Terry Phillips

My mistake, I thought this was a fishable realistic. I tied a few up on the weekend, took them down to the river but no matter how must gink I put on them they just kept sinking. pretty hard work on I'll just varnish the next ones and leave them in my cabinet.

Great pattern red kid, It's probably a bit hopeful, but, I'm going to have a go at a mayfly (probably a hex) for my first realistic. Can you tell me what you have used for the abdomen and legs on your pattern above? Regards, Terry

Thanks Sully, Do you mean the plastic bristles, or the hair type? Terry.

Thanks for the warm welcome, hatchesmagazine looks a great resource. Looks like I'm going to have to do some shopping. Japenese nymph legs, panatone pens and Dura Lar acetate all round by the looks of it. Terry

Hi, I'm new to realistic fly tying and having stumbled accross this forum I've so many questions. But first I'd better introduce myself, my name is Terry Phillips - I started fly tying/fishing around 15 years ago and I'm currently based in Lancashire - England. I would say I'm an accomplished tier off 'standard' patterns having tied professionally. More recently (2002) I started a fly supply and tackle company (troutlure.co.uk - mainly targeting the UK). But this is my first crack at realistic tying. I will be trying to focus on patterns to represent the entamology found within the UK. I like to think I take critisism well, I know it's the only way to progress, so don't hold back. I hope to post my progress here over the coming years. Now then, this realistic tying... So where do I start? Are there any good step by steps to follow? listing materials used etc. How the h*ll do you get those realistic segmented bodies and vained wings? they're amazing! As most of my fly tying supplies focus on tying what I would call 'standard' patterns, I assume that I will need to 'gear up' with realistic fly tying materials, so any advice of what to buy and where from would be greatly appreciated. Kind Regards, Terry