FrequentTyer, Thanks on that, and I'll try to use a better background next time around.
Chaz, I like longer tails on my flies, not too long, just a bit longer than what is considered "normal", but I'll try to shorten them and see how they come out. As for the wings, how long should they be? The thread I used was one that I thought would look better than yellow, red, or orange. Other than that the brown is all I have that remotely looks decent. I'm unemployed, so the gathering of materials is slow for me at the moment. There are still lots of things I need/want that I don't have money for at the moment. Slowly, I will build it all up. Thanks for the input. I do have some black thread, but it frays like crazy. It doesn't have a number on it, but I'm thinking it MIGHT be floss? I'll try the black tomorrow and see what happens. Pics to follow.