Blue Charm

967 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Jockiescott, 2 mo ago

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Carrying on my efforts with mallard wings, I had a go at a Blue Charm.

I really do not know what I'm doing different with these wings but, touch wood, most that I've tried recently have worked out with very few issues at all? 🤷‍♂️

I even got brave and put two layers of mallard on this one. 😮

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Fruin

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Nice Jockie!

They are always better with two layers of mallard, as it is a wispy material. I've saw some tank tests with spey flies. Any with one layer of mallard show that it lifts well away from the body when in the water, whereas the two layer wings hold their shape better in the water.

Reactions: 5

charlieH

· #3 · 2 mo ago

The other material to use as an underwing is turkey tail, which makes a nice solid base onto which to overlay bronze mallard. In fact, without looking it up I seem to recall that Pryce-Tannatt lists turkey as the winging material rather than mallard for the Blue Charm.

Reactions: 3

barbonboy

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Still one of me favourite flies. 👍

Reactions: 2

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #5 · 2 mo ago

Fruin said:
Nice Jockie!

They are always better with two layers of mallard, as it is a wispy material. I've saw some tank tests with spey flies. Any with one layer of mallard show that it lifts well away from the body when in the water, whereas the two layer wings hold their shape better in the water.

Thanks for that Fruin.

I've seen people use upto three layers of mallard. Basically a full feather, separated out into strips and layered on top of each other. I did wonder why, but what you say makes complete sense.

As my confidence grows, hopefully a couple of layers will no longer be an issue for me. 😊

Thanks again! 👍

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

charlieH said:
The other material to use as an underwing is turkey tail, which makes a nice solid base onto which to overlay bronze mallard. In fact, without looking it up I seem to recall that Pryce-Tannatt lists turkey as the winging material rather than mallard for the Blue Charm.

Theres a video on YouTube of a guy using turkey tail for the wing on a thunder and lightning.

I must say that it did look good. 🙂 It is a material that I've never used but might just give Steve a shout at cookshill to see if he has any. 🙂

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

barbonboy said:
Still one of me favourite flies. 👍

I think it was Olly McGilloway, the author of "Along the Faughan Side", who said that the Blue Charm was his favourite fly on the Faughan.

I have to admit that it is one that I don't remember trying to often and certainly one I have never had a fish on. I hope to change that this season. 🙂

Reactions: 1

barbonboy

· #8 · 2 mo ago

Jockiescott said:
I have to admit that it is one that I don't remember trying to often and certainly one I have never had a fish on. I hope to change that this season. 🙂

Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised 🤨

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

barbonboy said:
Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised 🤨

I have no qualms about using it. The thunder and lightning has been very good to me in recent years.

The blue charm is just one that I never really got trying. 🙂

SalmoNewf

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Beautiful job!

charlieH

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Jockiescott said:
Theres a video on YouTube of a guy using turkey tail for the wing on a thunder and lightning.

I must say that it did look good. 🙂 It is a material that I've never used but might just give Steve a shout at cookshill to see if he has any. 🙂

It's a nice material to work with, and if you get some, you can then tie one of my favourite old Irish patterns - the Black Fairy. But if you do so, don't forget that the original has a ruff of black ostrich herl at the head, which is too often omitted in modern versions.

I haven't fished a Black Fairy in years, but back in the day it used to be an absolute standby pattern for a big peaty spate in Co. Mayo.

Reactions: 2

Saint Andrews

· #12 · 2 mo ago

Absolutely gorgeous that JS! I love mallard wings

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #13 · 2 mo ago

charlieH said:
It's a nice material to work with, and if you get some, you can then tie one of my favourite old Irish patterns - the Black Fairy. But if you do so, don't forget that the original has a ruff of black ostrich herl at the head, which is too often omitted in modern versions.

I haven't fished a Black Fairy in years, but back in the day it used to be an absolute standby pattern for a big peaty spate in Co. Mayo.

Thanks CharlieH! 👍

I must look up that pattern. 🙂

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #14 · 2 mo ago

Saint Andrews said:
Absolutely gorgeous that JS! I love mallard wings

Thank you sir! 🙂

mikesalmon

· #15 · 2 mo ago

Beautiful! That is a stunning Blue Charm.

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #16 · 2 mo ago

mikesalmon said:
Beautiful! That is a stunning Blue Charm.

Thank you mikesalmon! 🙂

Reactions: 1

DrPatrickT

· #17 · 2 mo ago

Jockiescott said:
Carrying on my efforts with mallard wings, I had a go at a Blue Charm.

I really do not know what I'm doing different with these wings but, touch wood, most that I've tried recently have worked out with very few issues at all? 🤷‍♂️

I even got brave and put two layers of mallard on this one. 😮

View attachment 93160

Another stunner, I can’t bring myself to tie anything - in a bit of a tying rut, maybe I need to give Mallard wings a go to give me something different

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #18 · 2 mo ago

DrPatrickT said:
Another stunner, I can’t bring myself to tie anything - in a bit of a tying rut, maybe I need to give Mallard wings a go to give me something different

I know the tying ruts only too well. I definitely go through them myself at times. Then, just like someone flicking a switch, you just get going again out of nowhere.

Hopefully it won't be too long till the switch is flicked for you! 🙂

keithick

· #19 · 2 mo ago

Jockiescott said:
Thanks for that Fruin.

I've seen people use upto three layers of mallard. Basically a full feather, separated out into strips and layered on top of each other. I did wonder why, but what you say makes complete sense.

As my confidence grows, hopefully a couple of layers will no longer be an issue for me. 😊

Thanks again! 👍

Youll find it gets easier with the second layer of mallard , first one sort stabilises it👍

Reactions: 1

Jockiescott

Discussion Starter · #20 · 2 mo ago

keithick said:
Youll find it gets easier with the second layer of mallard , first one sort stabilises it👍

It does look better too. 😊

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