Double Badger

[AlanB]

Double Badger

Select a hook, here I'm using a Roman Moser Barbless Dry Fly from Partridge.
Start the thread and run down the hook shank in touching turns.

Prepare a badger hackle I'm using a silver badger saddle hackle

Tie it in.

TIP After tying in the hackle advance the thread to the eye of the hook to get it out of the way while you wind the hackle, then count the turns off when you tie the hackle off. If you have a true rotary vice just rotate the head 90 degrees so that the thread is not closing off the gap of the hook.

Wind the hackle 3 or 4 turns

Tie off the hackle and trim out.

Select a peacock herl, just one.

Break off the brittle tip about 1/2 inch (12mm)

Tin in the peacock and advance the thread in touching turns to where the front hackle will be tied in.

Wind the peacock in touching turns. See how full the body looks with the peacock wound like this. The impression of bulk is almost always better than bulk itself.

Tie off and trim out the peacock.

Prepare the hackle for tying in again (I'm still using the same hackle).

Tie in the hackle

Wind the hackle.

Tie off the hackle and whip finish.

The finished fly.

Cheers
Alan

[tigermoth]

A great and timely post Alan - now then, I need to learn how to tie

[richardw]

Beautifully proportioned!

A personal preference is that I often like my hackles to be more heavily marked with the central list and the tips good and black although the pale effect of your example is also of great usefulness to me. The marvellous thing about this pattern is that you can use it for so many different flies and beetles. On long shanked hooks it makes a deadly offering during willow and needle fly hatches. I used mine on Saturday to act on my behalf as a both a Large Dark Olive AND a February Red. It is very effective.

TIP

Don't throw them a way when the herl is worn away to a stripped quill. Stick them in your hat and, when a Caenis event is going on, use it as a fake raft of several flies. Do this especially if your DB is like AlanB's paler example...

richard

[moustique]

Hi Alan,

Nice to see you posting again on a regular basis, your guidance and step by step photos are excellent and well appreciated.

Hope you've settled in to your new accomodation OK?

If you fancy a day out fishing somewhere send me a PM, I know we mentioned a possible trip to Stocks? It's been fishing well recently.

Cheers .....

[taggarc]

Alan, thanks for that. I have been wanting to tie these for some time. Now i can get on with it thanks to your excellent photos and instructions.

Much appreciated


tag

[chrisvh]

Excellent photos and instructions. Many thanks. The Double Badger is a wonderful fly for fast water as it is easily visible to both angler and fish. I also had a lot of success with it for Grayling on crisp winters days.

[IanH]

Is it best with the lower part of the hackles clipped - so that it rides flat in the water, or should it be left to ride high?

Ian

[richardw]

Good question! Never tried it clipped - hmm...

richard

[Kypmeister]

Good to see you back Alan.

I just love looking at the Jaws of that Law vice Mmmm