Tying the Little Black Soft Hackle:Wet Fly with Davie McPhail 

Could use a shiny bronze wild turkey feather for the body instead ....or a blue mallard, variations on this pattern...suspect they will catch trout too!

Hi Duncan, Many of the first wet flies I tyed came out of books called Let's Fish the Clyde by Robert Sharp another was Clyde Style flies by John Reid and I would never be without them..I have seen Michael Theakstone's book but I don't own a copy though I should look into buying one..Over the years I have tyed so many different wet flies but I do use a lot of substitute materials and the flies still work really well, the softer the fibres the better they work.. All the very best Davie

Hi Guy H, I've listed the materials I used for you to see and I'm glad you liked it as it's a great fly and certainly worth having in your box... All the very best Davie.. Hook, Fulling Mill All-Purpose Medium size 14 Thread, Pearsall's Gossamer Purple Silk Rib, Magpie Fibres from the Tail Body, Pearsall's Gossamer Purple Silk Hackle, Starling Body or Neck Feather

Hi George B, It was first published in 1855, the copy I got off Ebay was published in 1995 (North Country Flies by T.E Pritt..I'm glad you liked the fly... All the very best Davie...

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IN4N92G14Xg.html

Thank you Davie. You really have inspired me to start tying again as I rehab my shoulder. I just bought quite a lot of new supplies from my local fly shop #anglersall in Colorado. We all sat and spoke about how much we love watching your tying videos. Greg was there too and his videos are also a favorite of mine. Also, trying the fullingmill hooks for the first time (one of my purchases)

Thank You Dan, I'm glad as well that the videos have got you back into tying again and also for all the kind words..Please say hello to Greg and everyone at the #anglersall... All the very best Davie...

Hi Ernie, I used Fibres from the tail of a Magpie though you could use a fine peacock herl if you don't have any..I'm glad you liked the fly... All the very best Davie..

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication! That flee will be very useful on the upper Clyde!

i was thinking peacock too! thanks my friend.

Hi James, I use Veniards Clear Varnish which I have done for more years than I can remember as it's always worked well for me...I have attached a link to the stockists of their materials for you to see if there's one near to where you live as they will be able to get it for you..Thank you for the kinds words you gave me in your other comment.. www.veniard.com/stockists.asp All the very best Davie

I have never used this hook before though I would say it is a hook for tying flies on... All the very best Davie...

Hi Jerry, Just use a fine strand of peacock herl, one from the eye would be ideal... All the very best Davie....

That's why you use tools... ;-) I have hands like barn doors, but I can still tie midges in size 22. Practise, my friend, practice...

Hi Mike, I got a copy off ebay for £12 so if you have a look you could find a copy for not much money though I do use this site to look for books I don't have as well...I'm glad you enjoyed the video... All the very best Davie...

Thank you for mentioning E-Bay as a possible source, Davie. I forget about them more often than not. Most times I look for used books here... www.usedbooksearch.co.uk/ This is the best book-search I know of. I have found a person can get differing responses based on differences in search so I often will search both 10 and 13 ISBN, also tittle, also author. Occasionally, a much better offer shows up. Mike