A little experimentation with Flexi-Floss and heavier wire ribbing for a more pronounced segmentation effect. The wet flies were tied on a size 14 and a size 16 Mustad 3906 hook. Love this hook. The verdict is out on how the body material will impress fish. To the naked eye it looks ok and as usual to the macro it looks a bit troubled. I would normally use a finer copper ribbing but I thought I would see how the larger ribbing came across. For those that like a cleaner appearance, the patterns look a bit clunky. Yet, I bet they will fish just fine. A dubbed thorax separated the abdomen from the Starling wing. It a simple fly to tie; could even be simpler. Any number of combination exist for the simple wet fly, soft hackle, flymph….call it what you will in your fair corner of the earth.
I know...a bit weak in the bum.
When do you barb your hooks? I do mine streamside, but do some FF barb them when they tie them?
Creek
Hi Creek,
If you tie, ideally you barb them at the vise. I don’t. Never developed the pre-tying habit of debarbing all hooks then tying. I don’t mind barbing at the water, but probably makes sense to barb at the vise. Good Question.
Bob,
That is a good question and here is an honest answer: I have a small U shaped magnet on the pedestal of my vise. On that magnet are an odds and ends assortment of hooks, large and small. I cannot tell you the manufacturer of that hook. I use a variety of hooks and can judge size by not brand. All I know. Came off the magnet. The others came out of the boxes for Mustad (14 & 16). If I figure it out, I will let you know.
SB
These all look really nice! That hook is pretty cool on the first one-where did you get?