Fly Tying a Montana from the Terry Griffiths Book Again

My Fly Top, A Bought Montana Bottom

Hello Again,

The saga continues, only this time I have tried tying the Montana Fly from the book

I learned from some of the mistakes of the first time. For instance I learned how to actually put a hackle on, and how to tie a half hitch knot so this should have been a better experience.

In some ways it was but it was still difficult.

This fly was basically floss and the hackle feather tops were used as a tail.

One thing I would note about this book, the step by step instructions are actually pretty useful, and they each match up with a picture that shows you what the fly should look like. However what it doesnt tell you is how each thing should be tied on but most of the time you just have to make 2 or 3 turns with the main thread and your laughing.

Also when putting the hackle on, hackle pliers come in very very useful.

Any comments on my second attempt at fly tying are of course welcome!

After my semi-success with the montana I decided to revisit the Black Pennel. Again Hackle Pliers are very useful.

Update on the Terry Griffiths Fly Tying for Beginners book

Ok, Here it goes.

I was reading the book during the evenings just before bed waiting for my fly tying vice to arrive. Once it finally did arrive my enthusiasm was at an all time low because I had been out all day and was pretty shattered. However. That aside, I decided to attempt the first fly in the Beginners Guide to Fly Tying Book. That all elusive Black Pennell.

The Black Pennell is quite a popular fly in the Irish Lough Fishing Scene so I was excited about tying my first.

Shown in the photo is my fly left against a real Black Pennell right (Like its hard to guess)!


I attached the vice to the nearest desk, got my tools at the ready and reached for the black thread. I watched the videos on you tube by David Cammiss who made it look easy but it couldn't be farther from the truth. Tying flies is harder than first anticipated.

I managed to get the thread onto the hook after a battle with my loose ends and wound it amateurishly up to the end of the hook. In books and videos professionals bunch the wraps expertly. Mine was just a tangle on a hook!

The feathers were first, and it said pluck 4-8 strands. I plucked 4-8 which turned out to be half the feather. Hastened to add this was tied on expertly.

In went the Black felt for the body of the fly which wouldnt stay in the right place and this was wound on again like a big tangle.

Then for the tinsel and the head another tangle.

Dont even get me started on the hackle! How on earth do you tie a hackle on without it looking like an Afro haircut with alapetia.

The end result can be seen in the image below.

Any improvement tips would be very very welcome. Tune in again for the next fly! The Montana..