The first attempts!!

[johnmac]

Its not as easy as it looks this Salmon tying malarky!! ;D As you can see orange is the colour of choice.... simply because i have limited tying stuff at the moment!!

Not tied to any pattern, i just stuck on what looked good?? I think two of them aint bad..... as you can see i used a bit of marabou....... i rarely see a fly with this material on it.... but i figured its mobile..... and assuming a fish took, i wouldnt mind if it got beaten up a bit!!! as long as it catches!

your thoughts please folks..... and be honest... i can take it! I'm thick skinned. I think they are all size 10? doubles.... i think trebles will be easier to tie?!? for me at least!

and i know the heads are crap! my varnish is probably 8yrs old and now more like glue!! new stuff on order!

[johnmac]

ooooops! dirty finger nails! the shame!

[redshrimp]

Good first attempt. Any of those flies will work, just keep them wet. The heads are maybe a wee bit big and close to the eye but that can be easily fixed. Just leave a bit more room to form the head.
well done.

[kercock]

Well John,In my eyes you have cracked it. I have seen a lot worse tied by "experienced tiers" Well done, I will be down shortly to claim my share !

[exerod]

They are nicely proportioned and the heads aren't that bad. Far far worse flies than these can be found in some of the books by the "greats".

You should join in with the next fly swap

Andy

[johnmac]

thanks for the replies folks..... i knew the heads were a bit big, and the varnish i used is duff..... but my new trebles arrived today and i've got some other materials coming over the next week! so hopefully i'll get even better!

As for catching fish..... i went a whole season fishing shop bought flies.... and not fish landed.... maybe this will win those Ericht fish over! I'll give them a bash as soon as i get the chance!

[johnmac]

thanks Andy... but i think i'm a bit away from the next fly-swap!! we'll see how things progress with the new tying gear!

[Sloggi]

They look good and far better than my fisrt attempts! I like the shades of orange - good for the back-end.

JC - you have them running along the body which is interesting. I usually have them at a slight angle - not quite 45 degrees. However, I think the way the JC in positioned on Pot Bellied Pigs brings another really interesting option.

Marabou is a bit of a conundrum - when dry it looks great when wet is looks like algae! I think the new disc head flies from M Frodin opens up really interesting ideas for softer materials which, logic suggests, should "pulse" in the water. Time will tell.

You seem tro have a good eye for what looks "fishy" and, most importantly for me, the proportions are pretty much on the mark.

No comment on your fingernails ;D

[johnmac]

cheers for the reply Sloggi!

I've been up to the tackle shop @ lunch today and bought a few bits and some new varnish. My trebles arrived today from e-bay.... and i knocked a few up...... i'm well chuffed with the results!! not bad for my fourth and fifth attempts at a Salmon fly... unless you look to closely!

As for the finger nails.... i must add that i have a coal fire!! honest..... i do was, now and then!