Before dabblers and snatchers there were bumbles. I am talking about Irish bumbles, not to be confused with Derbyshire bumbles. The two most successful bumbles are the Golden Olive and this one the Claret Bumble.
A great top dropper fly any time of year. I like to give it a touch of Dilly Wax when fishing which helps keep the fly in the surface film while pulling. Get it just right and it creates a bulge in the water, more subtle than the mini muddlers, but every bit as successful.
I normally prefer the claret hackle darker than shown here, but this is the only claret I have at the moment.
You can use dyed gallena as a substitute for the blue Jay. My preference is for the Jay.
Instructions assume right-handed tyers.
HOOK ? Kamasan B175 #10
THREAD ? Black 6/0
RIB ? Oval Silver
TAIL ? Golden Pheasant Tippet
BODY ? Claret Seals Fur
BODY HACKLES ? 1X Black cock and 1x Claret cock
HEAD HACKLE ? Blue Jay
STEP 1
Attach the thread, take 5 ? 7 turns and tie in the two cock hackles
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble.jpg)
STEP 2
Tie in the rib under the hook shank
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-1.jpg)
STEP 3
Tie in the tails on top of the shank.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-2.jpg)
STEP 4
Apply a pinch of dubbing to the thread and wrap to form the body.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-3.jpg)
STEP 5
Wrap both hackles together in an even spiral down the body.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-4.jpg)
STEP 6
Secure the hackles with rib and continue the rib in evenly spaced turns.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-5.jpg)
STEP 7
Prepare a blue Jay feather by stripping the fibres from the leading edge.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-6.jpg)
STEP 8
Tie the head hackle in by the tip.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-7.jpg)
STEP 9
Wrap the head hackle and tie off.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-8.jpg)
STEP 10
Form a neat head, whipfinish and varnish for the completed fly.
(http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t149/scot2flyfish/Claret-Bumble-9.jpg)
A must have fly in anyones box - highly effective tied large and bushy on big wave lochs. Nicely posted Scotfly a good traditional that still holds its own with any modern creation and a real favourite of mine.
Sandy B.O.
It looks like a "Green Peter", breac. Usually used as a sedge pattern on the top dropper.
Love the shape of the Limerick hook. Used to tie with them many years ago.
Dennis,
I love the slim profile of that fly. This is something I have trouble with when tying bumbles.
Kingsmill Moore, a real god of the patterns with an oustanding contribution IMHO. I have found his patterns among the best I know consistently good trout catchers - some patterns tied large are excellent Seatroout and Salmon takers also.
Sandy B.O.