What is your favorite fly? I do not have a favorite pattern. The most popular in the traditional flies are no doubt the Jock Scott and Green Highlander. A widely recognized pattern that I have originated is the Colonel’s Lady.
What is the most rewarding part of tying the classic flies for you? Imitation is the most flattering compliment a person can receive.
How did he get started tying the fancies? I think the term “fancies” is a poor choice of words to describe a classic feather wing salmon fly. “What are true fancies?”
There seems to be a trend to make the finished head as small as possible. What are your thoughts regarding head size? That’s one of my pet peeves. Some are so small that they would disintegrate if they were cast through the air at 100 m.p.h. We have to remember that the early tiers didn’t have the quality of materials that we use today. For example: Thread sizes were much larger than the 6/0 and 8/0 we now have.The head size should be in proportion to the size of the fly.
You tie in a very traditional style, proportion and format; do you feel this traditionalism can be reconciled with use of modern adhesives/waxes and other 'tricks'? No. Some tiers use glue and other adhesives in building their flies. I use liquid wax because early tiers such as Hale recommended it. Other than that and head cement they are the only adhesives I use. Liquid wax may be a misnomer. We think it's pine pitch dissolved with turpentine.
Which single tip do you feel you can give that is most likely to provide a 'eureka' moment for the average tier? Practice, practice, practice!
What is your 'normal' tying hook? I tie all feather wing salmon flies for presentation and collectors on 4/0 tapered shank hooks. Especially Dublin Limerick bend hooks.
Which fly or group of flies (full feather wing/mixed wing/spey/dee, etc.) do you most enjoy tying? I only tie full dressed feather wing flies. I think the other types of flies are a study within themselves.
Who has influenced your tying in the beginning and now? In the beginning it was Joe Bates’ book “Atlantic Salmon Flies & Fishing”. Thereafter, each tier will develop their own style of tying.
Do you use glue (any adhesive) and if so, when and for what? I only use liquid wax for components of a fly that do not want to stay in place.
How long does it take you to tie one of your typical classics? One to two hoursdepending on the pattern.
If you were writing your book now, would there be any changes you would make or additions? No, I wouldn’t.
Is there any style of fly that you have not tied that you would like to? No, I’m content with feather wing flies.
You wrote the book, but what would your most important advice be for someone who wanted to start tying the fully dressed flies? Start with trout or streamer flies first.
What are your favorite materials, and which one do you dislike the most? I like silver embossed tinsel. It’s very easy to wrap on the body. I don’t dislike any materials as long as it's legal to have; in particular, I admire John McLain’s alternate for Indian crow feathers.
What is/are your favorite threads, tinsels, flosses? For threads I like Danville 6/0 prewaxed; for tinsel I like genuine French tinsel, and for silk I like Ping Ling 6-ply and Kreinik, also 6-ply.
What do you like to use for an underbody? I use white Rayon floss.
Ron Alcott is a well known full dressed salmon fly tier and the author of Building Classic Salmon Flies. The book is available directly from Ron, as are his collectible quality flies. You can contact Ron directly at featherwing59@yahoo.com. The cost of the book is $45 for the hardcover edition, $35 for a softcover. The price includes Priority Mail postage. His flies are available for the unbelievable price of $55 including postage as well.
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