My First Hackle Tip Wing Spey

[ANDYCAMPING]

I think the wing may be a bit too long and sticking up a bit too much. I'm thinking of calling it The Lady in Red. Not sure if its taken already, most names are.
Kind of a subtle take off of the Mahoney and Charlie's Reversal.



Here's the same fly with a gray squirrel tail wing.

[ANDYCAMPING]

My latest attempt (Sabres Spey)

The wing is in a better position on this one, but perhaps still a bit long.

[craig cox]

looks like they ought to catch 'em as well as any of these circus flies you steelheaders toss out there ;D
the red and black is a nice combination.

[SteveKowalski]

The Sabers Spey looks good.

There's a little trick or technique really, to gut the wing to lay down nicely.
You line up the wings, figure on what side will be bottom, and strip the fibers - 1/4 in. (more or less) further back from your top side. That will clear the collar hackle stem wraps and not force the wing up.

AND you can get tight wraps to hold down the wing on a "flat" section of the thread you tied off the collar with. (@ arrow) then you cover the wing stems and shape the head the way you want.
Hope it makes sense
Steve

[ANDYCAMPING]

Thanks Steve. The latest one I've done I trimmed a bi longer so that I think will do it. Its much lower .

[Frank Swarner]

Try tying the wings so they are tented similar to Syd Glasso spey flies. That will help them sit lower as well.

For an example check out the "head on" shot of the "White Heron" I tied. I'll post a couple more tonight.

Are you tying the collars in front of the wings on purpose? Typically they are tied on before mounting the wings but some do it the way you have for a different look.......just curious.

[ANDYCAMPING]

Yeah Frank I did it to be a bit different and because on the first one I forgot to do it prior to the wing. Thought it looked interesting and went with it.