Goose77

Hey Michos, I believe you'll like tying thread better than sewing thread when you get the chance to compare. For bass flies 6/0 is a good start for buggers and tailing on bugs...UTC140 is easy to find and Veevus 6/0 are my favorites in this class. The Veevus is very strong. For bigger stuff flat waxed nylon is an old time favorite for many tiers. It was hard for me to handle at first...rough hands fray it very easily. But for big flies and tails it is pretty darn good. Good luck. These guys have given you some solid info. Cheers, Ed

Good ideas you guys. Thank you. I'll be trying this in the winter. Cheers, Ed

Hey Terje, thank you. That picture makes me think if I was there with a rod it could be a perfect day. Inspiring, and as always, best wishes, Ed

Oh yeah...I just read on another thread that you're looking for a vise. You're gonna be tying bass flies. The hooks are gonna be fairly big by most standards...2/0 and 3/0 are pretty common. You wanna do poppers. This may require strong thread, so you might pull pretty hard at times. The jaws on that vise need to be able to handle that. And a clamp base or heavy pedestal should be at least considered [i use a clamp most of the time]. Good luck, man. Cheers, Ed

Hey Mike...you know I've been watching these frogs quite a bit. You're right, when they're just sittin' there their legs are splayed. But when they move they are very long and streamlined. I don't know how to get both looks. I guess splayed hackle [often saddle] for a tail with a diver/diving slider head is what I've settled on most. It does look good when stripped fast or slow, but at rest it's not doing what you're talking about. They do work fine for results, but I believe I know what you mean...it's not a perfect picture at rest. Headscratcher for sure. Cheers, Ed

Hey Michos, welcome to the site. I use Feathercraft, Bearsden, Whitetail fly and JS Stockard quite a bit. You can shop online, but don't be shy about calling the people at these spots too...they are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. I've also had good luck with Saltwaterflies. Good luck and cheers, Ed

Fisherboy, that is a nice idea. Do the safety pins rust? Cheers, Ed

Hey Terje, thanks again for another beautiful shot. Wonderful colors and light...inspiring. Cheers, Ed

Hey Nick, I'd bet you like that outfit. Good for you, and good luck. Ed

Hey Cream...that is a cool looking bug. Obviously the hair work looks immaculate. But that tail is also super...it seems to explode out the back of the bug. The tail also looks light, and like it might shed water well too. What did you put back there? Thank you, Ed

Kimo...that looks fantastic! Wow! Thank you, Ed

Thank you, Terje. Cheers, Ed

Hey Lambert, welcome. Good for you on catching some on your own work, and you're right, it is rewarding. But tying flies is rewarding in itself. This is a good place to learn and have fun. Best wishes, Ed

Hey Fred, welcome. Hopefully your whipfinish problems will work out ok. Hackle HAS gotten expensive...true. So has a lot of other stuff. Be sure and show us your work...sounds like the tools are getting dusted off and ready to go. Cheers, Ed

I guess a little wind is often a good thing. When it gets really windy and choppy I don't fight it anymore...we then look for places out of the wind. I can't remember the last time we didn't go 'cause it was blowin'. But this is fresh water...in the salt we do whatever the Captain recommends. Cheers, Ed

Hey DS, welcome to the site. Thank you for showing your work...keep em coming. Cheers, Ed

Hey Bau, welcome to the site. Good for you...you're already gettin' em on your own creations. This is a good spot to have fun and learn. Cheers, Ed

Beautiful rod, man...somebody is very lucky. Hope he fishes the heck out of it. Thanks, Steve. Cheers, Ed

Hey Rogue, good for you and for Steve. This seems like a big time and fun thing. Congrats and cheers, Ed

Hey Ed...I think I know where you're coming from [maybe not]. I don't believe I've ever seen a chart like you describe. But I can remember thinking:"Why don't they just show me the best way to do this? Why all the different hooks, materials, methods, etc. to do the same fly?" Flafly's advice is sound...it's general, but sound. YOU will have to pick a recipe to tie say, a wooly bugger, and try it. And then try a different way after you learn. It's frustrating and takes alot of time before you really get a feel for what you think is best. This is why true experts seem to all do things a bit differently [i think]. So, have a look [like Flafly suggests] and get started on what you like and looks manageable. Man, I'm sorry, but it takes time and study...and lots of practice to know how it will turn out. Best of luck...keep tyin' and Cheers, Ed

Topwater bugs almost all the time now...when it's feasible. I really like deerhair...I think it's tops. I think K. Dietrich said he loved to paint...me too, especially airbrushing. So I'm doing alot of this now too: Cheers, Ed

Hey Guys...Yeah, I've thought about this some. I've got this impulse to want to organize and get everything "perfect." It makes me comfortable. BUT, Irecently read through a thread about somebody dropping like 12000 [yes, that's my recollection] hooks for trout on the carpet...Yikes! My wife does beads and has dropped those too. I've dropped boxes of organized hooks. So, I'm with rstout and whatfly...there are ways to do this neatly that don't court that kind of disaster [for a klutz]. 2 cents and cheers, Ed

Good for you...and your family. Very cool. Cheers, Ed

Hey Crackaig, very nice and thank you. Cheers, Ed

Hey Bassic, welcome to the site. You've got some great outfits there. Cheers, Ed