Any advice for tying burnt winged dry fly patterns?

[PaScoGi]

I saw this video where a guy tied on a size 12 dry fly hook a pretty easy pattern that looks realistic. (sorry I don't know how to link on this site). Anyway, he tied in microfibbets for tails, and then dry fly dubbing and a hackle thorax. He also tied in "wings" made out of hackle with the tips burned to stay molded together and it looked like true wings.

Not sure if this is more art or practical pattern to be used. But I also hear that mayfly duns are like "sailboats" floating down the river. And these wings truly looked like the wings on a bug.

Does anyone tie dry flies with burned wings?

If so, any patterns for me to check out and any advice/tips on tying them?

I know emergers and parachute patterns work better. Not arguing the effectiveness of burned wing dry flies because I have never seen them at a fly shop or anyone ever using them. Just want to tie them, perhaps just to decorate my tying bench with a cool looking pattern.

Thanks.

 

[Tigereye]

I did years ago and gave my wing burners away here on swap forum.

I think they look good and catch fish. However, they twist your line something awful. OK i guess, during placid evenings but not worth the hassle in my humble opinion. I think you will get better mileage from a Catskill tie, comparadun, or parachute.

If you are just tying for fun, decoration, or gifts, have fun, they do look neat.

 

[redietz]

My advice: unless you really like twisted leaders, don't do it/

 

[Bamboozle]

The only burnt wing files I tied/tie/use are Iwamasa Flies developed by Ken Iwamasa in the late 1980's.

Ken's patterns utilize two hen back (neck) feathers glued to together back to back and a unique wing burner that creates a single upright wing. Other unique features are a deer hair over-back and the use of deer hair in lieu of hackle.

I was a bit of disciple back in the day and still remember rummaging through wooden barrels of hen backs at the Yellow Breeches Fly Shop back when Bill Skilton ran things. I'd buy white or mottled necks and dye them different shades of grey to match the naturals.

I can honestly say they made a difference many times over fussy fish I encountered at the Letort when I used to fish the Sulphurs there with regularity. I don't remember many issues with leader twisting and I still tie a modified version utilizing the same wing, no over-back and Marinaro style hackle.

I don't know if there are tutorials on the web, but Ken did write a book called Iwamasa Flies. The wing burners might be harder to find and my set isn't for sale. 😉

 

[tomgamber]

Don't. I have one and tied some. They dpin like crazy. Traditional catskill wings of hackle and hair spin so much less. Not sure why.

 

[PaScoGi]

Thanks all, appreciate it. Curious why burnt winged patterns spin and twist leaders but comparaduns dont, they seem like the same concept and design just different wing posts.

Regardless, I will try them out just out of boredom. Not expecting much, just thought they would be cool to try.

Thanks all really enjoy hearing feedback from experienced tyers!

 

[goose54cdd]

I agree! they look nice but they twist your line.

 

[Nocktavius]

Everybody has that set of wing burners that sits in the bottom drawer of their fly tying storage. They don’t move out of there for a reason

 

[Bamboozle]

Thanks all, appreciate it. Curious why burnt winged patterns spin and twist leaders but comparaduns dont, they seem like the same concept and design just different wing posts...

Even quill, hackle tip & hair wing flies can twist a leader to all heck if the wings are disproportional or splayed at an angle that makes the fly act like a propeller.

Besides the obvious tip of getting the proportions correct & the angles minimized, avoiding very light tippets, excessive false casting and high line speed when false casting will pay huge twist-prevention dividends as well...

...Regardless, I will try them out just out of boredom. Not expecting much, just thought they would be cool to try...

Keep in mind what I said about bad wing angles and what I said previously (Post #4) about Ken Iwamasa's SINGLE wing creations...

Most tiers making burnt wing flies use two wings and I believe THAT is part of the problem. Ken Iwamasa was on to something with his single winged flies because I really never have twisting issues when I use them.

Good luck!!

 

[6xAdams(Jones)]

I don't tie flies, but I recall my flyfishing mentor matching feather tips as closely as possible and burning them in the molds at the same time with the ribs perfectly lined up. Burnt wings tied onto a 16 or 14 fly, will still spin up a 6x leader if you make too many false casts.