First flies, home sourced materials, input wanted

[traq 0]

Hi there,

I'm just starting out in fly fishing, being a poor recent graduate and a tinkerer I started tying with just what I had around, this includes bits of thread, hair from an old brush, blended yarn for dubbing, found feathers, that sort of thing.

Here are a few of my recent flies, I'm taking them out this coming weekend to try them out on a medium river here in southern Ontario, and I still need to find a way to make the damsel fly float reliably, I think I may have some scotch guard squirrelled away somewhere, but right now I'm just churning out a bunch every day to mimic what I see people putting up on the web.

I'm totally new to this, so any tips appreciated!

[gpd4 0]

What's the tail material in the first one? All of those will catch fish - keep it up!

[traq 0]

Thanks for the feedback!

The tails on the first two are just regular sewing thread.

[bellevue.chartreuse.trout 0]

My goodness! If you are just.. ( and I mean JUST) starting out and tying, you are well... WELL on your way. I especially like your Damsel ( the second one). Foam? on the Damsel? look it up... come on - you know ... GOOGLE!

 

BCT

[kennebec12 0]

The first one is quite nice looking really. For the damsel fly you could dig around and see if you have any foam. Somethings have foam seals on them or a dollar store might have some craft foam or foam decorations real cheap. Good luck

[SilverCreek 0]

I like your inventiveness.

 

I suggest try furling some fly bodies using some found yarn. Here are some photos and instructions.

 

 

 

http://www.missionpeakflyanglers.org/FLYs/furled%20damsel.html

http://www.flyfishersrepublic.com/tying/furled-body/

http://limetrude.blogspot.com/2008/02/week-seven-worm-fly.html

http://globalflyfisher.com/video/?q=node/576

http://www.southsoundflyfishers.org/2011/06/14/fly-of-the-month-may-2011-furled-body-stonefly/

http://flyanglersonline.com/flytying/tyingtips/part320.php

http://rdflytying.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-art-of-furling-with-doug-pullen.html

[mikechell 0]

For simple material flies, I think you'll be please with the number of hits those will draw.

 

This time of year ... go looking for some thrown out flip flops. Or go buy a pair form a cheapie store. You can cut square pieces, or you can get some round tubing to make punches. Cut out small pieces of foam and use it to make the thorax/head of your damsel flies.

[traq 0]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for the tips, I guess it doesn't really matter if the fringes get a bit soggy so long as the body still floats somewhat convincingly, eh?

I'll try a few Mays and Damsels with foam before I head out on Saturday.

[dpshr 0]

traq, those fly's will catch fish and they look great. Your well on your way to being a great tier... Good luck this weekend...

[Spanky29ca 0]

Those are some buggy looking flies and I have no doubt will catch fish for you, very unique ties

[SilverCreek 0]

I'm surprised that no one has yet suggested dryer lint for dubbing,