Substitute Feathers for Tying the Waterhen Bloa..

[@mikehulsey4813]

I love this video and would love to see many more done in this style that not only discusses the substitutions, but also shows an example of the original pattern but also a fly tied with the substitution that shows the differences or similarities between the original and sub. Well done, I’ve not seen another video like this.

[@drvaleriejuliebrousseau9607]

Totally agree: fantastic video. Extremely helpful and I have not seen anyone talk about alternative materials: usually people want to sell you stuff, so they make sure they have this rare material in the fly to make sure you go and buy it… Alternatives are the smart way to approach tying… in the same vein, something about how to use ALL the useful material through 2-3 fly models would be a great topic for a video… I am thinking of CDC for example : how to choose a set of fly to tie in order to build a box and use all the useful material from a specific feather type… Thank you so much Mr McPhail…

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

I haven't got any of these, but I do have an wonderful and interesting mother, who has pet song birds. When she heard that I was tying flies with feathers, grabbed a plastic bag or 3 and filled it with little feathers not bigger than your thumbnail. Finches, Canaries, cockatiels. etc. All mixed in, there are some lovely grey and white ones that I might as well try to use. Looks like they'll go well on a size 16 wet hook haha. Thank you for sharing!

[@garyproctor6044]

Thank You for taking the time to show the detailed information on using substitute materials. Many times we end up tying with what we have available and often change color or tones to match local insects and water conditions. Great to have your support and direction. Best Regards

[@billleino9467]

Agreed here with Gary tying with what we have on hand, some things not always available. I’ve also used quail, California Valley quail, giving a light dun color. One of my favorite spring patterns to use and all this brings back fond memories and stories. Thank you.

[@Paradise_found]

Excellent video davie very educational I also watched ur video on the river Ayr that was delightful I could almost smell the wild garlic as you were walking up to start keep them coming many thanks Dave

[@DennisNowland]

Smashing. More videos like this in this era of scarce feathers would be great. Thanks.

[@ross1458]

Like so many. A great help. Like these videos where you talk about materials, material care, and of course when you talk old books and history. Thanks

[@donaloflynn3922]

Thanks Davie. Great to see different imaginative alternative materials for flies

[@Adipper]

Really enjoy tying and fishing these traditional north country spiders. Thanks for showing several substitutes. I like using teal and / or coot. Starling has a beautiful taper and thin rachis that requires light hackle pliers and delicate handling. Fun video, thanks as always.

[@paulbridgers3820]

Thanks for showing us subs that we can use on these flies. It really helps.

[@robertgreen5217]

Fantastic info for any fly tier no mater what stage you are at in the hobby👍

[@Matt-lq7di]

Absolutely brilliant videos such knowledge thank you for sharing

[@navydonald]

Thanks Davie, material and the selection thereof is a neglected topic on YT, so this is very helpful. Thanks a lot!

[@davidwillacy4796]

Great video Davie. In my early years of tying I was led to believe that if the dressing asked for a feather from the left leg of a Norwegian sparrow hawk then nothing else would do. What nonsense, and thankfully how times have changed. Cheers

[@scot1425]

Thank you for passing on your knowledge of materials and substitutes as well as your outstanding fly tying expertise.

[@markcarter5081]

One of the best videos for me Davy. May thanks😊

[@FlyTyer1948]

Thank you. Marvelous video on what & how substitutes can be used.

[@dominiqueleblanc2193]

Cookshill materials are simply beautiful.

[@scottdavidson359]

Thanks Davie, excellent video, very informative. Learned a lot. Cheers

[@justexactlyperfectbrothersband]

Marvellous and smashing! I was wondering what i was going to replace my now bald waterhen wings with!

[@durhamranger988]

Very interesting and informative video Davie. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@tylerpaquette9376]

I agree love these material clinic videos really helps get those tying gears moving thanks again davie

[@grahamwebb3546]

Brilliant thanks that answer my question. Going to tye some of those. Enjoy your videos so much and learnt so much, thanks again.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Thanks for asking Graham as it was a great question so it made for a good video.. All the very best Davie

[@garynoonan7373]

Thanks Davie. Very very useful. 👍👍👍

[@joeduca8582]

Thanks Davie, great video.

[@burtonbrocious171]

Great video davie very informative tks

[@comesahorseman]

Hmm. Teal almost has more iridescence, nice color. Thanks again, Davie. 👍

[@RockyPhillips]

Great explanation. Love the examples thanks Davie

[@MyPancho1]

Thanks Davie for great information

[@richardwhite9682]

Thank you for the ideas on alternative feathers. I had to look up waterhen and then search for substitutes, since no one carries waterhen here in the States, and the birds certainly aren't local. I had been thinking of starling or some dark grey/black hen back from my feathers bin. It seems I have several viable substitutes already, so no need to shop for feathers right now. These will have to wait though, since I am currently tying for my ice-out trip to Northern Maine, which calls for a range of different smelt imitation streamers.

[@adrianmowat]

Perfect! Thanks for shooting this one Davie. You hit the nail on the head. BTW could you tie a watchet sometime? I heard the dressing uses the pale pink under feather of a jay wing that I’m not familiar with. Thanks

[@stephenarmstrong7354]

Amazing how many different types of feathers that can be used as substitutes. Thank you.

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Very interesting video. Always I´m looking to find substitute material.

[@eddietravers3160]

Cheers Davie, Jackdaw Scalp is another very acceptable sub as well

[@jorvikangler]

It was the preferred feather of the old chap that taught me to fly tie, many many years ago, for both the Bloa and the Snipe & Purple. I still use it to this day.

[@eddietravers3160]

@@carlhughes9584 easily down to a #16 which is plenty small for me re: Bloa type patterns and other Spiders & Dun type patterns, using Starling, Teal etc quill slip wings & my personal preference is to put the hackle on after the wing, for maximum mobility.

[@WeeManSham]

Great video Davie. Waterhen is hard to find! 🎣

[@krallmi48]

This was wonderful, Davie... I really enjoyed it. I've got pairs of teal wings and whole starlings so I'm in business... both primrose and claret... =] Was wondering if you had come across information on YLI silk and their color numbers that relate to the Pearsalls silk colors. I've looked for that information a few times since you mentioned YLI silk and not found a cross reference so far. Mike

[@philipbailey7092]

Davy, wonderful. Now for a tough one. What would your thoughts be on a Golden Plover substitute? Txs.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Phillip, A good sub is soaking Starling or even Snipe in onion skins as it gives you a lovely colour similar to Plover, I had the Golden Plover on my desk at the time but I never mentioned it.. All the very best Davie

[@philipbailey7092]

@@DavieMcPhail thanks for that. Exactly as I thought I would do.

[@alanrussell3906]

Hi Davie , what type of video camera do you use, it’s perfect quality,so is your tying, thanks again Alan

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Alan, I use a Sony AX100E camcorder with a 2+filter screwed onto the lens to get a better closeup shot of the fly..One of the main reasons I like the camcorder is that I can focus into the fly with the auto focus and then switch it off with the button on the side of the lens, as long as you don't move the camera or the vice then it will always stay in focus even if you zoom out or back in.. All the very best Davie

[@alanrussell3906]

@@DavieMcPhail that’s great info as always, thanks davie

[@계곡과산천어]

Thank you for sharing.

[@АлександрПлахотный-ю1д]

Класс! Как всегда - 👍

[@HI-rj4tf]

David, There are numerous choices of Hen neck. Which kind of Hen neck are you using?

[@DavieMcPhail]

I was using a Whiting hen neck in the video though I could have used a Chinese I had as well as a Metz so you could use whatever you have as they will all fish well.. All the very best Davie

[@HI-rj4tf]

Thanks!

[@allymcmahon3020]

Hi Davie. Is there a reason for tying such a small short fly on a bigger hook . Like all the clyde style flies . Example tying a size 16 fly but using a size 14 or 12 hook were there's a lot of bare hook showing at the back . For year's av always wounder the reason why. Kind regards Ally

[@allymcmahon3020]

As i though no answer. Asked another tree pro fly tiers and the same result NO ANSWER. I'll just put it down as nobody knows.

[@50Squirrel]

Very informative! How often do you use traditional wet flies?

[@ross1458]

Earl I’m not Davie but for myself. Often. They are magic. I generally fish them upstream. Start the morning with a 3 fly cast of a spider to match what should be the hatch, a soft hackle PT and maybe a weighted PT on point. As it gets closer to hatch time I’ll go a dry on top, then the spider and unweighted nymph on point. Then when the hatch start the nymph comes off and it two spider droppers. You’ll be surprised

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Earl, I do prefer to fish dry flies though when the conditions don't suit then I am happy to fish the wets or nymphs so at this time of year I would say it's 50/50... All the very best Davie

[@stuartbowdin6671]

I have no concerns using alternative feathers for tying Waterhen Bloas as long as they are called Waterhen bloa variants, preferably eg. Teal bloa or Coot bloa etc.

[@krallmi48]

Hello Davie... A long time ago now I asked you about using colored markers on feathers. You said you wouldn't do it. Do you still feel that way? Mike

[@АлександрНовиков-ч2в5л]

👍💪