FLYMPH FORUM

Ron Eagle Elk wrote:NCA,

After checking every book I have, I must admit your right as rain. However, Johnno did call it a "Variant". Perhaps that accounts for the lack of dubbing.

I, for one, enjoy the historical aspect of our sport very much. Keep the comments flowing.

I'm really looking forward to seeing some of your dressings.

REE

My point is that as the term "Watchet" clearly refers to a form of dubbing. If you then take away the dubbing aspect on what basis can you call it a Watchet as the dubbing is the key ingredient.
Oh and I think you will find my flies are already on this forum

I'm sure of it, Bob.

REE

Johnno, whatever you call this, I like the way it turned out, especially on that hook. I like the gape on that as well. Beautifully tied.

w

Thanks for the replies pples

Rob, don't doubt you for a minute, but the fly was based on a Pritt pattern hence the name and variation tag. As I look through Pritt's patterns with the name "Watchet" I see only one with a dubbing reference. (#18 Little Dark Watchet)

Those that do not have any dubbing include #24 Light Watchet, and #31 Brown Watchet, and #57 Grey Partridge - Grey Watchet; the last being where the idea for this fly came from for the swap. So the name came from there.

Oh and the hook is a Tiemco 2499SP - BL

Hi Johnno,
The term Watchet refers to a blue colour thought to be from the colour of the woolens worn by French sailors in the 18th Century. The Watchet flies you mentioned were originally dubbed and also had peacock herl heads. I have dressing for the Brown and Yellow Watchet as well as the Grey Watchet which date back to the early 1700s. Pritt's Light Watchet is in fact Jackson's White Spinner and not a Watchet at all, why Pritt calls it thus is not known.
I know that Pritts book is largely copied from an earlier book and fly list that have over time been forgotten. Pritt was given some of his flies by Brumfitt of Otley but is not until you find out where Brumfitt got his flies from, that all become clear.
I have the book that Pritt copied from as well as the source fly list with the flies attached
Unfortunately Pritt played around with some of the flies in his book and in some cases incorrectly named them. His book openly contradicts some of his newspaper articles about the flies as well as previous angling books. We have to remember that Pritt in all probability never dressed a fly in his life, it is known that he bought his flies from a number of famous Dales fly dressers so in fact he got his information about the flies sometimes second and third hand.

WOW ! NCA, keep going ! I am soaking up the little things missed in the various histories I have read.

Thanks for that, most interesting.

Johnno, Howdy;

All the nit pickin' aside, about what is or is not whatever.....

That's one damn good lookin' bitty sized fly.

hank