The Dressed Up Ostrich
I made up this fly a few years ago, probably to pass the time on a winter evening, and have fished it with success but it doesn't possess any soft hackle magic like the partridge and orange. Note: all SH work, some better than others. This one just looks really good and is fun to tie.
Hook - size 12 to 14
Tag - orange floss
Body - olive floss
Thorax - fiery brown ostrich herl
Hackle - any shade of partridge
Starling
The quote at the top of the post describes the bird skin on the right. Starting is invaluable if you want soft hackles size 18 and smaller and starling is dirt cheap when compared to partridge. Beware if you think that you need a gentle touch when using partridge wait to you use starling. It's very fragile but worth it.
Now, the feathers in this photo don't look like the glossy black that Stewart describes but trust me, they are black!!
To the left are some size 18 Starling and Olive wet flies that get it done on the Swift when the BWO are getting ready to emerge.
It's a good fly to have especially as the tail fly off of a larger fly.
Keep Fishing
The Swift flow is perfect right now so get out there and use up those last few hours on your 2019 license and don't forget to buy your 2020 licence!!!!!
Ken
9 comments:
Ken I agree all that you said about starling..fragile and cheap and very effective.
I tie a fly similar to your #18, only I use a #14. Peacock herl body, fine wire, any color-type and starling hackle. Starling makes for great legs on nymph patterns.
Starling/Olive soft hackle is a real good one to have in the box!
Brk Trt,
Good to hear from you!
I use starling on larger flies also but it seems to really shine on the smaller sizes.
Ken
Ken,
Love those. I stiffen starling, err, strengthen it, by tying it in next to a bit of spider web thread - same stuff often used to tie in the hackle on parachutes. Tying in a bit and twisting it in the starling, then palmering onto the fly and tying off can help.
Is it definitely more durable? I'm not sure. But id does seem starling with the spider web reinforcement last a few more fish with next to no added bulk.
Happy holidays!
Will
Will,
I'll have to try that stuff. If I break a starling hackle it's always while winding around the post.
Seasons Greetings To You Will!
Ken
Ken,
I love that fly on top. It would probably be a good bet when the October caddis are flying around, many of which I saw a couple of months ago. As posted before, in certain light conditions they were as orange as could be.
Thanks for what you do here and on the river. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy 2020.
Best Regards, Sam
Sam,
You're right about that fly looking like an October Caddis. Maybe if I palmered the ostrich the full length of the fly it would work better.
Merry Christmas my friend AND I will see you on the Swift in 2020!!
Ken
Ken is it just the picture or do you use oversize eyes on you hooks? If so where do you order them? My old eyes are starting to have trouble with teh smaller flies!
Quinney,
No oversized hooks yet. I believe FLY SHACK has them.
KEN
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