Archive for July 11th, 2010
Above the Gate (Tony Muncy)
The hike in above the gate: done it twice. One time freezing. Another time blazing hot. Caves, amazing view. Longer than it looks. Careful scrambling down. Snakes. Never tried a mountain bike.
11
Jul
10
Fly Tying: Hare’s Mask, Dubbing
Hare's Masks of Different Dyed Colors (MadRiverFlyTyingMaterials Pic)
As a beginning fly fisher or tier, you will note the GRHE or some variation of the very popular/productive Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear. The tying process often involves selecting a small plastic bag, off a hook, which contains rabbit fur or a blend of rabbit fur and a synthetic. The primary appeal of the fur is the guard hairs amongst the fur, which when applied or dubbed to the hook creates a spiky appearance. All this fur, in fact, comes from a Hare’s Mask. The fur is longer about the cheeks and quite short up near the ears. The masks are offered in dyed colors with the natural mask still the most popular. I am not sure there is any advantage to buying the mask as opposed to plucking that bag off the hook. But, if you like the more hands on effort at dubbing and blending, it is always interesting to buy a mask and see what you create. Store the mask where moths or mice cannot get at it (sound advice for all your materials).
Aside from an Adams, how often do you use grey in any of your patterns. I have highlighted the ‘Little Grey’ nymph before (a very simple nymph tie). Grey is kind of that forgotten color. A neutral color, it seems to have fallen away since muskrat and other grey furs are less utilized in tying these days. Grey or Gray, the color is a nice natural color in nature that lends itself to contrasting materials (ribbing and darker materials). The pattern here has a grey dubbed body with black wire ribbing. The hackle is starling and the thread a little heavy 8/0 on a size 16 hook.
Krystal Flash/Ice Dub/Biot BH (SwittersB)
