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Fly Tying videos & Fly fishing flies – THEFEATHERBENDER

Fly tying videos, Techniques & Patterns

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  • About Barry Ord Clarke

Author: barryoc

Born in England, Barry Ord Clarke is an internationally acclaimed and much published photographer and writer, including several photographs in the National portrait gallery collection in London. He is a regular contributor to numerous fishing magazines world wide. He has also written, Co written and contributed to more than 30 books about fly fishing and fly tying. He has also won medals in some of the worlds most prestigious fly tying competitions. Specializing in fly tying/fishing, his photography work has taken him all over the world to more than 40 different countries. He is also consultant to O. Mustad & son, the worlds largest hook manufacture. For the past 17 years Barry has lived in Norway with his family in the town of Skien, where he spends his free time fishing and elk & deer hunting.
Larvae, NymphLeave a comment
fly tying stick fly larva

How to tie a stick fly larva

October 6, 2020December 30, 2020 barryoc

A little cased caddis fly larva that is extremely simple to tie. You can mix and match the hook size and colour of hackles used to match the debris that the larva use in your your local waters. Hook: Mustad … Continue reading How to tie a stick fly larva

Nymph1 Comment
fly tying Brassie Jig nymph

How to tie the Brassie Jig nymph

October 2, 2020December 30, 2020 barryoc

Take a well known pattern and fish catcher and turn it into a Jig that has a couple of nice techniques and is super fast to tie. What more could you ask for ? Hook: Veniard Osprey Barbless Jig # … Continue reading How to tie the Brassie Jig nymph

StreamersLeave a comment
How to tie the Governor Aiken bucktail streamer

How to tie the Governor Aiken bucktail streamer

September 30, 2020September 30, 2020 barryoc

One of the beautiful bucktail’s. On May 5th 2014 Vermont’s Governor Peter Shumlin signed a law bill that designated Governor Aiken bucktail streamer as the official fishing fly of the state of Vermont, as a tribute to former Governor, George … Continue reading How to tie the Governor Aiken bucktail streamer

Deer Hair techniques, Dry flyLeave a comment
fly tying October Caddis

How to tie the October Caddis

September 28, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

A quick but effective pattern for one of the last large bugs of the year. An easy tie with a couple of good techniques that can be used in other patterns. Hook: Mustad R43 # 8 Tying thread: Dyneema Hackle: … Continue reading How to tie the October Caddis

Deer Hair techniques, Dry flyLeave a comment
fly tying Mallard slip wings dry fly

How to tie Mallard slip wings dry fly

September 25, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Over the past few days I have been tying up an order of several dozen traditional dry’s with mallard slip wings. I have found this extremely therapeutic , almost Zen like! But tying slip wings can prove to be challenging … Continue reading How to tie Mallard slip wings dry fly

Fly Tying TechniquesLeave a comment
fly tying tutorial Mallard slip wings

Mallard slip wings

September 24, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Heres a quick tie of a Cahill variant with mallard slip wings, Coq de Leon tail & moose mane body. Slip wings are easy to tie if you know how! The video will follow shortly. Have a great evening. How … Continue reading Mallard slip wings

NymphLeave a comment
fly tying moose mane nymph. video tutorial

How to tie the moose mane nymph

September 23, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

Heres one of my moose mane nymphs, that can be fished wet or dry. Although it may look a little challenging, it’s a relatively straight forward tie that includes a few good techniques that can be put to use in … Continue reading How to tie the moose mane nymph

Fly Tying Techniques1 Comment
fly tying Ultra midge

How to tie the Ultra midge

September 22, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A quick and super easy wire body midge pupa that is almost indestructible. Tie it in whatever colour and size you like. Hook: Mustad C49S # 14 or smaller Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Body: UTC Ultra wire, colour of … Continue reading How to tie the Ultra midge

NymphLeave a comment
fly tying strip nymph

How to tie a strip nymph

September 17, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

One of my ‘go to’ patterns for searching big fish. This great nymph/streamer pattern is a relative easy tie, again using only basic materials. The zonker strip used here is mink but all manner of fur strips can be put … Continue reading How to tie a strip nymph

Dry fly, Fly Tying for BeginnersLeave a comment
How to tie Poly wing caddis

How to tie the Poly wing caddis

September 16, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A great pattern when the trout are selective. Only basic materials are needed for this ‘ must have’ pattern for the caddis specialist, that can be fished static or as a skater. An easy tie with a couple of interesting … Continue reading How to tie the Poly wing caddis

NymphLeave a comment
fly tying video tutorial how to tie large mayfly nymph

How to tie a large mayfly nymph

September 14, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A nice pattern for most of the larger mayfly nymphs. Not only an easy but semi realistic tie but an extremely effective pattern with some good techniques that can be used for other nymphs. Hook: Mustad R74 # 10 Tying … Continue reading How to tie a large mayfly nymph

Dry flyLeave a comment
fly tying Purple Haze parachute

How to tie the Purple Haze parachute

September 10, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

This extremely popular attractor started life as a parachute Adams with a purple body. There are many interpretations of the purple haze, this is just one of them. Why it works, we don’t know but the fish just love it! … Continue reading How to tie the Purple Haze parachute

EmergerLeave a comment
How to tie CDC mayfly emerger

How to tie a CDC mayfly emerger

September 9, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A superb little CDC generic mayfly emerger that ticks all the boxes when the hatch is on. Tied in most sizes and colour combinations this is one of my top trout flies. Hook: Mustad C49S # 10 Tying thread: Sheer … Continue reading How to tie a CDC mayfly emerger

Dry flyLeave a comment
fly tying hot glue ant

How to tie the hot glue ant

September 8, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

This is my super quick hot glue ant, that with a little practice and preparation, takes less that 3 minutes to tie. With this technique you can tie flying ants in all black, red or as my personal favorite here … Continue reading How to tie the hot glue ant

Fly Tying for Beginners, Larvae1 Comment
How to tie simple caddis larva. fly tying video

How to tie a simple caddis larva

September 7, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A very simple yet functional caddis larva that can be tied in various colours and sizes. If you would like a lighter weight larva that can be fished closer to the surface just omit the tungsten bead and complete the … Continue reading How to tie a simple caddis larva

Wet FliesLeave a comment
fly tying Nighthawk feather wing

The Nighthawk feather wing

September 4, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Hook: Mustad SL53UBL # 4 Tying thread 6/0 Red Tip: Fine oval silver tinsel Tag: Yellow silk Tail: Golden pheasant crest veiled with Asian Kingfisher feather Butt: Red wool Body: Flat silver tinsel Rib: Medium oval silver tinsel Throat: Black … Continue reading The Nighthawk feather wing

EmergerLeave a comment
How to tie AP Pontoon emerger

How to tie the AP Pontoon emerger

September 3, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

One of the legacy patterns from the late Andre Puyans. An ultra simple may fly emerger that only requires basic skill and materials. Tied correctly it will take fish just about all year round on both river and still waters. … Continue reading How to tie the AP Pontoon emerger

Nymph2 Comments
how to tie Atherton Medium nymph

How to tie the Atherton Medium nymph

September 2, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

Although this nymph is approaching 70 years old, it’s originator, Artist & illustrator John Atherton used European kingfisher for the original wing case. Perhaps using its iridescent blue to imitate the gas filled wing case of an emerging nymph, or … Continue reading How to tie the Atherton Medium nymph

Deer Hair techniques, Dry fly2 Comments
fly tying deer hair drake fly

How to tie a deer hair drake

September 1, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

A simple yet extremely effective pattern that is easy to tie, but commands a little technique. A Deer hair drake with a parachute hackle that will float all day long and fool the most selective trout. Hook: Mustad R43 #8 … Continue reading How to tie a deer hair drake

Wet FliesLeave a comment
fly tying mayfly wet

How to tie a mayfly wet

August 31, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Heres an older pattern for a wet mayfly that can still hold its own today. Although not fished so much any longer this elegant style of mayfly is a pure pleasure to tie with its simple materials on a small … Continue reading How to tie a mayfly wet

Dry flyLeave a comment
F-fly, Moustique du Jura

Historic CDC flies, F-fly, Moustique du Jura

August 27, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Cul de Canard, Croupion de canard or CDC as it is more commonly known has become one of the most used materials in fly tying, but its not that long ago, that there where only a handful of fly tyers … Continue reading Historic CDC flies, F-fly, Moustique du Jura

Emerger, Wet FliesLeave a comment
How to tie soft hackle emerger. video tutorial

How to tie a soft hackle emerger

August 27, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

One of my favorite Autumn patterns to fish. A soft hackle emerger that incorporates some classic materials and a couple of useful techniques. If you pull it through still water or swing it down and across stream you won’t be … Continue reading How to tie a soft hackle emerger

Fly tying materials and fly tying tools, Fly Tying TechniquesLeave a comment

The ultimate guide to deer hair part 3

August 26, 2020February 10, 2021 barryoc

Different deer used in fly tying Here I would like to familiarize you with the different deer used in fly tying, the location of the hair on the animal, sex, age, colour, length and applications. Antelope This deer like Antelope … Continue reading The ultimate guide to deer hair part 3

Fly tying materials and fly tying tools, Fly Tying Tutorials1 Comment

The ultimate guide to deer hair part 2

August 25, 2020February 11, 2021 barryoc

Different hairs from different locations on a deer hide In this second part of the guide to tying with deer hair I will describe the different hairs from different locations on a deer hide. Hair from each part of the … Continue reading The ultimate guide to deer hair part 2

Dry fly1 Comment
fly tying Lady Mc Connell dry fly

How to tie the Lady Mc Connell dry fly

August 24, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

The Lady Mc Connell midge is an interesting, but yet straightforward tie that applies only basic materials. An effective still water pattern that represents an newly hatched adult midge. Hook: Mustad R30 # 16 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 Black Trailing … Continue reading How to tie the Lady Mc Connell dry fly

Fly tying materials and fly tying tools, Fly Tying Tutorials1 Comment
deer hair guide barry ord clarke

The ultimate guide to deer hair part 1.

August 23, 2020February 10, 2021 barryoc

Deer hair fly tying material Having been a passionate fly tyer and deer hunter for the best part of my life, It became a natural progression for me to embrace the material these animals have provided me with over the … Continue reading The ultimate guide to deer hair part 1.

StreamersLeave a comment
fly tying Soft hackle Streamer

Gartside’s Soft hackle Streamer

August 22, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

Jack Gartside’s soft hackle streamers must be one of the most simple but effective streamers ever devised! Jacks original recipe: The soft hackle streamer Hook: Mustad 34007 Salt Water, 3406 Fresh Water Tying thread: 6/0 Colour to vary Body: None … Continue reading Gartside’s Soft hackle Streamer

StreamersLeave a comment
Matarelli Special Salmon fly

Matarelli Special Salmon fly

August 21, 2020December 14, 2020 barryoc

As the name suggests, the Matarelli special is a truly special fly. The under body is constructed of a double length of heavy gauge copper wire that is twisted together. The two ends of the wire where tied in along … Continue reading Matarelli Special Salmon fly

Nymph2 Comments
Copper Nymph

How to tie the Copper Nymph

August 20, 2020December 13, 2020 barryoc

A cracking little nymph with lots of bling. Three great materials, copper wire, Pheasant tail and peacock herl make this a great pocket water pattern that gets down deep quick. Hook: Mustad R73 # 10 Tying thread: Black 6/0 Tail: … Continue reading How to tie the Copper Nymph

Wet FliesLeave a comment
fly tying Ken Sawada wet fly

Great Sedge – Ken Sawada wet fly

August 19, 2020December 31, 2020 barryoc

One of the original flies I have in my collection from the great Japanese fly tyer Ken Sawada. The great sedge is one of his original patterns from, I believe 1984. TAIL — Very small golden pheasant topping.BODY — Gold … Continue reading Great Sedge – Ken Sawada wet fly

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