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Keep in mind that I am always looking for images for our newsletter; fish, sunsets, sunrises, other anglers fishing, equipment, anything fishing related. I can use them all.  Large, unedited images are best. Thanks.

Created by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018 at 1:09pm. Last updated by Scott McKee Oct 31, 2018.

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Comment by Derek Crane on July 18, 2014 at 8:52am
Just a few flies I tied up a couple of weeks ago. 8/0 partridge hooks (x2), saddle hackle, bucktail, and flashabou. I also started bending my own "fish-spines" for the third segment. They are pretty much triple Beaufords but I use cheaper saddle hackle instead of dry fly hackle. I wanted something that would have a similar profile to a tube.

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Comment by Scott McKee on July 18, 2014 at 1:17pm

All you need to do is slap a blade or two and about 2 ounces of weight on those babies...


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Comment by John Jarosz on July 18, 2014 at 2:02pm

pretty slick looking, Derek.  Are they weighted at all? To get a big profile with hackle, I've been using schlappen.  I started using it on woolly buggers & liked the big look of it.

Comment by Derek Crane on July 18, 2014 at 2:58pm

John, no they are not weighted.  I generally prefer unweighted streamers on a heavy sinking line because they are easier (although with this much deer hair easier is relative) to cast and move more in the water than weighted ones.  The hackle I have is pretty close to schlappen.  I started using schlappen on woolly buggers as well.  I like the webbiness of the fibers and the fibers on schlappen feathers are generally longer than what you find on saddle hackle.


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Comment by John Jarosz on July 18, 2014 at 5:24pm

Derek...i'm with you on that! I prefer a weighted line instead of a weighted fly, too.  Better action on the fly & I think more control.

I just had an idea.  Reading your stuff on schlappen, have you ever tried "burnt schlappen"?  I've never tried it but I read it on the OOFS site.  You basically chemically burn off (with bleach(?)) the hooklets on each barbule.  You end up with a lot of webbiness without the bulk.  That would certainly cut down on the weight & water clinging properties that come with naturals but keep the bulk and large profile. That's one of the reasons I've been tying more with synthetics, but for some things, the naturals are better.

Comment by Derek Crane on July 18, 2014 at 9:35pm

I have not heard of burnt schlappen.  I will have to check into it.


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Comment by John Jarosz on July 18, 2014 at 9:53pm

derek...do you go on the OOFS site?  Look under Nick's flies for a sample of a fly.  I found this method on another site.  Nick demo'd it once during the winter & this is the technique he used. 


"I believe what they are talking about is using a 50/50 bleach water mixture to 'thin' the hackle a bit. Make a tray of 50/50 bleach/water, and a secondary rinsing bath of pure water. The tricky part is to pull the feathers out of the 50/50 mix just as the feather fibers start to separate, if you leave them in their longer your feather will be toasted. So, as soon as the feather fibers start to spread apart, toss the feathers in the rinsing bath. Rinse them well, let them dry, and voila, burnt spey hackle.

It will change the color of your feathers slightly, but the result is a less dense hackle fiber that looks closer to blue ear or heron. Schlappen is very commonly burnt, although you do not always need to do it. It's more a personal taste on your flies.

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