Blue Dun Flymph

[Kelly L.]

John, I did look at Jim's a few times. I did not see any Blue Dun hen capes. If he had them, I would of bought one from him. I agree with the quality of his feathers, no doubt about that.

[William Anderson]

Tom, another very nicely tied softie and an exceptional photo. Really beautiful.

I'll not raise an issue where one doesn't need raised, but part of the flymph's attributes (again, definitions and personal preferences allow plenty of latitude) include being able to see (especially when wet) the under color or silk as it compliments and enhances the body. This is one of the reasons JL and PH were so interested in twisting the dubbing between lengths of silk as it would create a durable, fuzzy body and allow the underbody to show. I'm not taking issue at all with your fly, it's certainly a beautiful tie and should fish very well. I just thought if you were going to be doing a show demo, demonstrating the body construction would be important when describing a flymph.

I'm not the least bit hung up on definitions, just a point of interest.

w

[Izaak]

William,

Thanks! You are correct. I have read all of the founding books and knew the definition at one time. Thanks for reminding me. I should be taken out and lashed with a DT4F fly line!

Sitting in the corner wearing the "Dunce Cap" once again,

Tom

[William Anderson]

I have read all of the founding books and knew the definition at one time. Thanks for reminding me. I should be taken out and lashed with a DT4F fly line!

Sitting in the corner wearing the "Dunce Cap" once again,

Tom

Never. And if you were looking to the Leisenring book for guidance the term of course never appears. PH takes the step of selecting a few of the 27 patterns listed by JL in the original text (1941) and classified them as "Flymphs" in the addition in the (1971) edition. Of all the spiders, traditional soft-hackles, dries, winged wet flies, nymphs and wingless wets shown in the first edition, those flies with a spun body of dubbing in silk, incorporating a soft hackle collar were designated as "flymphs". The emphasis on the body and underbody as the defining factor. Hidy also specifies the technique for presenting these flies as part of the definition. The ability to take air bubbles under with them and the precise presentation of the fly upstream of the target are also required, in his original intent, to constitute a "flymph". I don't think there is any issue with taking these flies and exploring their construction and presentations to help us expand on the original intent. Some may be uncomfortable with taking that liberty, but we have the original definition, it's not lost even if we explore the edges of the efficacy of these flies.

I wish I could sit across and watch your demo. Maybe someday.

w