Fly Tying a Waterhen Bloa - Classic Soft Hackle Wet Fly

[@bigdaddy99929]

Wow. Not kidding. Quick and easy. Thanks again Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Clyde! Yes, I think all these north country spiders can be deceivingly simple!

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

I really like this wet fly and think it’s a fish catching fly. Anxious to get my starling from J Stocker. Thank you Sir Matt for making these great videos.

[@michaelmerlino6753]

When it comes to classic English flies Oliver Edwards is the man to refer to.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike- I'll definitely check him out!

[@johnread2250]

North country flies Robert Smith is your man. Ollie Edwards tyed great realistic patterns both men superb

[@comesahorseman]

Interesting, you tie your North Country spiders the same way that I was taught, by tying in the base of the hackle feather. I've since been told by experienced tiers that you should tie in the feather at the tip, because that part of the stem is more flexible. I've been trying it that way for a while and I'll allow as how it's easier to tie this way. But, tie them the way you like, they still catch trout! Thanks, Matt!

[@jeffreystone7327]

Thank you for this video Matt. I’m finding the history you share to becoming very much more intriguing to me now. But your tying is still at the top of my list. Thank you Sir. Great fly.

[@danlim3763]

Great tie ... and thanks for sharing.

[@SavageFlies]

You got it Dan; appreciate you watching!

[@davehall2160]

That looks easy and a good looking fly

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Dave; appreciate it!

[@PreppingWithSarge]

Nice one. That Blae and Black looks cool also. Your library must be impressive Matt! You are a true historian, and your passion for fly tying always comes across in your videos.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Sarge! And yes, I probably have way more books than is needed. :-)

[@mikeney5113]

Great pattern and tie Matt Sorry it took me while to comment on video.hunting all day.great video keep them rolling my friend.love it.

[@SavageFlies]

Mike- no need to apologize! You're on of my most reliable supporters. And I always appreciate it! (I hope you had some luck Hunting. 👍)

[@TheHillcityhobo]

Great fly and video. I love flies that I can sit and tie a dozen of in less than an hour. I will definitely give this a try.

[@SavageFlies]

Absolutely! There are only a handful that I've gotten my speed down to about four minutes. A CDC elk hair caddis is my main. This could easily be another. 😁

[@tomharvey7436]

Coot is a great substitute for waterhen nice tie Matt

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Tom!

[@jamesvatter5729]

Good job, Matt. No need for nearly impossible to find Pearsall's and waterhen.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Jim- and good to know. I never really looked for waterhen until last night and couldn't find any vendors here in the US.

[@JamesMcCutcheon]

Matt, you did a good job tying up this Bloa. I have some old hooks, gossamer, and plenty of hackles but I am not good at doing this ultra-simple fly. There is nothing simple about handling those Starling feathers.

[@SavageFlies]

Ha! I agree Jim... these tiny starling feathers can be a lot more difficult than they should be. :-)

[@DeboraExum]

Enjoyed the simplicity of this one. I like your tie off gizmo for the thread (can't remember the official name at the moment). Seems to me that could serve many more purposes that fly tying. And I thought your music level was just right.

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Debora! It's called a whip finish tool and a whip finish is basically a half-hitch knot with several wraps. This does make me wonder who invented the tool, or when it first came about. That might be interesting research. :-)

[@harryjoesather6539]

54 DEAN STREET fly fishing & fly tying stuff.....has waterhen full skin.....was just looking to see if i could find it....lol.....yeah matt going back watching older video's....lol

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Joe! I just took a look at them and while they do have some good stuff, I'm betting shipping from Italy might be expensive.

[@harryjoesather6539]

@@SavageFlies NOT REALLY SURE BUT HEY TRY IT ONCE AND SEE....NEVER KNOW...

[@OttoJulian_]

Very nice Matt!!! I think the final fly does remind me of something, but I just can't remember what it is!

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Otto, Mr. 500 subscriber super stud! I told you your channel is going to blow up soon! Every time you do a DJI video, your views and subscribers go through the roof. Nice job my friend. A couple more of these and you'll be at the 1000/4000 milestone!! 👍

[@OttoJulian_]

@@SavageFlies Thanks Matt! Really appreciate all your support! Yeah I'm pretty amazed myself of the growth and I have more plans as we keep moving on. I'm still learning a lot and getting the hang of what works and what doesn't work too well. Not sure if it's too early but I have bought a spanish wine that I like to celebrate #1000!

[@eddieirvine9252]

Nicely tied fly and if you're really interested in North country spiders have a look at Robert L Smith's book the north country fly,also no criticism but two suggestions tie your spiders on normal shank hooks and even less than half the dubbing for the body the tying silk should show through the dubbing

[@SavageFlies]

Eddie, thanks! I'll definitely check him out. And I welcome any critique or tips that will help make me a better tier! I plan to tie a Partridge and Orange soon so this helps. Thanks again.

[@cowboycody8094]

I wonder how one goes about inventing a fly, if that's even possible these days with there being so many flies out there?

[@SavageFlies]

That's a great question Cody! I imagine lots of very similar flies have been "invented" by lots of people with decades and miles between them. It seems to be rare that someone comes up with something as novel as the Elk Hair Caddis or Copper John anymore. But who knows? I'm sure there are some uninvented flies just waiting to emerge. :-)

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Lovely fly and tying. However, I always thought that the dubbing should be so sparse that the thread should be visible? Anyway its great ot use modern threads and available materials. people idolise Peasall's silk to the point of fetishism. :-)

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Terry. And I think you're right, the body should be a bit more sparsely dubbed. I'm still learning here myself, and the few I've done since this I made them a bit closer to the original. Thanks for the note my friend!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

@@SavageFlies I didn't mean to be critical. Thee are so many ways of interpreting patterns. I'm only mediocre. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your excellent presentations. :-)

[@johnread2250]

Way too much fur. You should be abe to see the yellow silk body. Tie in the hacle by the point. Sorry tobe critical but if you put yourself up there do it right