Skagit dry flies

[_HOOK_]

i have started tying up some dries for the Skagit this year. I have never fished there but was advised on a few patterns. so far i have tied these with others to come. Feel free to share some more patterns if you like


Elk Hair Caddis



Adams



be gentle guys i have just started tying dries and these are some of my first ones

[bc_speys]

Those are very nice looking first time flies Hook. Only a couple of things stand out to my eye. On the elk hair caddis leave the butts of the elk just a little longer and on the adams the tail fibers can be longer and the wing a tad bit shorter. The flies are tied really well, with the head of the adams executed very well. Nicely tapered and neat and not crowding the eye. The hackle is nice and full, and the dubbed body is even and not lumpy.
Great job

Cliff

[professori]

You might also want to use a smaller hackle on the Caddis. Hackle barbs for a dry should be 1 to 1 1/2 times as long as the hook gap. Too long and your fly tips over on its side.

[_HOOK_]

Thanks guys. I thought the wings were too long but hard to tell from the picture in the book i got it from and i know the hackle was too long after i tied it (elk) but the hook still sits bend down and i think that should be ok still. and i didnt know the tail could go longer on the Adams as that one actually is THE first one i tied the Elk hair was my second one

[geoffvl]

Thats cool I just started tying those flies last week. Yours look better than mine . I bought the wrong elk hair though. I have yearling elk. But i read that it'll work. I"m having problems finding a hackle gauge though.

[_HOOK_]

you dont need a hackle gauge. just bend the hackle so it spreads out and set it on the hook to see how long the fibers are to the hook. it works pretty good unless you dont bother to check first LOL


the Elk hair im using is Elk Hock hair. it nice and straight not squigly like others are.

Do you use hackle pliers when you wrapt your hackle? it helps greatly especially for evenly spacing it out.


one question: can i trim back the hackle hairs when they are too long and still have them be effective?

[mud-dog27]

very nice lookin i still wouldnt take pictures of mine as most often they dont turn out how they are sposed to but the fish seem to like em so i guess that counts

[dragonfly]

Parachutes..... Lots of fun....