Old Master

In this video I demonstrate an old North Country Spider Pattern called the Old Master found in another of my books: A Guide to North Country Flies and How to Tie Them by Mike Harding. Its a nice looking pattern utilising an unusual tying material and method with the short herl of a grey a feather, the original being Heron which I have substituted with Canada Goose. Heron is not really an option with the bird species being protected in the UK. The effect is quite appealing and it may appear in some of my own patterns soon. From the book: "Pritt writes, "This is a capital killer from April to the end of August, on warm days, or in the evenings. It was originally dressed by Bradley of Otley, and in his time he caught many heavy dishes of Trout with it. It bears some resemblance to Greenwell's Glory". The Otley area seems to have been at the heart of the Yorkshire fly-tying tradition, and any fisherman worth his salt ought to go there at least once in his life to give up a prayer in that Mecca of Piscatoria. Heron Herls are hard to come by (unless you stand under a Heronry waiting for the birds to get alopecia) - Herls from a Grey Goose feather work just as well." Thread - Pearsalls Grey 9A Hook - Down Eyed Wet 14-16 Body - Tying Thread Hackle - Woodcock Underwing Coverts Rib - Heron Herl