The primary goal of Dressed Irons is to add to the growing body of quality fly tying that is on the Internet so that the art, trade, skill, and pastime will be passed on to others so that they can enjoy what I believe to be one of the best activities ever created. Through quality content, generous information and a desire to share the knowledge I have learned it is my goal to make Dressed Irons RU-vid channel a place were people often turn to in order to get their fly tying answers (and maybe some fly fishing answers thrown in here and there).
Can I add a thinner to my head cement? It seems super thick compared to yours and others I've seen. Same dispenser bottle, probably same product. I've got some lacquer thinner - I've thought about putting that in there! Any thoughts? Advice? Thanks!!
Great helpful video ..thank you . Can you please in lude in your to do list ..Hoppers and mayfly including if possible legs and extended bodies . Thank in advance B
Thank you for the feedback. I am glad you like the video. The vise I am using these days is the FNF Talon vise (www.fnflyfishing.co.uk/products/fnf-talon-vice). The other vise I frequently use is the Renzetti Presentation 4000 (www.renzetti.com/presentation-4000/). Both wonderful vises. - Ian Anderson
The mixing of the dubbing by hand is more traditional and give each fly a unique character and not a mass-produced look. I prefer to stay with the old ways as much as possible. Being as I am not a production tier, that is not a problem.
It is an interesting thought that so often we want each fly we fish to look just like the last one (that we were catching fish on!) but in nature the insects and baitfish that the fish eat do not look exactly alike each other. An argument could be made that the flies "unique character" might more closely mimic food sources. Thanks for the feedback and comment! - Ian Anderson
That is the very reason I watch fly tying videos of tying realistic patterns and tying of salmon/steelhead patterns. They are beautiful, very detailed, and I always pick up something useful although I most likely will never tie them. What I fish for does not require such perfection, just something with a buggy look or fishy look.
Many flies that are tied these days (especially those tie for the Internet, yes including mine 😁 ) tend to lean towards that "perfectionistic" side. Almost as those fly tying were a pursuit in and of itself. Part of it comes from tying (literally) thousands of flies. Your skills get better and better over time. Fortunately, fish are not so fussy, which is something I always stressed when teaching any tying classes. If the fish are refusing your fly it is not because it not Instagram ready. - Ian Anderson
Working flies and formal flies. Working flies are what I tie for fishing. I do not tie formal flies but am thinking about it. The salmon and steelhead flies are absolutely beautiful, and I love watching a professional fly tier, such as yourself, tie them on RU-vid.
Thank you for the compliment! Although I enjoy fly tying and pushing myself to learn and perfect my craft most of my flies I fish with are not all that pretty. They catch fish and that is what they are supposed to do. - Ian Anderson
You are most welcome, I am glad you like the channel. The Kent's Stealth Bomber is a topwater favorite in my home waters. Both Large and Smallmouth Bass and panfish love 'em. - Ian Anderson
It would seem at first glance. But, the repair was done over 15 years before I started working on it and the boat was used by a professional guide all that time so it really was somewhat beat up. Plus, Epoxy does not like heat and over time the epoxy starts to delaminate (I learned this through the process of working on this boat). It was just time to give it some TLC. - Ian Anderson
Thank you. My philosophy is to provide as much info and detail as possible even it makes the video a little "longer". I am glad you found something useful in this video and appreciate you providing the feedback. - Ian Anderson
I was scanning your collection of spectacular fly artwork when I came across this beauty. I will be tying this fly up in size #8, keeping to your recipe. Then, ride the crazy train and go with a size #10, maybe even smaller, to a #12. I have micro silicone legs, in assorted colors, and I will take your suggestion of using something different like maybe Veevus Small Body Fuzz, to give it that "buggy look" which drives Bluegill insane. I really enjoy your videos because they are crystal clear and sharp as a razor, plus you go into detail and also share your knowledge and observations from years of experience, which is priceless in itself. Thank you.
You are very welcome. I am glad you like the videos and are finding something useful (and entertaining) in them. I very much appreciate you taking the time to provide the feedback. This fly has a lot of possibilities for fun at the vise and on the water. Best of luck. - Ian Anderson
That is a very good-looking nymph pattern. The "hot spot" bead, I believe, will make it a killer. That gold oval tinsel is a nice touch. Thanks for sharing this great video.
You are welcome, thank you for the feedback, it is very much appreciated. As a panfish fly I know this one will be a productive fly but I think it would work well as a trout nymph also. - Ian Anderson
I would never fish any of the "fancy" flies you have tied. To me, they are artwork and should be under glass and on prominent display. I know I sound like I am really sucking up to you, but it is the truth. I really enjoy your channel, seeing how you go about constructing these art pieces, and have picked up a few very helpful bits of information. Thank you for making these wonderful educational videos.
Thank you for the nice compliments. Keep in mind that your flies do not have to look like "artwork" to catch fish. Give these a try at the vise and on the water. You will be surprised at the results. It's all about enjoying what you are tying and fishing! - Ian Anderson
That's a good fly, Ian. A variation I've liked uses black and white wire for abdomen segmentation, a small piece of white closed cell foam extending just forward of the eye, and the traditional peacock herl thorax. It's worked on both stillwaters and streams.
Thanks for sharing James. I have seen variations that incorporate the foam so the fly floats just under the surface as an emerger. I will add it to my list to do a video on one. - Ian Anderson
This one does not float. It is a nymph and the peacock is supposed to resemble the thorax and the brass wire the abdomen. I suppose you could fish it just under the surface as a sort of emerger if that is what the fish are targeting. - Ian Anderson
Really glad to see this crop up as a recommendation as your videos have not been getting recommended to me for a while, but I am about to start tying some of these.
Thank you, I am glad you like the video. This is a great one to have in your box. I do not really understand RU-vid "recommendations" (other than it is most geared towards what will make them money). - Ian Anderson
It definitely should slay the panfish, Ian. I have tied a similar one with a tuft of ostrich fibers as tails, a twisted yarn abdomen, two centipede legs bluegill, dark ostrich herl collar, and a white plastic craft bead head. They worked great on early season bluegills.
Thank you for the comment! I had thought of putting in some rubber/Sili legs once the fly was done. Sounds like they would be a positive addition! - Ian Anderson
You are welcome, I am glad you like the fly and video. The Strymph is a very versatile fly that can present as many different food sources depending on how you fish it and what color(s) are used in tying it. A fun and simple fly. - Ian Anderson
can you order directly from partridge? i've looked on the internet a few times over the last year or so since i started watching your videos, and cant find anyone/shop that keeps the CS15 in stock. is it out of production, and you just happen to have some? or like random new oldstock listings? -- i know theres similar hooks (i have some mustad B17's), but i'd love to try this hook as i've seen lots of people using it. beautiful fly btw! you always nail these CS streamers.
To my knowledge, you can not order directly from Partridge. They still have the CS15 model hook listed on their website but I have found it difficult to obtain. I do have a stash of these hooks that I am tying from. I also use the older Mustad 94720 hook as it is almost as long as the CS15. Keep an eye on eBay as they do come up for sale occasionally there. Thank you for the compliment on the video and the fly! - Ian Anderson
Thank you for this!! From a newer guy to this, it's been crazy buying all the materials. I'm all for supporting my local shops but sometimes, you get the package and you paid X amount but you're looking at a tiny little bag. Pay good money for the important items (vise, scissors, natural materials, etc...) but it's nice to learn to do stuff on the cheap at times too! Have a great weekend!
You are very welcome. It is nice to have so many fly tying materials already prepared for our purchase however not all things work in every situation. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box and try something different to come up with a solution. Being able to make your own dubbing or using common items in a different way lead to all sorts of new and interesting flies. I am glad the video has been helpful. - Ian Anderson
You are welcome. I do not see too many body feathers sold separately these days. Moonlight Feathers ( www.moonlightfeather.com/search.php?search_query=jungle ) is one of the few places I know of and they have some dyed in different colors. - Ian Anderson
This is the first I have heard of someone using bonefish flies for salmon. I can see where it would work. At least the puff is sort of like an egg sucking leech. At least in the water maybe? Thanks for passing that on! - Ian Anderson
Thank you, I am glad you like the channel and have found the videos useful. Feel free to share any Irish fly tying techniques as I am always interested in what others are doing that is different from here in the US. Thanks for the feedback also. - Ian Anderson
