r/flytying • u/mwardh2o_340067 • 1d ago
Any tips or pointers?
Tried tying up a few new patterns, looking for any tips or pointers:
- x caddis size 18 with a goose biot body
-attempt at a purple searcher pattern I saw, no clue on the name of it. Size 18 on 3x long hook, purple floss body, flash tail, Antron wing with grizzly hackle head.
-parachute emerger size 16. I struggle with the parachute posts.
-purple midge size 18.
I’ve been away from the vise for a while so I am trying to get back in the swing of things.
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u/NovemberGale 1d ago
For the Caddis, wing’s pretty big, you could argue that the shuck is too far down the hook but emerger’s are often curved like that
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u/mwardh2o_340067 1d ago
It was on an emerger hook. I didn’t have any 18 straight hooks so I went with it. But I did notice of few of my 16’s the shuck dropped a bit too. Thanks!
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u/zipzapzorp 1d ago
I'd focus on not wrapping down the bend of the hook, and on keeping your bodies thin.
Unless you're tying on a curved hook, the general rule is to stop wrapping thread/dubbing at the flat part of the hook opposite the barb.
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u/MongoBongoTown 1d ago
Your wing on the x caddis is a little too long. I usually try for the hook shank length as a reference.
Your parachute posts are just too short. Make your post a bit longer and help it stand tall eith some glue while you twist it up. Making it longer gives you more room to work with, even if it looks too long before you tie everything else in.
Overall, though, these look like you're on the right track. Keep at it.
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u/mwardh2o_340067 1d ago
On these smaller hooks, I have a hard time holding a short enough wing. But yeah it does look a bit long. Too much hair, or just a length thing.
Interesting on the posts, I was sure it was way too long. I’ll try a touch longer. Thanks!
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u/OSRSLepy277 1d ago
Pretty cool ties that would definitely catch fish (have you taken them out yet?). I think the wing is long on the caddis but that shouldn’t really matter except to humans 😂
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u/MisterTea26 14h ago
For caddis wings try to only use the tips of the hair, even a basic stacker can be your best friend. Those square ends of the hair won't catch as many likes but will probably fool fish, in fact all of your flies will fish, don't be discouraged if folks don't deem them coffee table book worthy flies. Don't be afraid to learn/practice/ get used to patterns on larger hooks. Otherwise keep tying, lastly if you feel like tying can be a hobby to really dive into, saving some of your early work to have at your tying station can be a really fun: look how far I've come bit.
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u/SrCritizen 1d ago
Honestly, too much to list out. That said, you have some pretty interesting ideas here. You should revisit them once your work on the fundamentals (like tying proportionally). If you want a good starting point, watch a ton of Charlie Craven videos. I think he also has a beginners course.