6 replies to this topic

[Frenchcaster]

Hullo, long time no tie.

took a couple evenings off of everything else to tie this Red Rover. given that i have exclusively tied (few) fishing flies since the spring, I am not unhappy. DC, thank you so much for your info, it forced me to get my butt at the tying desk.

my self critique:

gut sub is twisted
Tail too long
butt-tip-tag not bad
body shape ok
ribbing could be more even, but have to figure how - spent a bunch of time trying to make it perfect.
wool is red, not magenta
hackle is heavy (I kinda like that usually) but way too long, might as well use heron. gotta invest on hen capes
tippet underwing not bad
wing nice shape, i was very pleased with my tying point and compression and cannot figure out why the bottom strip curled in??? making it look too thin.
topping ok
JC sides ok.
head I like, quite small.

please critique and comment, I am here to learn!

have a great evening,

Andreas

 IMG_1608.jpg   355.96K   74 downloads

[Dave Carne]

hackle is heavy (I kinda like that usually) but way too long, might as well use heron. gotta invest on hen capes
 IMG_1608.jpg   355.96K   74 downloads

DON'T DO THAT hen capes are NOT what you should use - there is a modern tendency to use schlaapen and henny capes - this is WRONG if you are tying classics, even Kelson makes the specific point that hackles to be bright and glossy with minimal web.

Looking good though. You nailed it on the issues - tail length is critical.

Dx

[Frenchcaster]

Sorry Dave, meant Chinese capes, not hen. The more tired I am the less languages I speak apparently.
Cheers!

[BSH]

Andreas,

Nice fly and you pointed most of the issues yourself. I do not think the hackle is too heavy, especially on the body. It's just slightly longer then needed. Anyway, if you suspect for your next tyings the hackle is too heavy, try to take out the barbs from one side of the feather to reduce the dense. Heron will be too long and you'd better keep heron feathers for some other patterns.

[dgotz]

Hey Andreas:

Glad you're making some time for tying. A thorough self-assessment. Of all the issues you mentioned, the webbiness /density/amt of red throat hackle seems most evident to me. That, along with what I see as a reverse sweep to your Jungle Cock. Perhaps you plucked it from the wrong side of the neck. All in all very fine tying and a lovely dressing

gotz

[BCBound]

Andreas,

Nice work. I'm glad to see someone else with one of these patterns in their vise. I think I'm onto Red Rover number 5, and no, that's not a variation

[Dale A. Darling]

Hi Andreas, my French fly splashing friend!

Over all I like the way the fly looks. Some of what you mention has to do with materials, but I'm glad you tied the fly using what is available now. Tie another one now, using this one as an example. Same hook, etc - but how would the tail length change? Tie it that way - and so on.

Hope it was fun. And just because you speak and understand so many languages so very well doesn't mean you're not allowed to err now and then! (Get some hackle from Aaron.)

Well done, young splasher!

dd