Since when did Yorkshire own the Spiders, they have been used and tied in Scotland (Stewart) just as long. Normally it doesn't bother me what anybody claims as long as they are tying and using the flies but when I see a virtiolic and narrow minded letter, as above, it tends to get up my nose.
I have noted myself the inconsistancies of terms relating to Softhackles,Flymphs and Spiders but who cares.
Flymphs are not the same as North Country Spiders as any one using his eyes instead of his spleen could see. The only thing they have in common is the use of game and hen hackles.
This is not Holy Writ it is flyfishing.
It just goes to show not all the arrogant purists are on the river Test.
Personally I have found Sylvester Nemes books excellent. He never claims 'ownership' of the softhackle and gives full recognition to the past. I have only read about the Flymph in Dave Hughes book on 'Wet Flies' and he certainly does the same.
Maybe we have to get "Dr Rob's" permission to use any fly he conceives to be owned by Yorkshire.
I'll stop now before I write something I shall really regret.
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Donald/Scotland
[This message has been edited by Donald Nicolson (edited 01 October 2005).]