To be honest, I see the knee and block methods as a neat part of history and an enjoyable endeavor to take part in that era. However, for practical purposes, I almost always employ the dubbing loop off the hook for larger flies and the split thread method for smaller flies. There is a tool Mitch's B...

Thanks Roy for the follow up and insight.

V1.1 - that is the ticket. Beautifully tied.

If you guys find a source for them, let me know. I haven't been able to find any. They are used for some salmon fly patterns and are hard to come by. I have seen some on Ebay but sold just as a couple feathers as opposed to a skin. These came from a friend who ties salmon flies and had sent me a sma...

Thanks gentlemen. Glassjet, actually the fibers are wonderful soft hackle, not stiff at all, it is just the individual hackle fibers like to twist around and go everywhere. Not a concern for fishing, just hard to tame for me. I like them to flow back a bit for my enjoyment is all. I think I have som...

Thanks Doug for the gracious reply. The 3121 is an older hook that I came upon in my searches for limerick hooks. I am a fan of the limerick bend for no other reason than the looks. This model, unlike the 94842, is a heavy hook not a dry. The barb has a classic look and you're right is rather large....

One of my favorite wet fly patterns tweaked just a bit.



Hook: Ken Sawada Old Limerick Wet #12
Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Cranberry
Ribbing: Fine gold braid
Body: Peacock herl dyed red
Hackle: genetic hen furnace

Another one with the Mearns quail hackle. This particular feather is closer to the breast of the bird and the feather was half spotted and half red. http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/OldHat_photos/MearnsandPheasant.jpg Hook: Ken Sawada Old Limerick Wet #12 Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Cranberry Bo...

Given some Mearns Quail feathers by a friend a while ago and am now just getting at it. It is a wiley feather and hard to tame. http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac275/OldHat_photos/MearnsandMole.jpg Hook: Mustad 3121 #12 Thread: Griffith's 14/0 Grey Body: Mole dubbing dyed blue dun Hackle: Mearns ...

I'm curious as to the leader being attached to the top of the hook shank. Standard for the era? Or just tyer's preference?