t.z. | Friday, 15 January 2016
1, 2 ..... 3 - The common fly, Diptera (from the Greek di = two, and ptera = wings) classifies as a Buzzer. The term is derived from the noise these insects make when flying. They come in a lot of different sizes. However, the ones found by the waters we fish tend to be rather small. But don´t get fooled by the small size of that food item. This has nothing to do with the size of fish one can catch on such small flies.
However, the number 3 plays a big role in this fly. In the big book of (f)lies it says: "Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out! Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then .... well you now the drill. Amen."
1, 2 ..... The common fly, Diptera (from the Greek di = two, and ptera = wings) classifies as a Buzzer. The term is derived from the noise these insects make when flying. But don´t get fooled by the small size of that food item. This has nothing to do with the size of fish one can catch on such small flies.
However, the number 3 plays a big role in this fly. In the big book of (f)lies it says: "Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out! Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then .... well you now the drill. Amen."
I heard about this fly from Paul. The name comes from an English fly tier, mainly because English fly tiers are eager to give things their name. I believe such flies have existed for long. Much longer than fly tying is documented even. However, let´s grant Mr. Shipman the honor and keep the name. At least he was brave enough to break out of the general rule of slip wing flies and other complicated constructions and brought a simple concept back into the light.
Tying steps
- Materials: Thread, Wax, Arctic Hare Foot, Seal Fur, Dubbing, Crystal Flash, Dry Fly Hook #18 – #22
- Set the hook in the vice and attach the thread. With such small flies I make sure to stop opposite the hook point and not to tie into the bend.
- Snip off a thin clump of fibres from the hare's foot and offer it on top of the hook.
- Tie in the hares hair fibres with the tips pointing rearwards.
- Tie in a strand crystal flash.
- Wax the thread so it becomes sticky.
- Dub the thread with seal's fur in the colour of your choice – I used claret mostly.
- One does not need much dubbing. Try to make it as sparse as possible.
- Now wind on the dubbed thread from back to front and "park" your thread behind the hook eye.
- rib the body by winding the tinsel forward. Three raps is sufficient.
- Finish the fly with a few half hitch knots.
- your finished fly should look something like this. You can try to tie it much neater, but I like them rough and scruffy.
I have substituted the Antron yarn of the original version with Snowshoe Hare hair fibres. The imitation is one of the easiest patterns to tie, but don´t let be fooled by it´s simplicity. It is really a good fish catcher when nothing else works.
Sexyloops Fly Tying School - next caddis larva
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Note from Paul:
Interesting discussion about buzzer fishing on the board.
http://www.sexyloops.co.uk/theboard/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1848&sid=9dd13917252d6ffa69273730adaebd73