A couple of Italian Alpines

Fly Patterns
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1

[b]Here are a couple of Italian Alpine Flies from the Alpine section on my site.
Just the job for a Tenkara fisherman.
Hook: Varivas 2200BL size 12

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*Number 7 (Blue & Grouse)
Hackle : Grouse.
Body : Dark blue nylon.
Head : Orange fluorescent
nylon.
Hook : No 11 to 13.
Season : All season.
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*Number 37 (Guinea & black)
Hackle : Guinea fowl.
Body : Black nylon.
Ribbing : A yellow ring near bottom
(lacquer).
Head : Black nylon.
Hook : No 11 to 13.
Season : Summer.
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2

More Great stuff from the master! You always bring up the good stuff Donald

3

Hi Donald,

When sizing the hackle what would you recommend in comparison to the hook’s gap? 2 to 2.5?

4

I am afraid I cannot give you a direct answer about hackle size.
I usually choose a hackle by eye. I am not familiar with the usual numeric hackle sizes.
Laziness on my part, I am sure I have hackle guages on my web site.
I dressed these two flies with what came to hand, and I was very keen to get on with
tying as I have just recently re-started.
Personally, I think the grouse hackle could have been smaller.
With guinea, it is much more difficult to find smaller hackles.
I have notice with Tenkara flies, the hackles are shorter and denser, i.e. more turns.
I tend to form and varnish the head first, tie in the hackle, not wound yet,
form the body, and then wind the hackle.
This is the way it seems to suit me, although I think doing the head first is
important.

5

Donald,

Thanks for the tip of tying the head first. That should really help making them look good with proper size and proportion.
Thanks again,

Ed