as grasses on the banks. This is way off topic but they would see the disturbance the fly makes in the water as well as the outline of the fly against a blue,grey,green...etc background. Very interesting to think about and ponder. They can also see father into the UV spectrum than humans can. It is like they say that dark flies fish on dark days and bright flies fish on bright days though I haven't found this to be true. Sorry I hijacked your thread. On a side note I have witnessed and caught steelhead eating and filled with sea lettuce. Also need to try and imitate that. Didn't realize that they are omnivores or maybe they are eating small insects attached to the lettuce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rockworm 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2012 Burlap is used for the body in several nymph patterns. Don't forget rubber legs- if the latex is naturally sourced. And I believe there is also a dry fly with a wing made from the fluff of a milkweed seed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2012 How about rayon floss? Strictly speaking, it's probably not a natural material, but it's made from cellulose, which comes from plants. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riffleriversteelheadslayer 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2012 Hemp cord makes a great nymph body wrapas does Jute cord just don't smoke it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lykos33 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2012 Hemp cord makes a great nymph body wrapas does Jute cord just don't smoke it NOW ya tell me........ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutguy 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2012 Let me float this out there. I have bamboo stalks and the bases have this dry material. It looks like if you coated it it would make great wing cases. Anyone ever try that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCOwens 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2012 I have heard of the nymph made out of milk weed fluff before Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Istripbuggers 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2012 My buddy tells me theres a stream he fishes back east for common carp, its right next to a famous ice cream shop and all the kids throw there half eaten cones into the river where the carp then slurp them up. he tells me he tied an imitation of the cones and the fish love it! also kinda off topic i just thought it was an interesting story.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruce Derington 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2012 Hemp cord makes a great nymph body wrapas does Jute cord just don't smoke it Your no fun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2012 My buddy tells me theres a stream he fishes back east for common carp, its right next to a famous ice cream shop and all the kids throw there half eaten cones into the river where the carp then slurp them up. he tells me he tied an imitation of the cones and the fish love it! also kinda off topic i just thought it was an interesting story.. That's funny. Chumming with popcorn and tossing a white popper out there works as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2012 The river in my home town flows past a college and chips go in everyday. Carp love salt and they loved a piece of par boiled potato drifted down if it was salted. Prime time was 12-1pm but standing shoulder to shoulder with the shoulder chavs not a way to relax into the fishing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites