Excellent! Thanks, Pete. That's more or less what I've read elsewhere but I like the confirmation and the insight on it's good and bad points. You make an especially good point that many of us forget (or never knew) that heron is itself a substitute for the original material.
Good luck with the fishing. I'm afraid that I have to go on a shopping trip to find some new blinds and new clothes with my wife. If I'm lucky, I'll get to do some prospecting for new places this afternoon. I found a couple of small lakes near me in the DeLorme for northern California I want to go look at. Jim Collins ------------ Fishing is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that! -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Peter Gramp Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2005 8:48 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VFB] Spey Flies??? Hey, Jim - My opinion on Blue Eared is that it is a great (though shorter) sub for heron. Actually, a WONDERFUL sub! The stems should be soaked in water so they don't split, as they are very brittle, and the stem's length is in the ballpark of 4-6" compared to the 10-12" of Heron, but the actual barbs are great for reproducing the heron look both in and out of the water. For reproducing the webbed Spey cock, it doesn't come close, but then few people realize that heron was a substitute to begin with... In any case, you want that flowing effect, and Blue- Eared Pheasant gives that to great effect. The downside is having to use two feathers for a fully- palmer a single fly, BUT the effect is VERY nice. If you tie to catch fish, it's just what the doctor ordered; if you tie to catch fishermen (display), the same applies; If you tie for the historical value, I'd stick to the Schlappen. Depends on your preference. Tight lines, Pete who is leaving to hopefully catch rock bass and smallmouth on my newly- made 6'3" 2wt bamboo rod
