he Art of Fly Tying - creating a realistic Red Eared Turtle

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Realistic red eared turtle

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10xl Partridge Carrie Stevens hook and two pieces of tapered Orvis foam strips http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-2.jpg
Foam colored with markers and tinted flex varnish http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-3.jpg
Foam segmented up the hook to create the turtles tail http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-4.jpg
Five pieces of fine brass wire secured to the hook to create the legs http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-5.jpg
Wires bound together with thread http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-6.jpg
Two yellow turkey biots are tyed onto each piece of wire,
one piece with the tip cut off and one with the tip remaining to create claws http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-7.jpg
All five claws are tied and shaped http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-8.jpg
Thin foam strips are tyed on top as well as underneath to shape the legs http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f...g/turtle-9.jpgLooks ok, the first try is always a challenge http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-10.jpg
The foam is colored with a marker and coated with a thin layer of flexible varnish http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-11.jpg
Tying the front claws seemed easier, practice helps http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-12.jpg
All four legs are secured, and can be bent into position later http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-13.jpg
The fun begins, detail coloring, using micron markers http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-14.jpg
The head is shaped with a long strip of chenille. A plastic strip was pulled through the head with a needle, glass beads slid down, plastic melted until it was flush with the beads. http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-15.jpg
Two strips of colored Swiss Straw are tyed on behind the hook eye http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-16.jpg
Straw is pulled back and secured with thread http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-17.jpg
The red ears are colored http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-19.jpg
The straw is colored with micron markers, and pulled forward, and secured http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-20.jpg
Straw is pulled back to shape the turtles retractable neck http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-18.jpg
The shell is made with a thin piece of flat foam http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-21.jpg
Pattern was cut into the foam with a razor, and flame used to heat and shape the foam http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-22.jpg
Thread is tied between the legs to begin forming the body http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-23.jpg
Swiss Straw is wrapped around the thread base.
When applying color, I prefer to use lighter colors over darker base colors http://www.solarexpert.com/fishing/f.../turtle-26.jpg
He looks real enough to become lunch http://www.solarexpert.com/photograp...ise-turtle.jpg
Oh no! http://www.solarexpert.com/photograp...e-turtle-2.jpg
I guess I'll have to tie another one http://www.solarexpert.com/photograp...e-turtle-3.jpg

__________________
" Let's Go Fly Fishing
-- Dissatisfaction with not-hi! Between gains and losses to heart!

"Sometimes you win, but in fact you lost!"
• not? » Sometimes you win a face,
• But in fact you lost the feelings;
• Sometimes you win the mouth, but in fact you lost the image;
• Sometimes you win benefits, but in fact you lose the friendship…,
• In short, you sometimes seemingly won,
• In fact you have lost!
made win- win