Flytire - I am trying to accomplish precisely what you are suggesting without increasing my materials stockpile to a level which upsets the "hen-house". I want to advance to a technique level beyond Wooley Buggers (although the variations are tremendous) and choose a recipe that will not only use material that I already have but introduce me to something new as well.
For those offering suggestions I suppose it would be prerequisite on my part to mention the prey- Primarily Trout at this point. I have other ways of dealing with Bass.
Craikaig - I can believe what I just read from your post. I am not out to "memorize patterns", but as you can see from my reply to Flytire I am trying to make a sensible choice in the pattern that I choose to advance my technique level. Your advice is excellent to say the least and you are trying to lead me to where I already want to go. I just don't see the sense in buying out the store in one visit and then choosing which imitations to "try". Am I droning? Anyway thanks for the response and advice. Cheers
dontheo - It is my intention to purchase a copy of Ovis' Fly Tying Guide as soon as I am able. I had that one out from the library and found that it was demonstrably reasonable to read and the recipes at the back of the book were ranked according to "skill level". I was (and am) hoping that each of his demonstrations fall into a "skill level" as he refers at the back of the book. Until I get that book I know that there are thousands of recipes available on line - I don't have the ability to tell which ones are beyond me. A fair bet is that I'm not up to parachutes yet. As for the manual 1/2 hitch and whip finish I have been taught that. Thank you for your input.
Hairwing - I could not agree more with your assessment of the sport. Our instructor at the 4 week class I have just taken once put it in terms of hunting. You have to know what they want and present it NATURALLY or the offering will be summarily dismissed without so much as a "how-do-you-do". I am learning both aspects of the sport simultaneously and as yet have thrown nothing in the water on a fly line more dangerous than a clip of yarn. My day is coming though, and I want to be working on tying and casting equally - strengthening my skills in both areas. My current collection of wooley buggers stands around 100, time to start learning something new while perfecting the old. Thank you for your contribution.
Old hat - All of the preceding relates to your offering. The level of my experience, however, does not help me decipher the "proven" patterns that will enhance my tying skills. This is the area that I need help with. Nice touch.\
I look forward to speaking with all of you and more in the days ahead. My time is up for today. I will digest all of your suggestions and try to use them to guide me to something that works for me. Thanks again to you all -----TIGHT LINES!
