Frequently asked questions. 2010 Irish Open
NOTICE:
In the original dressing for this pattern, Blacker called for a sprig of glede or kite tail. This bird is a protected species and so a good substitute is recommended. In Classic Salmon flies, Frodin lists the tail feather of the hen Himalayan pheasant as a good sub.
Another good substitute is cinnamon coloured turkey tail.
Q: What is a Himalayan Pheasant?
A: The Himalayan pheasant is also known as the Impeyan Monal pheasant. For more information on this bird please visit this useful and informative web site; Himilayan pheasant
Q: What would be a suitable substitute for this feather if I do not even have access to hen Himalayan pheasant tail feathers?
A: Any dark ginger-coloured feather or cinnamon turkey feather is a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Q: In the sample Ballyshannon fly tied by Peter Dunne, I noticed that he placed the red topping into the wing itself and not on top of the wing as prescribed in the dressing details. Is this acceptable for competitors also?
A: Peter Dunne answers; Yes this is perfectly acceptable as is the personal arrangement of the individual ingredients in the wing itself. Blacker didn't specify how the materials were to be arranged, but just gave the ingredients. As regards my placing of the red topping in the wing itself as opposed to on top of the wing, well this is just a personal preference. Competitors may also place the red topping in the wing without incurring any penalty.
Q: In the dressing details for the Ballyshannon, a # 4/0 blind eye hook is specified, while the maker is not specified. May I use a hand-made hook of my own? May I use a hand-made hook made by a professional hook maker?
A: Yes you may use any hand-made hook for these patterns as long as the hook is the prescribed size for the pattern in question.
NOTICE:
In the original dressing for this pattern, Blacker called for a sprig of glede or kite tail. This bird is a protected species and so a good substitute is recommended. In Classic Salmon flies, Frodin lists the tail feather of the hen Himalayan pheasant as a good sub.
Another good substitute is cinnamon coloured turkey tail.
Q: What is a Himalayan Pheasant?
A: The Himalayan pheasant is also known as the Impeyan Monal pheasant. For more information on this bird please visit this useful and informative web site; Himilayan pheasant
Q: What would be a suitable substitute for this feather if I do not even have access to hen Himalayan pheasant tail feathers?
A: Any dark ginger-coloured feather or cinnamon turkey feather is a perfectly acceptable substitute.
Q: In the sample Ballyshannon fly tied by Peter Dunne, I noticed that he placed the red topping into the wing itself and not on top of the wing as prescribed in the dressing details. Is this acceptable for competitors also?
A: Peter Dunne answers; Yes this is perfectly acceptable as is the personal arrangement of the individual ingredients in the wing itself. Blacker didn't specify how the materials were to be arranged, but just gave the ingredients. As regards my placing of the red topping in the wing itself as opposed to on top of the wing, well this is just a personal preference. Competitors may also place the red topping in the wing without incurring any penalty.
Q: In the dressing details for the Ballyshannon, a # 4/0 blind eye hook is specified, while the maker is not specified. May I use a hand-made hook of my own? May I use a hand-made hook made by a professional hook maker?
A: Yes you may use any hand-made hook for these patterns as long as the hook is the prescribed size for the pattern in question.