My Dry Flies All Sink

[normie_5]

I am new to fly tying. My equipment arrived only yesterday. So far I have tied a dozen flies.
This is a photo of one.
(Please note: this was taken before the hackle went on)
My problem is.
ALL OF MY FLIES SINK.
They use #10 dry hooks, have a good amount of hackle.
I even tried floatant powder and Superfly Superfloat. STILL SINK.
What causes dry flies to float. I thought it was the hook and hackle.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[HarkatScott]

Heya! There's a lot of nuance to dry fly tying, but looming at your tie, you want to use a minimal amount of feather and string. The fly looks a bit dense and will absorb water and sink as well as be hwavy enough to break water tension. Using materials like deer and elk hair are also good for dry flies as they float naturally. You can also add floatant, an oily substance that keeps the fly dry and above water.
To begin dry fly tying I would reccommend a Tom thumb or elk hair caddis type of fly. Simple and buoyant. And can be used as a wet fly too!
I tie to enjoy the process it's fun to make subtle improvements. Keep it up, you're doing great!

 

[HarkatScott]

Here is a video

 

[normie_5]

Heya! There's a lot of nuance to dry fly tying, but looming at your tie, you want to use a minimal amount of feather and string. The fly looks a bit dense and will absorb water and sink as well as be hwavy enough to break water tension. Using materials like deer and elk hair are also good for dry flies as they float naturally. You can also add floatant, an oily substance that keeps the fly dry and above water.
To begin dry fly tying I would reccommend a Tom thumb or elk hair caddis type of fly. Simple and buoyant. And can be used as a wet fly too!
I tie to enjoy the process it's fun to make subtle improvements. Keep it up, you're doing great!

Thanks for the feedback. I retied the fly changing the hook from a #10 to a #14. I reduced the tail to a few strands and made shorter. Replaced the yarn body with floss. Applied floatant gel. FLOATS REALLY WELL NOW. Also tied a Tom Thumb as you suggested. Had to substitute the Ekk Hair with Deer (since both float and I didn't have Elk).This one rides HIGH!!! Thanks a lot. I think I will keep at this. Quite enjoying it now.

 

[HarkatScott]

Wow, way to go. Can't wait to hear about you catching fish on your own ties, very cool experience

 

[WWKimba]

A nice caddis pattern that floats well is the Rackelhanen - it uses a hook, tying thread and one other material - poly yarn. Polypropylene (poly for short) is lighter that water. Water is 1.00 on the scale and poly is .60 (anything over 1.00 sinks).

I have plenty to share. Please feel free to PM (personal message) me so we can set things up so you can get some. I keep buying a lifetimes supply of tying materials. That was great when I was in my 20's but now that I'm in my 60's, well I'm just not going to live THAT long!

Let me know.

Kim