Flicking feathers

 To support the channel and get access to the online tying sessions, as well as being entered into the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up

  To support the channel and get access to the online tying sessions, as well as being entered into the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up  

  Another old article from www.sexyloops.com Is chicken eugenics the enemy of good fishing flies? I think it is, and the fly tying fashion that is going hand in glove with "improved" genetics is creating a, possibly, vicious cycle.  The improvement in genetic dry fly hackle makes many things easier and for some flies like the Griffiths gnat or stimulator is a vast improvement on what was available before. However, I am not sure if the downside of these hackles has really been acknowledged. Yes they have longer stems that are thinner more flexible and less likely to break, but they also have a far denser count of barbs that are much stiffer and consistent than what you'll find on any Indian or Chinese hackle. On the face of it, this all seems good and makes flies look quit crisp on the vice but is it as good as it seems?  I remember a period in the late 80s or early 90s when the "trick" of trimming the underside of a dry fly seemed to be the top tip in every dry

If you're interested in some of the most challenging and rewarding fishing head to www.sexyloops.com and see if you can get over to Belum. This simple dry fly is what Paul Arden used to crack the code on Malaysia's giant gourami. They are super  tough fish to catch, and honestly make permit look amateur.  To support the channel and be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Gamakatsu bonefish hook size 10 Thread: Brown 8/0 Body: Yellow foam cylinder Wing/hackle: CDC Brown marker.

This simple dry fly is a good choice for any of the small mayfly species. not only that, it's a quick easy tie and can easily be modified on stream to sit flush with the surface. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Dry fly 12-20 Thread: Uni 8/0 Tail: Coq de Leon or hackle fibers Abdomen: Superfine dubbing Hackle: blue dun cock Thorax: Superfine dubbing

Geordie Murdoch's Humpy is a simple but very effective caddis pattern that's very similar to an oversized Tom Thumb. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Kamasan B175 size 10-12 Thread: 6/0 Uni Tail: Roe deer hair Body & wing: Roe deer

The Super Pupa is a fantastic emerging caddis imitation from Sweden.  It works well in both rivers and still waters. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Dry fly hook 12-18 Thread: 8/0 to match body colour Body: Superfine dubbing or similar Hackle: High quality cock hackle

Step by step instructions for the IOBO humpy, a truly excellent small dry fly for trout and grayling. To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Dry fly 16-30 Thread: GSP 18/0 body/wing: CDC feather

Instructions for a bibio version of Stan Headley's deadly  crippled midge pattern.  To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: All purpose medium size 10-16 Thread: Black Uni 8/0 Breathers: White antron or poly yarn Abdomen: 3/4 black seal fur, 1/4 bright red seal fur Rib: UV buzzer wrap or pearl tinsel Hackle: Grizzle Cock Thorax: black seal fur

Instructions for a simple but effective ant imitation.  To support my channel and enter the giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron or support through paypal.me/flickingfeathers Materials list Hook: Dry fly size 14-22 Thread: 8/0 Wing post: Aero dry wing Hackle: Red game Body: Superfine dubbing

The Fat Albert is a nice chunky foam dry for terrestrial feeders. Great for trout, bass and more. To enter the giveaways and get access to members only content head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up for as little as $1. Materials list Hook: TMC 2302 or other hopper hook Thread:Flat waxed nylon Body: 2mm fly foam Wing: Poly yarn Legs: Medium round rubber

Step by step instructions for Randall Kaufmann's foamulator.  An fun tie and an effective stonefly imitation that works as a generic terrestrial pattern too. To get access to members only content and be eligible for giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers or https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BBE5HR3WEVLJ8&source=url  to support the channel Materials List Hook: 3xl standard wire Thread: Danville's 6/0 Tail: deer or elk hair Back: 2mm foam Rib: fine gold wire Body: ice dub Body hackle: dyed grizzly saddle 1st wing: crystal flash or flashabou 2nd wing: web-wing or similar 3rd wing: deer or elk hair Sighter: poly yarn Thorax: ice dub Thorax hackle: grizzle saddle Legs: barred rubber Thorax cover: 2 mm foam

Step by step instructions for the Western Lady Hopper, this chunky little fly is very buoyant and ideal for rough water hopper dropper rigs.  To get access to members only content and be eligible for giveaways, head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and start supporting the channel. Alternatively by bookmarking the Amazon link below and using them for your Amazon shopping you can support the channel at no extra cost to you. Amazon.com    https://amzn.to/2Av4dY6 Amazon.co.uk  https://amzn.to/2OybrgI Twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers Materials used Hook: TMC 5263 size 8-12 Thread: Pink Abdomen: pink foam Hackle: brown/ furnace saddle Under wing: brown 3mm foam Wing: deer hair Thorax: pink 2mm foam/brown 3mm foam Sighter: Orange 2mm foam Legs: Barred rubber

Step by step instructions for Vic Louiselle's Pink Lady.  This slightly unusual terrestrial provides a great silhouette and is well worth a place in your dry fly box. Head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron to get access to members only content and be eligible for giveaways. twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers Alternatively by bookmarking the Amazon link below and using them for your Amazon shopping you can support the channel at no extra cost to you. Amazon.com    https://amzn.to/2Av4dY6 Amazon.co.uk  https://amzn.to/2OybrgI Materials list Hook: TMC 5262 (or equivalent) size 4-12 Thread: pink 140 Underbody: Pink 2mm foam Body: White 2mm foam Underwing: Pearl crystal flash Wing: Deer hair Legs: Clear, pearl flake silileg Sighter: Pink 2mm foam

Step by step instructions for Charlie Craven's Charlie Boy Hopper, a proven pattern for a range of species. For access to members only content and giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up. Or Bookmark the Amazon link Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Materials Used Hook: TMC 100 Thread: flat 6/0 Binder strip: foam Body 2mm foam Legs: Round rubber Wing: Deer/Elk hair Eyes: black marker twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers

Step by step instructions for a simple but deadly foam ant. Try these when smaller ant species are around or the fish are not committing to larger offerings. Head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers to access members only content, be eligible for future giveaways, and support the channel. twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers Material list Hook: TMC 100 size 10-18 Thread: 6/0 to match body colour Body: Rainy's Hi-viz ant body Legs: centipede legs or small round rubber

Step By step Instructions for a nice variation of the Chernobyl ant. With the hackle and dubbed body the South Fork Chernobyl is that bit buggier than the original and can be incredibly effective on its day. To support the channel and get access to members only content head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and sign up twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers Materials used Hook: TMC 5263 Thread: Danville's Flat waxed nylon Under-body: Flashy dubbing (ice dub etc) Body: 2mm foam Hackle: Dry fly saddle Legs: barred silli legs Sighter: 2mm foam

Amy's ant is a versatile dry fly attractor terrestrial that can be used to represent hoppers, crickets, ants and any other big chunky bug that might fall onto the water. It's highly buoyant and ideal for fishing singly or as part of a hopper dropper. To be eligible for giveaways head to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and start supporting the channel. Twitter/instagram @flickinfeathers Materials used Hook: TMC 5263 size 12-6 Thread: 140 flat waxed nylon Underbody: 2mm foam Body: fine cactus chenille Hackle: Saddle hackle Back: 2mm foam Underwing: Crystal flash Overwing: Elk hair Thorax: Synthetic dubbing Legs: round rubber

Step by step instructions for Carl's cicada. This highly effective terrestrial dry fly is quick and easy to tie, high floating and fairly durable. It's well worth having a few in your box for annual or periodic cicada hatches. To be eligible for future giveaways, head over to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron. Materials used Hook: TMC 760SP size 6 Thread: Danville's Flat waxed nylon Body: Plastazote foam Underwing: Crystal flash Wing: calf tail Legs: medium round rubber or sili legs

Step by step instructions for a foam bodied stonefly imitation. This pattern is very buoyant and can be adapted to imitate various different species of stonefly. It can also double up as a terrestrial pattern if needed. To be eligible for future giveaways and support the channel head over to https://www.patreon.com/flickingfeathers and become a patron Twitter/Instagram @flickinfeathers Materials used: Hook: TMC 100 size 8 Thread: 6/0 Body : 2mm foam Tails: goose biots Legs: round rubber Wing: deer hair Head: 2mm foam Thorax: Synthetic dubbing