Wrap the herl around the thread rather than wire? I think that would cause less breakage. Also, the typical nymph has the shell back over the abdomen, not the thorax but maybe this northwest version is supposed to be different. The nymph is popular on the North Platte in Wyoming.
Hi, you could certainly use a thread loop instead of a wire one as I demonstrated on the Prince Nymph video on my channel. I find the wire loop more durable. With either method, you have to twist the loop tight at first and then make a few wraps to protect the brittle tips of the herl. Once you have a few wraps of the body complete you can then increase the tempo to complete the body. The northwest version of the Halfback traces its roots back to the 50s. There is also a version that has a shellback as you described and it is known as the Fullback. There is also a version with a short wingcase over the thorax called the Quarterback. All are part of the fly-tying/fishing football team I guess. 😀 Cheers, Phil
Phil, couldn't you save the rest of the reinforced herl and do the thorax with it. I would tie it off in the thorax and add the legs and wing case then use the reinforced herl to finish the thorax. I will have to try it and see how it works. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Sean
Wrap the herl around the thread rather than wire? I think that would cause less breakage. Also, the typical nymph has the shell back over the abdomen, not the thorax but maybe this northwest version is supposed to be different. The nymph is popular on the North Platte in Wyoming.
Hi, you could certainly use a thread loop instead of a wire one as I demonstrated on the Prince Nymph video on my channel. I find the wire loop more durable. With either method, you have to twist the loop tight at first and then make a few wraps to protect the brittle tips of the herl. Once you have a few wraps of the body complete you can then increase the tempo to complete the body.
The northwest version of the Halfback traces its roots back to the 50s. There is also a version that has a shellback as you described and it is known as the Fullback. There is also a version with a short wingcase over the thorax called the Quarterback. All are part of the fly-tying/fishing football team I guess. 😀
Cheers, Phil
Phil, couldn't you save the rest of the reinforced herl and do the thorax with it. I would tie it off in the thorax and add the legs and wing case then use the reinforced herl to finish the thorax. I will have to try it and see how it works. Thanks for sharing. All the best, Sean
You certainly could tie this fly and other peacock bodied fly such as Prince Nymph. In fact I have done it on occasion and it works well.
Thanks, Phil