Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
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Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
In this link ( http://softhacklepatternbook.blogspot.c ... ly-or.html ), there's a pic of a fly called the "Smoky Mountain Blackbird" that has a palmered "split starling primary" feather as the hackle.
In looking at several staling skins and wings I have, I don't see any feather that looks like what's in the pic in color or texture.
Has anyone tied this fly and, if so, what hackle was used? Thanks.
Bob
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
I believe It's a primary wing feather where the rachis has been split lengthwise so it can be flexible enough to wrap. I don't know why someone would go to that length to hackle a fly.
I hate it when I think I'm buying organic vegetables, and when I get home I discover they are just regular donuts.
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
It’s ugly enough to catch fish, I would call it Bog Brush!
Love both fly fishing and fly tying, been doing it for a while
But not much good at either
But not much good at either
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
If it's got the same heritage as the Yellarhammer, it may go back to the Cherokees, who were tying it before Europeans arrived.
Bob
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
I bought a yellow dyed starling skin from a guy down in Tennessee a couple years ago. It was for one of the last fly swaps I participated in. I think the fly I did was a Cow Dung. I don't think the seller is still alive. The skin was intended to be a substitute for the flicker aka yellow hammer.
Last edited by zen leecher on Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
Darrel Martin wrote about a similar fly made with deer hair. He attributed it to the Cherokees. He even created a tool to cut the hide into a strip. More about the yallerhammer:
http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ol ... art206.php
http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ol ... art206.php
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
I've taken Darrel's Antique Angler class. It was a great day. We made our own hooks, twisted horsehair leaders and tied Cotton flies in hand. He is also a master of quirky tools. I remember discussing and seeing an example of that deer hair fly.wsbailey wrote: ↑Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:53 pm Darrel Martin wrote about a similar fly made with deer hair. He attributed it to the Cherokees. He even created a tool to cut the hide into a strip. More about the yallerhammer:
http://flyanglersonline.com/features/ol ... art206.php
I hate it when I think I'm buying organic vegetables, and when I get home I discover they are just regular donuts.
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
It would be cool to see someone go in depth with the history of fly fishing in Native American culture.
I hate it when I think I'm buying organic vegetables, and when I get home I discover they are just regular donuts.
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
http://www.oldhatflytying.com
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Re: Smoky Mountain Blackbird Fly
Seconded! I would love seeing that too.
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
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http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo
"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean