Strengthening Feathers

[Drake]

Has anybody used clear tape to reinforce a feather?

I was in West Yellowstone over the weekend and I bought the same hopper pattern that I bought in Jackson last June (but lost it to a fish on the Logan last summer). I had a lot of success with the pattern.

The wing of the hopper was a single brown feather (.5”x1.5”), trimmed up just a bit. The feather would not be very durable if not for the plastic that was stuck to the underside of it. It looked like it might be something like clear box tape. I asked the guy at the shop and he said he thought it was tape that was glued to the feather, but he didn’t know for sure. Last year I caught many fish with this fly and I lost it before the feather started to separate.

I have used different glues for feathers, but never tape. Anybody else use a method similar to this one?

[JayMorr]

Drake, tape works great on wings! Experiment with different styles. Here is an example of the Tape Wing Caddis:

http://www.ontheflyguiding.com/images/Fly_Pattern_Pages/tape_wing_caddis.htm

You can use a water proof masking or velvet tape from the hardware store.

JayMorr

[«°Ñøvã°»]

cool...........

[nightfish]

It's a Rainy's Grand Hopper. It's also one of the best hopper patterns out there. Ted Turner likes 'em so much, he buys them 50 dozen at a time for his little fishing camp in Montana.

[Drake]

Thanks Jay.

Wow! Yes nightfish, that is the fly. I was so upset when I lost it on the Logan last summer while I was on my family's annual Bear Lake trip. I never took the time to really take a close look. When I saw it in the flyshop in West Yellowstone, I was excited to say the least.

I have heard Rainy's name on this board quite a bit, but all I know is that she ties some mean flies. Does she work in Logan?

Great Pattern!

[JayMorr]

Thanks Jay.

Wow! Yes nightfish, that is the fly. I was so upset when I lost it on the Logan last summer while I was on my family's annual Bear Lake trip. I never took the time to really take a close look. When I saw it in the flyshop in West Yellowstone, I was excited to say the least.

I have heard Rainy's name on this board quite a bit, but all I know is that she ties some mean flies. Does she work in Logan?

Great Pattern!


Drake, yes Rainy and her tyers are incredible when it comes to innovation and realistic flies! I am sure Steph and Nick can give you more details but here is her link:

http://www.rainysflies.com/about.html

JayMorr

[nightfish]

Try Fishtech, they carry some of Rainy's patterns, and have a lot of other nice hopper patterns too.

[RAW]

As a sidebar to this thread, I would like to ask a question. Do you guys feel that the overwing adds to the fish catching quality of hopper patterns?

I used to tie my hoppers with a lacquered pheasant or turkey wing but the last few years felt like I was adding something that the fish really didn't see. I personally haven't noticed a difference in my catch rate. What has been your experience?

[JayMorr]

As a sidebar to this thread, I would like to ask a question. Do you guys feel that the overwing adds to the fish catching quality of hopper patterns?

I used to tie my hoppers with a lacquered pheasant or turkey wing but the last few years felt like I was adding something that the fish really didn't see. I personally haven't noticed a difference in my catch rate. What has been your experience?


RAW I have not noticed a difference in quantity either. I have mainly done it so my fly holds up better. It definitly takes a longer beating.


JayMorr

[Teewinot]

Another thing I've found to work really well and I think is easier then the tape. Take a small square piece of glossy tile like you'd have in your shower, then place the feather on it and put clear PVC glue over it. Then let it dry and fold the feather and cut the shape you want. This is a tip I learned from Chuck Robbins.

[Jason]

Hey, I've had that same hopper pattern in my box for about 4 years now and lots of fish have been caught on it. I actually got that pattern from a guide I floated with in Jackson. He claimed it was tied by a local guide. How long has Rainey had this pattern out? I bought that same body foam but haven't tied up any yet. It's one of the best hopper patterns I've ever fished with.

Has anyone ever used dryer sheets as a hopper wing and a little permanent marker to touch it up? I've heard people using them but have never tried it.

[newtyer]

That used to be my favorite hopper pattern. I believe it is origionally a rainey pattern but i'm not sure. Ya know its funny, years ago before I started tying again I had fished with a friend I didn't know who fly fished. He said his mom owned a fly shop up in logan and was now moving her business to thailand. He asked me if I would want any of these patterns she tied using foam. I thought "Foam, wtf would I fish with foam?" Didn't know anything about rainey's flies. Now I dont see the guy except once in a blue moon. damnit.

Tape is a great idea, you learn something everyday.

I'm a big supporter of the wing just from experience this last fall. This is really my first year tying with foam, I was a daves hopper fan previously. But I tied a club pattern with a wing and some with out, same pattern. Didn't produce the same, and none winged didn't always land right side up, I gave all my none winged hoppers to friends I was fishing with those days. They all wanted my winged patterns but I was hoarding them like a chipmunk setting up for winter. "my precious"

[nightfish]

Well, Rainy's has been in business since 1971, so it could have been around for a while. I'll see what I can find out. I do know that they recently added a few other colors, and you can get the grand in tan, insect brown, olive, yellow, chartreuse and pink, from size 4 to 12(depending on color).

[Drake]

Jason, I've been looking for that foam in craft stores. Where did you find it?

Does anybody know what type of feather is used for that wing?

[JayMorr]

Jason, I have been wondering what that colored wing was!!! I have seen those dryer sheet wings on some hopper and caddis patterns. I am going to give it a shot. They look pretty cool and seem to hold up on the water. James from my work has been fishing that style last summer.

Jas check this pattern out:

http://flytyingworld.com/PagesR/rb-goffstancaddis.htm


JayMorr

[LandGuppy]

That's my favorite hopper pattern as well. IMO, the only knock on it is that it can be hard to tell if it's upside down in the water when you're fishing over 20 feet away. To solve this, I add a little whiteout to the top of the head. That seems to take care of the problem. But you have to be careful not to add too much whiteout or it will mess up the center of mass on the fly and it will never land right again. But if you get it right, I think it's the ultimate foam hopper.