leighs52

The JVise. I love this thing. Made in South Africa. Very reasonable price for great quality and true rotary when you want it. Leigh

I have had the Wasatch version of the JVise for several years (mine is blue, not red). I just got the new pro jaws from him, which I really like. I know I can chuck up a 6/0 salmon hook, and J tells me the new jaws will handle 8/0, which is big enough for me. The real plus of this vise is the room behind the jaws for the left hand. The hand position for this vise is superior to any other rotary I have seen. Jay tells me that Wasatch seems to have lost interest in his vise, but you can buy direct from him, and he is very helpful and service oriented. There are many nice attachments for the vise as well. All in all, an attractive and extremely functional vise at a reasonable price for what you get. Leigh

Lovely, as always, Mark. Why don't we Yanks use more flies in claret? There are a ton of British Isles patterns in claret, but hardly any used here. Is that because of different bugs, or just different habits? I haven't a clue. Leigh

I'll take 3 shirts in size XL. sapphire, sports grey, and forest. Leigh

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'm getting arthritis pretty badly in my left thumb, and fly tying is becoming more painful. I'll be eager to hear how your surgery goes. I'm afraid I'll be in the same boat in the not-too-distant future. Leigh

I think you all have taken me the wrong way. and I'm sorry if you were offended. The efforts to publish good fly tying articles are most appreciated, and is hard work. I certainly don't expect someone to research very deeply and announce the creator of the gold-ribbed hare's ear before writing up a how-to. But, in the absence of attribution, people who don't know better will assume that an article about an unfamiliar pattern is the author's creation. If you know who created the pattern (And Umpqua use to sell it as "Steeve's Firefly" if I remember correctly), it seems only courteous to say so. If you don't know, just say that. If you came up with it, by all means take the credit. Again, sorry if I ruffled feathers. This is my favorite web site on the planet. Leigh

Who is responsible for Hatches magazine? I like it, and think it does a generally good job. However, I do have a beef. The April 2006 issue has an article on the sunken firefly. The article is clear, I can attest to the effectiveness of the fly, but nowhere in the article does the author give credit to Harry Steeves, whose pattern this is. I don't buy that the fly was "invented" by someone else as well, as the use of the Kreinik braids is pretty specific to Harry. I don't have any personal relationship with Mr. Steeves, and have just met him a time or two at the various fishing shows. I do own his books and fish his flies, and believe he should be acknowledged in the article. This goes for all flies shown on Hatches or elsewhere on the site. If you know who invented a particular pattern, or who tied the fly in a picture you post (assuming it isn't you), credit should be given.

Yes, a number of times. Excellent service.

I have used the Renzetti traveler, and have been generally pleased. I recently purchased the Wasatch J vise, which is the improved model of the Jvise reviewed in the article referenced above. I am very pleased with it. The midge jaws are worthwhile if you tie smaller flies. There are lots of good vises out there. Like most tiers, I don't use the "true" rotary function all that often.

I use both at times, but comparing these two threads is like comparing apples to oranges. They are made of different material (I can't remember which is which, but I think Danville is nylon while Uni is polyester), and they behave very differently. Also, 6/0 uni is, for example, much thicker than 6/0 Danville. The big plus for Danville is that is can be flattened to reduce bulk or to be split (e.g. for split-thread dubbing loops), while Uni thread is bonded and will not fully flatten. I have to say I really like the Uni colors better, by and large. Love that Olive dun and Rusty Dun. Anyway, keep an open mind and try both in various applications.

I love the 102Y. I probably first read about it in the Blue Ribbon Flies Catalogue from West Yellowstone. (Great source of patterns and materials BTW, and they have a web site) Harrison Steeves uses this hook for some of his terrestrial patterns. I use it for beetles and ants, as well as CDC and Elk Caddis (Hans Weillenman pattern) and for baetis dries and emergers (size 21). It's sharp, it's strong, and the patterns look good.