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Post by paul1966 on Apr 2, 2014 19:12:10 GMT
Glyn, I don't think you can go wrong with starling, I also make one with a mallard wing shoulder feather ( not sure on what you call the different parts of a wing) I also use 6/0 uni thread for the bodies the fish don't seem to notice. I like the sparse look it gives. I do have pearsalls too but never use it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2014 19:57:20 GMT
I think Starling is a great alternative to Snipe. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
I also agree that the partridge and orange and waterhen bloa are two top flies that shouldn't be omitted from a fly box. Again, I haven't tied these in the Sekasa Kebari style, so perhaps I should have a think about that.
On another note, Waterhen/Moorhen is becoming quite scarce. What do you guys use as an alternative? My preference would be Jackdaw Scalp.
Cheers,
CP
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Post by dbl on Apr 3, 2014 10:40:08 GMT
A bit off topic, perhaps, but does anyone know the meaning or origin of the word "Bloa"? I looked it up in the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, but it is not shown there.
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Post by orangeotter on Apr 3, 2014 12:19:04 GMT
Bloa, as in the Scots 'blae', describes the blue-grey colour often found in the Northern sky ( A guide to North Country flies, Mike Harding)
Cheers Dave.
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Post by paul1966 on Apr 3, 2014 14:24:08 GMT
Great book
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Post by dbl on Apr 3, 2014 20:44:07 GMT
Thanks Louis! I have recently bought a copy of Mike Harding's book, but I haven't yet read it, just glanced at some patterns. After reading your post, I looked around and found this historical digest of dressings in a blog: softhacklepatternbook.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/waterhen-bloa.htmlI also followed your lead to "blae" which the dictionary does list and there is "bloa" listed as a northern dialect variant. Blae is defined as blackish blue but also as bluish grey. A second meaning is, apparently, bleak or sunless. Those Northern skies, so unlike our Welsh skies! BTW, if you search in the blog you will see similar details for the Snipe and Purple (just to get back to the topic)!
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