The challenge thread!

[flytire 0]

next challenge fly is a.....Spuddler

[niveker 0]

Nice Kispiox Bright

9 hours ago, flytire said:

Spuddler

I'll try it.  

And thanks for the new list.  

[flytire 0]

👍👍😁😁

[niveker 0]

This fly pattern, a combination of the Spruce Fly and the Muddler Minnow created by Dan Bailey's Fly shop (see Leiser's pattern below),  is a classic case of substitutions run amok mentioned by @gadabout in the 'Tying by the Book' thread several days ago.  

In researching it, I came across lots of different recipes and materials,  I've listed some at the bottom of this post.  Dave Hughes even gives two significantly different lists of materials in separate books. 

Rather than wade through and figure out which would be the most 'authentic' recipe, I figured I would just add to the confusion by using what materials (taking into account what I had on hand, of course) and style appealed to me. 

I ended up tying two flies, both variations of the original pattern.  My Muddler Minnows, when I tie them, tend to favor Gapen's original recipe of  a loosely packed and shaggy head, hence my second tie.  I would assume that this Spuddler was originally tied with a densely packed head, similar to the Muddler after Dan Bailer got ahold of it. 

Spuddler, variation 1 

Hook: #8, Herter's 423-3xl

Thread: Camel

Weight: lead wire, front half of shank

Tail: Brown kip tail

Rib: Gold tinsel

Body: Yellow roving wool

Shoulder: Red roving wool

Under-wing: Brown bucktail, sparse

Over-wing: Brown Grizzly hackle x2

Collar/Head: Dear hair

Spuddler, variation2

Hook: #8, Herter's 423-3xl

Thread: Camel

Weight: lead wire, front half of shank

Tail: Brown kip tail

Rib: Gold tinsel

Body: Yellow roving wool

Shoulder: Red roving wool

Under-wing: Gray squirrel tail, sparse

Over-wing: Golden badger, x4 

Collar/Head: Dear hair

 

Some of the various recipes I came across:

 

Eric Leiser, ‘The Book of Fly Patterns’, p. 235

Hook: Mustad 79580, 9672, (#2-12)

Thread: Gray (Mono-cord 3/0)

Tail: Brown bear hair or brown calf tail (gap width past bend)

Body: Cream wool or cream poly yarn

Wing: Red fox squirrel tail, over which four grizzly dyed brown saddle hackles tied flat on top (extending half a shank length past bend) (sometimes cree saddle hackles are used)

Gills: short band of red wool which covers the wrappings and butts of the wing

Head: brown antelope spun and trimmed to a sculpin’s head (wedge-shaped and flat on bottom)

Remarks: This pattern was developed in Dan Bailey’s Fly Shop with the help of Red Monical and Don Williams.  It evolved out of the Muddler Minnow and Spruce Fly, two of the more effective patterns fished in the West.

 

Dave Hughes,  ‘American Fly Tying Manual: Dressings and Methods for Tying Nearly 300 of America's Most Popular Patterns’, p. 39

Hook: Mustad 9672, #2-10

Thread: Brown

Tail: Brown calf tail

Body: Cream fur/red fur

Under-wing: Brown calf tail

Over-wing: Four brown dyed grizzly saddles

Side-wings: Red squirrel tail

Collar: Brown antelope

Head: Brown antelope, spun and clipped.

 

Dave Hughes, ‘Essential Trout Flies’ p.83

Hook: #2-10, 3or 4xl

Thread: Brown 3/0 or 6/0

Tail: Fox squirrel tail

Body: Cream fur

Under-wing: Fox squirrel tail

Over-wing: Silver or honey badger hackles

Collar and head: Antelope or deer body hair

 

Terry Helleckson, ‘Popular Fly Patterns’, p. 128

Hook: Mustad 79580, #2-6

Thread: Brown

Body: Dubbed cream synthetic fur

Shoulder: Dubbed scarlet red synthetic fur

Wings: Tie in a bunch of brown bear hair.  Tie in two dyed brown grizzly neck hackles.  Tips of hackle should curve outward.

Hackle: Spin on a collar of reddish-brown antelope hair.

Head: Spin on reddish-brown antelope hair and trim to shape. 

This is a Dan Bailey pattern designed to represent sculpin. 

 

 

EDITED to add third version (below)

Spuddler, v3

Looking at the two versions I tied above,  I thought they should be bulkier to better represent their intended imitation, a sculpin. 

This one's a little better, I think.  Used a larger hook to get more room for the spun head,  changed the order of material tie in a bit, used narrow tinsel for the rib, and a different feather for the wing.   Maybe a bit more bucktail for the under-wing and a longer wing feather next time. 

Happy to hear thoughts and opinions.  

-

Hook: #6, 4xl

Thread: Camel

Weight: lead wire, front half of shank

Tail: Brown kip tail

Rib: Gold tinsel

Body: Yellow roving wool

Under-wing: Brown bucktail, sparse

Over-wing: Partridge wing feather x2

Shoulder/Gills: Red roving wool

Collar/Head: Deer hair

[niveker 0]

A simple one for the next challenge: Orange Fish Hawk - a 'flymphy' version would be cool, if anyone is so inclined, but any style will do. 

[cphubert 0]

1 hour ago, niveker said:

Spuddler,

Nice ties and a lot of research enjoyed looking at the variation of published patterns.

[niveker 0]

Thanks CP - I always find it interesting, the different versions tyers come up with. 

[TSMcDougald 0]

I will take the Orange Fish Hawk

[niveker 0]

👍

[TSMcDougald 0]

Orange Fish Hawk

Hook: #12 Nymph (Fulling Mill)

Thread: Orange Uni 8/0

Tag/Rib: Gold Mylar

Body: Orange Floss

Hackle: Hen Gold Badger

Head: Black 70 Denier Ultra

Orange Fish Hawk Flymph

Hook: #12 Nymph (Fulling Mill)

Thread: Orange

Tag/Rib: Gold Mylar

Body: Orange Floss

Thorax: Burnt Orange Hareline Dubbin

Hackle: Hen Gold Badger

[TSMcDougald 0]

Next fly is...King of the Waters

[flytire 0]

I'll take the King of the Waters

[flytire 0]

King of the Waters*

Hook - Mustad Heritage S80AP
Thread - Black
Tag - Gold tinsel **
Tail - Gray mallard
Ribbing - Gold tinsel
Body - Crimson floss
Hackle - Brown
Wing - Gray mallard

* This fly is listed as King of the Waters on the title page opposite the color plate, and King of Waters on the recipe list.

** The tag on the King of the Waters is not listed in the recipe but it is visible on the color plate painting.
 

http://hatchesmagazine.com/blogs/Hatches/2012/03/29/ray-bergman-collection-192-king-of-the-waters/

Trout - Ray Bergman

[flytire 0]

next challenge fly is....Nancy's Prayer Caddis Fly

[Poopdeck 0]

I’ll take the Nancy’s prayer caddis.