mrbamboo 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 It has been about 40 years ago I tied flies, still have all the materials hooks and tools. Looking at working thru R.B. Trout plates, any suggestions on where to find pattern descriptions with materials? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dflanagan 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/Hatches/category/ray-bergman-collection/ This isn't the full collection but it's a great start Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moshup 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Thanks dflanagan for that reference. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 If you've had your hackles from 40 years ago, they're probably inferior to modern necks. Also, thread kind of degrades with age. Fly tying has changed a lot in 40 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Looking at working thru R.B. Trout plates Whoa! Getting back into fly tying by doing that would be truly impressive... I'd love to see pics of that getting done in each month's Flies from the Vise... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbamboo 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Will do, and thanks for the link. Though it is hard to toss 40 year old jungle cock capes. Just picked up Favorite Flies and Their History by Mary O. Marbury, to help out with the old fly patterns further on in the book. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Why would you need to throw away 40 year old jungle cock. Just wondering. Legal jungle cock is sold today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjm 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 Why would you need to throw away 40 year old jungle cock. Just wondering. Legal jungle cock is sold today. I would not and I am still using some hackle from 40 years ago. Genetic hackle is wonderful for tiny dry flies, but those flies Mrbamboo wants to copy were all tied with the feathers available at the time and I doubt that they will all look right if done with dry fly hackle. The advise of looking at and comparing what he has with modern hackle would be good. Then again I am still using some threads from 40 years ago too. If the feathers or thread are rotted, pitch them, but I'm guessing you stored them well and most will be usable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moshup 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 I don't think Gene L. was referring to Jungle cock when talking about 40 yr old hackle. I'm sure those old capes have some nice spade hackle that can be used. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 +1 -- I was thinking the modern improvements in fly tying materials have not really been with the materials used to make those classic flies, and that those classic fly materials would be comparatively more expensive if you were to go out and buy them today. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moshup 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2019 I don't think most of Bergen's flies used exotics. I maybe wrong but i think most of the materials are still readily available. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2019 You're probably right mogup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrbamboo 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2019 Then I guess then using my old stuff should work for the "Old" Bergman Flies. Not quite the same age but . . . close?? Thanks for the encouragement. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2019 Davy McPhail has a video of tying a dry fly with Indian necks. They are very fishable and work, maybe take two feathers to hackle.. But his wasn't anything like R. Bergman flies. I'm not sure when the modern photographs of RB flies were made, but they sure don't look like Indian capes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Moshup 0 Report post Posted January 20, 2019 Only if I'm captured and tortured will I go back to tying drys with Indian necks ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites