Fly tying The original Davy Parker “Retirer”

The correct way to dress the Retirer & the story behind its development.

[@davidstocker5736]

lovely engineering. Collapsability/'mouth feel' in a fly is something I've long thought about. Thanks for confirming my thinking.

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

No probs , it’s a cracking pattern

[@KENNYFLY1]

Thanks Howard cracking looking fly 🎣

[@ironflyfishing5152]

Some key aspects, explained very well. Excellent as always Howard!

[@emilleum48]

Thank you for sharing this special fly, I don't find very many competition flies, thank you, MSG Leum

[@fredleroux6920]

Thank you for sharing,and all the facts behind the development of the fly

[@nigelmartin3659]

Used this fly on the Annan recently with excellent results. Worked well in broken water and even smooth medium flowing seams

[@komando8365]

Been fishing with this one for years, tues just like this. Light tan versions with a light pinky hued body are absolutely deadly at times as well! Thanks for this Howard!

[@richardc6932]

I have to agree, a close-up of the fly through the tying process would have better. I don't need to see the tier during this part of the video.

[@davidstocker5736]

Its been nailing browns on a local river last couple of days. Big thank you

[@billurban7197]

Wanted to thank you for the tutorial. Tied up a few down to #18 and it was just the ticket for my fussy limestoner browns

[@Jackthehackle]

Thanks for the demo Howard like the in depth detail of the dressing.

[@sputnick66]

Great tie. yes, this is similar to an X-caddis we tie in north America. I'll tie some up and I'm sure it will work well in our waters. Thanks for the great explanation of why you proportion it.

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

No problem, it works well across a lot of venues in North America and has done good service for me on the WB of the Delaware and across Montana & Colorado .

[@pauldeaville9735]

Thankyou for sharing Howard.

[@oscarbarreiro4266]

I tried it and it worked fantasticaly well in a cristal clear mountain river. Thanks¡¡

[@nicolelewis1828]

Love it! Thanks Howard. I'm looking forward to fishing this one!

[@AndrewSmith-zl3gf]

I have a feeling it would make a fine mayfly emerger in the right colour scheme.

[@hanssteffensaburto2275]

hello howard, thank you very much for the explanations and the tying of the fly, I would have liked a closer approach to the tying, please for the next time. Regards.

[@callumclark3358]

Yes, Howard’s a lovely looking lad, but having feasted on his fine features at the beginning, the camera would have been better concentrating on the fly being tied.

[@jdk6584]

Looking forward to some more videos! Helped me a lot

[@peterlaidler3895]

Hi Howard, I have seen many interpretations of this fly, none of which match the original. Thanks for enlightening us

[@MS-ux6fp]

Thank you Sir great videos

[@alvignart]

I'm impressed with the thoughts behind the design, and the final product, Howard; great contribution. Technically, we'd have further benefited had you done the entire tying video in close-up mode, as you show it in the last few seconds. Thank you.

[@crs1321]

A braw wee beastie davy. Thanks for the tips. 🎣👏👍

[@stevecarew4192]

Nice video Howard!

[@robertgreen5217]

Looks easy enough to tie into the bargain 👍

[@BobFullerton-gn1ww]

If you recommend only treating the wing with floatant, I presume the body and shuck should preferably sink. In which case surely it would be better to use a non hydrophobic shuck and body material?

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

You could but in reality when you take into account the weight of the hook and other materials the poly yarn shuck & body still sit in rather than on the water .

[@oscarbarreiro4266]

Thanks¡ I will give it a try...

[@peterb443]

Hi Howard I just wanted to say how very helpful and inspiring your tips and tricks are and not forgetting the fly tying and the stories behind the fly’s. Can I ask your advice on line choice, I have just treat myself to a new Hardy Zephrus 9ft 5# fws and would appreciate your help in line choice I mainly fish small Stillwaters with a floating line. Many thanks Howard

[@jsboyle3459]

Nice fly👍

[@hounddogjonny]

Great that thankyou

[@richardc6932]

At present I do not have coastal deer hair. At the risk of offending anyone I will use what I have available, a darker deer hair and only white poly propylene. I hope my local fly shop has some coastal deer hair and maybe a darker colour of poly. I have all winter to get this corrected.

[@rogerhurren5602]

Hi Howard, I notice that you have a great lamp on your tying bench. Can you give details? My eyes are getting older and lighting/ contrast have become an issue. BTW you have your study well sorted!

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

Hi Roger , I just found it on Amazon for about £90 I think . It was a present but doesn’t have a makers name on it .

[@axelg4263]

Hi Howard, I want to tie your caddis car wash The green and the normal, can you make a video for tying this model ? How you can find the materials for the body of the green caddis car wash ? And after the bead It’s hare hair or deer hair ? Thanks a lot

[@davidstocker5736]

Five tied now, but how do I know if my deer hair is 'coastal'? Must it smell of the sea?

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

No, but it should be 2-4cm in length with short fine barred tips and not much underfur . Some deer hair is way to thick and bulky for this kind of fly. Coastal deer also have webbed feet and a blow hole .😉

[@holyworrier]

I’d love to have a better view of what’s going on in your vise.

[@ericlong9085]

What sizes do yo tye it

[@gabriellavin3641]

Hi Howard, what Vice would you recommend for about £40?

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

Hi Gabriel, To be honest I am not really that well informed on best value for money in terms of vices. I’m very fortunate to have an original Waldron that was gifted to me. I used to have an Odames over and under , an old English made vice that I’m not sure is available any more that was about £70 but lasted for close to 20 yrs ..

[@gabriellavin3641]

Thanks anyway, looking at getting this one, DENNETTRotatable Head Lever Action Pedestal Fly Tying Vice

[@aljosadjuricic5097]

I’ve tried it, and it works great with trout but no luck with grayling so far. Is it realy trout fly only ?

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

We have caught plenty of Grayling with it over the years, actually first big “score” Davy had with the fly in Slovenia I think was maybe Grayling.

[@paulnewnam1840]

Ever used it on Stillwater Howard?

[@howardcrostonflyfisher9227]

Occasionally- works fine .