Tying a Magenta Dabbler with Davie McPhail

If you've ever fished in Irish Loughs or with an Irish Trout angler you'll know all about Dabblers, they are a classic Irish lough pattern which was devised to fish high in the water to represent everything from olives and mayflies to Duckfly. The speed of the retrieve means the fish, if curious, has to chase and take hard right in the surface. Often fished on the top dropper the takes can be spectacular often coming right at the boat as you hang the flies before casting again. Davies Magenta version tied with a dyed Mallard cloak is an excellent variant for Wild Scottish Lochs and Rainbow Trout waters when trout are looking to feed near the surface.

All of the materials needed to tie this fly are available from Glasgow Angling Centre as listed below, but as always, if you need any help finding materials or substitutes then we'll be happy to help. Time to tie a Magenta Dabbler, with the guidance of Davie McPhail. 




Materials Used:

Hook: Fulling Mill Competition Heavyweight Black Nickel size 10 Thread: Uni-8/0 Red Tail: Dyed Magenta Cock and Bronze Mallard Fibres Rib: Oval Gold Body: Magenta SLF and UV Mixed Dubbing Hackle: Magenta Cock Throat: Dyed Magenta Cock and Bronze Mallard Fibres
Wing: Dyed Magenta Cock and Bronze Mallard Fibres
Eyes: Small Jungle Cock

Additional materials: Additionally, Davie made use of Varnish, which he applied to the head after completing the fly.

Davie's preferred type of whip finish tool can be found HERE!