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...

In his Summer 2007 Fly Tyer article, James Smith did not mention his design's indebtedness to Jan Siman's Turbo Spinning Block -- a design, though not the first, that Siman standardized and has sold as a product for many years. http://shop.siman.cz/ Surely Mr. Smith was aware that he did not mention Siman or the Turbo Spinning Block anywhere in the Fly Tyer "New Dimensions" column. The article's design is a good one, nonetheless, and the project, as Ray has shoiwn, is worthwhile. Surely all three work well. I just wish Mr. Smith had also offered a photo of a completed brush -- it would've added a new dimension to this truly unique contribution...

Alright, I fess...I got addicted to wattage after tying a lot of small flys. I've gone threw quite a few cheap-o OfficeMax 50-Watt halogen lamps...not certain here, but replacing the 50s with 100-Watt bulbs may have shortened their lives...

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by kevcompton: TriColor Czech Nymph

Roy, and pace to others, Thanks for sharing this emerger. I benefit as a tier from looking at this pattern, as I have done so looking at the set on the FlyTier's Page. But I also appreciate, more so perhaps, your willingness to 'take a look around', to take a look, for instance, at both sides of the Pond. Those who dwell in their own legendary minds do not look beyond their own worlds, let alone globally; they inhabit fine castles but choose to live in one room in the basement. I suppose, as one learning a craft, I'm less concerned with provenance, and more wary of provincialism. It's good to have you around, Roy; thanks for your contributions; and welcome when you choose to look in. It's nice to learn that one of your favorite flies is Mr. Skues' Little Red Sedge and not one of your own so-called 'stolen' legends. Do have a Gunness on me -- that one above has settled nicely. Regards, Kevin

(An answer, in part, to a PM question.) Traditionally, the Coq de Leon birds come from the mountain slope of Leon, Spain, while a few seem to have been transplanted to Delta, Colorado on the Whiting Farms. This caddis wing is tied with Flor de Escoba de Leon (although the photo below doesn't justly bring out the beautiful golden yellow hues). Typically, the Coq de Leon feather comes in varying grades (#1-#3) in varying shades (Claro, Medio, Oscuro; light, medium, dark) of varying families, such as Pardo. The CdL used for the caddis pattern downwings depends on the naturals as much as your own eye. Note the straight, highly speckled barbs in the photo of the Pardo Sarriosa -- these are some of the most prized characteristics, as are sharpness of color and translucency. The straighter the barb, the better the dry-fly tailing. This style of caddis pattern is often seen in Spanish tying.

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by kevcompton: Coq de Leon Caddis