mikechell

I love the kitty. Pound kitten, looking at the ear? For me, the cry of "More cowbell" that for some reason seems to be the rage among some of my students, should be changed to "More rubber legs!" That's a good looking fly ... and it really doesn't need any changes as far as I can see. But I really like how a couple of rubber legs add a buggy feel to any lure.

As long as we have cats ... and the wife blames the "hairs" in her coffee on them, I am good to go.

Now I can look at this tank ... you've done a lot since the last time I didn't look. I like the shading of this background stone a lot more!!!

That'll be good, but I'll have to look at it from the corner of my eye ... a direct look at that tank with color in it will probably float me through the roof.

It sits on the shaft of your vise, behind the fly. So, as flytire said, any material that "hangs from the back" of your fly until your ready for it, can be laid in it, to keep it from draping down under your work.

Can't be there. In California at the present, working ... plus, and more importantly, it's the Marine Corps' Birthday !!! But then, if it's at the VFW, then y'all know that. So, I guess most importantly is the 2000 mile trip I can't do.

Yep ... roll-top desk = area rug. Sweep it under the rug or roll down the top ... "everything is clean, Mom!" Then it's time to go fishing!!!

That's pretty. A roll-top is always a classy piece of furniture ... and with a classy hobby ensconced in it, even better.

Welcome, Space Coaster ... Deltona area represented here. Oh, and the tangling yourself in fly line ... that doesn't happen slowly, it quickly follows the hook embedding itself in your ear.

Does anybody remember the cartoon ... the dog that, when given a treat, would hug himself, Hmmmmmmmmmm and float up in the air gently settling back to the ground? Well, I just did that. I saw the picture ... and just sighed and floated up in the air, settling back onto my chair, still gazing at the picture. Steve, that is truly an impressive work of aquarium and stand artistry. Still, I would've liked a little more color in the background. Yeah, yeah ... the Wife says I am hard to please, too.

Just a note for hardnose flytyer ... not everybody is a retired old geezer who can spend hours and hours sifting through hundreds of post trying to find out if somebody has an opinion on which kit is the best. Before you get all upset, I am only joking, I don't know if you're retired or a geezer ... I am just remembering my own introduction to this and other fly tying sites. There is TONS of information on this site, and this site is easier than most to navigate, but I will never be able to read ALL of the stuff that's on here. I.E. Being a beginner and not knowing what palmering is would put a damper on anyone trying to read about tying most flies. Again, just to unruffle old feathers ... I am just commenting, not trying to raise any hackles ... it's been a long day and I am whip finished.

Can't beat white, for natural flash on a darker colored background. Back before Senkos came into existence, I used to fish long strips of leather. I'd hook them through the front tip with a wire-guarded weedless hook, weightless, and let them slowly fall through the water near structure. I still use this method in pressured waters, and the bass love them. Black or white leather were always my go to colors. I would think that slender strips of leather would give you something like rubber legs, or in contrasting colors to the main material, a flash effect of sorts.

That's the picture I've been waiting for. I REALLY like the lack of visual plumbing. Beautifully done tank ... I am still more into color than you seem to be, but the tank, stand and cover are all outstanding. And I agree with Netabrookie ... give the cats a good scrubbing around the ears for me.

Oh ... you noticed the bass?

It's for a swap ... maybe someone will catch the fish of a lifetime on a slightly oversized caddis. Who knows, you might start a new trend of bigger baits for bigger fish !!! Oh, wait, I think that one's taken.

I like those, Piker. I don't use anything as small as that #20 ... but it sure is buggy looking.

Nice, tidy area for flying ties ... or tying flies ... or just thinking about one or the other.

It's like getting into a hot tub ... AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. It's great to see fish in the tank. I'd like to see some of those full front pictures like the "before fish" ones. What's your cat's name? Wife and I love cats. That looks like Maine Coon. Thank you, Steve, for including us in the building of this tank. I've enjoyed it immensely and am still hoping to see the "kids" grow up. Mike

That's a great area ... you've got everything you need and then some ... and then some more ... and more (Ad infinitum). I am guessing that you aren't the average recreational tier.

Those are COOL !!! What king of paint, etc. are you using to bulk up and shape the legs? I am going to try some of those!

I have to mention this pattern again, as a possible for the person who asked about Sphynx Moth patterns. This pattern, tied on a larger hook and using the correct colors, would be a great moth imitation.

Those little fish you are calling surf perch ... I've never seen those before. Where are you? They look like they are a blast with light equipment. Do you, or can you keep any for eating? You caught one shark (ray/skate) ... do you catch any other species in that surf?

I stand 0.66% corrected, Perch ... I used to be able to say there were NO glues that are endothermic ... but I don't think that's true, now. UV sealants and glues require the energy of UV to cure. Before those, I don't know of any household glues that aren't exothermic.

I've been following this thread, and trying to figure out what all the angst is about. I agree that killing protected birds and animals is wrong. I carry this feeling right to the hunting for trophies instead of meat. As far as I am concerned, poaching should be a death row punishable offense. But that is not what we are talking about here. I also agree that an unscrupulous individual could be killing some protected species just to acquire specific feathers or fur, this is poaching ... see the above statement. But THAT is not what we are speaking of here either. I walk around in my yard ... and I see a feather on the ground, hell ... I see a dead cardinal in my yard: I will most likely take some clean feathers and incorporate them into a fly or two and appreciate the special color in that pattern. I have done nothing wrong and I do not feel even the slightest guilt about it. I am not going to sell these flies, I am going to fish them just like I do all the other flies I tie. I am not going to call all my friends over to a party to admire my use of native songbird feathers in my pattern. I am just using the natural material I found in my yard before it gets chopped up by the mower. If some government agent wants to come by my house, so be it ... he'll find a jar of feathers one or two each of about 50 different songbirds ... and then I'll take him outside where he can see the other feathers that still litter the ground under the feeders. And I won't feel even the slightest twinge of regret.

Perfect, Eb, and I like the color combination. Nice Barnes, Chef.