Trimming sequence for a deer hair diver

[Alberto]

These four photos show the steps to trimming a mess of deer hair into a deer hair diver. First photo is the deer hair "fluff" (as my 8-year old calls it) after it has been brushed and then steamed. Second photo is rough cuts done with a scissor to get the general shape of the bass bug. Third photo is the nose after it's been cut with scissors and shaped with a double-edged razor. Fourth and final photo is the finished diver.

[Bluegill Budd]

Excellent - I never could get them to look that good.

[jcampbell]

Nice sequential on that one. I notice that the final product has a weed guard, but don't see that in the shot before. Is that a different fly?

[melk]

Thanks Alberto, any help with the demon deer hair is welcome!!
Mike

[ScottP]

Alberto,

Very nice. How do you like the Fugly hair packer?; seems to work well for you.

Regards,
Scott

[Alberto]

Jcampbell,

Same fly, in the previous photos the weedguard monofilament is hidden by my hand. The weedguard is the last thing I tie in once the trimming and shaping is completed. I use a small square cut from a clear plastic bag as a "hackle guard" to clear any hair that could be left around the eye of the hook. I re-start the thread and then secure the weed guard. The plastic bag "hackle guard" can then be ripped off.

Alberto

Nice sequential on that one. I notice that the final product has a weed guard, but don't see that in the shot before. Is that a different fly?

[Alberto]

ScottP,

It's great for bass bugs. For smaller flies like Goddard Caddis or Muddlers I still use the Brassie. I switched to the Fugly after an injury. My hand slipped off the Brassie as I was packing a clump on a big bug. I got lucky the hook point did not end up in my thumb but I ended up with a good scrape across my thumbnail and top of my thumb.

Alberto

Alberto,

Very nice. How do you like the Fugly hair packer?; seems to work well for you.

Regards,
Scott

[jcampbell]

OK, I am even more impressed since no tie in of the mono can be seen at the nose. Great job and technique with the bag clipping!

Jcampbell,

Same fly, in the previous photos the weedguard monofilament is hidden by my hand. The weedguard is the last thing I tie in once the trimming and shaping is completed. I use a small square cut from a clear plastic bag as a "hackle guard" to clear any hair that could be left around the eye of the hook. I re-start the thread and then secure the weed guard. The plastic bag "hackle guard" can then be ripped off.

Alberto

[AllenOK]

Hey, I'm not the only one that steams a deer hair fly before trimming! Nice job!