What a great combination of colors and expertly tied! Reminds me that I have a golden plover skin that I need to get back to.

That was totally new to me! Thanks for showing it.

I rarely tie a soft-hackle without some type of thorax. I do not have any scientific evidence but I always seemed to do better with thorax versions of a soft hackle and do buy into the idea that it mimics the effect of the swollen thorax on flies preparing to hatch and helps trap air bubbles for a r...

Partridge and Orange with a hare's ear thorax.

I have been using Pearsalls silk thread for the majority of my soft hackle wet flies and have had good success. In the mid-70's when I started tying soft hackles at first I used nylon and had some success but I have learned that certain colors like silk orange and yellow have a different color and h...

I used the wallet decades ago but gave on it due to rusting of hooks and disfiguring of Soft hackles and streamers. Yes, I do put my flies away wet.

I believe you still can get blue Pearsall gossamer here http://www.flyhookfiller.se/flugbindningsmaterial-flugbindning/bindtrad/pearsall-s-gossamer-bindtrad-av-akta-natursilke-fint-pa-50-yards-rullar.html Just send him an email and ask, if interested. He takes paypal and you can order via email. Se...

I have been tying flies for over 45 years and with the exception of a few streamers I have never tied a blue fly. Your pattern does look interesting and based on the discussion I may have to try a few blue thoraxed soft hackles. As far as finding blue Peasrsalls.......

Tremendously effective fly and nice work! I also add a touch of hare's ear thorax which seems to work well. Sy Nemes sold me on the spiders over 40 years ago.

I am not sure how I missed these great flies but they did bring a smile to my face on a rainy December afternoon. Great work!