capcool

I'm one of the two other salmon guys. "Blue Back" Sockeyes fair caught on the fly are a religious experience...although a Springer steelhead runs a very close second their scarcity is a drawback...some places in Alaska you can still cross a stream on the backs of sockeyes and talk about smoked salmon or grill fare!

I've gotten to cast the new Orvis Helios and would wait for it if you're sold on Orvis however the Winston rod is the "best" I've cast so far

I've tied at club meetings and in other Public places for years, the only addict would be my friend Deit, alredy an accomplished watercolor artist, He was tying display quality salmon flies 3 months after I showed him how to mount a hook in the vise (can't imagine what that cost him in so short a period of time but Visa card was probably pushing the limit.)

the product I use is called Jones Tones foil available on e-bay from a seller called "The Little Craft Cart" I also use craft foam that has a peel and stick surface in white only (at least I think), then I spray the finished product with a spray polyurathane product from Home Depot. I have applied the product over epoxy (surf candies with good rusults. Hope this helps

In all the books a small neat head is emphasized, even if bare hook shank remains, this would leave space forward of the head to hitch the leader if desired. hope this helped.