Thursday, September 5, 2013

Purple Henthorn Spider

Purple Henthorn Spider
 I may spend most of my fly tying time creating various sakasa kebari for tenkara fishing but I do tie other types of flies from time to time.  I have had a certain affinity for specific types of flies such as classic wet flies and streamers tied in the same manner as Carrie Stevens. Many are miniature works of art and have very interesting histories.  Another type of fly that I have a special interest in are the North Country flies or spiders.  Most originate from Scotland and England in the 1800's.  They are simple to tie, beautiful, timeless and most importantly effective.  I have tied a number of them in the past and have been tying a number of them lately so I figured I would share a few.  Many of the patterns I plan to share in coming posts can be found in Mike Harding's excellent book "A  Guide to North Country Flies."

Purple Henthorn Spider

Hook: Mustad R70-7957 nymph hook, size 14
Hackle: mallard underwing coverts
Thread: Pearsall's gossamer silk thread, color purple
Collar: peacock sword

5 comments:

  1. Very nice Kiwi, I am intrigued by those spiders too. Interesting that some patterns put the peacock in front of the hackle others behind.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a quite a few with peacock tied in at the head. They are cool looking and the next one I planned to post is a light spanish needle with a peacock head.

      Delete
    2. Looking forward to it, another of my favorites in that vein is the February red.

      Delete
  2. Simplicity to the extreme.
    Well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brk Trt.....simplicity is one of their best features.

      Delete