Tie in thread as usual, and starting from rear of hook, dub in fur (or synth. dub) for a medium sized, untapered body. Clip, remove the softer underfur, and stack a moderate bunch (20-40 hairs) of Grizzly (dark base, with lighter tips) hair from the back of the woodchuck. Tie in at wing position, laying flat along the top of fly, not allowing to the wing to flair up. Wings should extend past the end of hook bend, allowing for rear support of fly..(approx. 2X the length of dubbed body) Tie in two matched hackles of appropriate size, one Grizzly, one Brown. Wrap the hackle forward , one at a time, as in an Adams. Whip finish head and lacquer.
Variations:
For a bushier fly, better for pocket or broken water, and for imitating adult stage:
- Use a fuller bunch of guard hair for wing..... (40 or so hairs)
- You may allow the wing to flair slightly
- Wrap hackle in full and bushy, being sure to use hackle for that hook size
- Finish with a "solid" head, to keep fly secure through abuse
For a more subtle fly, good for calmer waters, and flats, better to imitate spent caddis:
- Use lesser amount of Guard hair for wing.... (20 or so hairs)
- Keep wing absolutely flat along back of fly, allowing to spread out slightly side to side
- Wrap hackle in lighter, about three turns ea, for Grizzly and Brown, try using slightly undersized hackle (length about same as hook gap, instead of normal 1 1/2 X Gap )
- Finish with small head , for more delicate profile
Notes: I have seen woodchucks (also called ground hogs, marmots, and whistle pigs) come in every color variation from black to blonde. Most have a medium to dark color value, with the guard hairs tipped in a lighter color.... this is the grizzly effect. Eric Leiser stated in an old tiers handbook, that the smaller size hooks will make it difficult to use the Grizzly hair, unless the "barring" is of smaller intervals... in other words, the smaller the hook, the lesser of the darker base appear in the wing and more of the lighter tip is visible, until in small sizes, just the "tip color" section is available. He suggests seeking out pieces of hide with "micro barring" for these smaller flies, or trying chipmunk tail, instead. I believe that the color of the cream - tan tips of the guard hair is the more important feature, so it may be possible to make do with going to extremes..... just leaves the sections of hide with the smaller "tips" for the smaller flies....
Simple and quick tie..... nice working fly.... Have fun!
|
