Jump to content
Fly Tying

Henry

core_group_3
  • Content Count

    42
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Henry

  1. Hi McRad, If you haven't tried it yet, after each wrap of hackle...groom the hackles back with a pinch of your fingers away from the hook eye. Even moisten your fingers if you have an unruly feather. This procedure creates room for the next wrap and trains the previous wraps to stand up straight. Four or five stacked wraps done in this fashion will give you the effect you're looking for I believe. Beyond this suggestion...I'm at a loss as to how to help you. Henry
  2. I knew an angler once that could take a hook and put it in their mouth...then take the tag end of a tippit and do the same...out came a perfectly tied "Improved Clinch Knot" on the hook. "She" gave me goosebumps every time she did it!!! he he!!! Okay!, now that the joke is over...I truly think you're onto something here. Such a convenience would not only help amputee's...It would also help a wide group of folks such as those visually impaired. I'm really interested to hear what folks come up with. Henry
  3. Hi SmokeyM, Your flies look just fine to me...real fish catchers IMHO. If you really want to cut down on the flair and thin the profile of the fly...tie looser wraps on the trailing end of the bucktail (tightening it as you move towards the hook eye)...this should reduce flairing. Also, you might try a few flies tied much sparser, with perhaps 1/2 as much material as you've used in the flies in your pics. Regards, Henry
  4. Hi Piker20, Mustad size 6...fly is about dime sized. I tie them as small as size 8. Henry
  5. Hi Kirk, Yeah!, the flouro v-posts with glass beads are my play on the Avalon Crab. They give plenty of rattle...cause the fly to sink upright and stand on bottom in the "defensive crab posture". When dragged along the bottom, the fly nods and walks like crazy. They also tend to act as a weed guard aswell because the fly straddles the grass instead of sinking down into it. Good observation about the furry foam. It's a very easy pattern to tie. Once the legs are tied in "merkin style"...the furry foam cut-out (I made my own cutters)is glued on top of the fly , poked over the hook eye, then doubled back along the bottom of the fly which is exactly how a real crabs shell is..."not just on top" (note: the eyes are burnt mono stems crazy glued to the underside of the furry foam vs. tied-in on the hook shank...too easy!) I call the fly a "Castanet Crab" and I also tie Merkins the same way...the "Moracca Merkin". I also have a shrimp pattern done the same way aswell called the "Castanet Camerone" Regards, Henry
  6. Hey Picker20, Agreed!...no need to create a "hardshell" on any crab pattern you tie. Likely alot better off without it and fewer tying steps and materials involved. A good crab fly should "look" and "act" crabby...not "feel" crabby. I believe the hardshell idea only pleases the fisherperson not the fish. Besides, what crab do fish love to eat better than hardshells? Freshly moulted softshell crabs...yum! Here's a crab pattern that I tie that you may be interested in. The shellback is furry foam. Regards, Henry
  7. Hi, why not get some "Q-tips?". They're available in plastic-tube...and rolled paper construction so you have to be carefull which you get. Henry
  8. Fantasic "Tie" Paul!!! You likely don't know me from Sam, but I've been a member here since 2004. I just prefer to lurk and take in all the going's on without throwing-in my 2 cents...that's just me I supose? I'm certain that I can tell that you spent alot of time on this one...well worth the effort and time you put into itI'd say. I love the detail and colours!. Certainly seems fit for "National Geographic magazine". Funny though "Fred" didn't reply?...Okay, well? mabey he did in his own unique round-about/self-serving way 10 days later?. He posted pics of his own "inferior" though be it "correct in his eyes" "Tied" version... I like your's better! His lack of respect for your creation re-enforces in my own mind his determined resolve to be regarded as the "King of the Hill" in respects to Realistic fly tying/modeling he he!!! Fred can attack me all he wants, I have thick skin and don't tie "super-realistics" anyways!. I just know when I like a fly. Good work and keep up with your superb art. Henry
  9. None taken Fred!...bye bye for now! PS...I like your flies...just not your agenda!
  10. All great tips. I'll add that the job is also alot easier if the hairs are densly packed. Aswell, I use a small electric "mustache/beard" trimmer for stubborn/tight areas on the flies. Does a clean/neat job of it. Henry
  11. Hi Trey9123, Thanks for your interest in my pattern. You can find more pic's of the flie(s) at the following link... http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/200436806XynoCI Though originally tied as a Saltwater pattern, it's also proven to work quite well as a small Crawfish imitation for Trout. Just add two splayed hackles (ala Del's Merkin crab fly) to represent the Crawfishes claws. Good luck with it. Regards, Henry
  12. Hey Fishkill, I think a suitably descriptive name for your creation would be "Bucktail Biter". In the case of the fly pictured I'd call it the "Neon Bucktail Biter". Your pattern lends itself easily to create numerous colour combinations...ie) Tan Bucktail Biter, White BB, Black BB etc. Nice fly, I like it alot. Regards, Henry
  13. Hello Fred, I Voted "as an Art form", but as a long time forum member, I reserve my right to give an explanation why. I have a two-parts to my opinion..., The first part of my opinion takes into account the roots and/or foundation of the "Arts" as a whole. In the artistic world of Painting, there are basically three main Genre's an artist or art lover can persue. Those being the "Abstract or Surreal" ie) Pablo Picasso or Andy Warhol... the "Impressionistic" ie) P.A. Renior or Claude Monet..., and finally the "Realistic" such as the works of Robert Bateman and Glen Loates. These three Genres apply not only to Painting but to virtually every other art form or media one could possibly imagine...including "Marble Sculpture", Wood Carving" and even "Fly Tying". The second part of my opinion is a little more complicated and deals with what comprises "tying" (as opposed to sculpture and/or modeling) and how that may or may not apply to any perceived definitions of "Classical, Realistic, Impressionistic tying or otherwise. For example, 50 or a 100 years from now, a number of newly innovated flies today will joiin the ranks of the Classic's tomorrow. It's likely there will be then, or perhaps is already now, the sub-definitions of "Modern Classic's" and "Olde or Original Classics" ...I for one believe there is room in our hobby for that. What will separate the two?...Original Classics will allways be in my mind, creations tied using feathers, fur, silks and threads etc. Modern Classics could be determined by (in addition to fur and feathers) the use of modern synthetics and may include tying steps (that aren't acutally "tying") that call for the use of adheasives, epoxys, inks/markers etc. That said, It appears that many "Realistic" fly patterns make heavy use of synthetic/modern materials. The advent of these modern materials has allowed tyers to create patterns that well surpass olde tyme materials in realism. It's an evolution of the hobby, an evolution that is bound to continue evolving. Bottom line, it's going to be fisher-folks and hobbyists or artists that determine what's acceptable...what's fly tying...whats classic and whats not. If a pattern survives the years and is still around...still being used...and still catches fish, well, its a fly, and may well one day be a classic...god forbid even if it's a Gummy Minnow. Best regards, Henry
  14. Hey Gang, I'm all for supporting our local fly shops...but...there are indeed a few things that I frequent craft and fabric stores for. Here's my list... - Sharpie permanent markers - Google Doll eyes - Glass/Plastic beads - Craft Fur - Furry Foam for Turneffe Crab patterns - Aunt Lydia's type rug hooking yarn for Merkin crab flies - Craft felt (for cutting out crab bodies) - Plastic flower "staimens" SP? for Dragon/Damsel Shrimp and Crab patterns - Craft foam (both 2 & 6 mm thicknesses...2mm for crease flies and 6mm for replacing worn foam in fly boxes) - multitude of colours of plastic lacing (similar to oval or D-ribbing for Crazy Charlies and such) - Super Glue - Acrylic air-brush paint for custom crease flies - LePages high-tack spray on adhesive (for attaching various mylars and/or materials to crease fly foam) - Glitter (for adding to epoxy flies) - Feather Boa (bought an 8ft black one about 5 years ago and have tied 100's of flies using it) - Assorted spools of tinsels and mylar - mono sewing thread (500yd spindle for $8.00 at Fabricland) I'm sure theres a bunch more things but I just can't think of them right now. Best regards folks, Henry
  15. Hey Af tyer, The edge moulding can be attached to the plywood with "just" a good quality carpenters glue and appropriate clamps till the glue is set. If you're worried about the moulding coming off...then you can re-inforce the join with a few strategically placed finishing nails set deep with the resulting blemishes filled with wood filler..."still a neat and appropriate look". Remember to stain, finish sand, and varnish your project!!!. After the initial staining...give the wood a decent coat of shellac...once dry...rub down with a fine steel wool to smooth...re-apply shellac and repeat process. You're trying to achieve a warm, smooth to touch finish on the wood that will be pleasing in appearance and last for many years. The time and effort involved is well worth it!!! Henry
  16. Hi, One half inch "good one side" plywood is a great option...as would be 5/8ths or 3/4's. I built my desk/bench with 5/8'ths Oak finish (there was also available good one side Pine, Maple, Birch and Poplar). I trimmed the edges of the plywood with a nice solid Oak molding giving the appearance of a solid Oak workspace. You'll need some large/long bar clamps in order to create a "nail/fastener" free appearance!. Nothing more satisfying than crafting something out of solid wood or quality wood laminates as opposed to purchasing items constructed out of particle board covered with imitation wood grain papers. Wood lasts forever and should you have a scar, dent, scrape or score...sand it out and refinish!!!...the same can't be said for any of the other crap out there. Good luck with your project and be sure to enjoy yourself while creating your "Perfect" workspace. Best regards, Henry
  17. Hi flyangler, Cyanoacrylate glues (krazy/super glues) are activated by moisture. In your application, the curing of the glue on monofiliment connections is governed strictly by the relative humidity of the room you're tying in. The more humidity, the faster the glue sets up. Here's a tip you can try as I use it all the time when tying leader and tippet knots. Blow hot/moist breath onto your connections and you'll find the glue cures much more quickly. Hope this helps, Henry
  18. Hi, A simple tool to make involves stacking "utility single edged razor blades". Material you'l need are, a super glue of your choice, a 2 inch long thin bolt (sufficient to fit through the hole in the utility blades)...an accompanying nut for the bolt...and a dozen or so small diameter washers. Begin by threading a single blade on the bolt...add two or three washers (a drop or two of glue between the blade and each washer)...another blade...more washers...more blades until barely enough of the bolt remains to thread on the nut. If you use a longer nut, you can even fashion a handle for the tool that allows you to exert more pressure while cutting so multiple passes aren't needed. Just a thought, Henry
  19. Hi ya Yakfisher, My honest reply is that you have to decide which way you want the fly to ride. Hook point up or down? If it's "down", then the antennae and feeler parts have to be swept upwards instead of downwards...I'm afraid the fly the way you tied it will want to flip over or at the very least, want to ride on it's side. Don't get me wrong!...it'll still catch fish because is just a horny looking fly and really resembles a shrimp...it's just that there are things you could do to help make it more "fishable!" Kindest regards, Henry Oshawa Ontario Canada
  20. Hello John, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. The loss of your wife is something only you...and those unfortunate others who've gone through the same can appreciate. It takes a special person to tollerate being the spouse of an angler. I'm sure your wife - as mine is...was one of those special few. Keep a stiff upper lip and get back into "the game" only when you're good and ready - "you'll know when"...the fish will wait no doubt! When my father (my best pal) passed away...I fished for two weeks straight by myself after his funeral. With each fish I caught, I bawled like a baby..."it helped!"...don't forget to grieve your loss and don't forget that expressing and coming to terms with your grief aids in the healing process. Warm regards, Henry Will
  21. Henry

    Book Status

    Sounds Great John! I'm always in need of a good read!!!. Books like yours are what keep me going "in-between" seasons! Can't wait for it to be published! Thanks again for your guideance with my Ultimate Shrimp!!!! Absoultely the best regards! Henry
  22. Hey gang, I think that as long as there are new tying materials coming out...(whether intended for fly tying or not)...there will be newer/better/greater patterns coming out. Supposed "New" patterns have to be introduced carefully so as not to potentially offend/piss-off or whatever, the originator (should there be one). I think there's still plenty of room for innovation. My "Ultimate Shrimp" pattern featured in this months "Fly Fishing in Saltwaters" magazine is proof of that. I introduced the fly on "this" and "other" boards months ago. One reason for doing so was to establish/disprove that the pattern is mine. No better jury exists than the general fishing public..."You!". I was waiting for someone to say "Hey!#@$...that's so and so's fly!!!. I've got other patterns "out-there" and to date...the responses have been that these flies are unique. A good approach to introducing a "New" fly would be..."Hey!, Here's something I've tied up recently...comments?" Don't kid yourselves!...it's "Not" all been done...I don't think it ever will be. Someone will forever be inventing the better mouse-trap! Just my "Canadian" $0.3cents worth... Good fishing, Henry
  23. Hey Gary, I couldn't wait for my subscription issue to arrive so I tried my local Chapters outlet...DOH!!!...they didn't have it yet...AARRRgggg! Henry
  24. Hey gang, My fly tying ego is just about on the moon right now. My "Ultimate Shrimp" is the Feature fly on the "Tyers Bench" in this Mar/Apr issue of "Flyfishing in Saltwaters" magazine. I'm posting this because it was your kind responses and encouragement that convinced me that this fly pattern was worth publishing. A special "thankyour" to Striblue (aka John Morin) for his personal encouragement...many thanks friend!
×
×
  • Create New...