While I'm at it, here is a close-up example of one of Pete's blends, noted in his handwriting on the card—Hare's Face, Muskrat, and Mole Mohair. He was blending textures rather than colors. Done on the Clark Spinning Block.

The silk is his favorite Pearsall's Gossamer Ash, now discontinued.

The most difficult thing when using a dubbingblock is in my opinion: spread the dubbing as evenly as you can. When using silk as a thread make some of the boards with slides in it. Greeting Rurad, Could you explain more? What are "slides"? Do you mean a shallow, rounded groove in the wood...

Very inspiring, both the tying and the dramatic photography.

Impressive. I need to study these. Thanks for posting.

Hans and Otter, Thank you both for putting your views in here. They carry a lot of weight with me. This string has been an invaluable learning experience, which will serve me well as I proceed on my research and writing over the months ahead. It will be interesting to see whether Pete Hidy's reputat...

This is a link to a bubble article (begins at page 2): http://www.thebookmailer.com/Order/BMarchive/05FA.pdf dd Stefan, Thanks for this. Really interesting, both the first article and the response that follows. Leaves the bubble question unresolved, but it seems more dubious now than I had realized.

[/quote]Great reading (havn't finished). Just had a quick question. What tail material is in Pete Hidy's fly?/Martin[/quote]

Martin, Your guess is as good as mine. At first I assumed it was from a pheasant tail, but now I don't think so.

Anybody on the forum have a DNA lab?

Ash and gray are two entirely different colors. Ash is a very light tan. The only color Pete Hidy used more than Primrose was Ash—especially with bodies made from natural Hare's fur. Like Narcodog says, the Gray is different, almost bluish-gray. But Kelly, I doubt the trout would complain if I used...

My work here is done.

Thanks, teacher. I did it for you.
And for everyone else who has offered tips.
But I sure would like to know what kind of bird made that feather.

CreationBear suggested modifying the dubbing blend to include longer fibers, which sounded worth a try. I found some long vermillion fibers that are probably mohair in my father's materials. I cut them up slightly, keeping them relatively long before adding to the blend I had been using previously. ...