Waterhen Bloa
Moderators: William Anderson, letumgo
Waterhen Bloa
Hi,
This is one of my first batch of the Waterhen Bloa pattern:
Waterhen Bloa
It isn't that I haven't tried the pattern before, I have. It has just been that previously, it has been Waterhen Bloa Surprise, the surprise being that there is no waterhen (moorhen) and no water rat (vole)! Substitutes have been coot and mole respectively.
But, someone has been kind enough to send me the real stuff, and what a difference! The vole is a bit more difficult to apply as it is spikier, and doesn't have the same tendency to clump together like the mole, but I love the effect.
As for coot being a substitute for moorhen, well I must have a very dodgy set of coot wings, that's all I can say. Similar colour yes, but in terms of the tactile quality, and so the way they must move in the water, I thought them very different.
So, if anyone would care to run over a moorhen for me, that would be great. But if you see a coot, just drive on by...
Andrew.
ps
I would have thought the starling underwing as on the Stewat's Dun Spider would be a better substitute, as here:
Can't remember whether I thought that up myself or somebody said it to me and I agreed and now I've nicked it - apologies if I have!
This is one of my first batch of the Waterhen Bloa pattern:
Waterhen Bloa
It isn't that I haven't tried the pattern before, I have. It has just been that previously, it has been Waterhen Bloa Surprise, the surprise being that there is no waterhen (moorhen) and no water rat (vole)! Substitutes have been coot and mole respectively.
But, someone has been kind enough to send me the real stuff, and what a difference! The vole is a bit more difficult to apply as it is spikier, and doesn't have the same tendency to clump together like the mole, but I love the effect.
As for coot being a substitute for moorhen, well I must have a very dodgy set of coot wings, that's all I can say. Similar colour yes, but in terms of the tactile quality, and so the way they must move in the water, I thought them very different.
So, if anyone would care to run over a moorhen for me, that would be great. But if you see a coot, just drive on by...
Andrew.
ps
I would have thought the starling underwing as on the Stewat's Dun Spider would be a better substitute, as here:
Can't remember whether I thought that up myself or somebody said it to me and I agreed and now I've nicked it - apologies if I have!
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)
Re: Waterhen Bloa
Just a note but I got a waterhen from Cookskill. But I have not been able find water rat.
"I like beer, do you like beer, I like beer a lot."
Re: Waterhen Bloa
Did you? Then they must be holding out on me!narcodog wrote:Just a note but I got a waterhen from Cookskill. But I have not been able find water rat.
I think it is as and when...
Regarding vole, I understand they have a very good substitute that isn't mole, so presumably is spikier. Not expensive at all, you've just reminded me, must order some!
Cheers,
Andrew.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)
Re: Waterhen Bloa
I had to wait about three months before it was ready. What I mean killed then cured.GlassJet wrote:Did you? Then they must be holding out on me!narcodog wrote:Just a note but I got a waterhen from Cookskill. But I have not been able find water rat.
I think it is as and when...
Regarding vole, I understand they have a very good substitute that isn't mole, so presumably is spikier. Not expensive at all, you've just reminded me, must order some!
Cheers,
Andrew.
"I like beer, do you like beer, I like beer a lot."
Re: Waterhen Bloa
Sweet flies, head is too long on the Bloa, otherwise excellent.
Starling as a sub, probably the best.
I think the colour is crucial here, requiring blae/bloa wings.
yep, coots, walk on by.
The only good coot is a bald coot
You heard it here first folks.
Roy
Starling as a sub, probably the best.
I think the colour is crucial here, requiring blae/bloa wings.
yep, coots, walk on by.
The only good coot is a bald coot
You heard it here first folks.
Roy
Re: Waterhen Bloa
Waterhen Bloa V1.1
Andrew.
Andrew.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)
Re: Waterhen Bloa
That's the job.
Most folks would tie the body three wraps longer,
that one suits me, sir.
The head on that one fulfils my specification 100%
Most folks would tie the body three wraps longer,
that one suits me, sir.
The head on that one fulfils my specification 100%
Re: Waterhen Bloa
V1.1 - that is the ticket. Beautifully tied.
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: Waterhen Bloa
Thanks for all the help folks, invaluable.
So, head finally sorted after all this time... and all it took was a little fly-tying...
Andrew
So, head finally sorted after all this time... and all it took was a little fly-tying...
Andrew
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." ~ Pablo Picasso 8)