My First Atlantic Salmon Fly

[bassman]

I just finished tying my first attempt at an Atlantic Salmon Fly, I call it the Rosemary. What I would like is some critique and criticism and tell me what you think. The Doctor Blue Floss is hard to see in the Photo, my camera is not the best for this.

Materials

Hook: Mustad Black #4 36890
Thread: UTC 70 Black
Tag: Flat Med Silver Tinsel
Butt: Black Ostrich Hearl
Tail: Golden Pheasant Crest
Rib: Flat Med Silver Tinsel
Body: Doctor Blue Floss, Butt Black Ostrich Hearl, Doctor Blue Floss, Butt Black Ostrich Hearl
Wing: Red Sqauirrel Tail
Throat: Red Buck Tail
Head: UTC 70 Black Thread covered with SHHAN



Thanks for your help and comments. John

Below is my second try. I changed to French Oval Tinsel for this one. And made it with just 2 segments in the body. I also worked on the head to try and make it smaller and smother. John

[GrayGhost]

bassman
not a bad job for a first, much better then my first Atlantic. the only thing I could say is work on the head, it need to be a bit smaller and more tapered and you want to hold back a bit for the eye of the hook. But other then that it a very good Job.
Ghost.

[bassman]

Thanks Ghost, I do have trouble with the heads on flies, I will work on it. John

[Ronn Lucas]

Like Ghost said, nice first fly. THe head should be about 1/3rd the size and leave some bare shank between it and the eye. The tag is lumpy. I also think you tried to put too much on a small hook. Maybe just two body segments. The herl is not dense enough. The tail is too long. There is something yellow at the front of the butt? There is only one butt, the rest are called joints. There is something shaggy on the rear two body segments??? There is thread showing from the tie in of the throat rear of the head.

[bassman]

Thanks Ron, I was hopping an expert like you would critique my fly. I can now see the things you see. Thanks again John

[bassman]

I posted a pic of my second try above. I still want your opinons and critique until I can get this right. John

[Ronn Lucas]

Tag has open turns. Tail is right length. There are some trapped GP barbs that are sticking out at a different angle than the tail. That is because you tied the tail in over untrimmed barbs. Butt is pretty poor, uneven turns and not close turns, leaves an uneven butt like this. Turns should be almost on top of the prior turn of the barbs. Front body segment should have ended 1/2 of the way into the head. In other words, the head is only twice the size as it should be.

Actually, I suggest you read the salmon fly tying lessons here at FAOL. It will take you through the steps with pictures and better descriptions than can be given here.

[bassman]

Thanks again Ron. Appreciate your help. John

[jmeyerc]

I like this fly very much - and reading the comments was very helpful -- thanks guys.

Jeanne

[gobrock]

Bassman - I use UNI - THREAD 8/0, it helps with the keeping the heads small. 3-4 turns on the tag is plenty, and in my opinion I would shorten the tail to just a fraction more of the hook gap.