Olórin

Two things you could try. First, try a water based Polyurethane. It should keep the Sharpie from running. Otherwise try a Copic marker instead of a sharpie. It is an ETOH based permanent marker. I know people who have used a water based Polyurethane on these with no problem. If you do get a turner and head down the road to using epoxy, the epoxy will run the sharpie as well. I have not had any problems with the Copic Markers. - Olórin

Just curious... who will be attending the Tying Expo in Holt Michigan on the 5th? I will have a booth and be tying flies; anyone else?

Wonder what beaver that comes from [wink-wink, nudge-nudge]?

Looking for some updated information from those doing videos. I am interested in doing some tying videos for online production as well as having a camera that can display on a large screen for educational classes. The last post I saw on this topic was from February 2007. Knowing the technology has made a few strides forward I thought I would ask people what they are using and like/dislike. Thanks for the feedback.

Good for you!! :yahoo: It sure is neat the first time you see something you have done in print. Let's see a picture of your bench.

Gartside Sparrow. Something about everything (except the dubbing) coming from one Pheasant skin appeals to me.

Keeping in the context of the question [... flies you fish with] I fish for many different species and use many different flies. As pointed out, egg flies are a quick tie. However, I have a pike trip coming up and will spend about 15 - 20 minutes putting together some sturdy pike streamers. Not to mention 30 minutes + for deer hair topwater or finished poppers. Most patterns (smallmouth, bluegill, white bass, trout nymphs and dries) are usually about 5 - 10 minutes. For the most part I, like many posting here, do not watch the clock. The tying is part of the the entire experience. Especially when I can not get out and fish, like now!

Smallmouth Flies - Dave Matthews Band Bluegill flies - John Denver Trout Dry - George Winston Trout Nymph - The Coors Trout Streamers - Jackson Browne Classic Salmon, Wets or Streamers - Pink Floyd Pike and Muskie - Guns & Roses Actually, I tie in my home office where I have ripped all our CDs (about 550) and they are all on our server. I listen through my computer and listen more to whatever I have been in the mood for in general. But the above seemed to fit those types of flies. :yahoo:

Working on mine today

Thanks I`m not to familiar with the expression "coming undone". Could you explain what you mean, my english is a bit rusty when i comes to understanding some phrases Smallie Fanatic: Thanks. I also use super fine chenille in some of my flies Terje! Good to know.

Nice easy pattern. Do you ever have problems with the knots coming undone when fishing this fly?

Patrick Del Fatti, I received your e-mail about the Gamakasu hooks, however all of my replies are not going through. If you subscribe to this thread, send another e-mail to me ([email protected]). The e-mail you provided is [email protected]. We can get the hooks you want.

Will, if you still need someone for Sunday, count me in. Have to work Saturday. I have been wanting to go to this show for a while.

Taking a formal class is your best bet for learning quickly and getting the many questions you will have answered. If the school is through a fly shop they will often let you try various vises while in the class. Trying before buying is your best bet. Remember most tier end up buying a different vise as they learn more. Your skills get refined, you understand more your needs for the tying you do, etc... A lot of tiers end up with multiple vises for certain classes of flies. Even if you asked other students in the class to try their vise it will give you more hands on info which will help you make a wiser choice.

Ditto!! Depending on the flies you can even pick up some materials at the craft shop.

I would agree that most of the kits on the market are not that good. They are way better than in years past. The problem really boils down to whether you want to learn to tie flies for the sake of learning to tie (as mentioned above, as a hobby in and of itself) or simply tie the flies you want to fish. If you want a new hobby, like most others you will end up spending money and your best bet is to pay for a class to get you started. Once started you can take it where ever you want. If you want to simply learn patterns you want to fish you can cut some corners. By knowing the specific patterns you want to tie it helps narrow what materials you need. I would suggest two things. First see if there is a fly fishing club in your area or within miles you are willing to drive. See if they have free classes/clinics to members and non-members. Often, to get some exposure, they will hold free tying classes for beginners at local sporting goods shops. Along those same lines, stop by a shop and see if they know of anyone willing to teach someone new. If you don't find someone or a club consider a class at a local fly shop. Most shops will have different levels of classes and/or have someone willing to sit down with you one on one for a small fee. Tying your first woolly worm maybe all you need to get started. Good Luck.

If the bug has really bit... watch out. There is never enough room. I use similar Rubbermaid draw sets and have various shoebox and craft boxes in the drawers that hold like materials. Always keep in original packaging. It really helps keep it organized and helps you remember what is what. For on the road, I have used various soft tackle bags that hold Plano boxes, hard tackle boxes, and specific fly tying bags. What I have found I like the most is keeping a few extra craft boxes and placing what I need for my mobile tying in them. I have a few small organizers for tools and extra thread/wire. I take what I need from home an place it in the boxes and into a larger canvas bag. The downside is having to then unload it back in it's proper place when done with it. However, a long time agao I passed the stage of carrying everything I had "just in case". Another thing to do it track all the materials you have. I use a speadsheet. I have different wookbooks for various categories of materials (i.e. feathers, furs, dubbbing, body material, syntetics, etc...). Across the top I have the various colors for the materials and along the left I have the names of the materials. This way I can quickly see if I have a TMC 105 #8 for tying some nuke eggs. It can be a pain sometimes in keeping the spreadsheet up. It is tooooo easy to just throw the stuff in a box in a drawer and be done with it. But then I end up spending more money thany I need to. I have more medium black chenille than I may ever use! It's a never ending battle.

Pretty Cool! I like the storage idea but not the work desk. Too small. I have to have room to spread out. Would be cool to come up with similar version just for storage.

I use the Anvil Quick Snips for about 90% of my tying. I use the Ultimate 4 for about 8% of my tying and then cheap scissors for wire and general Fiskars for course hair. I like the Quick snips, which are similar to the Wiss Quick clips, because they tuck away in my hand very well. They do not have replaceable blades like the Wiss scissors but I have had a pair for going on 8 years and have not had to sharpen them. I would like to try some Dr. Slick's. Generally, I have heard good things about them.

Count me in for 4 dozen Chernobyl ants 4 dozen spiders 4 dozen Elk Hair Caddis'. Steeldrifter or utyer, ideas on sizes? I assume 12, 14, 16s.

Sounds like a great program. I am interested in donating some flies. When do you need them by? I want to make certain I have time to tie them.

Hans W, Thanks for the recipe info. Will file that one away. Nice Flies.

Normally I am busy cranking out flies for my tying classes all winter, however.... Patti Beasley asked me this fall to tie up some flies for the 2009 Indiana on The Fly show. She has an Entomologist From Purdue that will be in the Education Center part of the show with samples of the aquatic insects found in the streams around Indiana. She thought it would be a good idea (and I agree) to have some flies along side some of the insects to see what flies might represent the insect at a various stage. So...... Through great effort on her part and mine, we finally got the list of insects from the Entomologist around the 12th of December, just in time for the holidays. I started the research when I got the list and by about the 20th had a list of flies (with recipes) to tie up. Needless to say these are not just "fishing" flies. These need to be tied nicely, you know look like they were tied by someone who knows what he/she is doing. I just finished them up over the weekend and am in the process of finishing the display case. Sorry, no pictures at this time. I have been to crammed to just get them and the cases done in time. But there is a larva and adult Stonefly, Dobsonfly, Mayfly and Caddis. As will as a Water Boatman and a Adult Crane Fly. Only one is my own creation, the Adult Dobsonfly. The rest are patterns I have tied or found during my research. I was mostly interested in finding flies that would resemble just the insects that are local to Indiana waters. So... here are a couple of pictures of the Mayfly flies. Not certain if any of these were tied by Eric Austin but they are used in his story/web page at Fishing With Flies. Here Is the Brown Drake Larva Here is The Brown Drake Spinner So, that is what I have been tying. And they actually look like the pictures. Stop by the education Center at the show this Saturday to see the rest.

Charlie, I do not know of any shops (online or otherwise) that will trade in hooks. As you can see from the many replies to your post, people have their favorite hooks/brands they migrate towards. Most shops will have their favorites because they like the hooks as well they make a little money on them (hopefully). One suggestion was made to donate the hooks to a local club or organization that could put them to good use. If you are thinking of donating them you might contact your states DNR office and see what programs they have for kids. Most have various programs for kids in the summer to introduce them to fishing. The hooks don't have to be specifically for tying flies or live bait. If they hold a worm or behemoth it will work for kids. If you are looking to try to get some of your money back from the hooks. Maybe selling them on E-Bay would be an option. The postage for shipping them would be low and you might get a penny or two back. As far as hook containers, I like the 14 compartment Craft Mate boxes. I have some of the boxes that Jeremy mentionedand use them. However, it only take one time of bumping the container off the tying bench with the lid up and you look for somehing else. The Craft Mate boxes have a nice locking system for each individual compartment. You only open the one you need and if it get knocked off the table it is not as big a mess/hassle. I have been using them for the past six/seven year and have had no problems with them. I usually buy mine at Michaels Craft shop or Hobby Lobby; not certain what you might have near you. If you need a place to buy hooks, try FlyMasters of Indianapolis. We carry Mustad, TMC, Gamakatsu, Lighting Stike, Daiichi, and Partridge. We can order anything you need and ship it to you. Good Luck, - Olórin Post Note: The link to Craft Mate is a link to their PDF brochure. Some people have reported problems with this link. Here is a link to their web site....Craft Mate

I have two favorite colors. The standard Chartreuse and White (pearl or green krystal flash and green flashabou) or an orange belly and brown back version (rust or orange krystal flash and brown flashabou). Sorry I do not have any pictures at the moment. I can provide recipes if anyone wants one. - Olórin