Winged Wets

[Black-Don]

Going on the basis that winged wets are supposed to represent more than imitate several sub aquatic insects and small fry etc., do you really need to stick with the traditional wing style when tying ?

A perfect example of this is the  " Mallard " series of flies where the wing is provided with a bronze mallard feather which is either dyed or undied.

Could all patterns dispense with the traditional " wing " and use this kind of dressing.



Traditional style Cinammon and Gold winged wet.



Mallard and Claret winged wet.


( Photo's courtesy of http://www.trout-salmon-fishing.com/trout-flies.htm ) Hope this is o.k.

[Fishtales]

There was a drift at one time to replace the wings on traditional flies with hair that was quite successful. Invicta with grey squirrel for the wing was one.

I tied some dry sedges replacing the wing with hair from a bears tail that I have and they were very successful.

[haresear]

Traditionalists would probably baulk at the idea of messing about with the original tyings.
I wouldn't have a problem with it myself, but then I have not tied a winged wet fly, traditional or otherwise for years now and have not noticed my catches dwindling.

Alex

[bushy palmer]

Traditionalists would probably baulk at the idea of messing about with the original tyings.

Having said that- most of the tyings we now regard as "traditional" are no longer the original dressings.

A lot of our winged flees were originally tied as split wings and hence the patterns that we now regard as "traditional" are themselves later variations of originals.

I say crack on and see what you can come up with! - someone posted a blae and black recently with a maribou wing which I thought looked great

[Black-Don]

Aye Brian, it was the dabblers I was thinking about when I posted this thread but couldn't find a photo of a more lightly dressed pattern which was what I had in mind over traditional winged wets when I posted the thread.

I tend to favour the more heavily dressed Irish style dressing but will be tying up a few more lightly dressed versions based on winged traditionals for next season.