Rhen

Welcome, I am new here myself but I have been tying for about 20 years and flyfishing for about 50 years. Those flies of yours look good and I am sure they will catch fish. Don't worry too much about how they look because for some funny reason the fish seem to like the ugliest ones best. Keep tying and putting them in front of fish.

I started tying about 20 years ago. About 30 years after I started fly fishing. Don't know why it took me so long to get into tying my own flies but now I enjoy it just about as much as I to fly fishing. I can't say that I have saved one penny by tying my own and tell everyone who ever talks to me about wanting to tie their own flies to save money that they need a much better reason because it will cost them hundreds of dollars more than buying store bought flies but they will never know the satisfaction that catching a fish on a fly they tied themselves unless the take the plunge. I probably have more material now than most fly shops. For sure more than I can ever use in my life time.

I think the allure is the same that one person has for a Chevy over a Ford and vice versa. It is just a matter of what one likes and what works best for that individual. I tie on a Barracuda Jr. which is a true rotary vise and cost as much as a Nor Vise does. I love it but I am trying to sell it so I can buy a Nor Vise. It is just something I want.

Thank you for the Welcome. I live in Greeneville, about 9 miles from Paint Creek where you can still catch native brookies. I fish mostly the S. Holston. Where do you live now? The SoHo is a fantastic river, love it when the sulphurs are hatching, and the bows & browns hit anything that remotely looks yellow. We would fish from the weir dam all the way down to Ringhold. Easy access to the river for wade fishing. We'd usually stay in Johnson City which is close to you. We live in the Dallas area now, which means a long drive to get to some coldwater. Bill Maybe you can retire back over here. There aren't too many places better for retirement especially during the troubling times we have now. The Sulphurs are already coming off. They started about 2 weeks ago. Everything is early this year. Looks like it is going to be a great year.

Thank you. One thing good about growing old and forgetting things is that now when you hear about the old things you forgot, you think you are learning something new.

Thank you for the Welcome. I live in Greeneville, about 9 miles from Paint Creek where you can still catch native brookies. I fish mostly the S. Holston. Where do you live now?

Being hard doesn't seem to stop them from hitting Rooster Tails. When I am standing there fishing with all my fine soft hair and feathers tied to a hook it seems like the guy across the stream from me throing spinners big enough to bass fish with is always catching more fish. It is a good looking worm and I bet it works. Looks like live bait.

Hi all. I have been fly fishing for about 50 years and tying for the last 20. I really enjoy both and now that I am retired, I have more time for both and we are blessed with great fishing here in the Northeast TN area. I am looking forward to learning a bunch from you guys about new or different fishing techniques and fly tying. I figure no one is too old to learn.

I have a Dyna-King Barracuda Jr. with the extra set of midge jaws, the pedalstle stand, and the trimmings basket that I will sell for $350. It is used but it is still as good as new and in excellent condition.

YESS! I love mine! if you can spare the extra money then snatch one up right away! There customer service is the best, nobody, I say NOBODY can beat it. Being able to talk to Norm right away is amazing, and he is such a nice guy! I would like to have the nor-vise and if I can sell my barracuda jr. I am going to get one. For the things you can do with one and the money you spend on one, the nor-vise is the best out there, in my opinion.

In my area, east TN., size 20 and 22 are probably the most used but because they don't grab much meat, I tie them on a size 16 or 18. You just tie it small because the fish only look at the fly and not the hook.

Looks great and that is a great idea. I start with the balsa dowels so I just cut the slot. If starting with flat pieces of balsa I can see that your idea would be great.

I started with a Danvise which I still have but I haven't used it in years. Still like new. I now use a Dyna King Barracuda Jr. and it is great and still like new. I also have the extra set of midge jaws for it too. I have been thinking about selling these vices and getting me a Nor-Vise. I think I would like the dubbing feature and the auto bobbins.

I'm not sure that Simms and Orvis found that it doesn't spread invasives. It's much more likely that they found most people wont buy the rubber until their state outlaws the felt soles. I've been using the rubber soles for a few years. While they don't work as well as felt in the water, they are better for the hikes and are easier to clean. If there is snow you have to walk through, then the rubber soles are much better than felt. I don't think they are as bad as everyone says once you get used to them, and if they slow down the spread of whatever invasive it's worth it to me. (btw, that is only my view and I am not trying to convince anyone else) That is the thing, they have found that felt is not spreading it any faster.

I see you are from Middle TN so I guess you fish the Caney a lot. I used to live in Nashville. I now live in East TN so I now fish Paint Creek, Watauga, and South Holston. The South Holston is cover with diddymo but it is still a great fishery. Lots of big fish. Felt soles are still allowed here and that is what I wear.