I’m looking to reproduce a fly given to me by a nice fellow I met while fishing Pine Creek in PA a few weeks ago. I found one, and only once, reference to this pattern on the internet and it’s at this link Green Drake Parachute
This version, tied by Fred Bridge, is a really good representation of the fly given to me. The bulk of the materials are basic and things I’ve got in stock. What I’m finding challenging is the profile of the spent wings. I attempted to contact Mr. Bridge and naturally the e-mail in this article is no longer active. I’ve tried to look at all the commercially available options for wing burners and haven’t seen anything that I’d say is a good match.
So, if you have any thoughts or opinions on how to recreate this particular wing profile and where I could get a burner that matches or can be modified to match, I’d appreciate it.
Here’s a picture copied from the link above if that helps any. I’m looking for something that can reproduce this wing pattern in sizes 10 - 16 range.
In my slight variation of the process I solder the two strips together instead of using vise grip pliers. It is easier to cut and file to shape without the pliers getting in the way. When shaping is done Just heat them up to separate the pieces. Removing the solder filmup is not necessary.
A number of years ago I was in a tying course learning to tie (upright) wings for mayflies. The tool employed to shape the wings was a set of toenail clippers. The feathers for the wings were tied in and lifted together vertically. The front edges were snipped parallel to the stem (but had a nice curve because of the clippers). Then the backside was clipped at about 45 degrees toward the tips, then the tips were cut off. The advantage - aside from a well shaped and sized wing, is that almost any feather can be used, in fact ones that are a little long make them easy to hold. It would be easy enough to squashe the wings flat and continue with the post and parachute after they wings were shaped.
And you don’t need the fuss of making wing burners or making them in different sizes. Just make sure you get nice new sharp clippers - go top shelf, get the $5 ones!
Lets go a step further. Many who use dries a lot are saying, “Why divide the wings?”. Yet others say, ?Why have any wings at all?". So where do we go from here? Their only use is to give the fisherman something to see. :rolleyes:
I believe that you are right when you opine that many fly fishermen who use dries a lot are saying, “Why divide the wings?”. Yet others say, Why have any wings at all?" However, it’s been my observation from reading the many many posts, here and elsewhere as well as conversations on that subject, is that the majority of the ‘No Wing’ crowd seem to be talking about ‘Duns’. The fly pattern and the question by the initial poster is about ‘Spinners’ and wing burners. Then again, if you pose a general question to 10 fly fishers, be prepared for 10 different and probably unproveable answers, LOL.
Which leads me to a related question that I’ll pose as a new topic.
Thanks everyone for your advise and recommendations.
RBC - really appreciate the link to the “wing burner” how to.
AlanB - your recommendation to try popcicle sticks is a good one too and certainly of value given that this wing style is one I’ll use fairly infrequently. Plus it opens the door for lots of low cost tests of various versions.
Greg H - I also like your suggestion to try the high quality clippers to fabricate the wings.
Thanks all for the info. I’ve got something that helps me get to where I want to go with this pattern and I appreciate it!
Without reviewing all the posts above, allow me to offer up 3 comments that were not mentioned:
1)Wing ‘Cutters’ like large nail clippers will do the job. However, you must make the size and shape of the 2 wings identical.
2)Wing ‘Burners’ will accomplish the requirement of #1 above.
3)If you use a Wing Burner, and I believe this is true for most feathers used in this process as well as other materials that may be used, the edges of each barb/fiber are singed and hold together better then if the feather or material was cut.
I hardly use either of these processes, but if I did Burnt Wings would be my preference. So it’s entirely possible that #3 is open to other opinions. Lastly, it appears to my view that the wings of the flies in the first post were cut, not burnt.
Something that might help with burning wings (I should have mentioned before). When burning two feathers together make a paper, feather, paper, father. paper sandwich. It will make the feathers easier to separate after. Cigarette papers are ideal for this.
Cheers,
A.
Thanks for the info and feedback. The fly I was given has the wings burned, not cut. The picture posted was the only “on-line” resource that showed a good representation of the finished fly.
My original issue was trying to find a “pre-made” burner that fit this particular profile. That doesn’t look like it’s going to be something commercially available. So, that means I get to play around with trying to make some burners. The popsicle stick idea seems to be the best method to work on getting a final shape and pattern. If it becomes a fly I want to tie a lot of then I can go to either a brass or hacksaw blade style burner. Another challenge was the need for the various size ranges, my preference only, as the fly I’m using as the “copy model” is a 14.
I’m with you on the need to have balanced wings and I understand the challenge this presents when it comes to trying to cut them.
I do appreciate the tip on sandwiching the feathers and papers. Great tip! [/FONT][/FONT]
