4beader

Selah, Washington, just 15 minutes from the Yakima River. Jim Harper

Add me to the list of those who cannot open that file. Bummer. Jim Harper

I tend to use my Renzetti with a c-clamp most, but sometimes move out of the basement for a change and use a pedstal base. They both work equally as well. Jim

Early in this topic I said that I use a Thompson A vise. Well Santa brought me a Renzetti Traveler. Wow, what a wonderful difference it makes. My flys don't look that much better, but it is sure more fun to tie them. Jim

I thiink mine is just fine. Jim

Lordy, I feel totally inadequate. My problems are much more basic than those with the above "advanced" problems. I just cannot ever seem to get a beard or throat hackle to ever be full enough and at the same time well spaced around the bottom or the hook. Jim

Flyrod98, to be honest I am a bit more than disappointed about your findings, but I have heard so many positive reports on the Peak that it is probably going to be my purchase. Thanks again for all you help. Jim

Wow, what a kind offer, thank you Flyrod98. I will be tying in the range of 12 to 24 size hooks. My eyes and skill are neither good enough for the really tiny flies (BWO's) that our Yakima river trout love. I think the skill factor is more restrictive than eyesight just to be honest. I truly appreciate your williingness to take the time to do this. Jim

Thanks Flyrod98. That is just the kind of information I am looking for. Yes, perhaps someone will do just as you suggested. That would be appreciated. Jim

I have researched those sites together with several more but none address the specific question that I have. I would really like to have this answered before I purchase the vise. In fact, whether I buy it or not depends on the information I am seeking. Thanks for your kind suggestion though. Jim

Sorry about the double post. Jim

Hello everyone, I am seeking a bit of information regarding the Peak vise. I fish the Yakima, WA area and there are no dealers around here where I can get the information myself. Since the Peak vise has no adjustment for placing hoooks of different sizes precisely on the axis of rotation when tying rotary style, I would like to know what is the optimum size hook that will position the shank of the hook on the axis of rotation without any vertical displacement as it is rotated. Also, what range of hooks will fit best before the vertical displacement during rotation becomes an annoyance. I am using an old Thompson A and looking to upgrade. I like all I have read about the Peak and it fits my budget, but I have this lingering question. Your taking the time to respond will be of great assistance and very much appreciated. Jim

Bigbender, I feel your pain I am tying on an old Thopmson I got from Ebay for $11 and want to up grade. I have not been able to justify anything more than $200 since I am just a novice hobby tyer. I am down to the Peak or the Renzetti, but the Mongoose also looks great. The more I read, the tougher the decision is to make. Clueless in Fort Worth, James

If i have to choose just one fly, it would be an unweighted olive wooly bugger on a size 10 dry fly hook with grizzly cock hackle. I could fish it either wet or dry and a wooly bugger will always catch fish. James

I don't know about better, but I think fly fishermen have more fun. James

Merry CHristmas to everyone from Fort Worth, TEXAS!!! James

Uni is what I started with and I just have stayed with it. James

Laugh if you want, but I have watched Green Berets probably 100 times. I usually just watch the first portion, until after the attack on the compound. I served in Viet Nam as a helicopter pilot in '65, '66, amd '67. There is more truth in that movie than most people see. God bless John Wayne. James

Excellent link Fishigan, Thanks. By the way I use Uni 8/0 for nearly all the trout flies I tie. The rest, well what ever I have available. James

Thanks for all the positive comments. I hope my introduction in fly tying goes as well. James

I want to thank all who helped a while back when I was seekong some information about building a fly tying station. If I post correctly, here are a couple of pictures of my finished project. The cost was $12 for the cutting board, $1.80 for the brass rod, and the rest was scrap I had around the house. James

For me it is sweetened iced tea 12 months of the year. James

Do you want to know what a real beginner is? I have tied three wooly buggers, three clousers, and one hackle fly in two fly tying class sessions. Now, I am a beginner for sure. The rest of you are far beyond simply beginner. Maybe at least an accomplished beginner. ) James

Thanks to all who gave advice and helped answer my questions, my fly tying station is sitting on my couch pre assembled to check for fit. Next weekend I will sand and apply finish to it. Then the fun begins. James

I am building a fly tying station and need a little assistance from those of you who already are set up with one. I see pictures of stations with round depressions or blind holes for holding various things such as head cement, epoxy, and paint. The holes are sometimes square (beyond my abitlty to cut neatly) and most often round. The round ones usually appear to be of two different diameters. There are also holes for the storage of tools that are not being used at the time. I would like to know what are the best diameters to use for the blind holes for cement, etc. storage? Also, what size is generally used for tool storage? I have figured out the size for the thread storage dowels, but the other two questions remain a mystery. Input on these would be of great assistance to a newbie fly tyer (tier?). Thanks, James