Kevin Compton

Interesting fly all around. Great way to make the mayfly body translucent by using D-Rib and a darker thread. Thanks for posting. Kevin

I've been using a Renzetti vise with a Dyna King C-clamp and vise extension arm. This setup keeps me from lifting and extending my hands/arms, eliminating all back and neck problems. I've found I can also see all sides of a fly better. I bought the extenion arm from Chris Helm at Whitetail Fly Tieing Supplies (419-843-2106). The DK C-clamp/cross-support bar is the best clamp I've used.

GPB, I think the Grip Hooks from ScientificFly of South Africa are superb. The standard barbed, barbless, bass, saltwater, and carp ranges of hooks are of the highest quality. http://scientificfly.com/ The bronze, black, and black nickel finishes are beautiful; and the hook designs themselves are excellent. The barbless range is really interesting. These Grip Barbless Hooks have longer points, and therefore, sharper points, and hold fish better. http://scientificfly.com/show_prod.php?pro...&category=2 (GPB...didn't forget that scan, I'll get it off ASAP) Here a re a few of my favorite models: 14723BL 11011BL 11801BL 11013BL 30012 53584BN

Leprechaun Micronymph Hook: Knapek Barbless Nymph Hook; or Grip Barbless Dry Fly Hook #11801 (#18-20). Thread: Georgio Benecchi 12/0 Polyester Thread (Olive). Goldhead: Tungsten Gold Bead. Tails: Pheasant Rump Feather Fibers. Body: Muskrat Belly Fur (Tan). Rib: Small Gold Wire (Cross-Wrapped). Wingcase/Shellback: Olive Flashback. Thorax: Olive Seals Fur (Chopped & Spun in Dubbing Loop; or on Dubbing Brush).

PMD Zelon Emerger

Is the photo missing? My apologies. Kevin

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by kevcompton: PMD Zelon Emerger

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by kevcompton: PMD Zelon Emerger

GPB, PM if you'd like a scan of the article.

Thanks, mtn. Kevin Do they make any barbless models?

According to Phil Rowley, in Fly Paterns for Stillwaters, 40% of the trout's year-round diet consists of chironomids (midges,or diptera). One reason may be that chironomids offer the most prolonged hatch of the season. Ascending or suspended midge pupae are vulnerable targets. I've had good luck with red/maroon, black, and olive pupae patterns. The pie chart will also give you some ideas for other bugs. Here's also a natural pupae suspended at the surface and a chironomid pattern, the Striptease Midge Pupa:

Mtn, Nice Spider. Your pattern description doesn't say which hook you're using?

Yes, this a Knapek Pupa Hook #12. (Hey, x Fly, we share similar interests; but my guitar is not as good because of the other two...)

NIce fly and photo idea. Thanks, Ray.

Ray, Certainly no apologies needed; thanks for sharing your project. The omission belongs to someone else. I think it would be interesting to see some of the brushes others are making with the tool. How dubbings are being prepared for the block, and which core wires, threads, etc. are being used. And how these brushes work with different hooks sizes. And photos of finished flies...