Welcome Fly Tyer !

[abelreel]

Hello, I was giving some thought to a swap. Probably not a good time to try this. Maybe in the off season. I have a copy of Ray Bergmans Trout which Ive had so long I cant remember when I got it. Went back to it the other day. The plates containing wet flies always intrigued me. So I started to tie some with married wings. Would anyone be interested in a Ray Bergman wet fly swap, I would even host. Some of those patterns are still in use today. I have seen a resurgence in the wet fly especially in soft hackle. Just a thought. Some of those patterns are a challenge especilly with married wings and tails. Got a Kineo finished in the vise right now. Greg

[charflyfish]

Modesty is always foisted upon me. I am not familiar with Ray Bergman. I will google after this note. That said, even though we are in the midst of spring I will participate, if I can find a pattern.

[abelreel]

Hey charleyfish, How did you do? Theres alot of books that I know nothing about. Ray Bergman\'s Trout was first published in 1938 and countless republishing after that. Some people call it the Bible of trout fishing. The fly plates in the middle are of particular interest. Some of the copies of the plates go for thousands. Some controversy surrounding the plates. They are all hand painted. And the question is, when you look at the flies the eyes are to the left. Were they tied by a left handed tyer and then painted. Edgar Burke was the artist. In the spring of 08 Flytyer Mag Theres a section on married wings. Bergmans Plates were mentioned, and some of its history. Some of the wet flies are with married wings. Tricky at first. Most of it has to do with one material mating with another. After awhile you will learn which ones are best suited together. When I marry wings I start with material larger than the wing I want to produce. Then lay it on wax paper and divide the material with a bodkin till the desired size is obtained. It just works for me. If your marrying very expensive material then, unless your extremly wealthy, you get the right size from the get go. When the flies in Bergmans book were tied things were cheap and they didnt go to the Amazon for a single feather. They used mostly duck,turkey and chickens. They simply dyed them. Theres that word again \"simple\". Schlappen is pretty inexpensive and available in many colors. Marries pretty well. Also when you lash the married wing down Schlappen lends itself better to the pressure of the thread. In the back of the book are the recipes to all the flies in the plates. Literally hundreds of old time flies some still in use. abelreel.

[charflyfish]

After looking on the web I realized I have seen the book mentioned in other places. I found a used copy and ordered it yesterday. Delivery will not be \'til May 4 or so. I look forward to reading it. Thanks for the help and the terrific description of married wings. Is there a photo or pattern in particular for a visual reference ?

[abelreel]

Tom, Dont know the exact website. But if you do a google on old time flies or something to that effect. Some of the flies that come to mind are the Undertaker, Bergman Fontinalis, Silver Doctor and a Montreal Silver. You will find a site that shows some of these flies in full dress. If I come across it I will gladly pass it on. Maybe someone else knows of a site. Greg