KnottaFly

Have you tried tying with micro chenille. Works great for smaller buggers. I tied some up on #18 jig hooks that work fine. May be a different avenue for you.

Tim Flagler is my go to for learning techniques for tying. His instructions are clear and easy to follow. Set up Tightlines Productions in You Tube to get some nice videos. Mcfly on this site also easy to follow patterns. Use you tube as a good resource. Keep it up. It gets easier. Challenge yourself every day on your fly tying journey.

Poopdeck, I’d fish it, let the trout tear it up, then cut it off and tie again! I’ve caught plenty of trout on really torn up flies, the buggier the better.

Your ties are looking good! I think we’ve all been there, sometimes still there. It’s annoying to break off thread, especially when you’ve finished your tie. The recommendation to use hackle pliers is great, I sometimes use a bulldog paperclip (faster for old fingers to get ahold of thread). You’ll also find that no matter what brand of thread you buy, you’ll sometimes get a bad spool. All you can do is throw it out and get another. I’ve had Danville, Uni, Montana Fly, all break before. Less trouble with Veevus and Semperfli. Just keep tying, be patient, don’t get frustrated. Looking forward to seeing more of your ties!

Also the CEO of ASPCA makes over $850,000 per year plus bonus. We support local animal rescues, also volunteer. Very rewarding.

Me, too Flytire. But my addiction continues.

I agree with niveker, been using wholesale fly hooks for a while. I don’t see much difference in quality (or hookups) . At $7 per 100 they are a great value. Also free shipping on $25.

I don’t know if this will help you or not, but I tie a lot of flies that I see on Facebook that I like the way they look or using a different technique I haven’t used. I’m old school, I write out recipes on index cards with noted techniques such as dubbing loop, etc. I also have a photo record on my phone that automatically puts the date on it so I know the date I tied it. The photo quality isn’t as good as those posted on this forum, but it helps me to know what the name of the fly is and what it looks like. Hope this helps. Like I said, old school.

I agree with Flytire about staying warm in the house during these cold days, but I love to fish in January and February. Here in Western North Carolina they are some of the best months to fish. No pressure on the trout, usually not a fisherman in sight, rivers to yourself. I’ve had some of my best days then. That’s if I can motivate myself to get out in the cold. Of course, 22 degrees this morning is tough to get motivated to go stand in a stream.

As I’ve gotten older my fingers don’t always work the way I want them too (brain and eyes also). In tying in CDC, I’ve been tying in by the tips because I couldn’t get the cdc to stay in a dubbing loop. Every time the cdc would fall out before I could spin it. Dumb me finally picked up the dubbing wax right in front of me. Little wax and yep, it worked. Brain malfunction, finally engaged.

I have a list of dry fly hackle on my phone, especially when it got too pricey for me. Probably need to put hen hackle on too. Too many new items out now, makes it hard to keep up with it all.

I’ve said that too many times Flytire. But I keep buying, especially when I don’t have or can’t figure out a substitute.

Thanks, chugbug! That was an interesting video. Glad you found that.

Sounds like a normal birthday to me. Doing what you enjoy (probably not the painting though). Rather be fishing, but too hot.

The smiles tell the story!!!