flyfishingtaz

next spring I plan on heading back home for a few weeks for a vacation and remember that those were some pretty normal bugs for the area. Is a pumpkin color out of the question? I've seen alot of patterns lately with that color in the fly. Is it just a fall thing, like for halloween, or can it actually be used for this particular pattern?

its been my experience that busy catches fish. One of my first flies I ever tied was this huge ball of deer hair. I call it a ball cause it was truly a beginners deer hair popper. But ya know what? It caught some small bass, and a whole bunch of bluegill. Guess what I'm trying to say is, fish love busy looking patterns. I'm addicted to tying any kind of bass of small panfish fly with crystal flash. The shimmer of the fly drives em absolutly nuts! But like I read in another thread earlier, the water has to be clear enough, or else it pretty much defeats the purpose if they cant see it.

what about altering the jitterbee with hackle? I guess that would make it more of a colorfull wooley bugger, but hey, we're always reinventing, and rejuvenating patterns right?

I agree completly. I have only used the renzetti traveler for about 3yrs now. I only have the pedestal base myself, and dont have any complaints about it. It's good and solid, and can be placed wherever needed. I would like to get a clamp, just for ease of using it in places where there isnt alot of room to set a pedestal down. I tie bass flies more than trout, and dont have too much of a problem with the base staying in place. I believe its more a matter of preference honestly.

I look at it like this. If I'm catching fish with the flies I tie, then who cares how they look? I'm not in it for the decor, or how pretty its gonna make my fly box look. What I care about is if the fish are gonna bite it, and how many are gonna be resting in my creel at the end of the day.

:yahoo: . You guys dont know how helpful this was to me! I was having a terrible time getting my camera to focus, and take good shots of my flies. I went to the flower mode? (dont know what its called), and took a fairly close shot, and WOW! was I impressed. This is why I love this site. It's a bit of everything, and is it ever so helpful. Thank you for the tips. Unfortunately I dont have a data cable so I cant upload pics, But soon as I can get a decent card reader I'll upload my pics for some constructive criticism. Thanks for the tips!!

me personally I would say around 1500 or so this past yr in tools, supplies, and storage containers.

fly tyer and fly tying and fishing are the best magazines out there. I would lean more towards fly tyer, but if you want a magazine where you get a few tips on fly fishing as well, then I'd go for flytying and fishing magazine. I have both and read them religously

glad to see that i am among the elite few who believe in using craft stores for material. In the summer 06 edition of fly tyer they have an article on how to tie foam hoppers. Most all of the materials with the exception of the hook and thread can be purchased at craft stores. Have fun.

I can understand the withdrawls. I used to be a long haul truck driver. I had very limited space to tie, as well as contain the materials. So I do know what your going through. On the good side, it will only be a short period of time and you can be back at the bench tying to your hearts content. My advise, is anytime you need to go somewhere, or perhaps next time you move, pack the materials needed to tie a selection of flies, and then pack them along with the tools needed in a travel kit. Trust me. If you can make one when you unpack, then set it aside for when you need it later you will be gratefull. Try it next time you go on a vacation, or a trip away from home. You wont regret it.

I agree with Joe. There are alot of patterns that can be tied with craft store materials with the exception of hooks, and possbily thread. In the summer 06 edition of fly tyer, there is an article on how to tie foam hoppers. It uses a material called Organza ribbon. This simple material is no more than a ribbon found on most womens gowns. and it is made of foam( hint hint). There is another article refering to a simple panfish fly that uses ordinary foam, cut into narrow strips, then fastened to the hook with thread. It only needs a hook and the thread to complete the fly outside of a craft store. If you choose to add antenas to it, you can use rubber strips(also sold in craft stores), or small foam cylindrical shaped foam as well.( see the pattern) craft stores are cheap, inexpensive ways to tie, and the girlfriends, or wives will enjoy you goin along for the trip as well. You dont have to tell them the alterior motives.. :yahoo:

its hard to say for sure. I started when i was in my late teens(15 or so.). In my early 20's due to location and just getting married I stopped. up until roughly a yr and a half ago I hadnt really touched a vise to do any tying until then. so Im gonna be as honest as possible and say about 1 1/2yrs.

closest ikea is online. :ripped: I might be able to find something similiar somewhere elso thoght. wal-mart, bass pro, home depot, lowes. thats about what im limited to here. but will check it out

how did you guys capture the desktop windows screen. two of em werent pics like the 3rd one shown. any program you guys used. id like to show mine

im thinking of putting up some pegboards so that i can start hanging supplies there as well so its visible without having to open things up to find em. another idea is to put all of my tools, and small supplies on desk top in some small plastic containers, and then all of the larger supplies into labled containers, and the most used supplies on the pegboard instead. :dunno:

so far im using a few rubbermaid tubs, some sewing thread boxes from walmart, some 3700 plano boxes, and some parts organizers. also a few of those plastic stackable rolling organizers. any other ideas? I think organizing is a bigger problem then figuring out the next box of flies to tie :hyst:

I almost always use dubbing loops when dubbing a body. 1. the loop holds it securely, and if your new to dubbing you wont get discurouged. 2. I can never get a wiry looking body when i dub. it always comes out smoothe and tapered. and 3. loops can easily be made, and then set aside so you can grab em later and tie em in. look for a dubbing brush maker. you can find on most fly shop websites, and can easily be made with 2 nails driven into opposing ends with a groove for the dubbing going between the two nails. set your dubbing in the groove, then wax ur thread set it on the dubbing, and twist it to cover the tread. once its done set it aside for when you need it. it s less frusterating then dubbing at the vise. and try applying like a +. instead of going with the thread, set it accross in the opposing direction. gives a really buggy look to the fly.

I just started tying decent hair bugs a few wks ago. The thing that I found most helpful was a few good half hitches after spinning in a clump of hair. it keeps it solidly in place which is the key for packing hair nice and tight. also dont get carried away on brassies and other so called packing tools. I used a gutted out gel pen tube and it works great. just remember to hold onto the back of the hook, then push good and hard on the pen. once that is done, take a few wraps of thread and tie off with a half hitch. You'll get well packed flies everytime.

very nice. it has everything needed. I personally use the ol paper and pencil method myself. I started shortly after I started fly fishing so i could track where I've been, the time of year, hatches, temps, rod wts used, etc. I still do to this day. You may need to use the same thing that worked last yr, but mya have forgotten. plus i list all insects found so i can use em at the tying desk as well. I highly recommend a journal to anyone who has to fish a way from home as well. Perhaps even list local fly shops, to call ahead to check hatches and so forth.

the biggest concern you need to have is a decent vise. I agree that if he is just starting out, you dont want to put out a whole lot of money. As a kid who got started with a starter kit nearly 20 yrs ago, I suggest getting a kit, and see how much he ties. If he is really into it, and he isnt frusterated by learning how to tie. then go for a quality vise. The tools arent much of a concern. Most all mine are cheap knock offs I got at bass pro. They work just fine for me. Just make sure that the bobin has a ceramic insert. if not it might fray the thread, and possibly deter him. Good luck. This hobby is a blast!!!! :headbang:

I bought a bead kit from walmart for about 10. real small and has lots of compartments to store all kinds of beads and hooks. But my goto favorite is a plano 3700 style box. I can divide it up as much as needed, and they dont take much room when stacked up.

cant say i've had any problems getting stuck by hooks. perhaps when im taking it out of the vise I might prick myself, but its mostly when i switch sizes is when i get myself poked.

did I mention I dont have to buy her a car now so I have lotttttts of money to spare on it??? :headbang:

ok here is the challenge. how many of you have gone to the craft store with the girlfriend or wife and gone into a frenzy over the things you've found there? so far I've found bows, and ribbons great for scud backs. Sewing thread boxes, that store huge amounts of spools, xmas tape dispensers(the g.f makes bows outt of em) great for keeping things like chennile on a spool, and well organized. Gimme some tips. I'm having to redo the room, the g.f's kid had a fri nite party, n they trashed my tying room :bugeyes: :wallbash: :help: :crying: . Now I get to build a new table. Looking for help for a better tying room. YES THE DOOR NOW HAS A KEYED LOCK.

I save all my used spools and respool them with materials that are carded, and wire that i strip from dsl lines for my hares ears.