Jaybird 279

Lots of questions and so little space> First, there is a very good fly fishing club in the Tampa Bay area that does a lot of tying outside of meetings. I always think that watching another person tie flies is the best way to learn. I'm in the Southwest down by Cape Coral and if i can help, drop me a line. Second. Dollar stores are a tyer's bargain basement. Always worth a trip. My advice is to look at what is available and try to imagine it in a fly. Right now, they are getting rid of their Halloween stuff, so some of the stuff in wigs and masks might work. While you are there, pick up a pair or two of cheap scissors - NEVER use your tying scissors to cut wire or stiff materials. Also, nail clippers are a good buy. Pick up a couple of storage boxes. Start now to sort materials when it is easy. Nail polishes - cheaper than pain and just as good. Third: Pick up a bottle of Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails. Cheaper and easier to use than CCG plus it helps to coat your CCG heads with Sally's to reduce tackiness. Fourth: Some will say i'm wasting my time but I enjoy exploring. There are dozens of coves and keys that are often overlooked by the experts. Keep a journal of where you fished and what fly worked and what didn't. I wish I would have done that when i first started down here. Don't ignore bridges.

Wasn't sure about the body. I imagine any material that allows for a steady build-up of the underbody is okay, even thread. The Sierra Trading Post was only one of two sites that referenced the fly. Dubbing is also a viable choice but estaz adds too much bulk. Come to think about it, Krenig has some fabric ribbons that might work, that is, if I can find a source over on the Southwest Coast. Thanks for your input.

I am a shrimp-aholic, if there is such a word. Would like to know more about your shrimp, lower left of the photo. thanks.

Was reading Larry Kinder's book "Flyfisher's Guide to Saltwater Florida" and read about a fly called "No-Wimp Shrimp" which he suggests for fishing Marco Island's Big Marco Pass. I can't find any pattern for it or anyone carrying it other than Arts N Things. They reference it as being unavailable and their photograph lacks detail. It supposedly imitates a grass shrimp, size 2. I cannot identify what the body is. HELP!

A book by Drew Chicone, called "Featherbrain", was released August 1st. It is a guide to choosing materials for saltwater flys and includes several patterns as well as tips from knowledgeable tyers. Drew is a very innovative tyer and his monthly newsletter "Salty Fly Tying Chronicle" always includes a step by step instruction of a saltwater fly. Drew is an officer in the Sanibel Fly Fishers as well as a certified fly casting instructor.

The area is really bad and too far from decent water to enjoy. Better give your kayak to a deserving honest folk like yours truly. Seriously, Tampa has a very active fly fishing club and the people i know up there enjoy getting out. Drop me a line and I will steer you to a friend (with a kayak) up there. Dick ([email protected])

Brassie packers have their place, like with smaller sized flies and easy to pack hair. When pressure is needed to get a tight pack, you should be looking for a stronger tool. A friend of mine, back in Jersey, made his own packer from a piston used in small engines/ He cut a notch in the piston head wide enough to slide over the thread. I could add a photo of the one he did for me if I know how to add photos to a reply. I should add that my friend ties some outstanding deer hair poppers and was even recognized for his skills by Carl Bradley.

Sorry but i responded before reading BuzFly' remarks. They were right on. From what I was reading, it looked like someone was trying to tie a Banger using instructions for a Crease Fly. Don't get me wrong, I like Crease Flies, even use them for snook. And now that I learned how to use my glue gun, they are even easier to tie.

You are missing the logic behind the banger. The head is loose so that it can be replaced, a necessity when you are fishing for blue fish or other toothy fish. The hole in the foam is centered to eliminate the need to glue the popper to the line and will freely rotate around the line. Bob has several detailed articles on how and why he tied it this way.