Fly Tying a Petitjean MP 33 Mayfly nymph

[@coachdewalls9355]

I've just gotten into tying recently, and I bought your book as well, but I've decided you make this look WAY easier than it really is. I really enjoy your videos and have a much better appreciation for your work now that I've started tying myself. Maybe, one day, I'll be at least proficient. Great work, and thanks for the inspiration!

[@Thefeatherbender]

Well thank you coach! Its not that difficult, like everything, practice makes perfect!

[@jogi44100]

👍👍👍👍👍, I am a fan from CDC -tying and your tying videos! Please more of this stuff!

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks J.

[@robertperman8967]

Very nice! Tight lines🪲🐜🦟!!!!!

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thank you.

[@shannonyork5300]

Yes, Barry, fine job as usual. And more MP flies would be great and much appreciated. Thank you. Cheers,

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks Shannon, I'll be doing more MP patterns...

[@fliesbychris]

Lovely looking nymph Barry. I don't have black floss atm but I'm sure my dyed black pheasant tail will do the trick!!. Thanks for keeping us occupied. ATB Chris.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Hi Chris, thanks, yes but black Antron or another floss type material would work even better.

[@fliesbychris]

👍

[@3000waterman]

Barry. My amazing new vice arrives today, and I shall tie this excellent pattern to blood it. It can only loose its virginity once! Although with lockdown it seems unlikely the trout will be troubled by our efforts this season. A thought. Might you consider a short series on harvesting materials properly - particularly feathers? I would be very interested to see how (for example) a mallard might be reduced to bagged tying batches, in ziplocks. We all need to respect the creatures that provide us with materials. The great thing about mallard is that it leaves little waste: the breasts are wonderful sizzled for a minute each side; we have a multitude of feathers; the local buzzards and kites clean up what little remains. Oh I do wish we had wood duck here in England.

[@SavageFlies]

Excellent question! I too would like to see best practices for preserving and getting the most out of our tying materials. Another great tie Barry- thanks for all you do for us fly tiers.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Hi Duofold, thanks. Whoa what vice is it? I have done a few videos regarding material prep but not a duck, I'll see what I can do about that.

[@3000waterman]

Good morning, Barry. It's a McLaughlin Law, and you'd have to see it to believe it. Built and finished like the movement of a Rolex watch. Sublime. The hardened tool steel jaws are exactly as per the original Law, but the arm articulates to allow exact rotational alignment, in a similar way to the late Snowbee Waldron vice (which did not have the definitive original Law jaws). The star wheel under the left hand offers the most natural jaw function adjustment you can imagine. If any vice is better-made it must exist in another dimension. The only caveat that has to be attached, is that Jim McLaughlin does not want to make dozens of these vices, so he is unlikely ever to become a new source of upgraded Law vices. These are one or two-off works of art/utility. Production-made vices will serve most tyers' needs, anyway. I know you're wedded to your Petitjean Swiss vices, and I too think they're superb. Their price is decidedly fruity, though, as you'd expect for high quality kit made in Switzerland. (If only I could persuade myself to pay the vast sum required for his clever bobbin holders.) On mallard preparation - I have to admit, even after many years of shooting I still feel somewhat over-faced when confronted by a still-warm duck. A step-by-step reduction guide would be very reassuring. And (importantly) allow the creature the respect it deserves. Plucking/sorting/storage/dye options/moth protection/labelling/collating. And then it would be useful to know just which feathers would be needed for known fly patterns, and which could be used as substitutes (mallard/wood duck, etc.) The same breakdown might be written/illustrated for various other species/creatures, but the mallard is the most easily acquired for most of us. All that would make a very useful addition to the second printing of your outstanding book (which sits beside me). In fact, if referencing several species, there's probably a whole new book in this subject. So that's your afternoon taken up, eh Barry?

[@glinnphillips4884]

Very well done. Just beautiful

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks Glinn.

[@franckmilliot4656]

excellent Good job Mister ,Thank you xx

[@Fishface11]

Great stuff Barry. Please more mp patterns 👍

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks John, more will come.

[@jackreilly8372]

Excellent tie. Do you ever use less weight and fish it higher in the water column? I fish spring Creeks with weeds but with enough depth for a dry- dropper. Do you use these colors for infrequent, pmd?

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks Jack, yes Marc does tie it with less weight and it is more difficult get wet! You do have to wet the nymph and then squeeze out the air in the CDC to get it down. I think they would work well for a pmd, the colour darkens slightly when wet.

[@jorgemerino4709]

Hi Barry This is a fantastic and very effective nymph. I have tied it for a long time (I have the book by Marc PJ) and it makes me very good job. A question, what type of floss do you use for the thorax? I have tied the thorax with Gutermann silk and it works well, but I want some floss, because I have one that, for my taste, has an excessively thin strand (Glo Brite Floss) and I would like to buy one that is somewhat thicker, can you please advise some? Thank you.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Hi Jorge, thank you, and so pleased that you like the CDC book. The floss I am using is Marc Petitjean floss, you should be able to get it from any MP dealer.

[@jorgemerino4709]

@@Thefeatherbender Thanks, Barry. I can say that at the moment I have your book and that of MPJ as reference books. Both are must-haves on a fly-tyer's bench. An affectionate greeting.

[@duderoony]

Crikey! I’ll have a go with a few more materials but, oh my word. That’s not an easy one! lol. Thanks for another one dude.

[@Thefeatherbender]

You can do it Dude.

[@duderoony]

I’ll certainly be giving it a try but a few more materials needed first! lol

[@jamesvatter5729]

Amazing tie!

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks James.

[@andersklasson1226]

Great fly, 👍

[@Thefeatherbender]

Takk Anders.

[@tinkmarshino]

Nice one..

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks Tink...

[@S.V.C.B.]

Great pattern, but the CdC, that I ordered from Marc, seems to be a bit shorter, that is needed for performing of this fly. By the way, the bolt on your vise is definitely tighter, than on mine. That's why I can't take such tiny hooks. Anyway, wrapping the hook with a feather is a great technique, especially performed your way. Remarkable.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Hi SB, thats strange, I have 50-60 packs of MP CDC and for the most they are long! Send me a photo of the lightning screw or what is wrong with your vice along with your name and address and I will forward it to Marc and have him replace it if you like. [e-mail]

[@johnshand6176]

Lovely pattern and presentation. I have never seen CDC of this quality and length in NZ. Is this from Marc Petitjean? Looks like it must be from geese or something that large. I shoot paradise ducks which are actually geese but the feathers are only half as long as the feathers you use. Perhaps Switzerland has a special breed for CDC? Thanks from down-under.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Hi John, thanks, yes its from MP, all his CDC is of this length and quality, and no its from ducks. The CDC from geese and swans is actually shorter than ducks! I have never heard of a paradise duck, and I know most birds, I'll have to google that!

[@3000waterman]

Terrific tying. Expensive of big CDC feathers that are only really available from Petitjean. But hopefully a good investment.

[@Thefeatherbender]

Thanks, yes quite a few CDC hackles used here, but the yellow ones can be used for several flies.

[@tattvamasi_1]

👍👍

[@robertjerome1889]

Start with simple flies !! Keep your material centered and DON'T CROWD THE EYE. Ha

[@Thefeatherbender]

practice and more practice Robert....