Fly Tying the Two-Feather (Harry Darbee Catskill Dry Fly)

[@chevyguy6510]

When I saw the first part of this I thought it was way too complicated for me to even attempt. After watching the whole video, it doesn't look too complicated at all. Thanks again Matt!

[@SavageFlies]

Well that's what it's all about! Sometimes I'm the same way. I'll see a complicated pattern in a book (think, Carrie Stevens' heritage featherwing streamers) and think... I could never tie that! And then after a couple tries, I learn that it's not as bad as I thought. :-)

[@Jd-yc3gw]

Morning Matt, morning all. ☕️time and watching a very cool fly being tied. Thank you Matt. Take care.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it John!

[@markfritch3168]

What a cool pattern! I love the simplicity of this, and as usual the history of it is exceptional. Makes me wonder how many flies got lost when the fly tier crossed to the other side. Thank you Matt, always a pleasure.

[@SavageFlies]

I think about that too Mark. I have so many books with patterns that aren't in any other books, and nobody remembers who created them. I guess some of them are going to stay a mystery forever, but at one time, some regular guy in some unknown city, came up with a pattern that worked and someone thought enough of it to put it in a book. I guess that mystery is one of the things so wonderful about tying. This was a great comment my friend. Thank you for leaving it.

[@peteyarrington582]

Beautifully done! I can see how experimenting with different feathers could give you some new imitations of many eastern mayflies. Although so many of them are pale on the underside of the abdomen, you might get lot of effective patterns just by varying the hackle and the hook size. So many flies to tie and try...

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Pete and good idea. I'd love to try this thing in a #16 or smaller, just not sure I could find a mallard piece small enough. But you know, I suppose you could clip the front wings. It might not look as pretty, but if it still landed and floated upright you'd think it would still work. I might have to try that. :-)

[@jimholland1592]

Good morning Matt, it’s 66° and raining here. Just having my coffee and watching the master at work. Thanks fir putting in all the effort that goes into a production like this. Beautiful tye this morning 👍

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Jim! I'm humbled my friend. I've got a long way to go before being a "fly tying master." :-)

[@FlyTyer1948]

What a remarkable design.

[@hirkojs]

What an Amazing looking fly ! And it looks pretty simple to tie as long as I take my time. Mega Thx Matt!

[@karljones6594]

Good morning Matt. A real cool looking fly. Like that its a simple pattern. Another one for the box. Thank you again for your videos. Have a great day.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Karl! Thanks for the note my friend. 👍

[@epsieblaine7968]

Nothing like Savage video and a cup of coffe in the morning.I have seen this fly tied,never tied one,wasn't too fond of it.Never knew it was a Catskill fly.I am fond of it now.Raining here in the Smokey,s this is going to be the first fly this morning.Think I will do it with lemon wood duck, and a yellow dyed grizzly hackle to repesent the yellow Mays we have here.Great video Matt really enjoyed this one.Thanks Matt, have a great day. Ken

[@SavageFlies]

I think a yellow grizzly will look pretty sharp on this one Ken. I only had two colors of mallard flank right now-- this one and a woodduck. Yellow might really be cool. :-)

[@dahutful]

One of my absolute favorite patterns. When I first learned about it, I filled a box with the things. And, as it turns out, bluegill like them just fine! I used a tiny, teensy dot of cement at each of the tie-points, simply because, as you point out, there isn’t much in the way of purchase on the hook for the materials. A great pattern, and I love how you brought all those names in there - Darbee, McClane, and so on. These other people upon whose shoulders we stand, today. Thanks Matt David Palmetto Fly n Fish

[@SavageFlies]

Great comment David. We do indeed owe a debt to some of these great tiers who came before us. And even some of the not-so-famous ones who came up with a few great but forgotten patterns. Those are the ones I want to try and keep around for the new folks to discover. Thanks for the note my friend. :-)

[@MarcTelesha]

Seems like this would be a two fish fly AKA after two fish the fly falls apart?

[@SavageFlies]

@@MarcTelesha I was wondering that too but a quote from the book says, "For all its delicacy, the fly proved remarkably durable, probably because there is next to nothing for the trout to sink its teeth into."

[@dahutful]

@@MarcTelesha but simple and cheap to tie….. so you can have lots of em.

[@dahutful]

@@SavageFlies not fly fishing, but when I researched for my piece on “The Bass Flies Of A.J. McClane, well…. I was surprised to learn how much we owe THAT guy. He pretty much made spinning gear into the standard it is today, for example. Really enjoy your perspective

[@marshallbaldwin8960]

This is a Great dry fly. Thank you sir Matt

[@cheflexx778]

Damnit, i was on Amazon late last night debating whether I wanted to buy this book. Then you go and mention it on today's video. Ok, i get it fly tying Gods.... Lol. I'll buy the damn book... 😂

[@Jd-yc3gw]

I have this book and you will really enjoy it. IMHO it’s a great book.

[@SavageFlies]

It is definitely a good one Alex but keep in mind it's not a how-to book! But the history in it is amazing!

[@jeffreyl7355]

i'd recommend that book on the dettes too (i did know them they were great people !)

[@johnnylightning1491]

I like it, a simple but really good looking fly. Keep the good stuff coming Matt.

[@bigdaddy99929]

Great little dry fly Matt. Thx for sharing. Have a fabulous weekend coming up . 🙂

[@SavageFlies]

You too Clyde! I'm getting to go out on my first fishing trip of the fall on Saturday. Just hoping the weather holds out. :-)

[@toddslichter7831]

Nice looking pattern. Another to add to my box. 😆 Thanks for sharing, Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Todd; appreciate it my friend!

[@krabenaldt7605]

I enjoy your tying and approach. I don't know much about the history of flies and have some books I picked up at the used book store. Tons of patterns. I guess if the pattern looks attractive to me, it is worth a shot.

[@SavageFlies]

I feel the same way my friend! If a pattern catches my eye, I'll tie it and hopefully someday give it a try on the water. :-)

[@michaelpeterson6413]

I tie a light Cahill with the same tail, a very effective fly. This one looks just as good.👍

[@SavageFlies]

Sounds awesome Michael. I imagine you have to downsize a tad for a light cahill.

[@ybarrajc]

Thanks I appreciate the the history on this fly.

[@SavageFlies]

Glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate you watching my friend. :-)

[@barbaraemerich1921]

WOW! I think this one will be killer here in Idaho! Thank you Matt!

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Barbara! Thanks for watching. This time last year I was doing a float trip down the North Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. And you know what? I took a lot of Smokey Mountain flies with me and they did great. :-)

[@barbaraemerich1921]

@@SavageFlies hi Matt so I tied this one and this weekend me and my grandson went fly fishing and he tied on this fly. He was killing it on the brown trout. I was so amazed. And of course so proud of my 10 year old grandson.

[@duckdive08]

Love these older patterns, this one is a good example of simple works. Looking forward to tying a few up for next spring in New England.( On the hunt for Fall Striped bass now)

[@SavageFlies]

Ohhh striped bass... now that's a nice game fish! But I agree Jason; simple flies can be some of the best fish catchers. :-)

[@duckdive08]

@@SavageFlies , I agree, my fresh water box has just a few flies, and my favorite trout fly is the gold ribbed hares ear, tied very " buggy", in a couple different colors. I am not a big dry fly user, so I'm looking forward to trying the two feather. I nice to see you revamp these old forgotten patterns, and wet flys were what I first learned to tie when I was a kid. For example, the Zug Bug and the lead wing coachman. Couple weeks ago I got a 40" striper on a fly, biggest this year and my personal best on a saltwater fly rod. 😉

[@davehall2160]

Now that is a gorgeous looking fly Matt Will definitely have to try this one Thanks for the video

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Dave!

[@samuelloague3251]

Very nice looking fly. I will definitely try this one. Thanks again Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Samuel. Thanks for watching my friend!

[@alexanderlanham372]

I really like this! Thank you for always being these to us the history and all. I may not always get to comment cause I watch a lot on the tv. But I always send a like.

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Alexander! I certainly appreciate that, and thanks for letting me know. I just hope you're not watching on a big screen... where every tiny flaw will be magnified! (But here's secret... right after I publish one, I go upstairs and watch it on my big TV too.)

[@alantrico]

Really like this one Matt. Very minimalistic.

[@SavageFlies]

It is indeed Alan. The worst thing about it though... I think these will take up a lot of space in our boxes. :-)

[@kalikasurf]

Great tie, Matt! A nice delicate fly. Gotta try this one for sure!

[@SavageFlies]

You've got to give this one a shot Eddie. It really is a simple tie and still looks pretty cool. :-)

[@crowdaddy8355]

This is a really cool pattern. Can’t wait to fish it. Thanks Matt.

[@cecilwalley306]

Really like this.Very nice ty. Enjoy your channel. I get a lot of info. That is a tremendous help! Thanks Cecil

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Cecil. I appreciate the kind words my friend. :-)

[@laytonmarvin3790]

Wow, fantastic looking fly. I would have loved to have had this fly back in July. I definitely will be finishing this next year. Thanks Matt for sharing.

[@SavageFlies]

You bet Layton, and from reading some of the other comments here, apparently this thing does well for warmwater fish too. :-)

[@laytonmarvin3790]

@@SavageFlies either way, it will have to wait until next year for me. I've been and will be fishing for Salmon for the next month and then steelhead season.

[@huntingmissouri5420]

Awesome pattern! Thanks for sharing Matt!!

[@SavageFlies]

Appreciate it Franky!

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

Delightful. Near all truly elegant things are simple.:-)

[@SavageFlies]

I agree Terry! I have nothing against the fancy, elaborate patterns with a dozen different materials, but sometimes simpler is the ticket. :-)

[@frankmonroe8320]

Wow. Elegant but simple for sure. I wonder why this fly faded into oblivion. It looks great with the grizzly. Nice tie Matt!

[@SavageFlies]

Thank you Frank and I wondered that too. I wonder if people thought it wasn't durable enough. Maybe, but it is so cheap and easy to tie, if I had to change this out after three or four fish, I might still consider it a great fly.

[@harryjoesather6539]

awesome pattern matt thanks

[@edwardchavez5627]

Good Morning Sir Matt, the two feather is really cool, I'm loving this one. There is alot of colors in mallard flank feathers and I would even try a cdc - dry hackle mix. Thank you Sir Matt. Have a great day.

[@epsieblaine7968]

Good call Ed,the cdc would look great.You have ecourged me to do the same.Thanks Edward. Ken

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Edward and Ken! I'd love to see a picture if you make something like this with CDC. It might be a challenge but I think you could pull it off. :-)

[@edwardchavez5627]

@@SavageFlies will do sir Matt collie work on it tomorrow I had to prep two huge brisket for a birthday party on Saturday.

[@SavageFlies]

@@edwardchavez5627 Oh man, Edward the grill master! Your Texas brisket is making my mouth water. :-)

[@edwardchavez5627]

@@SavageFlies that my other skill...

[@Hunter711pa]

Cool pattern Matt I really like that extended body and tail. I’m definitely going to try a few of those. Thank you

[@SavageFlies]

Great to hear David; and good luck my friend!

[@mikeney5113]

Very awesome pattern.love it great job matt.thanks as always

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks Mike!

[@joeduca8582]

Excellent Tutorial Matt!!! It looks like origami on a hook :o) You make me want to tie one. I have that 50 year/fly book too, but don't remember this being in it, have to revisit. The fact that it solved a big without bulk problem involving the Iso, a favorite mayfly, is great. Going on a Darbee quest now. I wonder what came first, this ext-body/wing or the wally/wonder wing techniques. Thanks Matt.

[@SavageFlies]

Excellent question Joe- I'll have to see if any of my books mention when the wally wing was first tied. I'm going to think Darbee's two-feather might have beaten it by a few years. But I'm not sure. Hmmm...

[@joeduca8582]

@@SavageFlies I think so too.

[@mikeking453]

Cool fly, nice tie

[@SavageFlies]

Thanks 👍 Appreciate it Mike!

[@martyrothman3933]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@flyfishingchannel]

Beautiful!

[@easttnflyfreak2870]

great stuff ! Thanks Matt!!!

[@SavageFlies]

Glad you liked it James! Thanks for watching. :-)

[@martyrothman3933]

Good morning Matt good morning everyone

[@SavageFlies]

You too Marty! It's almost Friday so have a great weekend my friend. :-)

[@jeffreyl7355]

wish i had met him, did like fishing down back of his house though : )

[@MyItalians]

Good morning Matt. I really like this fly. As most triers have told me " less is more" and this fly is a great example. Have a joyful day fly tiers. Matt, have you thought about doing a 2 fly segment? Like a Hooper, dropper set. Just a thought.

[@SavageFlies]

I haven't really thought of doing two flies in the same video. It's hard enough to get people to watch a 10-minute video and a two-fly feature might have to be twice as long. But maybe I could do an abbreviated version. Hmmm... definitely something to think about. Maybe a video titled, "Tying a simple hopper-dropper rig." Or my favorite dry-dropper: elk hair caddis with a zebra midge. That might work. :-)

[@chrisingram9798]

I’ve been tying these with a Wally wing . I guess they’d be a 3 feather then. I don’t think I’ll ever fish them. I tie them more for gifts and shadow box items. They cure are fun to tie though!

[@SavageFlies]

I agree Chris! They're quite fun, and if you're careful and spend a little time they can be beautiful flies. :-)

[@markmartinak2089]

Nice looking fly I like that have you ever tryed to do a Extended body with deer back home we tie the Hex with two Moose hairs then deer for the extended body when you get it right they look sweet

[@SavageFlies]

I've seen one of those Mark, and that moose hair tail and extended deer body can look great! It might be a tough one to pull off though. Hmmm... I'll put it on my to-do list. To at least try. :-)

[@randymorris8740]

Make a few well placed marks with a brown sharpie marker and you will have the hexagenia limbata... My favorite hatch...

[@SavageFlies]

I'm not too familiar with that one Randy. But I just looked it up and it's huge! Wikipedia says it's most common in the Great Lakes but also, that it's "the most widely distributed mayfly in North America. It is known from most of Canada and all the states in the United States except Alaska and Arizona." I wonder what's going on in Arizona. :-)

[@gorila1958]

I've watched many of your videos . But gotta ask this one I want one of the shirts your wearing . Cool

[@SavageFlies]

Okay Ricardo... you're not the fist person to ask about the shirts. I'll have to see what I can do about getting some. It might be a little while before the channel makes enough to buy an initial batch, but I'll start thinking about it. :-)

[@gorila1958]

@@SavageFlies If ya make em dont forget about Small sizes lol #Smallpeople lol.

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

I'd gladly pre-order & pay in advance if you want to deal with that.

[@SavageFlies]

@@garrettswoodworx1873 I tell you what, I'll mention in a video soon that I'll be making an order and anyone interested can email me their size. No need to pre-pay, but I just want to make sure I order the sizes that make the most sense. :-)

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

@@SavageFlies Thanks Matt. I'm personally ok either way and I definitely understand your concerns. It can be a lot of money. Garrett

[@lets_fish_already_9345]

I wonder how that fly would sit in the water and how well it would float.

[@SavageFlies]

I'm going to find out this weekend! From what I read, it floats down to the surface delicately, and the hook bend will be submerged but the body and tail will sit in the surface. I guess we'll see. :-)

[@RyanAshley419]

I was just thinking the other day I needed to research more on the Catskill fly tree. I just don't know a whole lot of them other than the random ones I pull out of collection recipe books. Any book recommendations on Catskill flies? I see some interesting ones online.

[@SavageFlies]

If you like the history aspect of it like I do Ryan, you'll love Mike Valla's Catskill book. It's a pretty new book (2020 I think) and the thing is so well-researched it's just a joy to read. I haven't reviewed it on here but probably will sometime soon. amzn.to/3tOAe5p