"Old" Nymphs -- Maybe a Hewitt

[ewpeper]

OK, the Bergman nymphs thread forced me to extract this one from my "antique and collectible" box. Anyone have any ideas on its possible roots? I got it from a friend who said he found it at Mills when the shop was closing in the 70s. He alleged that it was "an original Hewitt nymph." I dunno. The body is dubbed yellow fur apparently with ink markings on the abdominal side. The dorsal side seems to have had some hard substance applied to it -- very durable and crusty feeling. The body is flattened, but I believe this was done through a flattened underbody, as the dorsal side with its "coating" is still rounded, and the fly dies not appear to have been weighted. Hackle and tail are black hen. Hook appears to be a 1X or 2X long, Sproat bend. Sorry about the quality of these first photos. If anyone is interested, I can shoot some better ones.

Eric

[catskilljohn]

Eric,

You may have a Hewitt nymph there. He used to tye them, soak them in varnish and squeeze them with pliers that were filed in a triangular shape, that gave them the flattened look he wanted. Your is a great example of an old nymph, Hewitt's or not! CJ

[ewpeper]

Thanks, CJ. I recall reading about that varnish-and-squeeze technique, and this fly could have been done that way. I know, too, that the design is similar to what Hewitt used. The yellow abdominal dubbing wraps are clearly visible, but there is some kind of finish over them that left them feeling solid. The dorsal side shows no wraps and looks almost granular, as if some fine sand or silt may have been used to get the "finish."

Interesting stuff.

Eric

[ted patlen]

varnish and squeeze...sounds like the "bailey's mossback"

it does have that hewitt look...i have a friend who may be able to check it.

nice find