The Dark Watchet.

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Smuggler
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The Dark Watchet.

Post by Smuggler » Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:37 am

For the current swap with a Halloween theme I wanted to tie a classic spider that already was "Halloweeny" in its color scheme. Immediately I thought of the Dark Watchet. I'll be honest, I've never fished this spider before and only attempted it a couple times in the past.. with results that were less than acceptable looking we'll say.

The recipe I used to follow said about spooling Pearsall's purple and gold(orange 6a), and overlapping the wraps to form the segmented looking silk body while keeping the dubbed mole in place. No. Nope, no way. It's the most frustrating thing ever. So I thought why not just dub tyne orange and rib the purple in tight fashion.

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For this fly you'll be needing the following;
Thread: Pearsall's 6a orange
Rib: Pearsall's purple
Body: A touch of mole. Water Rat is the traditional dubbing but, that's impossible to find.
Hackle: I used dun starling neck but, jackdaw or coot is the traditional choice.

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First mount the working thread (orange) and take it back to the barb.

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Tie in your rib by taking it up under the thread and letting the weight of the bobbin hold it in place. You'll want to pull it through so just a small amount is left to cover and secure.

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Here take your mole and just scrape out a small amount. I un-twisted the silk and lightly waxed it so the dubbing would stay in place.

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Give it a twist to tighten back up and now take it forward to about an eye length behind the eye.

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Rib your fly with the purple silk in close turns making sure the orange shows through on each wrap. I do about 8-10 wraps.

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Hacking the fly you'll want to be careful, the neck feathers from jackdaw/coot or in this case dun starling are fragile. I tied it in by stroking the feathers back and tying in by the tip. Two wraps should do it. I like to tie back over the stem for added durability and form the head.

Congratulations! Your Dark Watchet looks fantastic, you're well on your way. 8-)
I hope the instructions and photos are clear for everyone, enjoy!
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William Anderson
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by William Anderson » Tue Sep 08, 2015 11:45 am

Eric, this is a really nice sbs. Not only for lovers of this pattern, it's a cool technique, but also as a nice example of the hackle technique. Sweet pics. If I ever tied this pattern it was years ago and haven't since. This looks great and still simple.
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tie2fish
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by tie2fish » Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:08 pm

Eric, this post is masterful in every respect.
Some of the same morons who throw their trash around in National parks also vote. That alone would explain the state of American politics. ~ John Gierach, "Still Life with Brook Trout"
DUBBN

Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by DUBBN » Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:57 pm

Really well done Eric! Now to find some silk.
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by hankaye » Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:02 pm

Smuggler, Howdy;

Young Eric, very well presented SBS.
Easy to follow and understand.

Thanks.

hank
Striving for a less complicated life since 1949...
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of consecutive days I've stayed alive." George Carlin
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letumgo
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by letumgo » Tue Sep 08, 2015 7:17 pm

Your a wizard, Harry. And a thumpin' good one! :D ;)

Well done, Eric. I can't wait to see your set of swap flies.
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by Smuggler » Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:53 am

Thanks guys. :)
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by daringduffer » Thu Sep 10, 2015 6:07 am

Your language is soo difficult. I don't know the right thing to say; would awful be proper or should it be awesome?

dd
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by letumgo » Thu Sep 10, 2015 6:21 am

:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: The Dark Watchet.

Post by Smuggler » Thu Sep 10, 2015 7:48 am

Thanks Stefan ;)
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