[Bwana Bill]

I recently gave someone at work a few flies, nicely framed in a shadow box, with a background of a picture I took of a favorite stream. He's an artist and a fisherman (not a fly guy, but hey, not all of us have seen the light)! I just figured he'd like the thought behind it, and appreciate the gift.

He's retiring now, opening up a local art gallery, and apparently liked it well enough, that he wants me to do more to display and even try to sell!

So, I present to you my first free-style practice fly. No body, obviously, only trying out some wing stuff and proportions. Even though this is going to be a free tie, I have already set it in my head that only ring-necked pheasant is allowed on it!!

Please comment on choice of hooks for something like this. This is an AJ 1.5, and I think I could make it work, but I'm sure there are better choices.

Thanks all,

-Bill

 

[MZilliox]

cool man,

a silk or tinsel body working into some pheasant veilings into that wing... so many options, run with it.

 

[Honyuk96]

Cool concept, who doesn't have loads of those feathers. My buddy Zach, who's on this board did the exact same thing your going to do. I forget his screen name or I'd say shoot him a pm. I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas here.

 

[fish0n4evr]

Very cool concept. I like what you have so far. You are on your own - I wouldn't want to influence where you take it. Do want to see what you do put together though.

 

[Guest]

a hook

You have those feathers dialed in just right

 

[kevin200100]

ya i agree with matt so many options with what you have allready cant wait to see it. id say coppers and sandy colours

 

[24-7]

Bill:

I really enjoy patterns that let the feathers do the talking. This minimalist style/dressing can already stand on it's own as a complete fly. Terrific proportions thus far and the possibilities to accessorize are endless

dave

 

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

In my opinion , you nailed both profile and proportions .
Very interested to see where you go with this my friend


Mike

 

[Bwana Bill]

Very interested to see where you go with this my friend

Mike

Yeah, me too!! :chuckle:

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. Should be fun!

-Bill

 

[CaneCaster]

Perfect as is Bill!

Would also love to see the same pattern on a silver hook with an olive head.
Or one with rump hackle/collar.
Or...... with only ringneck there are so many cool things that you could do!
I look forward to seeing more!

Very cool fly.
J.

 

[Bwana Bill]

Or...... with only ringneck there are so many cool things that you could do!

Found that out myself today! :hihi:

I thought of some olive too, James, but a gold hook came to mind.

High-jacking my own post, but I just couldn't resist those feathers......







Thanks again my friends,

-Bill

 

[NY Steelhead]

I think a little blue and gold tag would look great with those feathers... it kinda reminds me of woodwork so thinking of colors that look nice with wood

 

[fshnazn]

Bill:

I really enjoy patterns that let the feathers do the talking. This minimalist style/dressing can already stand on it's own as a complete fly. Terrific proportions thus far and the possibilities to accessorize are endless

dave

Yup! What Dave said.

Cheers.

And that latest fly compliments the gold hook so nicely.

 

[Bwana Bill]

So this is where I am with this. Well, for now, at least...

I tried a few different bodies, trying to bring out the amazing colors on this bird. Multiple ribs of floss and tinsels, changing colors within each aspect, adding a little veil underneath. Trying some tails, as well. Too much took away from what I had already.

I kept on coming back to the minimalistic look of the original post, as it really let the "feathers speak for themselves", as Dave so graciously pointed out, and a few of you concurred on.

This is a photo (not the greatest) of a body experiment hook, lying on top of the original practice tie (with some modifications). I think I'm getting to where this fly wants to be...







Thanks for sharing in this venture!

-Bill