One of the rivers I fish has a decent cranefly population. I saw a video (tightlinevideo) and the cranefly pattern was made soleley out of Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift yarn in the oyster color. To me the fly looked very good. I was curious if any of you have used this particular material. I’m also curious if any of you have used this particular pattern. I wanted to get some feedback before buying a skein of this material (110 yards). Thanks in advance.
Looks like a nice, basic pattern which should work fine. Most complicated one I’ve used was Charlie Craven’s http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/print.cfm?parentID=100 which is still a pretty easy fly to tie; probably doesn’t matter all that much. Never used the stuff but it’s just wool yarn so it shouldn’t hold any surprises; I’d say take the plunge and spend the $5.00.
Regards,
Scott
Another good one:
http://globalflyfisher.com/video/bruns-tipula
Joe
Joe, that’s a good looking fly, but I really have to work on my Norwegian language skills.
I’ve tied and used them pretty much like the video, but I used my own dubbing mix that I made to mimic oyster Spindrift. If you’re not too much of a traditionalist, the Mop fly tied with a cream or tan plume makes a nice crane fly larva.
Very good advice from everyone … thank you. John, I never considered the mop fly chenille … seems like it would be a winner.
Again, thank you all for your input. I believe I’ll try some of this material.
For a number of years, before I had heard of the Mop Fly, I tied a fly for cranefly larva that was nothing but chenille wrapped around a long shanked hook with some of it hanging off the bend. It worked better than the more involved flies that I also tied. Gray variegated chenille was the best color for here in northern New Mexico.
Joe
when i lived in Denver i used a buckskin nymph as a crane fly larva in light tan which was dark tan when wet and it worked great. the same fly in a smaller size made a passable cased caddis which also worked well
Jamiesons Shetland Spindrift yarn (Oyster) has been used as a substitute for Chadwick 447 yarn to tie the famous Frank Sawyer’s Killer Bug. Another substitute is Patton’s 229 yarn. Although it is not a close substitute, you could tie some Killer Bugs.
As you know, Sawyer’s Killer Bug is second only to Sawyer’s Pheasant Tail Nymph as a Frank Sawyer Pattern. The best substitute for Chadwick 447 is Berroco UAF1214. Berroco on top and Chadwick on bottom. Next are comingled killer bugs tied by Phil Anderson, 3 are tied with Chadwick and 3 with Berroco.
Just ran across this and thought it might be of interest.
http://www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/video-tie-kinder-gentler-mop-fly/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OrvisFlyFishingBlog+(Orvis.com%2FNews+Fly
John,
I just saw this same video earlier today. Looks good to me.
Thanks to all who have shared information and ideas.
One of the great things I like about this forum is the members willingness to share so much information, post pics, share patterns etc.
Thanks again
Greg
Very nice. Have been looking for a 477 substitute for a while, Silver Creek, and this provides some nice options, thanks!
I concur with Whatfly. Thanks!
I have used a similar looking pattern but I blended several different antron yarns after combing them out. I also tie them on Mustad #37160, an English bait hook as I have observed crane fly larva in the drift and they tend to thrash back and forth as though hinged in the middle. With the english bait hook it mimics this behavior quite nicely on a dead drift.
What was ever the concensus on the 37160 poking the fishie’s eyes? They were badmouthed a lot years ago.
Consensus among fly tyers? That’ll be the day. Have used a similar hook by Daiichi for a lot of years without problems. Might be an issue with big hooks and small fish, but ultimately you can do just as much damage with any other hook.
That’s what I always thought, but have stayed away.
DonP,
That is a nice pattern; thanks for sharing