Tying a Pheasant Tail Cruncher Nymph/Wet Fly with Davie McPhail 

Hi Ian, There is very little difference between them if I am honest though the original snatchers were tyed on a Kamasan B100 light wired gold hook and gave the patterns a light and midge like profile..They should be lightly dressed as well though there's many versions now.. All the very best Davie

@@DavieMcPhail thanks for that Dave I tie some Grayling flies on gold hooks I think I will try some snatchers on gold.. Regards IanR

Mike, The body sequence starts at 2:50-ish. The reasoning is there as the body is made. Underlying all is the intent to make tight, long lasting flies and a key is tying off materials that are wrapped in the same direction as the normal tying... the tying thread tightens the wraps (in this case, the wire) through both physical movement and the nature of a little stretch in the thread holding the materials tighter. If a person wants to rib for both material protection and as a prominent aspect, also wanting the reinforcing wire to be as tight as possible, the "weaker" material is wound opposite. To say... the 90 degree bend in the wire keeps that "weaker material" protection aspect from being pulled loose by teeth. It IS more "fussy" to tie off opposite-wound materials to keep them from being looser. My early personal experience with this was I lost time doing it. Down the road I came to understand the lost time was due to me having to remember the process and then get it done correctly. Once it became "automatic" the time lost basically disappeared. Mike

@@krallmi48 I have been tying flys for 50 plus years and don’t find it makes any difference to the longevity of the fly, IMO, if the pheasant tail or other dubbings are wound in the away from you direction and the protective wire is wound in the opposite direction? If longevity is your “ main “ objective and time is not a concern then I would add a coating of Sally Hansen clear nail polish/ hardener onto the thread wraps and then wind the body material on top of the polish, in effect “gluing” the body to the shank! While I appreciate your input, what I really wanted was an answer from Davie! Thanks for your attempt to explain! All the best!

Hi Mike, There's many ways to tye a fly as you know and the right way is what you are happy with as we can all learn off each other and enjoy our hobby. Here on RU-vid it gives us all the means to pass on what we have learnt over the years as much was lost before we had this other than what we read or were lucky enough to meet someone willing to share their knowledge..Both ways you will end up with a strong fly as I have tyed flies just as you described.. All the very best Davie

@@DavieMcPhail Thanks for your input and reply! You are absolutely right! I am self taught and sometimes make my flys in non traditional ways I’m sure! Having read hundreds of books on the topic and now, since discovering the internet content available on this topic from masters such as yourself, I am still adding to my tool box! I continue to enjoy watching and learning! That’s a big part of the attraction! In the end, the fish decide! Tight lines!!

Hi FlyTyer1948, In the fly fishing competition world these are patterns that work and represent many species of fly and even small fry so they have been given names like Cormarant's (Fish Catchers) Snatchers and Crunchers.. The Diawl-Bach in welsh means Little Devil and has been around a long time and is a great patterns especially for midge pupa though it will fish for a few other specials as well depending on the colour it is tyed..I can understand why you are scratching your head and what are we talking about.. All the very best Davie..

@@DavieMcPhail Thank you sir!

Hi Christine Graham, I have attached a link to the UV2 Diamond-Brite which I believe is much the same as the one I have as the colours look the same.. All the very best Davie.. www.anglers-lodge.co.uk/product/spirit-river-uv2-diamond-brite-dubbing/

Thankyou for reply davie