RedRiverRat

Welcome Jonathon! I tried a rotary several years ago, and found I stuck my hands much more with it - went back to my old Thompson. As to materials, two suggestions: garage sales (yarn, fur, feathers, etc.) and "road-kill" (sort of joking here - sort of not - actually if you hunt, or have friends who hunt, this can be a really good "natural" source). RRR (JRM)

Thanks for the welcome! My ancestors came to the US from Scotland, via Northern Ireland. My eighth-great grandfather, the Rev. Dr. John McBroom, was pastor of the Portpatrick Presbyterian Church, near Kirkcudbright. He ran afoul of King James, being a covenanter, and was "removed", along with his family, to Ulster, where he founded the Anahilt Presbyterian Church in County Down (still there, and I have a standing invitation to preach - my sons and I may get there next summer). His great-grandson lit out for the colonies, just in time for his children to take part in the colonial "war of rebellion" from the king. Both my sons fly-fish, and, as I said, we hope to make it to Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland next summer, and do a little fly fishing while we are there. Going to look up the horse hair, as we have mucho of it around here! RedRiverRat (Dr. J.R. McBroom - Sheamus) I'm an ordained Baptist minister, and serve as choir director at the United Methodist Church here - go figure)

After some life changes (retirement from senior administrative position at a regional university, adoption of two grandkids my wife and I have raised, several surgeries, etc.) I've decided to restore some sanity to my life. Back to college teaching, leading singing at a local church, and raising kids and horses. Also, back to fly fishing and tying after a seven year break. Dug out my old rods, reels (still missing a 9 weight), gear, and tying equipment and supplies, and found out I need some brushing-up on tying techniques and new material. Remembered this forum and decided to join again. I've fly fished for nearly 50 years, tied for over 40, and have been fortunate to fish in some really good trout streams across the US, as well as local warm-water farm ponds, lakes, and rivers. Real fishing passion is for stripers in the Red River (Texas/Oklahoma) below Denison Dam (Lake Texoma dam). Looking forward to flingin' some line, tying some Clousers and wooly buggers, taking part and learning from this forum again, and getting back to enjoying life. Red River Rat (JRM)

Great first attempts! I've just pulled out all my equipment and started back tying after about 5 years off, so I'm re-learning some (especially using some of the new material). Over the past twenty years I've tied hundreds of Clouser Minnows, using them for warm-water species, as well as trout, but especially for stripers in the tailrace section of the Red River below Lake Texoma dam. I've found with the Clouser that "less is more" ; here are a few other tips I've learned about Clousers. The eyes are the key - seems like I have had better results (with all species) with "shiny" eyes. The placement of the eye also seems to have an effect on the way the fly works; when the eyes are tied in farther back on the shank the fly seems to move more evenly through the water - when tied closer to the eye, the fly seems to have more vertical movement (sort of like a jig) on the retrieve. I've also found (or I think I have) that tying in a bit of red chenile, or other red material right behind the eyes helps (or maybe I just like the way it looks). Also remember that the Clouser is supposed to ride upside-down, or hook point up, so the lighter-colored material (representing the belly of a bait-fish) is tied on the "top" of the hook, and the hook is then turned upside-down in the vise to add the darker colored material (reprsenting the top of the bait-fish). The most effective colors for stripers seem to be a white belly, and a blue-gray, or dove-gray top, with a bit of red behind the shiny eyes, and a little bit of sparkle material on the sides. Keep up the tying! RedRiverRat Randy