I just read Charlie Craven’s article in the latest Fly Fisherman magazine, and really like his simple Humpy pattern. I think this could be a killer bluegill and green sunfish fly. I especially like the foam-backed version. My question is this… How would changing the hair wing from elk hair to calf tail affect the flotation of the fly? My thinking is that white calftail wing would stick out much better than the elk.
Older and wiser, what do you say? I would really appreciate some input.
Zac
you mean like a royal ‘wulff’?
i would think you could tie the wing with anything you want, it would then be a humpy variant.
Isn’t all body hair more bouyant than tail hair because of its natural tubular nature?
If you’re dependent on the wings floating the fly, you’re already sunk (pun intended).
Think about it. The wings are above the water, what do they have to do with floatation?
If the wings are holding the fly in the meniscus, you’re not accomplishing your goal to begin with.
In this month’s Fly Rod & Reel, A.K. Best revisits using white Turkey T-Base feathers for the wings on Royal Wulff’s. Been working for me for the last five or so years.
FWIW, I think a humpy with a white calf tail wing is given the adjective “Royal.”
Zac,
I tie lots of foam-back flies with calftail wings - they float just fine, are easier to spot in heavy water and I think they are more durable than elk/deer hair wings. I don’t worry about trying to get the tips even, I just trim the wings to be a little longer than the hackle; fish don’t seem to mind.
Regards,
Scott
Zac: Take a couple of those white belly feathers from a teal & tie them fan wing style. That should make a fly that is not only pretty but visable.
Tim
“Zac: Take a couple of those white belly feathers from a teal & tie them fan wing style. That should make a fly that is not only pretty but visable.”
…and, unfortunately, do a twisting number on a light tippet!
Chuck
If you’re going to use calf hair try body hair as it is straighter than calftail and stacks much easier…Frank
I don’t think the calf hair affects the flotation at all. The hackle is what holds the fly in the surface film, not the wing.
In another article of Charlie’s, “Picture Perfect Parachutes” he mentions that he likes 3 colors for visibility, white, hot pink, and black. He uses white calf hair in a lot of the flies on his site for visibility. I think the white here is for visibility. It is darn sure a lot easier to see white calf than elk hair on the water for me and the fish isn’t looking at the top of the fly.
yes youre right. i forgot about that one
http://www.deschutesangler.com/Flies/Attractor+Dry+Flies/Humpy.html
I’m referencing Randall Kaufman’s “Tying Dry Flies.”
You’ve got a Royal Humpy. Then, according to Kaufman, there’d be the Chartreus Royal Humpy, Orange Royal Humpy, Black Royal Humpy - etc.
Of course, Kaufman is a guy who was tying them back when they were called Goofus Bugs.
jack dennis was too! 
Thanks so much for the input, gents! I’m thinking a foam-backed Humpy with white calftail wings will be darn near indestructible and very visible. Craven also put rubber legs on some of his… another killer idea. I’m thinking green, yellow, black, and orange.
Peacock is a killer and try purple, too (no kidding).
Regards,
Scott