New Fly Tying Stuff

New materials made possible by technological development are being used in many new product designs. For fly tying, here are some improvements that can help us tie better flies easier and faster.

GSP Thread – Gel Spun Polyethylene thread is twice as strong as Kevlar thus can be much finer, 50 Denier (about 8/0). Perfect for most fly tying chores, it excels at tying most flies, from tiny dry trout flies to spun deer hair salmon Bombers. GSP is also used to make strong, fine fly line backing that can enable us to double a fly reel’s backing capacity.

ICE Dub – The sparkle of ice dub makes it a great fly body material, enabling us to create great new fly designs or to improve old flies.

Pearl Chenille, X-Small, Peacock – Used as a substitute for peacock herl, this chenille makes far more durable fly bodies that are also easier to tie. It makes a great Butterfly salmon wet fly.

Prawn Eyes – This is a new product that makes great shrimp patterns. These eyes are pearl coloured and can be lacquered different colours.

Anvil Hair Stacker – A new hair stacker from Anvil U.S.A. eliminates static electricity problems that make other hair stackers useless when air is dry. It is made from a clear synthetic material with a felt covered brass base. It works great, quickly evening difficult materials like calf tail.

Created in the 1920s by Joe Aucoin of New Waterford, Nova Scotia, the Brown Bomber is a fine example of an early hair-wing salmon wet fly.  Here’s a new version of the old Margaree favourite that features some of these new products:

Brown Bomber

Thread:                       G.S.P. 50 Denier blood red thread

Hook:                          Daiichi 2161 or Partridge Bartleet Supreme salmon wet fly hook

Tag:                            Silver Lagartun Flatbraid under golden yellow floss, silver tip showing

Tail:                             Golden pheasant crests (2)

Rib:                             Oval silver tinsel

Body:                          Chocolate brown Ice Dub

Hackle:                       Brown hen hackle

Underwing:                 Four strands of hot orange Krystal Flash

Wing:                          Pine Squirrel Tail

Head:                          Blood red thread finished with 2 coats Angler’s Corner Wet Head Cement

Enjoy your fishing and please stay on the line …