Ted Shand and the Working Man’s Flies

Ted Shand and “The Working Man’s Flies”

 

Ted has retired from 13 years of guiding on the Grand River, but he has not lost his verve for promotion of the fine art of fly fishing and tying.

[dropshadowbox align=”none” effect=”lifted-both” width=”auto” height=”” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]His past curriculum vitae includes: Past president of The K-W Fly Fishers, Past president of  Trout Unlimited (Upper Grand River Chapter), Founding member of Friends of the Grand[/dropshadowbox]

At today’s presentation, he brought along several of his favorite patterns. (These are variations of well-known patterns, and Ted made it clear that these are not his original patterns):

 

 

 

and he underlined the importance of choosing the correct thread color beneath the dubbing. He has long noted that the color of the wetted dubbing is enhanced by the colored thread underneath. 

Ted demonstrated his modifications of well known patterns:

Henderson Sparkle Dun:

Hook: Size 14 or 16 

Thread: Rusty Brown.

Tail: Antron Shuck.

Dubbing: Henderson pink, slate or olive brown

Collar: CDC backed with Enrico Puglisi Trigger Point Int”l fibres, in pale olive color.

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Snow-Shoe Usual.

Hook: Size 12 to 16

Tail: Coq de Leon

Dubbing: Pink Hendrickson

Collar: Snow-shoe Rabbit

Apply more dubbing behind the eye to dam the rabbit hair upwards.

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Jig-headed Hare’s Ear Nymph with silver slotted tungsten bead head:

Hook: jig-head as shown:

10 Gauge lead wire wrapped behind the bead.

Thread: Rusty brown.

Tail: Wood duck flank fibres.

Dubbing: Hare’s Ear with gold rib wire counter-wound.

Thorax: Hare’s Ear Dubbing applied with a dubbing loop.

Wing case: Shell back with overlaid mylar.

Finish with a drop of UV cement over the wing case.

Note that the wing case is on the underside of the hook.

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Ted’s own Quill/Foam Special

Hook: Grub Hook Size 12 to 16

(The photo shows the fly is tied on a regular trout hook. Ted had no grub hook when he tied this).

Abdomen: moistened stripped quill from any flank feather.

Wings: 2 married CDC feathers in each wing.

Eyes: Singed mono line, then painted black.

Thorax: Black  Peacock Ice Dub.

Foam backing: 1/8 inch wide

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Thanks to Ted and the staff at the Grand River Outfitting and Fly Store

 

David Williams

24th March 2018