22-24 dry help

[jeffg]

Ok, I am attempting, and I do say attempting, to tie some flies in the 22-24 range.
Before I begin, do any of you tiers out there have suggestions, pitfalls, innovations that I should be aware of?????
Thanks,
Jeffg

[Rod]

damnation jeff! when someone knocks on your door and asks what you're doing, do you respond, "going blind?"

[jeffg]

rod, after that one fish laughed at me last week when I floated everything over him, I figured I will have to size down to get him. So that is part of the reason.(i will get that bastard too!! I am still pissed over the fact everything I had was too big, and I was fishing 20's.)

Also, I am fishing in PA next month on a spring creek, and size 22 bwo's will be the ticket.

[Rod]

Where in PA are you heading. My dad has an office in Reading and I was thinking of heading up that way with him before the season ends up there...supposed to be a tremendous fishery.

BTW heading to IF tonight....another 4 fish day I guess, but better than sitting in my office and reading NGTO.
rod

[Mr T]

Jeff -- Used to tie some of those little critters in my early days but now that I'm 85, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be and I really haven't felt the need for any new ones. I still have many of the ones I tied back then and I use them mostly for midge hatches. As with larger sizes, I find nymphs much easier to tie than dries -- especially the wings on the dries.

Lately I've been using the artificial wings you can get from Cabela's and seem to have better luck than with hackle or wings made from large feather segments. Don't know if they come in the 22-24 size range but they sure can make life easier if they do. Check your Cabela's flyfishing catalogue to see if they're available.

The one tool I've found most beneficial is a circular fluorescent lamp with a magnifying lense in the middle. They're available at places like Office Depot and OfficeMax for about $35-$50. Also, there's a circular incandescent lamp with a magnifying lense that's available from Harbor Freight tools for $9.95. I like the fluorescent lamp better but I gave my daughter one of the cheap ones and she thinks it's OK. Harbor Freight has a secure website.

The magnifying lense takes a bit of getting used to but it makes those little flies look like a #6 or #8. Problem is, then the thread starts looking like rope. Probably need to find a finer thread unless the thread you've been using is very fine anyway.

Essentially, I tied the little ones just like the big ones. The nymphs look great but the dries leave something to be desired. Never could get those little bitty wings to work right.

I'd suggest starting with nymphs then moving to dries after you've gotten some experience.
Never did try streamers in those sizes. Wonder how a #24 Wooley Bugger would work?

Good luck!

Mr T

[Frequent Flyer]

I've read that in that size, a thread body and hackle only (no wings) works well and is easy to tie on dinky hooks.

[jeffg]

i must say, tying these small flies is actually fun!

[The Professor]

I agree, I never tie wings on anything smaller than #18 (and sometimes not on those). I do usually do a light dubbing but nothing like a quill body or anything too tough. Thread works just fine. And those fish don't notice

[WDN FLY]

Sorry I'm so late on this string. I tie comparaduns all the way downto 24. I still use dear hair for the wing and a dubbed body. I tie the wing hair in in reverse and then slip the wing to size. This does two thins; it puts less bulk in the body and it give me a more consistant wing.
The other option is to use CDC for the wing. I don't think they are as durable or as realistic but they are far easier to tie.
Use 0/8 unithread or thinner and pull stuff as tight as the thread will take so you can use less wraps. I use microfibets for my tails.
I am going to have to disagree with some folks on one issue. If you are fishing BWO you need wings on them. This fly will very often hatch in very smooth pools. When this happens the fish have plenty of time to look your fly over and it better look right. This means it needs to sit low on the water and have the right sillouette. This really can't be accomplished very well with a traditional Catskill style fly.

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