Tying a Classic Salmon Fly (Durham Ranger) with Davie McPhail.

[@TheDarzea]

Fly tying really is an art, there are men who are great salmon fishermen and are very secretive with their knowlage, as if other know the tactic will fail. Then there are those whos who will show the world so they can too profit from their countless days spent pursuing a fish that does not feed in freshwater. Davie you are a true ledgend of our sport, keep inspiring the world one video at a time! Amazing tying!

[@markwilkie3677]

Over 168,000 views says it all. I`m a fellow Scot with 40yrs fly tying experience, yet still learning from your videos. Your narration is excellent and tying brilliant! Wish we had this kind of content back when I was teaching myself from diagrams in an old black and white Tom Stewart book. I had a love hate relationship with that book but cherish it today as it contains so many of our old traditional patterns and materials. Well done and Lang may yer lum reek. Fae a Fifer.

[@blahblah-lk2ms]

i have a serious salmon fly collection and some of which can not be replaced... Davie, I have followed your tying methods for many years and have found you to be among the masters... to that, I will say, TOP SHELF!!! Cognac to you and thank you!!! (now, if you could send me one...) ; )

[@tomale99]

I feel truly honored to be able to watch you Mr.McPhail tie with such ease of hand and grace of eye.If there is one thing I could have in this world(other than good health for me and the people I know) it would be the honor of shaking your hand and repaying you in some way for the knowledge you are bestowing to all who see the TRUE ART in what you do here.Thank you Sir and good health to you and yours.

[@flyfishaholic]

Hi Davie, I too have been waiting for you to tie a classic salmon fly, and just as expected you didn't disappoint! The fly is beautiful, and the ease at which you tie it is amazing. I have just started to tie classics, after years of tying standard trout flies, and this one demonstration has helped more than all rhe books I've read to date. Thanks again for the video, and please keep the classics coming!

[@sbleiler]

I've watched this one a dozen times. I just love it. PLEASE do another full dress for us. We learn so much from your methods. Thanks Davie the Great, you're the king.

[@joelcrossmam4784]

I THOUGHT IT WAS MAGICAL WHEN THE THROAT HACKLE JUST APPEARED, VERY NICE TIE, I LEARN SO MUCH FROM YOUR VIDEOS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

[@pierresoly7836]

It's a great pleasure for me to see you tying these flies. I am french from Québec , Canada so excuse my english. Thanks for all you give

[@TheFishleclair]

Dave, The flies you tie are works of Art! I enjoy the new vids as they come out! Time to start getting some Salmon fly materials and hunker down in the winter and tie some!

[@ronuhlenhopp9368]

Thank you so much for sharing your craft. I'd love to see may more classic flies tied from start to finish, Davie! Would that years ago we could have view master tying of these wonderful classic salmon flies! I tried tying a number of them from books years ago to make a display. Material gathering, thread control, sense of proportion, attention to detail, talented hands, and

[@colinwaldron7399]

That's just fly tying artistic genius at its best, a la Davie McPhail.

[@mick7662492]

Always a pleasure to watch a true master at work, simply stunning. Thank you for passing on your knowledge. You are a great inspiration to us mere mortals. Thanks again Mick

[@luapynneb3069]

That's one hell of a big hook, But a great piece of workmanship, and a joy to just sit back and watch how its done. Thx for the share pb

[@culdiekid]

As with all of your flies, this was another superb master class in tying. No rush, just have it right. Thanks for all the down loads Davie. I really enjoy them. Cheers Tom.

[@corodimask]

You are a great mentor to us all--thank you so much. There are several great people that I would like to meet some day, and you are at the top of my list. Keith

[@johnmntmadgin9170]

Thanks Davie for your response very helpful as usual. You make it look so easy i've tried a couple of your flies but I just can't get them to look as good. I know practise makes perfect. Thanks again Davie.

[@eragonwjfn]

I am just going to ask if you would not consider making more videos with more of these beautifull beautifull flies. It's such a pleasure to watch you do this one, and it would be so nice to see you do more patterns. I have seen the slideshows, it's definitly not the same as seing you make one from start to finish. I for one would not mind at all if the video is longer for these flies. Pretty please with silver tinsel on top. :) I saw the one you just posted on instagram, it's breathtaking!

[@krallmi48]

Lovely. A lot of fun to watch this tying again, Davie. If the mood strikes you some time, I'd love to see another of the type. Mike

[@joncampbell3641]

Just magic Davie, it’s all in your fingers. Perfect !

[@play6911]

Absolute genius Davie, all i can say is wow....

[@seanmooney3907]

Well Davie, it is a year since my last comment. I agree Veniards varnish is great. I am just about ready to try tying this fly. I have been reviewing your salmon flies and have made a few of them. Not nearly as precise as yours but I will keep trying until I get there. There seems always to be something I forget to do, I will have to watch and stop this video to get this one right. I tied the Sweeney Todd, and Paul Young Special this week. They came out good. I was pleasantly surprised. All the best to you, Sean

[@ghislaindesrosiers8074]

i like the neet head ..the economy of thread...no need for twelve turns after each feathers.....best work i saw in yearszzzzz!

[@DavieMcPhail]

Thank YouGhislain Desrosiers

[@niklaus4jc]

For doing just some flys a year you do a nice work. I wish you all the best and joy with your work! Thank´s for doing this videos! Cheers, Josef

[@jackreeves3001]

Beautiful. You are the highlight of my day! Thanks for sharing!

[@huntercoaching5841]

a true artist! I managed to make the foam ant I said before I couldnt make. Just tried and worked out fine...

[@denofearthundertheeverlast5138]

I love classic salmon flies, I've even used them for Bass fishing in the south U.S. with good success, they look awesome and work all year around.

[@steveg8322]

REALLY!?Bet those bass won't even look at a plastic worm now.

[@wayneofford9229]

I dare say I have watch almost all of his videos, and this one had my eyes glue to the screen the whole time! I completely agree!!! Great job, another awesome video! thank you very much for making them!

[@tedandrews405]

Fine,fine work.Well done Davie.Never tried the built wing classics but this tempts me to try,despite the fact that few salmon run The Grand Union Canal Bucks!

[@ejmacewan8942]

NOTHING LESS THAN ,,,, W O W !!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION….

[@MVthis]

I'm not sure wy your videos doesn't have as many likes as it should talk about a legendary tier thanks Davie for bringing this fine specimen of a fly to the 🌎 of fly tying cheers my friend

[@peterlykow]

thank you Davie, by you continuing your remarkable posts, we here in Canada feel that you are still here in Canada, meeting you in Moncton, New Brunswick was an other feat that I wished to eliminate from my bucket list! your an amazing tier, but moreso a fantastic individual that is extremely unselfish as I've seen in your character aiding fellow tiers and answering all questions...your patience is extremely evident, when you instruct people like myself and Dale Nickerson and Tammy..hurry back!!

[@christiaanvaneeden]

Well done! This is a piece of art.

[@mikeh5908]

🧐 now that fly is way to nice pretty to just through out in the river to possibly snag a rock or twig..I'll be giving this a go but it will never be getting wet unless a great flood happens. Lol. Beautiful job again tie master sir.

[@cavalera403]

I have been waiting for you to tie a classic salmon fly since I subscribed to your channel and I was not disappointed at all. Please continue doing more of these patterns as I truly love watching this art take shape. Shiloh

[@PTEAHMED]

You are the best sir, i have watched your videos and tied many flies. thanks to you

[@seanmooney3907]

Absolutely stunning fly. It needs to be fished but if I ever tie one as beautiful I would have to frame the first one anyway because it is so pleasing to the eye!

[@sasquatch446]

This was Awesome Davie! Thanks for taking your time in taping, and uploading the video.

[@m.e6524]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make it with good instruction and explanations.

[@AuProspecting-Scotland]

Thats beautiful Davie, incredible talent.

[@TotallyFlyTying]

Absolutely stunning Davie! Many many thanks for taking the time to tie this and put the video together! By far the best video on the tube! Again Many Thanks! Best Regards, ~David

[@sbleiler]

Wow! 6,000 views! DM is an Internet sensation! We love you Davie, thanks for giving us your wisdom!

[@michaelhansen6736]

Nice tying of a fuld dresset fly.👍

[@ToxicFlies13]

That is beautiful I would not have the patience for that. Great work again

[@calebbell2939]

You make it look easy my friend 😊

[@philieyaya]

yet again davie you amaze all of us with your skills i thought i was doing well tying your blue charm salmon fly not even going 2 think about tackling this one cheers for your vids philie :)

[@davidkerr2285]

Complete masterpiece, absolutely top class.

[@striperjohn]

Thanks again Davie. Gradually stepping up my game by observing your techniques. One day soon I will lock a 4/0 in the vise.

[@Valasyna]

This is one of the best videos you've made!! I would be really happy if you could make more videos on classic salmon flies!! :)

[@fecurtin]

I absolutely love your flies I have almost watched every video thankyou so much these helped me get into fly tying 8^)

[@teignghost1]

I would echo cutback747, awesome fly tying, i am not going to watch any other clips on youtube in relation to fly tying. I tie most of my flies to replace the ones lost by my clients, so mainly river trout flies, but i am inspired to tie my own fully dressed salmon fly now, thanks for this Davie.

[@MsJimbo1960]

A joy to watch Davie tying....

[@skanerost]

Truely one amazing piece of art, if i ever will be able to tie something like that i would proberbly never dare fish it! And if i ever did and i would loose it i would cry my eyes out :) Amazing truly a good inspiration !

[@door2yourheart]

Superb Davie! Thank you for sharing this. Alan

[@Ruger500NitroExpress]

Awesome. Whether or not you fish these classics, they are serious "eye candy." I'd love to see you do a Jock Scott. The thing that sets your videos apart from the others on the web is that the quality of your video is great.

[@juanriverol7527]

great video i love the detail u go into

[@kalikasurf]

This fly should be in an acrylic case, with a pressure sensitive base, and armed security on patrol! Not in a stupid fishes mouth!!! This isn’t a fly, this is a masterpiece

[@cponting1]

Loved the video. Your camera work makes it so easy to follow along step by step, I often watch and pause your video's whilst I'm tying. Davie, tying classic salmon flies from the old books is sometimes hard as there is only materials and no method. I would love it if you could do the same treatment as you used for the Durham Ranger but for other syles of classic salmon patterns. Built wing, mixed wing. I and Mr Kelson would be so grateful.

[@sstflies6311]

Beautiful Ranger Davie

[@Sukhoidave]

Very well done - thanks for doing this. (You make it look easy!)

[@123456789markl]

Stunning Davie !!!!

[@awaken77]

Very beautiful fly!

[@seanmooney3907]

Wow Davie, are you ever going to show some of those fantastic traditional salmon flies that you have previewed on KZbin? I would love to see how you marry feathers of different types together with the colorful plain fibres. It looks beautiful and now I can identify many of the fibres that are married together. Teal, turkey, looks like goose. Man I would give a lot to be able to tie one of these flies. All the best, Sean

[@lasse1187]

Awesome art

[@HeinoRanda]

Wov Wov Wov i have just started to tie flies for 2 weeks ago. but you are really good.

[@jpladas2536]

Magnifique montage d,un grand maitre

[@moonrocketeer5964]

You’re doing to perfectly as if the fish can tell.

[@GT-yw8ue]

Imagine getting that caught on a rock. Waders and skants would be off and i’d be in to snorkle it out the snag 😂

[@BenoitFarcy]

what is the perfect hook size to tie a classic salmon fly ? i tie them in 8 right now but it's pretty small. And i would like to know what are the best feather to do wing on a classic salmon , i have some goose shoulder but it is the best ? thanks.

[@ГеннадийВолков-ю2е]

Красивая работа Мастера .

[@elneandy1981]

Hi Davie! First of all I would like to thank you for all the hard work and knowledge that you share. I'm really new on this sport and I would like to ask you if the Atlantic Salmon flies actually works with Chinook Salmon. I'm planning on using them on Chilean Patagonia as soon as the season opens. Thank you in advance and sorry for mi ignorance and silly question.

[@elneandy1981]

Hi +Davie McPhail Thanks a lot for your info on the matter. I'm moving to southern Chile in the next weeks, I promise I will give you some feedback with the patterns you teach us. Thanks again for all the effort, time and the knowledge you share with every video. Juan Pablo.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi CGlacrosse74, I would say a size 2/0 and 3/0 hooks would be best but to be honest with you I prefer to tye on larger hooks but it can be difficult to find the materials to suit.. All the very best Davie

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi awaken77, I used a blind eyed hook, I'll send you links to similar hooks to the one I used which are made today. I'll also send you some links to companies that sell classic fly tying materials.. All the very best Davie

[@kevinryan6985]

Davie McPhail would you possibly share those links with me as well?

[@BenoitFarcy]

Could you make a video of a green highlander full dress classic salmon fly ? It is one of my favourite to see but i don't find any video to do it right !

[@collinquinter]

Seems like an easy fly to tie if you have all and the right materials

[@craigcollins5472]

Hi Davie,I love your fly tying methods,I have not seen anybody tie fly' like you do.I live in Newfoundland Canada and some of the popular flies we have are the white thunder and lightening,the blue charm and the green Islander.can you show a video on putting on the wings on the dry flies I have trouble in this area.thank you my friend, cheers

[@tomkeene14]

Could you provide the brand of the floss? I am struggling to get hold of Pearsalls, and would love an alternative silk in a variety or colours. Best of luck out there!

[@xtitanic123x]

I think that the French Silk Floss is great. They have many colors, and They lay themselves very flat on the fly. They are pretty thick though, but not AS thick AS persalls.

[@danielpatten9159]

great job

[@jump5qq]

Hi Davie, I thank you for taking the time and effort to make the videos you have. I have learned allot. Any tips you could give on preparing the Pheasant Tippets would really be helpful.

[@DoubleHaulCharters]

Fantastic! Thank you for posting this.

[@Kendo2007]

amazing simply amazing Davie work of art as per usual what thread are you using there looks alot thinner than 8/0 been trying to do this for awhile now, now I know where I've been going wrong many thanks Kenny

[@ThePicturizer]

Great pattern! Thanks for sharing. Do you have an idea where to order the indian crow sub, the chatterer sub and the blue/yellow macaw? I could not find any distributor in Germany. Best, Stefan

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Stefan, I'm sorry about the delay in getting back to you, I have attached a link to a website which sells good subs for the materials you are looking for, I hope this is of some help to you... www.aaronmostojfeathers.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html All the very best Davie

[@Easternfly]

Beautiful fly. What thread do you use for your classic flies?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Eastermfly, I use Uni-8/0 mostly although I have used other threads as well as traditional silks threads which I liked a lot...I'm glad you liked the fly.. All the very best Davie..

[@stephenpritchard7300]

Fantastic dave. Can you tie that on a double thanks Steve Pritchard

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Stephen, Classic flies like the durham ranger were tyed a lot on doubles so you certainly can tye them on doubles...I'm glad you liked it.. All the very best Davie

[@flyfishaholic]

Hi Davie I'm always amazed at how easy you make it look to tie these flies. I try following step by step, and believe me, it's not that easy to make it look proper :-P. One question I have is how you make your twisted ribbing. You mentioned round tinsel. I tried twisting two pieces of oval tinsel, and it was nowhere near the uniforn twist you had, not to mention it keeps unraveling! Thanks for the great video, and keep the classics coming! Cheers Brian

[@georgeb6412]

Hi davie I have been watching your videos for a good few years now and have enjoyed them all greatly ,i have learned to tie so many flies , but this video has to be my favourite as its the one that got me into tying classic salmon flies , I have got a good collection of them now,I noticed that you put your classic flies into small plastic sleeves and wondered where you get these from as I would find them very useful, thanks again davie atb.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi George, I have attached a link to the sleeves for you to see and thank you again for the kind words.. All the very best Davie.. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Standard-Medal-Storage-Envelopes-Wallets-Holders-For-Medals/142388740715?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@cutback747]

I've learned more from watching a few of your videos, than I have after 20-plus years of tying! Thanks for the great work--you make it look so easy. I was wondering if you can recommend one of your videos for tying in married wings, for atlantic salmon flies? I've gotten a bit better at marrying the wings, but have trouble tying them in. Thanks Davie.

[@johnmntmadgin9170]

Hi Davie, love your videos, very informative for someone like me who has just got into Salmon fishing. Please can you inform as to the best size hooks to use in singles and doubles for the Salmon, also what makes are Preferable. Regards J.

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Johnmnt madgin, Singles and doubles from sizes 6s to 12s will cover most waters where I live but I also use tube flies from 1 1/4 inch to 1/2 in plastic, alloy and my favourite copper for the bigger flies and for higher, coloured and cold water conditions...It also depends in the country you fish as I have used much larger singles and doubles as the rules will not allow weighted tubes like we can here in the UK... Many thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoy the videos and the flies I tye... All the very best Davie

[@alanmadgin3930]

Has he caught any yet

[@nordmende73]

Majestic.

[@ejones4765]

Hi Davie, thanks for the reply & the link, but I've seen the link before. Would you consider doing a video matching a left and right full wing for me please? L& R's are my nemesis.

[@__BillyTheKid]

Awesome fly. I'd be scared to fish with it!

[@Seth-pj1po]

Hi Dave I am supposed to tie this fly for my fly fishing class in my high school I have some experience tying but never anything like this so I was wondering if you had any useful tips for me before I try it for myself? Thanks

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Seth2508, I would make sure you have all your materials selected and set out ready to go and if you can tye a couple beforehand as this will learn you more than anything about getting used to the proportions and the materials..If you can film yourself this can help a lot as it will help you teach it to others as well...Let me know how you get on and I hope this is of some help to you... All the very best Davie...

[@Seth-pj1po]

@@DavieMcPhail Yes, thank you. we had to special order most of the materials because where i live there is a limited supply of tying materials but i have been working on proportions as best i can with other flies as practice and i am looking forward to tying it myself.

[@anonym1anonym243]

Feel no shame sir, this is a very good and informative video. Instead of the indian crow, would a couple of fibres from red hen hackle (or even schlappen) do the job, or do you have any other recommendations? Greetings from Norway :)

[@neilkloppenborg8399]

Davie, can you give more detail on the sub Indian Crow you used on the tail veiling?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Neil, I have attached a link to the sub I used for the Indian Crow.. All the very best Davie www.kensawada.com/w/list.php?lcat=50&mcat=440&itemId=17565&l=e

[@benhunt8091]

Great video, really want to try and tie this. What size hook size did you use ?

[@niklaus4jc]

Thank you Davie! Yes they are very well made. Do you make them for profession or just a well hobby? Best wishes, Josef

[@mickporteruk]

Dave I noticed you used a couple of substitutions in here. Can you give us a list of materials please? Tell us what you use as a sub for the Blue Chatterer etc. Also Dave why do they use the gut loops and not a standard bent eye hook?

[@pattygnuse8788]

Do you have a video showing how to make the eye of the hooks please?

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi Patty, I don't have a video as I normally buy it already twisted, although I have made my own as well.. All the very best Davie..

[@davidgray3321]

Excellent

[@JohnJohnson-rj5uf]

Great looking fly!! I have been wanting to fly fish since I was a wee child, but was always to intimidated. Now, at almost 60 years old, Im still intimidated but your videos give me inspiration that "I can do this"..... May not master it, but I can do it. I have purchased a bunch of materials and tools, made a work station, took over the old roll top desk and I am almost ready!! I am at a loss as to the two types of wire that you used on this fly. One was the single strand wire at the back curve of the hook and the other is the twisted wire used on the body. What is this wire? Is there a suitable substitute if not available? I have found different wire from hobby type use that come close, but appear stiffer and doesn't wrap real well. Appreciate your videos and can't wait to get started!! We have an Alaskan fishing trip scheduled for 2019 so I want to be ready!

[@DavieMcPhail]

Hi John, It's never too late to start and I'm very happy to hear that I have inspired you to have a go and I wish you well..I have attached links to the type of tinsel I used in the video as it would be better as it suits the patterns you may want to tye...If you can find out the patterns you may need for your trip then it would be worth tying a few up...I wish you well and just take your time and enjoy yourself... All the very best Davie... www.americanflyandtackle.com/Tinsel-p/aft202-407.htm?1=1&CartID=0 www.americanflyandtackle.com/product-p/aft202-408.htm

[@JohnJohnson-rj5uf]

Thank you Dave. I have started the Durham Ranger, waiting on the Jungle Cock (should be delivered today or tomorrow. Cant tell you how many times I have unwrapped this hook not liking the way it looked. But as of now, Im ok with how it's coming out. Im just taking it step by step. I'll be fishing for Pacific Salmon of all types, Kings, reds, Coho etc.... Deep water salt and shallow streams for reds. So I suspect I will be needing quite the arsenal of fly's. I also live near some great brown trout and Brook trout areas so that will be on my list of fly's to do as well. I have done some research of the areas trying to get an understanding of the waters and the bugs in the area to "Hopefully" come close to matching a few of them. Thanks for your help and guidance, very much appreciated. John

[@JohnJohnson-rj5uf]

Mail just came. Ordered a whole jungle cock it came today. I suspected that was the tinsel so I had ordered it and it too came in today!! I think Im ready to finish this one now. Thanks again

[@senderama]

Fantastic job - thanks