Dandelion Flies

[Markbob 0]

I just tied my first dandelion fly and it looks good but now that I am thinking about it, I am thinking that it looks like a fly that the leader could easily get fouled on and that maybe I would be better off with klinkhammer style flies for the same purpose. Thoughts?

 

[sunsignarcher 0]

post a pic please. I just tied these last month for the first time too and would love to see someone else's.

 

haven't fished em yet though so can't help ya with fouling or not…

[Crackaig 0]

Tied some of these up a while back with a specific situation in mind. Then it occurred to me the same effect could be gained by simply greasing the tippet to within an inch of the fly. That's one less specialist fly I have to carry.

 

As for the fouling I found that my making the post limp stopped it and gave the fly greater freedom to move.

 

Cheers,

C.

[whatfly 0]

They cast fine. Crackaig's solution is another one that people have been using for years, although where's the sport in it (grin). There are also those that incorporate a piece of tippet and a bit of poly yarn in the pattern, essentially giving the fly its own indicator as well. I tend to use Palsa indicators myself.

 

For the record, the proper name for the pattern by James Ferrin is the "Drymerger". "Dandelion" is just the name given by whichever big fly tying company (Umpqua?) that copied (stole?) the original pattern.

[planettrout 0]

I have been using Dandelion patterns since 2003...they work just fine..

 

http://hipwader.com/2003/dandelion-fly-pattern

 

 

PT/TB

[Markbob 0]

I wanted to use the two vise method for the parachute and post but I don't have two vices. Seems like it would be easier. Here is my pic. The post is a little rough but other than that, I am pretty happy with it.

[sunsignarcher 0]

I didn't have two vices either. I clamped one end of the post in my vice and the other end in my forceps and tied them off to a nearby chair.

[Markbob 0]

Yeah, I have to figure out something better. I like the idea of building a bunch of 'chutes then just stitching them on to some midges. Whacha think of my fly?

[sunsignarcher 0]

Great looking fly. She'll catch for ya.

 

I wouldn't worry about that post getting fouled. Mine where much longer and thinner and I don't think Ill have a problem.

[Crackaig 0]

You can make a really good gallows tool for these from an old wire coat hanger. Wrap the wire three times around your vice stem then bend it into a curve ending 6 inches above your vice. Make a shallow wide "v" in the end.

 

Tie on your parachute post to your hook shank. Grab the other end in your hackle pliers. Bend the coat hanger wire down and put the loop of your hackle pliers onto the "v". The post will now be held tight for you to tie your parachute on.

 

Now you have the remainder of the coat hanger wire you may as well make yourself a pair of hackle pliers from what is left over. Photos here.

 

If you want to produce parachutes separately tie a series of hackles on fine plastic tubing. Tie your fly with a mono post for the parachute. Finish the fly, then drop the tube with hackle over the mono. Melt the end of the mono to create a lump, as if you were making eyes. Then lift the hackle to the bulge and secure with a drop of super glue.

 

There is another method that produces a good effect but takes a little getting used to. Tie in a length of poly yarn as a parachute post Make it as long as you want the post plus the radius of the hackle you want. Stiffen the post by running thread up and down it to the point you want the hackle. Finish the fly. Take a flat ended piece of metal bar about 1/8 dia (an old nail is ideal) in a wooden handle. With your finger spread the fibres at the top of the wing post evenly. Heat up the end of your tool. Push it into the centre of the poly yarn. This will heat kink the poly yarn into a hackle.

 

There's a few things to keep you going.

 

Cheers,

C.