niveker

Probably been mentioned somewhere in the previous 14 pages, but for a new tyer Leeson & Schollmeyer's 'The Fly Tier's Benchside' Reference is hard to beat.

Thanks CP.

Next challenge: Black Ghost, your favorite version

Smoky Mountain Blackbird Hook: #14, 2xl Thread: black Weight: .02 lead wire Tail: starling Body: peacock hurl Rib: Starling, spilt primary, leading edge Used the recipe listed by L. J. DeCuir in his book Southeastern Flies (2001) Bit of prep work for that palmered feather. Love the white tips on the starling. Tied in the same style as the Yallerhammer, not surprisingly since both originated in the Smoky Mountain region. Neil Norman has a nice little write up on his now dormant blog SOFT HACKLES, TIGHT LINES https://softhacklepatternbook.blogspot.com/2017/02/smoky-mountain-blackbird-crow-fly-or.html

Nice tie. Glad you're feeling better, looks to be much cooler today. Good choice for next challenge - I'll take it.

Creamed possum with sweet potatoes garnished with coon fat gravy, of course.

I have a problem passing up fresh roadkill in the cooler months.

As my Uncle says, the cost of various fly tying material, as in most things, is relative. And so it follows that marketing and price are not always the equivalent of quality. Seldom am I, nor the fish I catch, bothered by cheap hooks, cheap booze, or cheap women. Most times I rather prefer them that way. Swearing, however, is always cheap, but it has its place. As does having too many vices.

+1 on the Maxcatch. The Eupheng brand hooks are good also, a buck or so more than the Maxcatch, though limited in style. Find them on the 'Bay.

Without question, one of the most fun AND useful power tools ever created. I clean everything with it, especially good for area rugs.

👍

Nice Dean, had a similar experience two week-ends ago, caught 2 fat rainbows while targeting small-mouth. Wish I had been prepared, I would have kept them for the smoker, as they won't survive the summer where I was fishing. Speaking of full waters - Quaboag Pond in Brookfield yesterday, all docks submerged. Water was probably covering the road the day before.

That's what I do too - when it gets too chewed up, I just grab a new chunk.

True dat.

@Reichbaum Nice website. I say it's a good idea, particularly for a new tyer who has a limited amount of material and wants to know what nymphs or streamers or whatever he can tie with them. And post some of those nice flies you've tied here also.

A couple of gray fox kits in the road today. Two others ran into the woods as soon as I saw them.

Nice

Welcome back, TS. Glad to hear you're doing well and to see your flies again.

I'd hate to have to deal with the consequences of such behavior.

Happy Birthday America! May you all have a safe and happy Fourth

That is one gussied-up gurgler - 👍

Killer Bug (variation) Hook: #12 curved Thread: white (to tie in wire) Wire (underbody): green craft wire, #32, wrapped double in the thorax area, lightly coated with super glue for durability Body: Berroco ultra alpaca, steel cut oats, one strand wound double (Thank you kind sir!) The green wire under the yarn produces a nice dirty olive body. Unfortunately, my phone does a piss poor job with color rendition.

Similar to flytire, I use the stackable plastic boxes and the drawers in a couple of configurations. I really hate using plastic, but can't really justify the expense of a more upscale system at this point.

Great tie Jaydub