mungo_37

use permanent marker/s on your chosen base colour and set/blend it by placing a small amount of varnish on your finger and apply it to the foam ,dab and/or rub the area until the surface is Matt in appearance to set the final colour on a more permanent basis .....hope this helps

Hi there fellow fly tyers or multi- skilled fisherman of no particular preferance ( like to cover all aspects ),i am a fly tyer /dresser from CARDIFF SOUTH WALES who spends far too much time at the vice . I have been watching this site for a while now but have only just joined as i would like to pass on any hints / tips that may be usefull to other users whatever side of the pond they reside.But can anyone tell me how the grading system against the side of your user name is derived please. Thanks

Its suprising how many people from over here do look at this site .I have been watching for pattern ideas and general hints /tips . but if you want to do a swap - no problem . I find myself in a similar situation as yourself being from south wales but i will try to involve myself more as i have noticed that there are a lot of helpful tyers who use this site . ps how does the grading system for ability work on this site ? thanks fellow welsh fly tying maniac

Just a quick tip if you are to paint your own (which takes away having to buy so many varied colours) when the paint is dry give the eyes a quick coat of superglue . Another pointer is to find a retail outlet for discontinued nail varnishes - colours are endless - trim the brush to about a fifth of the original thickness to give it an even finish.will save you a fortune in specialist fly paints as well . good luck and have fun

I too started as did most with a fly tying "starter pack " and if i am hounest most of it i off loaded to other beginers to start them off .As pointed out the proportions are more important to get to grips with than the materials used , use your pack to practice with , get as much tuition as you can and pretty soon you can advance on to the better quality materials that all of us fly dressers find we just HAVE TO HAVE A lot of fly fishing clubs have meetings in the quieter months of fishing and what now seems hard will all fall into place , you will be amazed at how quickly it can be picked up and if you are stuck on anything -- type on here and someone will be more than happy to help . good luck and have fun