AF_Tier

Hey guys, just sent Rich a PM--Box 6 is back on the move, on it's way to Missouri I believe. I apologize for such a huge delay. Our training schedule lately has been NUTS, and coming home to a swap box kinda horrified me, once I looked at the delivery date! Frank

The subject line says it all: how well does bunny hair (in Zonker & crosscut format) stand up to saltwater use? Just curious. Frank

Still working out a few kinks, but here's the Double Bunny in 3" & 4":

Any fans of Swedneck's site will recognize (I hope) this pass at his Copper John: Great pattern, but I've tied so many small flies today I got sick of fairy-hair thread and hooks that I can accidently inhale, so tied up a brute before going to bed: Aren't #2 hooks refreshing? Frank P.S. If you haven't been to Swedneck Flyfishing yet, you're missing out. I'll never look at ear plugs the same way again!

I recently moved my desk into one of our larger closets: The room is lit by three laarge windows and one (weak) overhead light. In the daytime this is fine, but at night that room gets dark quickly. What I'm looking for are some ideas on lighting, if anyone has a similair setup to mine. Track lighting immediately came to mind, but I don't want anything too harsh, and of course I don't want to break the bank, either. Finally, it's also a rental, so I'd rather not go digging into the walls if I don't have to. Any ideas? Frank

Bob, The one in that picture doesn't have a red butt, but after I tied about 6 or so I thought I should add one, so all the later Down and Dirty's have them. I'll mess around with adding some bulk to the Charlies, shouldn't be that hard. Thanks for the tips! Frank

Just throwing together a few patterns for a Cali coast perch trip: Down and Dirty Mole Crab Crazy Charlie Nothing too complicated, but I've never really tied for saltwater before, so there's some excitement in branching out. Frank

Been on a bass fly kick lately, so here are some Black Dredgers: Fun to tie, especially compared to those "Sex Dungeon" articulated beauties Smalliestalker tied up. Hopefully I have the same success he does.

That's what I thought: go for the hen necks, per the author. The only thing that held me back is that I was under the impression that neck hackle is for smaller flies than what I'm tying. Is that incorrect?

I'm tying up a batch of smallmouth flies, and one of the patterns I'll be using is: Soft Hackle Bi-Bugger I'm stuck on what hen hackle to buy. I went to J. Stockard and looked at the Whiting Hen Capes and Saddles, but I want to make sure that, before I purchase, these are going to be the size I need for palmering hackle on fat, size 2-8 bass flies. Do these fit the bill? Whiting Hen Saddle (I chose the Saddle rather than the Cape because the Saddle comes in a few more colors) Frank

I take a bit of extra time on there because of the torture I'll be putting that fly through. I'll be dragging it through vegetation, against fallen trees, and (hopefully) pulling it out of the mouths of some hungry bass. I could shave a few minutes off finishing the head, sure, but my plan is to have that fly at the end of the season. Frank P.S. That video is to show how I tie it, not how it should be tied. Corrections and suggestions on improvement are welcome!

I'm glad you can get it to open, since I get an error every time I try. And if you open it, pause it, and walk away for 5 minutes at the tying bench, that buffer will catch up, and you can watch it without all the pauses.

I was trying to take pictures and explain the M.O.A.L. tying process, and it just didn't work out. So here's a video! I've never made an instructional video, so sorry if the light is bad, but it should explain the process. Hope it helps! It's 48mb, but that's not too bad, I hope. Frank MOAL_3.wmv

I've never done a Step By Step before, but I can try! Keep an eye out for it in the Bench board. Frank

Ever since I posted about the "wild side" of leech patterns, I've been looking for some fun patterns to work with. Here's my first 3 takes on the M.O.A.L., aka, the Mother of All Leeches. These are a bit large for the local trout, but there are some bass that I'm thinking might want a taste, as the water is already warming up around here. Frank