The challenge thread!

[Sandan 0]

41 minutes ago, cencalfly said:

I'm not game here.  Is this a challenge or is it a throw down something in your arsenal?  Great fly no doubt.  That thing is the Sh-t.  Hell, I'm not worthy. Why play.

If you can reply within minutes of a challenge did you tie the fly for this or are you throwing up a picture you have in your database?  Maybe not the best way to invite and welcome newbies or beginners.  Have fun gents.  This bystander is duly impressed.

I may be wrong but maybe we should look at the intent of the thread and then try to play along.

 

Excellent point. How about if we add this to the rules. When you accept a challenge you have to actually tie the fly for the challenge. No picking it out of your pre tied collection. I actually thought that would be an unwritten rule. Let's write it so that no one is intimidated or other wise put off from playing. What say you all

[cencalfly 0]

7 hours ago, Sandan said:

Excellent point. How about if we add this to the rules. When you accept a challenge you have to actually tie the fly for the challenge. No picking it out of your pre tied collection. I actually thought that would be an unwritten rule. Let's write it so that no one is intimidated or other wise put off from playing. What say you all

I apologize for being a jerk on how I stated my thoughts.  My people skills are lacking and there's much room for improvement.  It really is a great fly.

[niveker 0]

14 hours ago, cphubert said:

This is one of the two stonefly patterns I tie.

Nice pattern, I bet it does well.  I was recently reading, can't remember where but it might have been in one of Whitlock's books, that when dislodged from the bottom a stonefly will curl up when dead drifting, as you noted.  Also, the lighter colored stones have recently molted and their bodies are softer, which apparently the trout can recognize.  Not sure if I agree with that, though.  

    

[Poopdeck 0]

Add the rule as I kind of thought of it as an unwritten as well, but I think some people are going to be intimidated and won’t play regardless of how many rules you make. Some people are unnecessarily intimidated by the quality of the fly tying as well as the quality of the photos. I’m not the best tier, not even close, but I believe my tying has improved  because I try a little harder when I intend on posting it.  I will add that of the challenges I’ve accepted all were tied at the bench post acceptance and I believe all others have been tied post acceptance accept one where it was clearly stated it was from stock. I don’t own a camera and take quick pictures with a cell phone and have no desire to create a fly studio.  I really believe that the quality of some of the pictures is probably more intimidating then the ties. While I appreciate the quality of some pictures I have no desire to mimic them and others should not as well. I completely don’t understand being intimidated over tying a fly or taking a picture of a fly.

[niveker 0]

  

14 hours ago, cphubert said:

a flatwing of your choice.

I'm game - you probably meant a more traditional flatwing streamer, but I've had this pattern kicking around in my head.  I will use it on freshwater or salt when I have the chance again. 

A weekday evening is probably not the best time to attempt a new pattern like this, due to time restraints, but not too bad for a first attempt, IMO.  

Flat Wing Gurgler

 

 

Hook: #4, 3xl

Thread: pale olive mono-cord.

Tail: olive bucktail, flashabou, 2 grizzly olive saddle hackles

Rear skirt: olive marabou

Body: black over yellow craft foam

Body Hackle: grizzly olive.  

I think next time I will leave the more traditional Gurgler head, and move the fly further back on the hook.  

 

[niveker 0]

Next challenge: MARCH BROWN - wet, dry, flymph, winged wet, soft hackle - your choice.  

[upnorthtier 0]

6 minutes ago, niveker said:

Flat Wing Gurgler

Well done, I'm no flat wing expert, i never even tied one but I'm sure the pikes up here would go after that fly.

[niveker 0]

Thanks UNT

[upnorthtier 0]

9 hours ago, cencalfly said:

I'm not worthy. Why play

Everybody is worthy to play along, its just for fun. Your Whitlock nymph is a beauty

No such thing as perfection, sometimes its dam close like that stonefly. In no way it intimidates me, oh contraire it shows me what can be done. So much more to learn.

[niveker 0]

At the end of the day, as long as the thread keeps going, that's good enough for me. I'm really enjoying it

[upnorthtier 0]

Just now, niveker said:

At the end of the day, as long as the thread keeps going, that's good enough for me. I'm really enjoying it

I think its time to change the title from how about a challenge thread? to THE CHALLENGE THREAD

[Sandan 0]

Recommended changes have been made. As has been said, all are welcome. Don't be shy take a challenge. This is a perfect opportunity to extend your comfort level and tying skills. Most of all we're here to have fun tying so have at it. Please. 

[cencalfly 0]

5 hours ago, niveker said:

  

Flat Wing Gurgler

 

That fly will hunt. Nicely done

[cphubert 0]

Cencalfly- I assure you I tied it not from some picture database and it was a four hours later. As for you are not worthy- the flatwing is a very easy tie. I hope you would consider joining you could have tied a Montana, Prince Nymph, or Pats Rubber Legs and they would have all been a stonefly. I truly welcome new tiers and I apologize if you think anyone is trying to shut out a new tier.

[cphubert 0]

10 hours ago, upnorthtier said:

No such thing as perfection

I strongly agree, I didn't tie a perfect fly as we are our own worse critics there is always something I look at and say I wish I had done that better or different. Thats what makes us better tiers or innovators of some else's pattern I always try to give credit to originators or at least my inspiration for a pattern