Any fly with hackle is still somewhat intimidating and a new body method (the quill body) was something new to learn as well. However, I had wanted to take on this challenge for a while and finally decided to give the Red Quill dry fly a try.
Not as difficult as feared, especially in a size 14, a group of new flies soon developed for the fly box.
I can see how a few different sizes and colors of this high riding dry fly will provide good mayfly imitations through the height of summer. There is one creek I fish that has a nice black mayfly in about a size 14 which this fly could match well with the right materials.
After the Red Quills came the start of the Copper Johns. A classic standard that needed to be retied and tied in additional sizes and colors. I started with the gold Copper Johns in a size 16 and will move on from there.
After the Red Quills came the start of the Copper Johns. A classic standard that needed to be retied and tied in additional sizes and colors. I started with the gold Copper Johns in a size 16 and will move on from there.
I am considering some size 18's, size 20's, a few different colors and then tying up hare coppers as well.
I hope your winter fly tying is pursuing well and will continue to fill your boxes in preparation for spring and summer.
I hope your winter fly tying is pursuing well and will continue to fill your boxes in preparation for spring and summer.
