Spearmint Idaho Expo

[Marty]

I had a fun day last weekend tying at the Idaho tying Expo and got to see a lot of old friends and made some new ones. Poppy from the Red Shed (Clearwater) had a booth full of great stuff and I spent a good part of the morning high grading some of his product for myself. He had the best selection of steelhead tying material I have ever seen in one spot and he said he had 10 times more back in the shed. Road trip in the fall for sure. I started this fly but did not have time to get it done, so I tucked it away to finish later. I found it today as I was unpacking, so I sat down and added the final steps. This one has not seen water yet but I have a real good feeling this color combo will produce. I am pretty sure Poppy has some of the dyed pheasant rump left so if you are in need give him a call. Thanks for looking.



Spearmint
Hook: Alec Jackson 1.5 silver
Thread: Black
Tip: Fine silver oval tinsel
Tag: Lt. Orange silk floss
Tail: Golden pheasant crest topped with a small blue feather
Butt: Black ostrich
Body: Rear 1/3 flat silver tinsel, front blue seal
Hackle: Dyed blue ringneck pheasant rump feather
Rib: Silver oval tinsel
Collar: Dyed blue pheasant rump followed by peacock body feather
Wing: Strips of blue, dark blue and orange goose shoulder and bustard

[Marty]

I add a tip and tag to almost all of the flies I fish, even hair wings. It is a touch of old school that is easy and adds a lot of the classic feel. So the first step is securing the thread at the beginning of the bend. Secure in the oval tinsel and take the thread down the bend keeping the tinsel on the back side of the hook. Make three turns with the tinsel and secure. Bring the thread back up the bend and secure in the floss. Take the floss down and back to create the tag. Tie in the crest and top it with a small feather. Secure in the ostrich herl and make 5 or 6 turns with the fiber for the butt.

[Marty]

Take the thread forward 1/3 and secure in the ribbing and flat tinsel. Take the tinsel down and back securing the ribbing as you go. Next secure the pheasant rump feather and a length of floss. Knot the floss to create a loop for the dubbing. Load the loop and give it a spin. Take the thread forward to the eye and change to black.

[Marty]

Take the dubbing forward followed by five turns with the ribbing. Follow the ribbing with the rump feather.

[Marty]

Secure in a second rump feather for the collar. I used both sides of the feather on this fly. Follow the rump feather with a peacock body feather.

[Marty]

For a strip wing take fibers from the left side of the feather and match them with the same amount from the right. Make sure when you are marrying a wing all the fiber come from the same side of the different feathers. With the left side facing you pair the two strips together. Make sure both side are the same. Pinch the wing at the butt ends in your right hand. Work the fibers so both sides are lined up. Now pinch the tips with your left hand and roll the wing upward creating a hump. This is called humping the wing. Roll the wing back and forth a few times. The wing should now have a permanent hump. Don’t let go. Keeping the wing in your right hand start to work it over the eye of the hook. Gage the length and grab onto it with your left hand. Pinch the wing tightly and make a loop with the thread. Pulling the thread upward collapse the wing fibers onto the hook. Go slow and make sure you are pulling straight up. This will keep the wing from rolling. Once the wing is set make a few more securing wraps and clip the tag ends.

[Marty]

Whip and a hit a head cement and this fly is ready for the water



Good tying and better fishing

[feathersand fur]

Dang Marty................nice fly and nice pics to boot.



f&f