Fly Tying: Dark Bloa (North Country Winged Fly)

Fine job,a sure pattern

Thanks, Caddisman; hope all is well!

I tie and fish these in small streams in Ireland. Nice fly but the wings have far too many fibres in them. About half as much would be perfect

Hey Tim, When I tie in starling wings I cut the section I want with the quill. It holds them together through the tie and makes it easy to cut off the waste as well. I am no expert on feather wings but It was a tip I picked up I think, from Davie McPhail. All the best, Sean

These will look great next to my royal coachman wets and soft hackle spiders in the altoids can... Throwing them down stream with a $25 eagle claw. lol Going against what fly fishing is these days.

Where does cousin Helen think feathers come from?

Thread should be dark claret or wine, 2 turns of black hen hackle, one behind wing and one in front. That’s not a dark bloa, not even close.