Anyone Else Tie the Water Walker Style Fly?

[Byron haugh]

This old style fly has a couple great things going for it:

1. Always lands correctly; and
2. The hackle is off to the sides (sort of more like the insect)

[Hans Weilenmann]

Byron,

Nicely tied.

I like the look of the Water Walker style of fly, and tie the odd one in Terry's memory, but by and large I think they are a solution looking for a problem.

Cheers,
Hans W

[Byron haugh]

Here's a little article about the fly written by Al and Gretchen Beatty:

http://www.flytyer.com/index.php?opt...1486&Itemid=90

[Hans Weilenmann]

Byron, thanks for that link. I somehow got the Water Walker linked to Terry Hellekson, but it would appear my memory has played tricks on me. The article by Al and Gretchen, and they should know, ties the pattern to Frank Johnson.

Cheers,
Hans W

[Byron haugh]

Hans,
Terry Hellekson, in his book "Popular Fly Patterns" written in 1976, includes the Water Walker style fly and also credits it to Frank Johnson, whom he refers to as "Mr. Waterwalker". I believe Johnson originally used the double hackle method on his extended body flies.
It is just one of hundreds of patterns discussed in his fine book.

[JohnScott]

I've watched Harley Reno from the Idaho Falls area tie the Water Walker several times. I always got a headache watching him. But they are a neat fly, and Harley wouldn't bother with them if they didn't catch the trouts.

Nicely done, Bryon. If you want to send some along I'll do some field testing ASAP.

John

[Moscow]

If the issue is landing upright all the time, then I wonder if paraloop style flies would be a better option. Plus, a heck of a lot easier to tie. I can't say I've tried the comparison, and with parachutes not being my favorite, tying two per fly would drive me crazy.

[JohnScott]

Tim -

My recollection of Harley's priorities were "footprint" of the double parachute and its floatation on rough water.

Harley is a Ph.D. in Fisheries Science. He is one of the most complete, all around anglers I've had the pleasure of knowing.

If you hustle on down to Idaho Falls to be there by 10:00 a.m. on December 22, maybe he will tie a water walker for you.

http://jimmysflyshop.com/fly-tying-demos/

If you get there a week earlier, you can watch Mike Lawson. Bet he ties his "no hackle", along with some other very interesting flies. The book signing is probably "Spring Creeks."

I really miss those winter Saturday morning fly tying demos at Jimmy's.

John

[Moscow]

John, don't tempt me so

Good point on the footprint aspect. I guess I was thinking the paraloop would present a similar hackle footprint as the Water Walker with the added benefit of the body itself riding lower in the water.

I would love to see those guys tie! I just heard our 'local' shop is closing. The closest now will be 75mi away

Tim

Tim -

My recollection of Harley's priorities were "footprint" of the double parachute and its floatation on rough water.

Harley is a Ph.D. in Fisheries Science. He is one of the most complete, all around anglers I've had the pleasure of knowing.

If you hustle on down to Idaho Falls to be there by 10:00 a.m. on December 22, maybe he will tie a water walker for you.

http://jimmysflyshop.com/fly-tying-demos/

If you get there a week earlier, you can watch Mike Lawson. Bet he ties his "no hackle", along with some other very interesting flies. The book signing is probably "Spring Creeks."

I really miss those winter Saturday morning fly tying demos at Jimmy's.

John

[Byron haugh]

Moscow,
Here's a paraloop from this morning in the same general color scheme. I do tie and fish paraloops quite a bit. I do feel more confident with upright, divided wings though when the fish are picky.