Wednesday, December 19, 2018

"Simply New England"

I told you all about my deer hunt this past November. It is at the top of my list for memories incurred. The deer taken that Monday was so very special. I could write a small book on that hunt. Well one of the memories kept was the tail from that fine doe. I saved it and took the steps to keep it clean and preserved. The hair is fine and straight, and on one side the hair is black.



Last night I tied a streamer, a simple fly using two materials. The hair wing streamer is tied with items from New England which include the thread, tinsel and the deer tail. It was tied on a Regal vise which is also New England manufactured.


Danville thread and tinsel...from New Hampshire. 6/0 flymaster is my thread. I use this for 90% of my tying.


The Regal Medallion.....this vise is 18 years old. Many flies have come from it's jaws.


The "doe tail"....this is a fly that carries special feelings for me. It will be fished many times I hope over the coming years. The fly is tied in two sizes, 10 and 6. Mustad's classic 3665A, a classic hook seems to fit well. The body is flat silver tinsel, and the wing is white and black "doe tail"











16 comments:

  1. Really nice tail and tie Alan. Sometimes simple is best!

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    Replies
    1. bill piatek
      Thanks
      Bill simple seems to work well, when we let it.

      Delete
  2. That really is some nice deer tail hair, Alan. Of all the various tying materials I have searched for with the least amount of success, it's fine, straight "bucktail". I have even gone so far as to use substitute materials for lack of quality streamer hair. Kudos to you!

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    Replies
    1. William Shuck
      Thanks
      Bill most of the bucktail out there are large and that is great for salt water. I have a few that I are quite nice. I'm told by tyers that goat and llama are good substitutes.

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  3. Lovely "doe tail" streamer!

    I'm digging in the archives as your Warden's Worry comes up on my general search. I'm looking to make that my "fly of the month" for January and any success will be to your great photo's here. A real gem of a site, Alan.

    Merry Merry.

    jack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. spike
      Thanks
      Jack the Warden's Worry is a great streamer for brook trout. It works in streams as well as ponds.

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  4. Replies
    1. Mark Kautz
      Thanks
      Your Cal. rainbows will like it also.

      Delete
  5. Alan,
    From someone who has split and preserved his share of both buck and doe tails, yours shown is exceptional! It almost seems bleached!
    The "Doe Tail" streamer you have tied reflects the simplistic philosophy that embodies this blog and your way of life! I happen to adore them both! This pattern will catch fish not only in New England but all over the world! Where ever big fish eat little fish!
    Excellent, excellent work Alan! Where's my materials? I am inspired!
    Dougsden

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    Replies
    1. Dougsden
      Thanks
      Doug I tried my best to keep it clean while field dressing as well as dragging. As soon as I got home I washed it in cold water combed it and salted it down. It came out beautiful.

      The "Doe Tail" streamer you have tied reflects the simplistic philosophy that embodies this blog and your way of life! I happen to adore them both!
      Thanks

      Delete
  6. Alan
    I can see this pattern mimicking tiny shinners, nice work, anxious for you to give it try. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Bill Trussell
      Thanks
      Bill you are quite right. Those little shiners are everywhere and big fish eat them.

      Delete
  7. Simple yet great fly tied with that doe tail, Alan. I can see that imitating smelt and other bait fish that I hear the salmon are hitting in the Swift River lately. Really like your chances with it there and other spots.
    Best, Sam

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    Replies
    1. Parachute Adams
      Thanks
      Sam that hair-wing streamer looks like something big fish like to eat. As of yesterday I found out that small brook trout like to eat it to. I will fish the Swift one day, and I'll pack a few streamers for sure.

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  8. Simple and beautiful fly, I add to the body thin wire of copper to reinforce the tinsel, it work very well

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    Replies
    1. Armando Milosevic
      Thanks
      Armando you are a streamer fly tyer, and I agree the wire would indeed make the tinsel hold up better.
      But this one I wanted to keep it to a basic minimum.

      Delete