wetieit

Depends. I am mostly a "Demonstration Tyer" when I am at work in my shop. Many people come in to see how I would tie this or that pattern, so I use a pedestal base because it's easier for them to see what I'm doing. When I get "down & dirty" and have to knock out a bunch of flies, then I go to a drop down version of the c-clamp because it takes a lot of load off my shoulders and arms. I'm not trying to teach anyone anything in this mode, I'm just doing my work. I tie on the very first 8 stop, Dyna-King Barracuda Indexor with a custom drop bar from Ron. I also use an extra large custom pedestal base from Ron - he made me one that weighs 8 pounds so it will not move when I'm really cranking down on the thread.

OK, so I'll throw the monkey wrench into the works, even though it's a bit different, I think it still qualifies, you guys decide. I have a PDF of tying instructions also, if you would like a copy, just let me know and I'll e-mail it to you. Tongue Depressor - An especially effective patterns for Smallmouth Bass. I call this fly a “Modern Wooly Bugger”, it has taken all types of fish from Alaska to the Caribbean. A simple, yet very effective fly that rides hook up with a distinct side-to-side wobbling action. Tongue Depressor: A Trademarked Pattern of Bill Sherer Hook: Dai-Riki 700B size 2-10 #4 most common (with 15 wraps of .035 unleaded wire) Thread: UTC210 - Red Tail: Marabou Blood Quill (color depending on body & style) Body: We Tie It Sparkle Chenille - Similar to Estaz Grande but with longer fibers

Very interesting, does the hook roll over (hook point rides up), or does the deer hair keep it upright? Cool idea, I'll have to give it some thought and trials. I do a similar thing to my Sculpin patterns, but I imbed the barbell eyes in the spun & clipped head. Welcome - one newbie to another Bill

Used to fish lots of wets with my grandfather years ago, mostly we fished for Brook Trout. We used a Dark Hendrickson in the spring in a size 12, it has a Wood Duck Flank wing and a heavy wire hook to get it down below the film. Later in the summer we used an Iron Blue Dun, Light Cahill, a Peacock & Pheasant, and lots of different colors of Partridge Series wets, mostly in a size 14. Near the end of the year we used a Picket Pin. We fished them mostly down and across, but had very good success with an up and across presentation also. Those are great memories, gets me kind of misty... that's all I can remember at the moment, but given a few days I may be able to dig some more patterns out of my faded memories.

When I was in the market for a new vise, my good friend, Chris Helm introduced me to Ron Abbey (Dyna King), the Barracuda Indexor was new. After looking at it I asked Ron if he could make 4 more detents on the shaft then the 4 that were on the original, he agreed to do so for me. THis same vise became his production model in a few short months. I still tie on that vise, it's the only brand of vise I have never broken! I tie about 15 to 20 thousand flies per year, mostly Smallmouth Bass and Musky flies on size 4 through 6/0 hooks, yet the jaws will still hold a size 20 hook with no problems. If I can't break it, probably no one will! It's not the least expensive vise on the block, but I think it's the best for a reasonable price - considering what you get.

Pike are just another 4 letter word for "Bait" where's the choice for Musky?

I agree!!! I have Guided fly anglers for Musky for over 25 years and believe me there is not much of a chance of hooking a Musky with an upturned hook point. This is the reason I chose "Hook Point Down" in my voting - this is the "warm water" discussion isn't it? For my trout streamers I tie mostly hook point down for most baitfish imitations, but I do tie hook point up for my sculpin patterns. Soft mouthed fishes like trout are easily hooked in the roof of the mouth, whereas bony hard mouthed fish like Musky and Pike have mostly just bone and teeth on the roofs of their mouths with little room for good hook penetration. I have also found a smaller diameter wire penetrates deeper and more securely in these types of fish. I prefer the Daiichi 2461 Aberdeen hooks in 4/0 to 6/0 for my Musky flies.