[Alpine4x4]

First one I thought was a little too full so I stripped half the hackle on the second. Both wings arent perfect, the wing split on me on the backside on both. I need some better BM, I'm running out of the good stuff I got from a duck my buddy shot. He's got two more waiting for me though! I got some from Feather Craft fly and it is maybe big enough to tie a size 4 fly on, maybe:roll: I also think I should have used small oval for the counter rib. Aaron is going to be getting an order from me for some more BM and some Teal for sure!

 

[fish0n4evr]

Three things: For the hook size - if you where to take three turns of tinsel and hackle instead of four the fly would be thinner still. Second and third - the BM slips and collar are definitely too large for the hook. Keep in mind that the closer to the stem the slips are tied - the better they will compress. So it would be a fairly small feather for the wing and the collar on this hook.

The BM looks like quality to me - Im not sure how you mean by better BM.

"Typically" - slips on a speys extend only just beyond the body and no too often reaching past the bend of the hook. Think of the shell-back on a crustacean (a shrimp or prawn(steelhead food)) where the shell comes to a sharp point just over the eyes. Where the long hackles hint at legs, antenna and claws trailing behind when spooked and how they fold-up, tail-fan (the collar or beard) tucking under and propelling then rearward.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Three things: For the hook size - if you where to take three turns of tinsel and hackle instead of four the fly would be thinner still. Second an third - the BM slips and collar are definitely too large for the hook. Keep in mind that the closer to the stem the slips are tied - the more they will compress. So you would need a fairly small feather for the wing and the collar.

The BM looks like quality to me so Im not sure how you mean by better BM.

"Typically" - slips on a speys extend only just beyond the body and no too often reaching past the bend of the hook. Think of the shell-back on a crustacean (a shrimp or prawn(steelhead food)) where the shell comes to a sharp point just over the eyes. Where the long hackles hint at legs, antenna and claws trailing behind when spooked and how they fold-up, tail-fan (the collar or beard) tucking under and propelling then rearward.

Thanks for the tips.

The BM in the photos is from a bird my buddy shot which was good quality. I was getting pretty far down the stem from using it for other ties, shoulda saved it!

So less rib turns for that hook size, shorter collar, and shorter BM from further up the stem. Thanks!

 

[Jabrowning24]

Shorter wing doesn't necessarily mean further up the stem, every bm feather has a sweet spot you want your slips from, I rarely set more than two wings with a pair of mallard feathers. If you were referring to the above stem mention he meant the tie in point of your wing should be as close to the stem as possible in the grey part (as you did on the second fly) keep at it, there is a lot of improvement already!

 

[fish0n4evr]

Thanks for the tips.

The BM in the photos is from a bird my buddy shot which was good quality. I was getting pretty far down the stem from using it for other ties, shoulda saved it!

So less rib turns for that hook size, shorter collar, and shorter BM from further up the stem. Thanks!

Yes, and more pertinent to speys is the type of hook or style. These looks like a standard salmon up-turned hook, maybe a TMC 7999. Hooks with a long shank sport a nicer spey than a standard salmon hook. An Alec Jackson 2051 Number 3 spey hook for example is roughly the same size (gap) but with a slightly longer shank. The finished fly won't be so crowded and will make it easier to size BM feathers for small flies because of the length.

 

[Alpine4x4]

Yes, and more pertinent to speys is the type of hook or style. These looks like a standard salmon up-turned hook, maybe a TMC 7999. Hooks with a long shank sport a nicer spey than a standard salmon hook. An Alec Jackson 2051 Number 3 spey hook for example is roughly the same size (gap) but with a slightly longer shank. The finished fly won't be so crowded and will make it easier to size BM feathers for small flies because of the length.

That is something I have kind of been wondering about, thank you for bringing that up. These are Gammy T10-6H #2's. I'll have to look into those hooks.

 

[Bwana Bill]

Listen to what those guys just told you, they know their stuff!

It looks to me like you have some good skills developed, and I think you'll be amazed at what the right hook can do for a certain style of fly.

I did the same thing- tried to tie everything on the same hook. Some ties worked out, but for the most part, not thrilled with the results. Got a new assortment of proper hooks, and my tying took off!

-Bill

 

[pauliedog]

a fine first spey! if you are looking for a lower sitting wing, brush the hackle down with some velcro and pick out the stragglers on top.i like a long wing but if you shorten the body a tad and make the wing tip land just before the bend you will be golden. also make sure the dubbing near the head is tapered off so not to prop up the b.m.