Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
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- letumgo
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Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
I have tried to capture the colors of the Purple Heart Medal in this fly. My uncle received the Purple Heart Medal, as a result of his wounds he received during World War II. I tyed this fly in honor of my uncle, and all of the members of the armed services who have received the Purple Heart. This is a small token offering my sincere "Thank You" for your service.
Purple Heart
Hook - Mustad Model R50-94840/Size 12
Thread - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (White / No. 1)
Tip - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (White / No. 1)
Tag - Single Strand of Pearsall's Marbou Silk (Scarlet / No. 11A)
Rib - UTC Ultra Wire (Copper / Small)
Body - Pearsall's Marabou Silk (Purple / No. 8)
Thorax - Four Strands of Peacock Herl (Claret)
Hackle - Hungarian Partridge (Claret)
Head - Pearsall's Gossamer Silk (White / No. 1)
Notes on the design of this fly:
I tried to capture all of the colors of the purple heart medal, including the white bands along the edge of the ribbon. The tip/tag is supposed to capture the white and red strips on the small shield above General Washington's image. The rib tries to capture the antique gold wrapping around the medal. The silk under the rib is intended to capture the purple background. The peacock herl is used to capture the colors of the leaves on either side of the center shield. The hackle was chosen to represent the wound received resulting in the service medal. Perhaps the hackle should have been red, but I felt the claret complimented the body better. I intentionally had finished both ends of the fly (tip & head) in white. This was done to capture the two parallel bands on the ribbon.
Here is an image of the Purple Heart medal for comparison:
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
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"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean
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- willowhead
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Hell of a tye..............what color is the head "actually?"
Learn to see with your ears and hear with your eyes
CAUSE, it don't mean a thing, if it aint got that swing.....
http://www.pureartflytying.ning.com
CAUSE, it don't mean a thing, if it aint got that swing.....
http://www.pureartflytying.ning.com
- fly_fischa
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
That's a stunning looking tie Ray, absolutely immaculate, you could micrometer the spacing on the ribbing it's so even!
Very cool and the significance behind it's inspiration make this a special fly. Thanks for sharing this one
Very cool and the significance behind it's inspiration make this a special fly. Thanks for sharing this one
- William Anderson
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Ray, this is superb. My dad received three in Vietnam. This isn't just a brilliant color combination, the proportions and overall character of this fly really screams military metal and the Purple Heart specifically. Cool fly. I'm going to send him the link. He'll appreciate that.
w
w
"A man should not try to eliminate his complexes, but rather come into accord with them. They are ultimately what directs his conduct in the world." Sigmund Freud.
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Marvelous tie, and the meaning behind it only makes it better.
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"
- Soft-hackle
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Lovely, Ray. I'm so glad you put this up to see. It is definitely inspiring in both its significance and tying job.
Mark
Mark
"I have the highest respect for the skilled wet-fly fisherman, as he has mastered an art of very great difficulty.” Edward R. Hewitt
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Classy fly....classy tier!
Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Ray, what a great piece of work you have. Bravo Zulu. That fly just has the look of the Purple Heart, and it demands attention. Your detail work is outrageous. That fly deserves a 7 gun salute, for perfection that is. All medal winners, and their families just might tear up if they saw this gem.
Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
Ambitious and well-done. Many thanks.
We need to keep a sense of humour and a wry smile regarding our search for fly-dressing "authenticity". — GlassJet
- letumgo
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Re: Purple Heart (Honorary Service Fly)
"Ambitious" I like that. Thanks!
Ray (letumgo)----<°))))))><
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo
"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean
http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php? ... er=letumgo
"The world is perfect. Appreciate the details." - Dean