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..