My first attempt

[donangler]

Heres my first attempt on a cascade. It is the 3rd salmon fly i've tying so any comments would be most helpful. Please excuse me but i didn't have any yellow hackles but they're on order to me so i show be able to tie them up properly soon. Please leave feedback.




Jay

[altmor]

Not a bad first attempt Jay, even though you haven't got the yellow hackle !! A couple of pointers, try a slightly sparser tail but keep the same proportions to the mix, as this will move more enticingly in the current, and go a little heavier with the black wing, to create the "dart" body when in water.

Try also to keep the body another 3-4mm down from the eye so when you hackle up / put the wing on, the varnish head keeps clear of the eye and allows a good turle knot to be formed.

As I say, a good first attempt, and one which I would not doubt will catch. You'll need to post up when you land your first fish on it - there's nothing better than catching on one of your own flies.

[charlieh]

Nothing much wrong with that, and it'd certainly take fish. Many novices make the mistake of overdressing their flies - it's good to see you haven't gone that way, though for my taste I wouldn't mind seeing the tail a little bit lighter still. But I like my flies quite skinny and this is a matter of personal preference. The proportions - length of tail, wing and hackle - are right, too. I can't see whether you've got the tail and wing centred on the line of the hook, but be sure to check this by looking at the fly from the top. If it's off centre it can make the fly swim on its side, particularly with a single hook.

Otherwise, the only (constructive) criticism I'd make is maybe to keep the dressing a little bit further back from the eye - you may particularly need to bear this in mind when you start using two hackles. Have a look at some of Speyvalley's flies (on the Flies for Spey in May thread) to see how he ties his. I don't tie mine as far back as he does (if anything I tend to make the mistake of tying too far forwards), but I'd rather use a fly with a nicely tapered head tied well back from the eye, than with the eye crowded.

[donangler]

Thanks, i took your advice and tied one with less bucktail on the tail, more black on top and left more for the head.



I don't know if it's any better

Jay

[altmor]

Yes, as Alan says definately better, a very good second attempt at this fly. I like the tail and wing now - you'll also learn that by wetting a fly you can keep a jist of the shape during the tying process, and as Alan says, don't be afraid to undo the last section and re-do, to build up the "perfect" shape and proportions.

That said, I think you've got it. Well done.

[donangler]

Great,

10 of them on size 10, 8 and 6 doubles and I'll be ready for next season!

Thanks for the help

Jay

[Sloggi]

Nice flies - good to see they're not like shaving brushes with too much hair.

With the excellent info in the posts above, you're in good hands

Personally, I would agree with what's been said and add the following: the original cascade had two hackles so add another even if you dont have yellow. Even another orange one would suffice. The tail should have pearl flash - am I missing it - as well as the silver flash under the black hair which is there but may be a wee bit too long for me.

As hooks are so expensive (approx. 50p each), I would pat yourself on the back for a good start before cutting them up and tying again having absorbed the valid points made above.

Having just looked, I have three large mugs filled with flies that I know I'll never use but will save the hooks and re-tie for next season. As you get better you'll do the same and save money

[macd]

Good effort.

My pennies worth is to trim the pearl flash to different lengths, helps the profile. Try using a softer hair in the wing- fox or similar.