Stir crazy tying

After the advent of BST signalled the heavy rain this week, I was confined to catching up on odd jobs interspersed with a bit of tying.

The previous Sunday I had the priviledge to spend a day with Philip White. Philip has nine basic patterns to cover the emerging stages and further of our upwings. So, here are two of them

Loop Wing Emerger
Thread: 8/0 Olive Wisp used here
Shucking body: Mallard flank (bronzed is best)
Wing: 2 X natural CDC feathers
Thorax: Olive hares ear used here.

Most of the body is tied to represent emergence from the shuck. The tips of the Mallard are tied in about half way down the hook shank, then the butts wound to the bend to represent the shuck. What isn't too apparent from this picture is the use of the CDC tips, at the tie in point, are left slightly protruding over the shuck body to represent the 'split' back.

Thorax Dun
Thread: 8/0 Olive Wisp
Shucking body: Mallard as above
Hackle: Blue Dun used here, although I have tied several using Olive dyed grizzle
Wing: Bronze Mallard flank tips
Thorax: SLF River and stream

The body is wound as the loop wing above.
Tie these two patterns in sizes down to #22

Whilst at the bench also tied a few more emergers all using waxed Pearsalls (#5 I think)...

Cul De Canon with sighter

Olive Parachute

...as well as a couple of miscellaneous items.

Sponge Bob Bod Caddis

One Feather F-Fly

The F-fly is from a suggestion by Phil White, where instead of using the CDC tips for the wing, the butts are used. The method here is to cut the thick butt off at the point where the feather barbs start. Tie in by the tip and pull through until you feel the stem butt, bump through the thread wrap. With just the one feather on a #20 - #22 you can tie in by the tip for the body, and wind along the hook shank. Cut off then use the remainder for the wing. Simplezzzz. Short tail is a couple of barbs of Mallard, Teal or any barred feather.