essequamvideri

I agree with Moshup, natural Muskrat, I personally would add some rusty red or burnt orange Rabbit to the equation. Michael

Noahguide, I can hear it like it was yesterday... "Go to the corner and you stay there until I say you can come out!!!" If your corner was in my world back then, I wouldn't have any problem with going there. Michael

Silvercreek, WOW, that is the best description I have seen yet on dear/elk hair from a hide. Thank you for that. I like to use the #5 hocks for Elk Hair Caddis. It doesn't flair anywhere near as much, so you don't have a bulky looking fly, but it floats like a cork in smaller sizes. Michael

Poopdeck, Your flies came out fantastic. Look extremely fishy. Your dry looks as though you used a quill for the body. Curious what you used to cover the body? Michael

Steeldrifter, This past week has been a $hit show of sleep. Too much woodworking and too much yard work to do. However, a ray of light came yesterday. I had a consult with a hand surgeon. Over a 45 min. meeting (due to my questions) I elected to have steroid injections in both hands and waiting on a call to schedule surgery. Last night I actually slept pain free. I thing my body has gotten used to the tossing and turning during the night, so I did some of that. However, it was pain free. I really do hope you can find a path to relief from you tinnitus. Michael

Bryon, Ditto from me. These are amazing! These are definitely ideas to strive for in my up coming builds. I did notice that you went with the measure net on one of them. That is a nice addition. Thanks for sharing and really glad to see you back. Michael

FliesbyNight, Great find and EPIC editions to the dest. Impressive drawers and additions to the cubbies in the top. How long did it take to figure out and make the finger joints on the drawers? Wait a cotton picker minute... Is that a drill chuck mounted to the desk to fit you vise? Michael

Baron, Sharp looking flies you've made. I like those. If you need more Mallard Flanks, give me a shout. I duck hunt and usually have those hanging around. Tight Lines Michael

Baron, If I may ad some ideas to your upcoming adventures into this new tying stage. A few flies I have found work well for pickerel, Mickey Finn does well, Deceiver tied on a longer shank hook because pickerel tend to hit the middle/rear of bait fish then circle back to finish it, and the Clouser Minnow. The Clouser for pan fish tied smallish on jig hooks are fantastic. Yellow, Chartreuse, Orange, Red, depending on what colors they like in your area. As for the Barnes Special and using hackle pilers to tie in the collar, personally I would not use them for this application (I'm sure this may draw some response). I find that until I get into dry fly tying I do not use hackle pliers. Personally I would spend my money elsewhere. Just my opinion. Michael

Steeldrifter. Your update is an inspiration and a relief. It is good to hear that you are on your way to a solution. Micheal

Steeldrifter my sleepless friend. I hear you loud and clear over the ringing in your ears. Since last fall I have been struggling with sleeplessness due to an overactive carpal tunnel in both hands. I've been able to sleep for 2-3 hours at a time and some nights I consider it good to get that much sleep. I wake with them throbbing then I'll be up for hours before they stop enough to try to go to sleep again. The toughest part of this is keeping my sanity AND not taking it out on those around me. I truely wished I had a possible remedy to offer. I to am trying to find an answer. Micheal

No matter where I go, Chicks are always looking at me!!!

BLASPHEMY!!! Michael ;-D

Great looking bench Mike. Really like the extension for the vise. Perhaps I missed it earlier in the thread, what did you use for wood on the bench top and how did you join all the boards? i.e. glue, biscuits, through bolt, Kreg pocket screws, dowels? Michael

Nathan, Wow, that is sweet. Michael