Thank you, wsbailey and letumgo. These are fun to tie. Aren’t all flies fun to tie? Maybe not parachutes..

My rendition uses #16 Daiichi, black thread, 1 1/2 - 2 wraps of starling, tied in by the tip, and natural strung peacock without the underwraps of wire. Looks to be useful for midging trout and maybe too when black caddis are about. It just looks buggy.

Here’s my interpretation of the old “Black Magic” pattern, as seen here: http://www.flyonlyonline.co.uk/blog/sev ... eason.html

I'm really enjoying this thread. I live in far off northern Maine, above Caribou. We have a very healthy Grouse population up here. I don't know that I've ever really seen a 'red' phase Grouse. I always think they look much rustier in the summer and 'gray up' as the season progresses into the monot...

Tie2fish, oldhat, and Wiflyfisher- thanks for sharing these photos. They are a beautiful bird.

Redietz- thank you for this reply! Very informative. So I was incorrect in thinking it had to do also with body and wing feathers. And yes, both of my skins are ruffed. Can anyone post photos of other types of grouse skins?

Ray- I’m using olive, just because that’s what I have. Maybe black or brown or copper would be fine also. Tie2fish- I am unsure, I’m sorry. I need to do some more research. I was told there is a red phase and I believe a blue phase maybe. I have two skins which seem to match these designations. The ...

Here is a very successful pattern for spring and summer swinging in Ozark tailwaters. The addition of the midge flash antennae is new. Had a trip this summer to the White. I gave my friend a few wets to fish, one being similar to these with flash antennae. He was in constant action, and every fish t...

Beautiful. I am going to borrow from your fly and add a few to my box for the next trip. Also- do these Owner hooks come any smaller?

Maybe y’all have already seen these, but here are the latest sites/blogs I have found. Also, most of you are probably familiar with Neil Norman’s “Soft Hackles, Tight Lines” blog.

https://softhackles.com
http://www.flyonlyonline.co.uk/blog/sev ... eason.html