Tying the Rusty Rat (Salmon Fly) with Davie McPhail

[mw2koolboy]

what is that thing called for holding the thread???

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi mw2koolboy,

It's called a Bobbin Holder...All the best Davie 

[mw2koolboy]

@DavieMcPhail Thank you



[kukikano9]

can i use regular brown hackle on this fly?

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi kukikano9,

It certainly would be worth trying as this is a great style of fly, so tyed in whatever colour combination that you feel will work then try it..

All the best Davie

[Spruce7422]

Davie, I enjoy your videos very much. Can you give me an address to purchase Pearsall Stout floss?

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi Spruce7422,

I've had the spools of the stout floss for a long time and the only company that I know that supplies shops is called Veniards, so if you know a shop that stocks their materials then they should be able to get them for you. Please let me know how you get on?

All the best Davie

[tjmfishing]

It was rumored that Warren Duncan could tie one of these in one minute, forty-five seconds.

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi tjmfishing,

I do believe that he could tye this as quick as I was lucky enough to watch Warren tying here in Scotland many years ago, he was an exceptional tyer and a true gentleman. I was also chuffed to get one of his Rusty Rats from him as a gift which I have framed and it hangs proudly on my wall. I may have a go at tying the Rusty Rat as quick as I can just to see how fast I can tye it..

All the best Davie

[tjmfishing]

@DavieMcPhail Neat. I read that he was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick before moving to Saint John, NB. Campbellton is about 6 hours from where I live and 90 minutes from my father's hometown on the Gaspe in Quebec. There are amazing salmon rivers in Northern New Brunswick and the Gaspe, heck, every river up that way is a salmon river.

I'll have to tell the guys at fly tying what you said. One of the guys there also has one of his flies framed.

Taylor

[SOFAKINGMAINE]

@DavieMcPhail

Davie, Search Warren Duncan on YouTube. If you haven't seen this, take a look. It's Warren Duncan tying a Rusty Rat while reciting a Robert Service poem. I can't post the link in this reply.

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi SOFAKINGMAINE,

I have seen this video and as well I personally saw him doing this in 1992 here in Scotland, he was a magnificent tyer and demonstrator of this wonderful hobby, I also own the Rusty Rats that he tyed that day..

All the best Davie

[madaboottroot]

Could you tie smaller versions and use them for rainbows and browns?

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi madaboottroot,

I could easily see this being a really good trout pattern as well as a salmon fly...

All the best Davie

[StcroixNick]

I'm atlantic Salmon fly fishing and this fly is very usefull and I like the addition of tinsel to make ribs, in my region fishermans do not usually put tinsel on it, I Like your tying thecniques =D

[TotallyFlyTying]

Hi Davie,

Is there anything else you could use instead of the silver Fox?

Thanks,

~David

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi TotallyFlyTying,

I would be happy to use Grey Squirrel instead of Silver Fox..

All the best Davie

[cwmitch2]

Just wanted to say as someone new to fly tying your videos are my library.

Anything I'm not sure how to do I always find the answer through you, Many

Many thanks Davie.

Regards Colin.

[madaboottroot]

I never fish for salmon but it's relaxing just watching you tie the flies. Salmon flies are more interesting and natural looking than trout flies.

Great video!

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi madaboottroot,

I'm glad you enjoyed the video...thankyou...

All the best Davie

[rcflybry]

Beautiful fly and an absolute work of art Davie!! Always great to see your work on here.

[smithmccrum]

wonderful salmon fly davie, but i get funny looks when i ask for rimmel 60 seconds when i go into boots sshh.

[txflytier]

Hi Davie

I was wondering why on the salmon hooks they leave the eye open like that.

The way they just bend the hook around and leave the eyes uncliped I guess that what I am trying to say...

Chance

[fisterra66]

Hola Davie, impresionante, eres un artista, gracias.

[carpingbonkers]

Another cracking demo thanks great to watch.

Have you got a quick drying head cement you could recommend thanks .

[DavieMcPhail]

Hi carpingbonkers,

The fastest varnish I've used is called Rimmel 60 seconds and it dries really hard...

All the best Davie

[carpingbonkers]

Cheers Davie will give it a go thanks

[varkskiet]

Beautiful, will have to try this one for steelhead this fall.

[azwoolybugger]

I may never fish for Salmon, but it is fun to watch you work. Thanks for the new video.