Pro5jeff 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 Hello all, I am a new member to the Fly Tying Forum and wanted to say hello. I am also new to the sport of fly fishing and tying, actually I've never tied a fly before and have only been fly fishing a few times in my lifetime, but, I am very near retirement and have always been very crafty and have very good eye/hand coordination. I've always been a very relaxed and tranquil person and I just know that fishing and tying are going to be a big part of my time spent in retirement. I'm looking forward to being part of and learning from the forum and hopefully making some new friends. I'm scheduled to take part in my first fly tying class at Orvis here in San Jose and I can't wait. I'll try to post a pic of my first fly tied. Pro5jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 Welcome to the site, Jeff. If you start tying realistics ... or classics ... or spun and stacked deer hair ... then you may lose that laid back demeanor in a hurry. Just kidding ... sort of. This is the place. With the wealth of knowledge and experience exhibited by many of the members, you can get answers to ANY question you ask. (My answers need to always be taken with a grain of salt) Looking forward to pictures of your progress as you develop as a fly tier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piker20 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 Welcome, everyone looks at fishing as some Zen tranquil pursuit. When you have a large fish in clear water either ignoring your efforts, turning short or just teasing the heck out of you there is nothing relaxing at all!! Enjoy it and post some lovely sunny California fishy pics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shoebop 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 The good thing about flytying is that no matter what your competence level is, you're still a success. Fish don't seem to be able to recognize perfection! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pro5jeff 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 Thanks guys, you made me laugh this morning while reading your replies. I've already learned a couple things: Steer clear of stacked deer and catch nothing but small fish! Haha, thanks guys, I'll keep you posted, I appreciate the feedback. Jeff Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlaFly 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 HaHaHaHaHa!!!... Planning to have lots of time for fishing once you retire, are you? You'll find out soon enough. Since I retired, I'm busier than I ever was before. I wonder how I ever had time to work. But follow your dream... we wish you luck. And you can count on help from this mob. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 Thanks guys, you made me laugh this morning while reading your replies. I've already learned a couple things: Steer clear of stacked deer and catch nothing but small fish! Haha, thanks guys, I'll keep you posted, I appreciate the feedback. Jeff Whoooo hoooooooo .... another member with a good sense of humor !!! As long as you remember ... If I type something that can be taken as a joke or and insult ... I meant it as a joke. (Except when I am talking about FlaFly, Piker, Shoe or a couple dozen other guys on this site) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J-Kno 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2015 Welcome! I loved fishing the June Lake Loop, Hot Creek, Truckee, East & West Walker rivers, when I lived that far west. Miss those days, sometimes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wschmitt3 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2015 Welcome to the forum! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pro5jeff 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Well, here it is, my first attempt at fly tying! This is the Woolly Bugger tied on a number 8/0 down-eye hook. I had lots of fun tying this and learned a lot, the hardest thing being that darned whip finish tool! I'm pretty sure it will catch fish as it caught my finger twice already! Thanks to Orvis San Jose for the free class. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikechell 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Very nicely done. I have never done a wooly bugger, so I can't critique. But I will say it looks great to me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pro5jeff 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Thank you Mike, This being my first ever, I can't honestly say it is one of the easier ones but it sure wasn't difficult. You should try one. Watching all those YouTube videos paid off I guess! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
retrocarp 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Great fly to start on .....and of course WELCOME BIG FELLA !!! from Australia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pro5jeff 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Thank you Nick, I can't wait to move on to my next fly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
utyer 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2015 Welcome to the forum, and nicely done woolly bugger. One very small point, you call the hook size a 8/0. In hook sizes that is a HUGE hook. Hook sizes start with 32 (smallest,) and are numbered up to size 1 with out the use of the "/0". In this series of sizes, most hook models are only available in even number sizes like 32, 30, 28, 26, 24 and so on. There are some not many hook models that do come in odd number sizes, like 13, 11, 9, 7 etc. Once a size hits #1, the ought system comes into play to designate sizes bigger than that. The ought sizes start with 1 ought (1/0,) and proceed to use every digit (odd and even,) up to size 12 ought (12/0.) The fly in the picture would more correctly simply be called a size 8. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites