Alpinefly

Gareth has pictures of all the Midges from Sno-Fly VIII posted on smallstreams.com (just click on Feathercraft then Sno-Fly VIII) !!!

#16 Virtual Horse Fly (proving not all Diptera are microscopic): Hook: Gamakatsu C12 size 16 ( or TMC 2487) Thread: 8/0 Gray Step 1. Start gray thread behind hook eye. In a small square of Organza (this fabric is used in wedding veils and can be bought at Fabric Stores like Jo Annes) you will enclose 2 red midge glass beads; catch this right behind the hook eye and figure 8 wrap twice in between the two beads (enclosed in the organza). Wrap down a bit to where the Fly Thorax will begin, then snip off the excess. Dab some super glue to the wrapped down thorax so the eyes don't turn on you. Step 2. Wrap thread down to half way of the hook curve. Tie in a small strip of Closed Cell foam (white). You will color this strip of closed cell foam with an Olive Prisma Color Marker. Now tie in 10 strips of Peacock Herl at the sam spot. Wrap the strip of foam up the hook to where the Thorax begins. Tie off and snip off the excess. Now take one strand of Peacock Herl and wrap up the hook to where Thorax begins and tie off (snip off the excess). Do the same with a second strand of Peacock Herl (covering the gaps that were left on the body). Take remaining strands of Peacock Herl and pull up and over body, tie off and snip excess. Step 3. Take a small strand of White Flexi Floss, tie in at Thorax and wrap up to behind the eyes, tehn tie off. You will then bring the thread back to where the Thorax begins. Color the Thorax with Olive Prisma color, then Blue Prisma Color over that. Turn the fly upside down. You are ready to add the insect legs (Vili Auti Style). Step 4. Vili Auti insect legs. Pluck a Pheaseant Fiber ( there will be a bit of a hooked foot at the end depending on the speed of pluck. You may want to trim the hooked foot a bit. Bring the Pheasant up and under the thread, I usually have the hooked foot on the leg faceing toward the eyes, pull the leg into proper length and bring the second Pheasant fiber up and under the thread, gentley pulling it to the same leg length. Add Super Glue in front of and behind the base of the legs, and trim excess carefully. You will bring the thread to the next position for the next set legs, repeating this step for all six legs. I find that watching Oliver Edwards Tying his Hydropsyche Caddis on Essential Elements demonstrates the Vili Auti Style of adding Insect legs the best (I do have a filmed tutorial I hope I can post at a later date; you can also watch my Hydo-Psycho Seres Caddis Larva Video on my Facebook Profile page to get an idea of how to do Vili Auti style legs). Step 5. I bring thread back up between legs (all six) carefully to where the Thorax begins. I will touch up the thorax with Blue Prisma Color marker. I bring the Fly upright and tie in two strips of Stalcup Mdalian sheeting (make an x with the two strips and secure tie in at the x). I tie in two strands of Peacock sword, and wrap twice, then tie off. I carefully whip finish behing the first rear set of legs (be carefule as to not catch the legs up in the whip finish. Step 6. I coat the Thorax & Eyes with Sally Hansen's hard as nails (you will want more then one coat). Look how realistic and glowing the eyes look. Nice Irridescent Blue/Green Thorax comes out with the Nail Polish. Looks like the real thing (make sure yer spouse don't get the Fly Swatter). I assure you the Trout, Grayling (Bass or any other Pan Fish) will think your Horse Fly is real and slam it !!! Where there is water, there are Horse Flies; and where there are Horse Flies and water, there are hungry fish !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please feel free to e-mail me if you have tying questions (or you can call). Size 30 Dead Virgin Pupa Hook: TMC 518 Size 30 Thread: 14/0 Black Tail: Lemon Wood Duck Body: UV Blue Strand of Angel Hair (can find this amongst the strands of Peacock Angel Hair Pack). Coat with Sally hansens Hard as Nails (body up to 3/4 hook shank) Thorax: Tie 3 to 4 strands of Lemon Wood Duck. Tie in strand of Blue Peacock Sword & wrap twice, tie off, trim excess. Bring strands of Lemon Wood Duck up and over, tie off then whip finish ***Note: I dowse with floatant to give it a bit of a lift and fish just a bit below surface film. #32 Dead Virgin Cripple Hook: TMC 518 size 32 Thread: 14/0 Gray Body: Blue UV strand of Angel Hair (can be found amongst Peacock Angel Hair Strands); coat with Sally Hansens Hard as Nails (clear). Body is 3/4 hook shank. Wing: Natural CDC tied Down Wing. Head: Callibeatis UV Ice Dubbing dubbed lightly & Whip Finish. **** Note: Both the #30 Pupa, and #32 Cripple are fished with a 7x or an 8x tippet. Please feel free to e-mail, PM, or call me if you have any questions !!! Tight Lines !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! John Larson (Alpinefly) ***** Note: I believe that Gareth will be posting Pics of all the Midges on smallstreams.com (just look under Feathercraft section , and Sno-Fly VIII

All Sno-Fly Packages have been posted !!!!!!! 1. Please let me know when you receive your package (I did the best I could with what you provided; meaning a lot of midges crammed in a small package for a lot of you). 2. If anyone is interested in photographing and posting the Sno-Fly Midges, let me know (I would appreciate this) !!! 3. Thanks for your patience (great Midge patterns from everyone); and kudos to Roy Christie who went above and beyond Sno-Fly duty (tied three sets of #28 Reversed Parachute Midges) due to a Postal snafu !!!!! Due to this, you will be getting three sets of Roy's Midges !!!!! :headbang: I appreciate your contibutions and committment to Sno-Fly !!!!! Enjoy & Tight Lines !!!!!!!!! 4. If you have not posted your pattern recipe, please do so (Thanks) !!!!!! John Larson (Alpinefly)

Roy's set #3 finally arrived in the mail !!! I will sort all the midges out, and prepare the Sno-Fly Boxes to be sent back out in the mail tomorrow. With the rate of the Postal service on this swap, this will be one sweet box of Trout Candy !!!!!!!!! THANKS !!!!!!!!!! :headbang:

Still waiting for set #3 of Roy Christie's midges to arrive in the mail. Once that happens, I will get the Sno-Fly packages sent out. I thank you for your patience and you can be sure that this is well worth it (especially getting at least 2 sets of Roy's reversed Parachutes in a size 28). Certainly the Postal service (& the weather) has not been cooperative !!!!!!!

For a update on this Sno-Fly VIII Midge Swap. Roy Christie has requested a delay in sending out the midges at least 1 more week. He had tied the first set and sent those out in the mail 15 plus days before Christmas. They never arrived. He tied a second set of Midges, and sent those out in the mail December 29th. The second set never arrived. Now most people by now would say ohhhh fark this all. :ripped: Roy is great enough to tie a third very beautiful set of Midges (you can see the pics on smallstreams.com), and just sent those out (this time registered mail). I can promise you, I am threatening Lizzy's Royal Mail & the U.S. Postal service (they better arrive this time ) !!!! :devil: What was the Postal Service's response to two lost packages in a row ??? They said that they are not responsible for lost mail and packages !!! You have got to be kidding me !!!!!!! :wallbash: I can promise all of you that this is well worth the wait (yes, Roy's tying is that good) !!! This is the first time in all the swaps I have hosted and participated in that there has been a problem with the Postal service. Kudos to Roy Christie for all his hard work and I thank all of you for your patience !!!! :headbang:

Roy's first set of Midges were lost in the mail. He has tied a second set & sent them in the mail (hopefully they will arrive soon & are well worth the wait. I can easily say that Sno-Fly just would not be Sno-Fly without Roy's great tying). as soon as his package has arrived, I will get the sno-Fly packages out to everyone. Thanks for your patience !!!!!!! :headbang:

We have received all but Roy Christie's package of midges (which was mailed 10 days ago). Once his package arrives, I can get everything back out to all of you !!! Then it will be time to head for some quality Midge Fishing !!!!!!! :yahoo:

Sno-Fly VIII deadline is today (December 6th) !!! I have heard from everybody, and know that what I have not yet received is on the way in the mail (two from over the Big Pond). Great Midges came today from Salmonid & troutguy. Everything looks great as always. You will see more info on Sno-Fly VIII on smallstreams.com

[ Looks Killer to me Andres !!! :headbang: quote name=Andrés T' date='Dec 2 2010, 06:40 AM' post='438722] Hy Bryan, in fact there are already some SbS from older patterns that people have asked for previously. This is really simple and this simplicity was what caught my eye. First tie the hackle, then the foam tube; tying it it bends forming a V shape. tie the wings and wrap the hackle. final knot and you have one of the most aerodynamic and delicate mayfly you have ever used. Do not pick the fly directly from trout´s mouth directly with your fingers; foam tube could break. You should use something to take the hook out of the mouth. It is a simple deadly fly- catch and release please. Andrés.

Just a kind reminder for those on the Sno-Fly VIII list that if you have not yet sent in you midges, the Deadline is December 6th. Some great midge patterns have arrived so far. Cheers & Tight Lines !!!! John Larson (Alpinefly)

Once you get full access to the Forums on smallstreams.com you click on Our Community (or Forums). You scroll down to Feathercraft, click on that, and scroll Down To Sno-Fly VIII midge swap. It will have all the info about the swap (which is now filled). I was able to talk to Gus Strand over there and got Salmonid on for full access. If anyone else is having trouble, let me know. When the new smallstreams came back up and with new ownership, we asll as veterans had to re-register and get approved. You will find that the new site, and everything runs much better (Thanks to the efforts of Gus Strand & Adam Trahan), and yopu will find the same group of very helpful & friendly Fly Tyers & Fly Fishermen (& Women) !!!! Cheers & Tight Lines !!! John (Alpinefly)

Once again.................Muy Bueno Tying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Muy Bueno tying !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got it Salmonid !!! The last three spots have been filled (Salmonid, avril, & troutguy). Info is over on smallstreams.com Let me know if you have trouble getting onto the Forum !!! 14 midges Due December 6th !!!! THIS SWAP IS NOW CLOSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!