My Humpys of Many Colors

[rFisherk]

I've long been a fan of big Humpy dry flies, and yesterday I received some #8 dry fly hooks, so I tied some of various colors. Still need to make some with brown wing and red or natural tail.

[fishinwrench]

Good Humpy's are a tricky tie.   They like to land upside down. I gave up on them.

[mic]

Ron... that's enough from you.  I believe you should sign up for the Winter fly swap (Hint Hint).  

Awesome flies.

[rFisherk]

I've sort of developed my own way of tying them, which is simpler and easier than videos I've seen, and I have never had one land upside down, or even sideways, for that matter. And Mic, I like to fish my own flies. Don't wish to swap them for others. Thanks, but no thanks.

[Ham]

Very nice looking flys. I've never really used a fly with that much Red in it, but seem to suspect that they will be effective.

Another way to view the fly swap would be to look at it as a way to share your flys with others who would value them and maybe even fish with them after you've passed away or add them to a display collection. You could always donate the flys you receive for various charitable projects.

[mic]

Ron agree with Ham.  If you don't want other flies, let me know, but I really liked the wet fly you let me use.  Tie some up and share.  Either way... understand.  

[DaddyO]

I REALLY like the looks of those.  Very nice tie.  Ron, you mentioned that you've developed your own way of tying them that is simpler.  Can you share that info with us?

[rFisherk]

First of all, I don't use a stacker, but I also have excellent deer hair.

I cut a clump of deer hair for the tail that is at least twice what I need. First I pick out any longer fibers until the tips are fairly even. Next I hold them tightly near the tips with my thumb and forefinger and stroke out any short fibers. Finally I pinch them right at the tips and stroke again. I measure the length of the tail and tie it in about 3/4 way to the eye and wrap back to near the bend. At the bend, I take a few more very loose raps so that the tail fibers don't flair. Then I wrap the thread back to that 3/4 point. (I use a lot of raps, because the thread serves as the body, instead of wrapping floss.

Next I cut a section of deer hair that will serve as the body and wing.  Again, I cut about twice as much as needed and prepare it the same way as the tail, by stroking out short fibers. I trim the butts so that the clump is a little more than double the shank length, or extends from the eye to just past the tail tips. I tie this in at the 3/4 point and make a lot of wraps (6/0 thread), wrapping all the way to the bend.

Then I bring the thread to the 3/4 point and fold the clump forward, taking two or three progressively tighter wraps of thread over the clump. I release the clump and take a few more tight wraps. Next I grab the wing, with is forward and flaired, being sure to grab all the fibers between my thumb and forefinger, and fold it back, while I wrap a bunch of times in front to build a base of thread that holds the clump upright. Front of the wing should be straight up. Next I make a few wraps around the base of the wing to hold the base together better.

Next I prepare the hackle (Metz is best), tie it in a wrap it. (If using two hackles, wrap them separately.)  I used to put a couple of wraps of hackle behind the wing and the rest in front, but that really isn't necessary. Today, I wrap all the hackle in front of the wing.

Final step is the put on a hackle guard and wrap the head so that the front of the hackle is somewhat straight.

Doesn't take me any longer with this method to tie a Humpy than it does for any other dry fly.

Any questions?

[fishinwrench]

15 hours ago, rFisherk said:

 

Any questions?

What makes Metz best ?  

[Flysmallie]

2 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

What makes Metz best ?  

It's impossible to say Metz is the best. That's just a ridiculous statement. I have good Metz hackle and bad Metz hackle. I mean really bad Metz hackle. (Yes I understand the different grades) I also have a Keough hackle that is better than all my Metz hackle.