48 replies to this topic

[Jeff Dickey]

Hello all! This pattern is the Mclain, a fly I made up for a project that got interrupted this summer and I am finishing now. The last time I posted it on a 4/0 Phillips Jones, this time on a 4/0 Harrison Hollow Point (Lucas, natch). There are a lot of newcomers to the forum, and myself and others are quick to reccommend Mike R's book for instruction, but not everyone may have access to it. I was feeling froggy and just got a new camera so I thought I would do a complete step by step and put notes on the pictures, in the hopes that it might answer some questions. I did not go through some things (like how to marry and mount a wing) that are already in pinned topics, but there is still a lot of information here (useful or not is up to you ).

This is not the only way to do things, just the way I do it, but hopefully this helps someone out. Feel free to comment or critique on the techniques - I am always learning and would love other perspectives. Lot of pictures - Originally about 100, but I combined them to make this easier to post. I also included pictures of some mistakes I made and redid, both to emphasize that it is better to re-do than continue if it doesn't look right and to give a comparison of what looks right and wrong to me. I also kept the pictures relatively small so they shouldn't take to long to open on any browser. Hope you like it!

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So there it is, if anyone got this far. Pretty happy with the finished fly - would have liked to find a better hackle with a badger stripe (this came from a badger saddle, but this feather didn't have any black, it was just a good shape). Should have put another turn of blue at the throat. Could have done a better job cementing the head. I put less hump than normal (for me) in the wing to try and mirror the bend of the hook. Happy with that. I like the tail, again I think it compliments the bend of the hook well. Hopefully this demonstrated some techniques in an understandable fashion.

Merry Christmas!

-Jeff

[geraldsherbrook]

Dea JEFF,

You ARE 'simply' a GREAT mentor for 'us' ALL and 'EVERYONE'...

wonderfull presentation of HOW to do ...in magnificent 'step by step'...

psttttttt let me say that words are coming SHORT for Your 'dedication' and Your 'helpfullness' for so so many flytyers ...newbies in the first place, old beginners (like myself who have still a lot to learn) and the more experienced members who are still 'very eager' to LEARN at least one or two things - wink

THANKS Jeff ...

and Merry Christmas toooooooooo to YOU and T. and Your 'Gus' !

Geeeeeeeeeeert (yes I think that's the right pronountation wink !)

EUH AND PLEASE 'MODERATORS' ...PINN this magnificent thread / input !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ronn Lucas]

Sweet Jeff!!!!!!! Not sweet Jeff......sweet job of it!!!!!!!

[Flytyer14]

THIS SHOULD BE PINNED!! great job! I liked it alot!

[steelyjim]

I like the way you do the tinsel work, I may give that method a try next time. Really nice step by step Jeff.
Jim

[rollcast423]

Awesome tutorial Jeff! I smell a book in your future! Thanks for taking time to do this for us!!! T.J.

[speyflyfisher]

Jeff, Great photos and step by step. Only one question- Why flatten the end of the roof by marrying it to the main wing as opposed to just leaving it tented???

Bob

[Jeff Dickey]

Jeff, Great photos and step by step. Only on question- Why flatten the end of the roof by marrying it to the main wing as opposed to just leaving it tented???

Bob

No reason other than preference. I like everything nice and tight to the wing. Also, if the roof tents out much it interferes with the fibres of the topping, but it is really primarily personal aesthetic.

-Jeff

[escm]

Thanks Jeff !! This has been very useful to a beginner like me.

[fly tyer 27]

THIS SHOULD BE PINNED!! great job! I liked it alot!

yeah, i think it should be pinned too

[StephenD]

This really should be pinned along with the other pieces of great work. What an outstanding work. Thanks Jeff.

Merry Christmas
Steve

[Tidal]

Cool Jeff - and still a killer fly!

[ZiaFly]

Great tutorial Jeff! Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I love studying the steps of another tyer.

Buenos Rises,
Spencer

[ruhan]

Hi Jeff

Stunning step by step. Good to see how you did the underbody and gave me a few things that I will change. Also how you handled the tail (topping and veiling) opened my eyes to something I have been missing.

Thanks for putting in the effort and posting.

Regards
Ruhan

[Mike Norwood]

Jeff-
This is one of the most well done, detailed and helpful SBS tutorials I've
seen. The notes on the photos is an especially nice touch. Sure am glad
you got that new camera. I sincerely appreciate the time and effort.



Mike

[Ainslie]

Brilliant Instructional.
I have been flattening GP stems for 13 years and they have always drove me crazy...I can't believe I never thought to not flatten them!
I love that you showed the rework you did on the fly, a very important part of tying classics salmon flies IMO. I should do it more often I'm sure of it.
Great work, like already said, soon to be pinned!

[david g]

Such a wonderful Christmas gift Jeff. This is an important contribution to the forum. I really apprecate the time and thought you put into it.

gotz

[Mike Boyer]

Excellent work, Jeff. Thanks for adding this valuable contribution. Superb pattern too.

[samery99]

Very nice work Jeff.
Thanks for taking the time.

perry

[kelkay]

Wow, I would love to see this pinned as well. You did one OUTSTANDING piece of work there. I surely appreciate all the tips and photos. Magnificent!!