Troutnut Forum > Fly Tying Discussion > Tail types
| Wbranch | August 20th, 2007, 7:55 am | |
| Starlight PA Posts: 230 | Has anyone ever performed any evaluations on the success rates with split tail versus hackle fiber or microfibbetts splayed fibers? How about just a conventional "Catskill style" hackle fiber straight tail? Or same inquiry for any fiber tail configuration versus an Antron or Z-lon trailing shuck tail? I used to tie split tails on most of my flies but now only do it on my Tricos and when I want to see if I still have the dexterity to do it on other patterns once in awhile. Now most of my tails are just hackle fibers tied in as a group of 6 - 12 fibers and then run the thread under the bunch after it has been secured to lift and splay the fibers. Sometimes I'll tie in 4 - 6 woodduck fibers and then overlay 4 - 6 Antron or Z-lon fibers over the WD. I'm not one to be very scientific or to evaluate the merits of one tail style over another but was wondering what other tier/fishers thoughts are on this matter. | |
| West Branch & main stem fly fisher for forty-two years. | ||
|
These advertisements will disappear if you register. | ||
| Softhackle | August 20th, 2007, 3:49 pm | |
| Wellsville, NY Posts: 145 | I've not done any studies, but I see a difference in the way a fly sits on the water. I can tell that splaying the tail helps it to sit upright, better. It stabilizes the fly, even in the classic Catskill design flies.(I will note, here that if you do splay the tails on a Catskill design fly, it may, buy some, no longer be considered "Catskill style". I will also note I consider the term "Catskill Style" inaccurate.) I also feel specific designs of flies must have, at least, splayed tails in order to perform as designed. Mark | |
| "I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders | ||
| Wbranch | August 20th, 2007, 5:11 pm | |
| Starlight PA Posts: 230 | Mark, I use the term "Catskill style" more or less generically to describe any dry fly tied with the stiff and straight hackle fiber tail, tapered and dubbed fur body, divided or rolled wings, and palmered cock hackle un-cut on the bottom. | |
| West Branch & main stem fly fisher for forty-two years. | ||
| Softhackle | August 20th, 2007, 6:45 pm | |
| Wellsville, NY Posts: 145 | Hi Wbranch, I agree with you and say that's a very good description. I have had some very involved discussions regarding "the Catskill Style". I know a few very educated fly fishers/tiers that disagree that this "style" even exists. With me, however, It is somewhat a matter of semantics. I prefer "Catskill Design" rather than "style". To me, style is something akin to a fad or particular embellishment or something very fleeting and unlasting-transient. A design is something more lasting and functional. Mark | |
| "I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders | ||
| Wbranch | August 20th, 2007, 10:40 pm | |
| Starlight PA Posts: 230 | How about "Catskill dry flies tied in the manner of Harry & Elsie Darbee and Walt and Winnie Dette". | |
| West Branch & main stem fly fisher for forty-two years. | ||
| Softhackle | August 21st, 2007, 8:56 am | |
| Wellsville, NY Posts: 145 | Wbranch, Their flies would definitely fit into the "Catskill Design" category, but you have to realize that their flies were based on flies designed by tiers that came before them like Rube Cross, who was the first commercial tier in the Catskills and who, along with Roy Steenrod and Herman Christian , set the standard for Catskill flies. These gentlemen were students of Theodore Gordon. many of Gordon's flies were based on flies created in England, which is why some tiers will argue that there really is no "Catskill Style or Design". Mark | |
| "I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty." Edward R. Hewitt Flymphs, Soft-hackles and Spiders | ||
New features!
