breambuster 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2017 Vicente, the flies you sent me are on hooks that are just a tad larger than #14. Like about 4/0. But they sure are some interesting looking flies. And very well tied. And they aren't H & L Variants either. I just double-checked. They are like a foam gurgler pattern/streamer combo. But again, they are some really neat looking flies. Very well tied. Thanks BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2017 Dorado, the addy has been the same since 2008 so we should be good. I'll let you know when they arrive. Take care BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2017 DManley's flies arrived today and they are SSWWEEEET! I usually tie a variation of this pattern for bluegills. In the bluegill variation you put rubber legs instead of the soft hackle. But DManley did the soft hackle version, which was the way it was tied in the video I sent him, and he did an excellent job. Very nicely done. Thanks, DManley. Great work. Take care BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted July 28, 2017 Oh no BB my boxes must've got stuck in the wrong envelope, those are supposed to go to Islander for the snook swap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DManley 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2017 Where am I going to find a Snook in Michigan to test that fly on??? Seriously, stuff happens. I was in two swaps at once a decade or so back and I took both to the post office at the same time. One swap was for Catskill style dry flies and the other was for "Your favorite trout fly". I tied up Mahogany Duns for the dry fly swap and some Montreal wet flies for the favorites swap. I apparently held my own one man fly swap before the actual swap, as I sent the flies to the wrong swaps. The favorite trout fly swap was fine, as the Mahogany Dun is a great pattern and is close enough to at least one hatch in almost every part of the country. A couple of the dry fly purists were deeply and noisily offended to have gotten a wet fly in their packages! I almost got thrown off the list for that one. I am just one tier in the swap, so I can only speak for myself, but I am fine with a snook fly, or also fine with waiting a few extra days to get the flies shuffled. Whatever you and BB do won't hurt my feelings. This has been a fun experience. Nothing, short of getting a pink fly, could change that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicente 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2017 They'd be good bass or striper, flys but there are only 8 of them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2017 I was tempted to hang on to one because I'd like to try it on some largemouth bass. I think it would work. But I held to the high road of integrity and mailed the whole kit and ka-buddle to Islander today. And I would assume that Islander is going to be sending me a set as well. We received 2 sets today. One from Jburge which is a box of BEAUTIFUL Rat-Faced McDougals (said in a Jimmy Cagney voice!) I have tried to tie this pattern before, but never came anywhere close to the neat job that Jburge turned in. You guys will have a hard time deciding whether to fish it or frame it. And also a very nice set of black stone fly nymphs from Dorado. Very Sweet fly, every fly in the box looks like every other one, which is the mark of an excellent tier. Well done, Dorado. Great work. Vincente, you'll have to send me one of your snook flies in the next swap that I host so I can try it on some southern LMB! Take care BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Li'lDave 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 Really starting to regret not signing up to this one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stilis 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 All, I apologize, but my flies are in the mail as of today. I am not thrilled with the outcome which is what took me so long. I do not like the proportions at all. I tried a few hooks, and none came out looking right to my eye. I started tying them fuller, and didn't like them, so I tied them thinner, which made me like the fuller ones better. I am not sure I passed the challenge. fingers crossed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2017 OK, guys, the end is in sight. There are 3 sets out. Stilis just posted that his flies are in the mail, Vicente's flies are on their way here by way of Florida if they can survive TS Emily, and Hazathor's flies are ready and he asked for my address last Friday, so they should be on their way by now, or at least, very soon. As soon as I get them, I'll do my best to have a quick turn-around for you. This has been a long swap in developing and I'm sure that you are all anxious to see how the others did in comparison to your efforts. But I can assure you that this is going to be a very neat box of flies. You will be pleased by the results, I'm sure. I have the Mr Rapidan's done and I've finally gotten enough of the mystery fly completed so that everyone will have one of those as well. It's been a struggle for all of us, I'm sure, but your hard work is going to pay off in a number of ways, not the least of which will be the development of some new skills. Thanks to all of you for accepting the challenge to get out of your own, personal comfort zone. Take care BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jburge 0 Report post Posted August 1, 2017 BB, thanks for the ever-so-kind words. Glad they made it one piece. Next project for me now is vacuuming deer hair out of every nook and cranny in my office. Ha! Appreciate all your hard work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted August 2, 2017 Hazathor alerted me by PM that his flies should have arrived today. They weren't with the regular mail, but when I got his message, I went back to check the box again tonight, and sure enough, they were there. He paid megabucks to get them to me and that's the second set this swap with high dollar postage on them. The first set came, I think, last Friday. I really appreciate the efforts these guys made to get there flies here ASAP, but we are still waiting on 2 other sets to arrive. Hazathor tied the Dave's Hopper pattern and they are AWESOME!!! Very nicely done. Again, they all look like they were tied by a machine. Every fly is just like every other fly. Very well done. Anything that will eat a terrestrial is going to go for these things full speed ahead. Thanks, Hazathor for some great work. Take care BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vicrider 0 Report post Posted August 2, 2017 Hurry up BB. Walked out my front door through my wife's garden to try a couple of rods with different weight lines and almost got swarmed under by grasshoppers, and these are those mutant grasshoppers. Not little wimpy things the trout eat. These things would scare trout right out of the stream but bass love them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted August 2, 2017 Vic, I'll get them out as soon as I can once I receive the other 2 sets. On another note, I joined the bass swap today and still need to round up some materials, but I see that yours are already in the hands of the 'meister. I'll probably be the one holding up that swap. Hang around a few minutes, Vic. I'm going to send you a PM shortly. Need your expertise. BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
breambuster 0 Report post Posted August 2, 2017 No flies today. Still waiting for 2 sets. Maybe tomorrow. Hang it there. BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites