Lazarus 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2014 Hi all, Just got started tying (and fly fishing), here's a sample of my efforts. The shot isn't the best, and I didn't think of taking some when I was tying them. The woolly b's are a mix of bead head and regular, while the San Juan are with pink chenille and red thread. One has a piece of 1/32 lead wrapped under the thread, while the other is just a plain hook. I am also planning on trying some with a bead in the middle of the hook, I have heard good things about them. Thanks in advance for advice and comments. Regards, Matt Quality, Quantity, Cost. Pick two. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2014 I, personally, like a lot of tail, so those with the bushier tails are great. Good start to a fly tying journey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazarus 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2014 Here's my latest still in the vise. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazarus 0 Report post Posted May 17, 2014 And a question for the experts. How do you tie in flashabou? I've been starting with it in the tail and using the lead wire to wrap it up to the head, then once I get the chenille wrapped in I hold it down the body and secure it with the hackle. The only problem is, the flash wants to twist when I wrap it. Any suggestions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
add147 0 Report post Posted May 19, 2014 Here's my latest still in the vise.20140517_083424(1).jpg Looks darn good to me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jd1983 0 Report post Posted May 19, 2014 Those look pretty decent! On the last one, it looks like the hackle is tied in backwards and facing the incorrect direction when compared to the traditional bugger. It is normally longer in front than in back and is swept back towards the tail and not towards the head. Might just be the way it looks in the photo too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted May 19, 2014 well the woolys look to be too inconsistent to me. some have long tails some short. some have sparse tails some have more than enough some have hackle going all over the place Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
COMike 0 Report post Posted May 19, 2014 Laz! Great tying!!!!! Flytire is giving you some EXCELLENT ADVICE so heed it!!!! I just started tying going on 7 weeks now and I have tried to take in all the advice from my instructors, books, videos, etc...... If I can elaborate on flytire's comments..... TRY TO GET CONSISTENT in EVERY fly you tie! CONCENTRATE on ONE FLY PATTERN at a time and do your best to perfect it... What I have found is that when you try to tie a few patterns in a tying session (aka switching between patterns) it can lead to variations you (I) don't know where they come from...... Do you happen to have a mentor that teaches you? They can be invaluable!!!! Don't take their criticisms personally. There are MANY different ways to achieve a great fly that will catch fish! But listen and TRY their techniques! It takes practice...something that I have not done over the past couple of weeks due to "reality" at our house......but do try to duplicate what your teacher taught you! If you don't have one you can pick up a book and then look at videos on YouTube to help. I have found that sticking to ONE or TWO to find a way to make the pattern "look" correct helps reinforce the consistency you need! Just some thoughts from a "professional student"....LOL........ Mike BTW.....I would fish each and every one of yours!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
artimus001 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2014 ^^^what they said^^^ great start though. keep tying!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flytire 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2014 How do you tie in flashabou? see this tutorial http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=41 or http://globalflyfisher.com/patterns/perfect-woolly-bugger/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lazarus 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2014 I see where I'm going wrong. I have been tying the hackle in at the tail of the fly instead of the head. Then the widest portion is at the tail not the head. Also I've been cheap on the marabou and reusing the base of the feather for the next fly. Thanks for the advice! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phg 0 Report post Posted May 23, 2014 You can still tie the hackle in at the tail, just tie it in by the tip. That will give you the taper you want. I stroke the fibers so they stand straight out from the stem. Also, if you wind the hackle so the stem slides between the wraps of chenille, you don't need to reinforce it. Lots of ways of dong things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
artimus001 0 Report post Posted May 24, 2014 here is a great little vid on marabou. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
