Ok, I had to give this a shot… both the fly and my camera. :rolleyes:
I did the Fly of the Week for the March fly of the month swap. First time I’ve ever attempted wings or this style of fly. I still have a ways to go in terms of my skills, but making progress.
Got to admit the swaps are helping my skill set and practice!
Now my camera skills are a whole 'nuther thing.
Feedback always appreciated!
John R
Fly looks good. On the picture try a darker background, I have in the past used a green hanging file with good results.
Eric
Some of the feedback that I have also applies to the one shown in the FOTW section, and it’s really nit-picking, so take this as opinion, rather than fault …
I think the wing is set too far forward. Take a look at the example posted on another forum:
Notice where the wing is. Also notice that there’s a gap between the eye of the hook and the head. This is pretty characteristic of the Catskill style of tying, and this fly is even called the Catskill!
Also notice in the same picture how head hackle is densely wrapped around the wing. In yours, there’s a distinct gap behind the wing; it looks like the palmered “rib” just extends all the way to the head. The palmered wraps should be open, and the head wraps should be denser.
If you can, try to get all the barbs in the tail to curve the same way (or even better, try to find straight ones.) This is hard to do with wood duck, and I don’t think anybody ever gets it right every time. Because of the palmer, the tail on this fly isn’t as important as it is on most dries; it doesn’t need to support the fly, so this is just for asthetic reasons.
Did you strip the fibers on one side of the palmered hackle? You’ll get fewer trapped fibers if you do, but you seemed to do pretty well on that score anyway, so it’s not strictly necessary (more a matter of choice.)
As I said, these comments are real nitpicking; the fly as is will definitely catch fish and isn’t at all bad for a first attempt at the pattern.
Good first attempt.
I don’t think any of us are nitpicking. I think we really really want to help everybody get really good-mostly because there are just that many of us who can tie flies to begin with. It’s always good to have more in our minions. 
If I may help/nitpick
Did you put the floss on from the front to the back and then to the front again? Like two coats. That little trick I learned from some salmon fly tying book has improved my tying loads since I learned it.
Also.
What kind of light do you use when taking pictures? My photos always turn out yellow or white with a black background when I use the flash.
John for your first attempt at this fly it looks very good. I don’t think the fish will mind at all it is your first. Couple of tips if you don’t mind: the hackle palmered over the body should not go below the point of the hook and as mentiond previously when tying hackle around the wings make it tighter/thicker. But like I said I don’t think the fish will mind at all. Take it out and tell us how it works
Don’t stop tying. Your fly is very buggy looking. I promise it will catch a fish.
This is exactly the kind of feedback I’m looking for. My desire is to improve my skills at tying. bassman always told me I’d be my own worst critic and no matter how “bad” I thought it looked, the flies would catch fish. So I haven’t been worried about the fishing part. Just trying to make 'em look like they’re supposed to.
Proportions is one of those things I still have to learn.
Daniel - in terms of lighting… I tie my flies using adjustable incandescent light and an adjustable magnifier with a florescent bulb surrounding the glass (the one Cabela’s advertises for fly tying). For the pictures I just moved the magnifier over so I could get the camera in front of the fly. Most of the time I have better luck without using the flash. I forgot to disable it this time.
Thanks!!
John R :tieone:
John,
The guys have nailed the feedback, spot on. Not much more I can add. I know your looking for ways to improve your tying and not feel good compliments.
redietz, I think he’s new on FAOL, is a great tyer. I’ve been watching his stuff on other boards, and I would take his advice to heart, nitpicking or not. I just hope he’ll rip me a …nit pick my flies as well.
REE
Sure, I have no problem criticizing tyers who are better than I am …