samsonboi

I guess. I really did want to fill it, but... I guess I'll do a due date. DUE DATE IS NOW SET. YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR FLIES IN BY JUNE 25th.

You don't need to worry about that. Still trying to fill the swap.

Come on people, join!

Beautiful as always!

You really should join my Fran Betters swap, you're producing some excellent Betters flies.

Excellent tie! Thanks for posting, very nice job.

Oh yeah, that's a good idea.

Should of thought of that. Sorry guys, but unfortunately they are already packed up and sealed.

Everyone's boxes are in. The last couple will be picked up from my mailbox tomorrow by the postman.

Just to be clear, I am offering them for the cost of shipping; if anyone would like to send me some fun little gadget or spool of Gossamer in return, that would be nice, but of course not required.

Thanks!

I took an old Monty (low end) and cut off the butt ferrules flush with the end. I then drilled out some cane from the inside of the female; I cut a slit in the end of the male with a Dremel cutoff wheel. Once I had done this, I JB Welded a miniature scalpel blade (a podiatry scalpel) into the slit. It's much sharper than a conventional razor blade, so it's perfect for cutting thread (just a touch does it on my preferred 8/0) or trimming spun deer hair heads and bodies. It also has a needle (optional) poking out of the cane end of the male ferrule. And the female ferrule is a perfect tool for bullet heads, folding hackle, half hitches behind a bead or head, and if you wanted to you could sharpen the inside to use it as a push-on deer hair head trimmer- just push it on, and voila. A perfect round head for a Muddler or small bug. Plus, since it's so darn sharp, it won't slip as easily and jump straight into your flesh. The cut is also much cleaner if you do manage to cut yourself. Best of all, the ferrules slide together and keep the blade hidden- and when you take the set apart, it has that nice pop we expect from our bamboo rods. If anyone wants one, shoot me a PM. I've got a limited stock of old ferrules though, so if more than one or two people PM some of you guys are gonna have to supply your own ferrules. I can make as many tools as there are people that PM if most of them send their own ferrules.

👍

What @Landon P, did they have a falling-out or something? Looks like a case of fratricide to me.

Well, yes, probably good Matukas and featherwings, but he does sell a line of bugger hackle as well. He has a lot of stuff- check his website out. http://www.collinshacklefarm.com

The saddles are just bonus with the capes.

Oops, yeah.

You're in! Hey wait, you're back to Group 6! What happened?

This swap will focus on flies tied for the Au Sable River in New York, with a heavy emphasis on those patterns tied or originated by Fran Betters. All should be usable as dries. New swappers are encouraged to join- it's fun! A list of examples tied by Betters: Haystack- taken Au Sable Wulff- taken Au Sable Caddis Au Sable Bomber- taken The Usual- taken Mini Muddler- which can be used as a dry. Parachute Au Sable Wulff Au Sable Stonefly (Fran called it his Stimulator, in rust orange or yellow.) Use Google if you can't think of any more. I'll limit this to 12 people. Post a message stating which fly you will tie. The due date will be mid to late June. I will post it once I decide to close the swap or we reach 12 participants, plus me. That means, if we reach that number, you will submit 12 flies and get 11 back, unless someone submits extra flies. You must make sure to include return postage money or stamps. Happy swapping! If you don't get your flies in quite on time, I will not be too strict, but you should have a decent reason. SM: myself (Samsonboi)- Haystack 1. (Classic Fly Rod Forum) adkfan- Au Sable Bomber 2. (CFRF) Alberta al- Usual 3. (CFRF) Spring Creek- Au Sable Wulff 4. Flat Rock native- Olive Usual 5. Vicrider- Au Sable Bomber- in! 6. Woodenlegs- Au Sable Caddis- in!

It's a Matuka, about the easiest baitfish pattern ever. Just put a pair of half-stripped hackles (stripped side down) over the body of the fly, lock in, and rib up the length.

Thanks flytire, that's a great explanation and tutorial. As good or better than my technique. I'm gonna try this one out today.

Oh. Still cool though

Now that is innovation. Hats off to you.

Ok, I had the same trouble until I tried this. First, put them back to back so they curve away from each other, pinch them in your fingers, and apply a small dab of head cement on the stripped part of the quill where they join, right below the bottom of the part of the feather that will be the wing. Blow on them lightly ,till the dab dries up. Then, keeping the same orientation, lower them onto the hook and lock them in with thread.

I am drooling over that second one in particular... just so insanely good. How did you pack the hair that tight to the eye without crowding it, and how'd you cut it that smooth????