FLYMPH FORUM

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:

Hell of a tye..............what color is the head "actually?"

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

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

Marvelous tie, and the meaning behind it only makes it better.

Lovely, Ray. I'm so glad you put this up to see. It is definitely inspiring in both its significance and tying job.

Mark

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.

Ambitious and well-done. Many thanks.

"Ambitious" I like that. Thanks!