Uncle Buck

I have been tying with beads for years and have never really had the need to flatten the bead to get it onto the hook. Granted sometimes the bead you choose to put on the hook doesn't want to cooperate so I just grab another bead. However, I'm not opposed to tying some flattened to see how they work in comparison with the normal ones. What type of beads are you using? Have you tried using tungsten beads? Buck

I tried harvesting some CDC feathers last year from some ducks that my son shot! I think that I will just buy mine...it is easier, cleaner and I can get the colors I want.

I got this idea from AK Best's book "Production Fly Tying" I made a dubbing brush with a popsicle stick and some velcro hooks glued around one end of it and it works great Buck

My best is a 22" Brown on a size 22 Yong Special Buck

I started out with the vise that came with my kit from EJHille and switched to the Thompson A as well. I tied with that for years. I finally decided after watching an old guy tie on a Renzetti in Brock's Fly Shop in Bishop California that I really needed to get into rotary. So about 5 years ago I bought the CAM jaw Renzetti Traveler and have been very happy with it. However, I do agree that the rubber ring on the jaws is a little cheesy but I just went down to Lowe's and bought a package of plumbing o-rings that were the same size and I have plenty of spares when the next one "buys the farm".

I almost always find myself going back to an olive soft hackle sz 16-20. Sometimes I will drop a midge off of it as well. Buck

Mark, I have the 18 watt light with the flexible arm. It came with a desk stand and a c-clamp. As far as where to get it, I bought mine at JoAnns fabric store. I went in and signed up my wife for their monthly newsletter and in that they have a 40% off coupon for anything in the store. I waited until we got the first newsletter and I took the coupon in an got my light. I think after the discount I paid $106. The light is awesome. I had one of those quartz lights that mounted on the vise stem (which I take on the road with me) but it really put out the heat. A long day of fishing and a few beers while tying and I was sweatin' like a pig!! Anyway, I don't think you would have any regrets if you bought one. I certainly don't. Uncle Buck