Editor’s note: Since so many of us are going to be homebound over the next few weeks, we are going to be ramping up up our fly-tying content. If you’ve ever wanted to start tying, now is the time. Stay tuned!
Here’s another installment in a series of videos called “One-Minute Fly-Tying Tips and Techniques” from Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Each video will teach a single tying skill, from the most basic to the advanced. Ultimately, the series will serve as a sort of encyclopedia of tying skills that will be a valuable resource for anyone who sits down at a vise to create a fly.
As part of his “Magic Materials” series, Tim delves into some materials that may strike some purists as taboo. (Don’t worry: As you’ll hear, Tim seems prepared for the outcry.) Both chamois (pronounced shammy) and mop segments aren’t traditional, but they allow you to create patterns with lifelike movement in the water. Whether you choose to use them or not is up to you and your higher power, but there’s no debating whther or not they work.
Never caught anything on those mop flies. They are a waste of time. I use traditional flies that I tie and do well with them . May be ok for others . To each his own.
I have slayed them.work great in lakes,for trout an Pike.
I have used used chamois as a wrapped material for larva nymphs on Colorado rivers
I have found thin strips of chamois wrapped on. #14 or #16 heavy nymph hook with one and no more than two turns of starling hackle behind a neat black head to be a very good caddies larvae pattern.
The beauty of chamois is that it absorbs water and gives a very soft, “grubby” look after you’ve been fishing it a while.
I usually soak my chamois nymphs for at least an hour before fishing them so the look their best once I start fishing them.
Chamois pronounced shamwah not shammy! But I’m a purist…and the word is French not English….but, I won’t lose any sleep over it!!
i have tried several colors. they look awesome in the water, just like a crane fly larvae. never had a bite for two years of trying.