Bigfish

As hard as I try I can't ignore this any longer. I absolutly have a problem with anyone naming their variation of an exhisting pattern or style when they use their name in the name of their fly. Such as Capt. Mel's Charlie, all because I used krystal flash instead of flashabou? I don't think so! And, I have a real problen with those that tie a fly, send it to a magazine as the latest and greatest Charlie when in fact the thing hasn't even caught a fish. And then the next thing you know, the fly is in an Umpqua or S/A catalog. I don't care if they changed the color, the material, or the eyes, it's still a damn Crazy Charlie and it's no ones fly but Nauheims'. In my opinion there probably will never ever be another "new" fly tied, just a rendition of an old fly! So, "sound off like you gotta pair", tell the thief he stole that fly! Mel

I usually start Tarpon season with about 10 doz., and then continue to tie a couple of dozen during those three months. We go thru alot of flies during night fishing for snook, and that's at least 3 more months, problably 6 dozen., Redfish and trout another 6 dozen and oh, Steelhead 10 dozen. Wow, that's more than I thought, over 400 a year.

Dragonfly, Consider this, on your EB flies, you are competing with local shops that now use Gamakatsu or Tiemco. If I were tying for shops again that's how I would think. Myself I still use 3407, 3407SS and 34007 and other Mustad hooks and that is because I can sharpen them better than any hook you can buy. I also don't like the fact that most other hooks' barb breaks off when you pinch them down. But then again when I'm Steelhead fishing in BC I use Tiemco.

It is all very possible because: He was in a river where the fish probably didn't jump, and The bigger tarpon don't jump anyway, There is no problem hooking a tarpon with a small fly, and All they had to do was run the boat up along side of it and gaff it, He needed a certified scale to weigh it (in a remote Mexican area?), I haven't seen it listed on the IGFA web site yet?!?, and Think of it this way, if it is a world record then there won't be another fish killed with a 6# class tippet for a long time.

Important! The hair will "spin" better on a bare hook.

My classes are 3 nights in a row, 2 hours each, T,W,TH. Max 3 per class. Tie only most basic local fly, Bucktail Bendback and Clouser. Lesson plan...very important. I furnish everything. I charge...the most important thing, cause they show up and on time!!!! Hope this helps, sure works for me.

For many years I have considered my tying as my art form. Without looking at a dictionary or caring to know the defined differences, I call it my art because of the thought, emotion and passion I put into each fly. Sure I expect them to catch fish and even to catch the eye of other fishermen, but like any other art they each express me, the artist. What do you think? Am I full of s... crap, or do you even care? ...and if this subject has been beaten to death, I'd like to know how to find the archives on the subject. Mel