Naming Flies

[Lance Kekel 0]

So I have a dilemma/question. I've sold a few flies to shops and now I'm starting to put some of my own patterns in some shops and have to come up with some names for them. On that note what kind of criteria/limitations/searches do you do before you name something like that???

 

 

To date most of the flies of my own that I've sold to individuals I've prefixed with "Pop's" whatever. I did this because my legal company name is Mom 'n Pop Fly Shop. I've started tying more of the Intruder type flies and these are the ones that are going in a shop and I need to put a name to them. I thought of a couple of good names but one has other variations of the name already used in flies and the other one just brings up all kinds of sites that are blocked by my work firewall! lol

 

Any thoughts would helpful!

[flytire 0]

most flies tied today are just variations of previously tied flies. there may be a few instances where it may be an entirley new fly.

 

in my opinion changing out one material for another or one color for another or synthetic material for natural or this for that does not constitute a "NEW" fly. its simply a variation of an established pattern.

 

with that being said, nobody can stop you from naming your fly whatever you would like to name it!

[Piker20 0]

Well Lance, I don't believe anyone has a legal copyright on a particular fly pattern or style. There has been a few threads on this forum about this issue of naming flies. My personal view is if you are combining materials in an order that you haven't seen in a book or on the net before in that combo, you can safely stick your name ahead of it.

If you are following a pattern and tweaking a colour or just a minimum of the materials you can't really claim that as yours and stick a new name on it. It is just a variant of the original existing pattern. But it is only good manners that forces you to do it.

Example if you tied a PTN and used a synthetic flash as the thorax cover, you haven't reinvented the wheel. Its still a PTN just a variation.

So the intruder style flies are intruders. I would think that calling them Pops intruders would be fine if you havent tied one thats a direct copy of someone elses.

[mikechell 0]

Avoid the names, "fish killer" or "gut hooker" ... "Gill ripper" ... etc.

 

I would also avoid the names, "no-catch-um", "no-hook-set" or any other "no" type names.

 

 

I am not sure if there are any "copy write" protected fly names, but that would be the only real restriction to naming yours.

 

I know this isn't any help ... I just have nothing else to do at this time in the morning.

[Kirk Dietrich 0]

If you have any children in the family, they can often be creative in coming up with names for flies. A friend of mine's daughter has come up with some pretty neat names for his flies. I don't know how it would work with variations but I'm in agreement with the others above, if its a variation, I'd keep the core pattern name and add your's to the front.

 

Kirk

[Lance Kekel 0]

That was quick, thanks! lol

 

 

I agree that about 99% of the flies at this time are some sort of variation of an older pattern. I know the hex emergers that I'm sending out are, but I'll be damned if I can find a name for it. Lucky or unlucky for me that shop's not asking for a name on those though. In most cases I just look at a name as a way to identify the combination of materials and colors someone is looking for.

 

The fly i put in the December flies is one of the ones I've got to tack a name onto. Was thinking of calling it a Swinger's Seducer for the swing flies for steel thing. but then got worried because of the other seducer patterns out there even though there is quite a wide variation in those patterns out there. When I changed up to Swinger's Seduction the finding online got shall we say "interesting".

[flytire 0]

lance,

 

i just checked out that "black and blue" fly you submitted in the December fly thread. nice looking fly!

 

why not call it "Pops Black & Blue". if you have different colors of that fly (like red and white, black and yellow etc) then prefix them with "Pops"

 

just a suggestion. the name is totally up to you and keeps it out of the porn pages.

[Stippled Popper 0]

Pop's (Whatever is the nearest recognizable know pattern) may not be sexy but would be workable.

IMO there are too many sexy named flies out there already on the market.

[Chefben4 0]

Post the flies, Ill throw some names at ya!

[Piker20 0]

Bit of self promotion for you and the shop, run a comp to name the fly. Winner gets a dozen flies and maybe 10% off purchase in store and the shop and your flies have a bit of advertising. Use social media sites and the local rag if you have one.

[Peterjay 0]

I believe there are a few pattern names that are trademarked, but not enough to worry about. If you happen to duplicate somebody's pattern or name, you won't get into any trouble other than a slight case of embarrassment. On the rare occasions when I give a fly a name, I usually go with a geographic designation: "Watch Hill Anchovy," "Quonochontaug Slammer," etc., or give them a humorous name. Anyway, unless you commit outright thievery, nobody's gonna give a hoot. The main thing is making sure that your flies are attractive and effective. That's what's gonna make your rep.

 

BTW - the well-known tyer Bob Popovics is known familiarly as Bob Pop, so it might pay to check his stuff to make sure you're not creating any confusion.

[tidewaterfly 0]

Lance, you've gotten some very good advise. I tied commercially for many years, and IMO, naming flies should be about marketing & recognition. Those are the things that get you sales & more importantly, repeat business. However, don't try to rename every fly you tie. I see that a lot in catalogs I receive & am put off a bit by it. Use your last name & a simple, yet descriptive name. If you're tying an already established pattern or style, then go with the already established name. For example, an "Intruder" is a style, so stick with that. If you're tying a special color, then something like "Kekel's Purple & Gold Intruder Variation " or whatever color, IMO is more appropriate than trying to rename it entirely. This gets your name out there & lets folks know it's your variation of a known style.

 

Using "Pop's" is OK, particularly for in store packaging, but you're not likely the only one using it, so when someone is looking for your flies, can't recall your name & is doing a search, someone else may get their business.

 

IMO there are too many sexy named flies out there already on the market.

 

Agreed! What does it have to do with fishing anyway? Try searching for it & you do end up in places you may not wish to be (or perhaps you do! ) I try to keep in mind that there are under age folks who fly fish, so stay away from such descriptions.

 

I very much agree with Mikechell too. You want names to be positive & respectful of the resource. Leave the "Hog Killer" names to the folks who produce lures. I'm also a lure angler, and such names don't impress me. I'm sure others feel the same. Most folks who fly fish, have a different attitude towards this type of name. Some won't care, but you don't want those that do to believe you lack the same respect. Marketing!

[FlyFishin'Jam 0]

lol fly fishing is full of norty words you should not google at all!

 

Large black cock

Jungle cock

Merkin

Pole Dancer

Sex Dungeon

etc etc

 

So i rekon we have enough of those things if it is any help. My wife is starting to worry.

[Peterjay 0]

lol fly fishing is full of norty words you should not google at all!

 

Large black cock

Jungle cock

Merkin

Pole Dancer

Sex Dungeon

etc etc

 

So i rekon we have enough of those things if it is any help. My wife is starting to worry.

 

Don't forget "Montreal Whore." I shudder to think what'd pop up if you searched that one. A directory maybe?

[FlyFishin'Jam 0]

I am sure i have left a few out...umm 'booby'

 

A rather large directory, funny place...Had a 'nice' dinner there once in a lovely restaurant which one would think to be normal, had our meals and the waitress invited my buddy to go back to her house and snort cocaine, she said this openly in front of all of us like it is the 'usual' thing to do.

 

Actaully we seen some mad stuff in Montreal now that i am starting to remember...