cheech

I hear you Alex. That's cool that the shop owner made you a deal like that. I usually don't tie for shops anymore. I charge the end user $1.50 per fly. The majority of the time I can tie about 18 flies per hour (that goes up and down). I tie mostly on Targus hooks, so my cost per fly is about $.10 to $.25. That's about $22.50 per hour. Worth it to me.

Wow, this post took off. I'm fairly new to this board so it's hard to read personalities here. I tie commercially, but the only way that I can afford to do it is if I sell to the end user. I can't go under $1.50 per fly and expect to make it worth my time. Lets face it, the offshore factories have to exist. There are very few tyers that will crank out irresistable adams by the dozen and sell them for pennies on the dollar. The reason this has to happen is so the fly shops (local businesses) can stay in business. If there have to be shops offshore, or in Rainy's case, if you just happen to overtake an operation offshore, why not make it a good one.

Check this out.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_...20/ai_n10868193

BTW. If we are so opposed to using foreign products...

Stop using all hooks except Mustad and Eagle Claw. All the nice stuff is made in Asia.

Stop using all your TFO fly rods. In fact, ALL fly rods except the HIGH dollar ones.

Stop using just about everything made by Orvis (I like Orvis too... Damn shame)

I'm actually very familiar with Rainy's and she's a class act when it comes to treating her employees with respect. They may look young, but they are all of age, and are actually paid quite well. This is a class act of a company. I'll have the rainy's rep chime in here to provide some details.

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by cheech:

Super Minnow

I like to use .035 non lead wrap for the shank of the hook, coat it with CA glue, and then wrap over the front portion of it again with .025 or .015. Wrap it with flymaster thread, and it creates a nice minnow type taper, and weight to boot.

Targus all the way. I'll fish basically anything that's chemically sharpened and strong. Targus is the same thing as Tiemco. Made in the same factory in Japan, same number system, half the price. They usually run about $5 to $6 for a 50 pack.

I'm the buddy...

I found it in the same aisle as the cross stitching stuff. I think it's just called craft yarn. It's not stocked with the rest of the yarns though.

for $.50, it will give you a 4 year supply.

Here's a caddis pupa that I tie with it. The wing, and the dubbing are mostly made of the wal mart yarn.

http://sweetflies.com/Home/tabid/175/Categ...22/Default.aspx