Flies I've been working on

[jl3140]

I've been tying a few flies to get ready for a trip I'm taking this summer. Here's what I have so far
Pheasant Tail Nymph with Hotspot (size 12)


Pheasant Tail Nymph (size 8 )


Chartreuse Copper John (size 12)


Silver Copper John (size 12)


Prince Nymph (size 12)


Not sure on the name or size


Parachute Adams (size 12)


Elk Hair Caddis (size 12)


That's all I have for now. I'll post more after I tie some more. I have lots of trouble tying size 8 flies after I've been tying size 12 and 14 flies. Any thoughts on these ones?

Josh

[Fatman]

Nice ties - watch your tie offs on some your crowding the eyelet of the hook.  On the Elk hair Caddis after you tie the wing in cut back more in the front so your leader doesn't get caught/tangled in it.  Other than that they look really good and the fish should whack them no problem. 

[jl3140]

On the larger flies I have a big problem with crowding the eyelet. The elk hair caddis still needs a lot of work yet but that was the first one that came out alright that I've tied. Thanks for the advice!

[Yves]

Nice flies , great work

[Jerry V]

You've got some very nice work going on there...  Well done.

Crowding the eye on the elk hair caddis is a problem I have as well.  It's difficult to stop the body in time to get it all to come together in the end.  There is longer shanked hooks out there that I would suppose would help but I honestly haven't looked into it that much.  Even then a man will have to remember to stop early and as I've mentioned, I find that to be difficult.  I try to tie with what I've got and suffer the same issues  You're not the only one.

When it comes to tying different sizes, I've found it suits me to tie the same pattern in the same size and move down the size scale as I go, basically practicing on the larger sizes and scaling it all down as the hook sizes get smaller.  The repetition helps expedite the process as once you've gotten into it for a while the process comes rather naturally.

Keep up the good work, you've got some very nice fly ties going on there.   

[jl3140]

Thanks for the kind words and advice guys

[smalljaw]

Just awesome!!!! I wish I could tie a fly even though I don't fly fish, but being able to do it would make me my jig tying much better but those are very good, it is like looking at a catalog, excellent work!!

[perch]

wow those are some great looking flies.  do you guys sell any of your flies? 

[jl3140]

wow those are some great looking flies.  do you guys sell any of your flies?

I would, but I'm not sure there's a market for it and I kind of like just tying when I'm in the mood to tie instead of having to fill orders and such if that makes sense ha  

Thanks for the kind words

[perch]

I would, but I'm not sure there's a market for it and I kind of like just tying when I'm in the mood to tie instead of having to fill orders and such if that makes sense ha  

Thanks for the kind words

Yup I understand I sell some plastics just hear and there but nothing big it gets to be a job instead of fun.   thanks for showing us your flies they look great

[TheDreamer]

I haven't tied flies since high school, this post is giving me the notion to get back into it.

You have some fish catching machines!

#CBBDARMY @CustomBaitsByDrew

[Fatman]

When you get down to the 16 -22 size range hook you'll learn proportions real quick!!!LOL 

Try this one buddy!!!  These were tied by someone else but wanted you to see the size!!!

#22 parachute adams


#22 Disco Midge

[Denny Welch]

Hey Josh,

Good looking flies.  I tend to agree with the others re the Elk Hair Caddis in that the eye is a little crowded.  It's easy to do.  One little trick I learned a long time ago was to take a couple wraps of thread and place them under the tuft of hair covering the eye.  Pull the thread as hard as you can towards the rear of the fly without breaking it.   It will lift the hair and make the eye a whole lot more accessible.

[jl3140]

When you get down to the 16 -22 size range hook you'll learn proportions real quick!!!LOL 

Try this one buddy!!!  These were tied by someone else but wanted you to see the size!!!

#22 parachute adams

#22 Disco Midge

Ha! There is no way I can tie that small of a fly yet. I'm not even sure how I'd get the hook out of the fish if the hook was that small 

[jl3140]

Hey Josh,

Good looking flies.  I tend to agree with the others re the Elk Hair Caddis in that the eye is a little crowded.  It's easy to do.  One little trick I learned a long time ago was to take a couple wraps of thread and place them under the tuft of hair covering the eye.  Pull the thread as hard as you can towards the rear of the fly without breaking it.   It will lift the hair and make the eye a whole lot more accessible.

Thanks for the tip Denny. I plan on trying to tie a better one or multiple better ones later today.