[Steven Kidd]

Hackle maybe a bit overdressed on this one?....they look good on the vice, but as soon as you zoom with that camera, it is so unforgiving!



Steven

[Peter McCallum]

Hate taking pictures of flies every little detail shows up like a beacon and every mistake no matter how small looks huge 

Just as a matter of interest what thread are you using?

[Steven Kidd]

Peter,

i've been trying to use silk, which really makes things a challenge, Semperfli silks in the old Pearsalls colours, however it is very thick.

Steven

[Peter McCallum]

Pure silk is great for tying traditional spiders but can be a bit thick for winged flies as you need to keep thread turns to an absolute minimum.  The only winged wet i use it for is a Greenwell. Personally I use Semperfli's 18/0 waxed thread for my clyde styles though 12/0 will do the job. t can't find a blae &ginger photo off hand but this is tied on a 14 hook with 18/0  waxed.

[Steven Kidd]

Now see that is the business!

I'm away to add some to basket, much neater head shape and size.

Steven

[Peter McCallum]

Heres the greenwells using pure silk. There's 2 turns of waxed silk holding the wing, one if which is also holding the hackle plus another turn over the hackle which cocks the wing 1 - 1 1/2 turns of hackle secured by one turn then three turns in the whip which also secures the hackle. As long as the thread is well waxed it's pretty much glues together.
Then again you can use 12 or 18/0 and get the same effect with more turns if you desire.

[Steven Kidd]

Peter,

Just stunning, I am going to make a real effort to dress mine more sparsely, I am still overdressing these I think.



Thanks for all the tips Peter.

Steven

[Peter McCallum]

Always delighted to spread the word about clyde styles