skidoosh

I'm new to tube flies. I see a lot of discs on tube flies, do I need discs? I know I can tie them without but what are the benefits? Where do you get yours?

Great ideas everyone, thanks. Sterlite is probably the most accessible for me. I will check them out.

I'm currently using a copier paper box for my materials storage. I'm looking for something that stacks and can double the space for under $100- what ideas do you have?

I like shokz a lot for most of what I listen to. I also have a pair of noise cancelling sennheiser headphones that I've had for about 5 years now. Check out the wire cutter for other reviews, that's how I found the sennheisers

I looked and can unfollow PM's from people but not when I subscribe to the patterns, my other choice is to have my account erased I guess

How do I un-follow a member? I would like to not receive emails when additional patterns are posted. thanks

I would purchase AK Best's book Bleaching and Dying. You can mess around with kool-aid or ritt dye works very well.

Check out the Moto minnow- use pheasant marabou and other feathers for the entire fly.

If the nut is not tightened sufficiently the arm can move. However when it is snugged down with a hex key/allen it does not go anywhere. I'm a bit surprised that Renzetti put more options for positioning the arm into the 2000 than the 4000. The jaws are essentially the same. It is a great vice.

From Field to Fly This book is pretty helpful

Check out the moto minnow. Pheasant marabou is awesome stuff.

1) Check out Don Bastian's DVD's & his web page 2) Davie McPhail on Youtube with wet flies Materials make a huge difference

I have the Dyna-King and really like it. I cannot comment on the Renzetti but I believe the Dyna-king has better adjust-ability without using tools. It also has superior hook holding power in my opinion due to the hook pockets (I think Renzetti has smooth jaws. I tied on a Griffin Patriot and really came to appreciate it as an underated performer that also had smooth jaws. Really you will do well no matter what you choose. If you are going to go larger with hook size go with Dyna-king but it can handle all sizes. I would also question what a pro version would give you over each of these vises.

I grant you it certainly does not look like a lot - I googled it and here are some links to other pics with about the same amount. I think this is how the packages come. http://www.ebay.com/itm/CDC-OILER-PUFFS-17-COLORS-17-PACKS-Fly-Tying-Lot-NIP-/280581933064 http://www.graygoatflyfishing.com/products-page/hareline-dubbin/cdc-oiler-puffs/ I recently bought some Marc Petti Jean CDC- decent amount but expensive however I believe it was worth it.

http://globalflyfisher.com/tiebetter/tying_station/ There are several others on google- are you trying to make a bench or the pedestal itself? I would like to find a metal sleeve for the vise stem I can insert into stone or wood.

My apologies, I was wrong- Chris is back in operation- good news, http://www.whitetailflytieing.com/ He is very generous in answering emails and questions too! Highly recommended.

I think the sight is shut down. I heard he has had some health issues. Purchase some of his DVD's on Amazon- well worth it. check out www.warwaterflytyer.com Ward has some great stuff Also http://globalflyfisher.com/staff/helm/selecting/ I would also recommend looking at Charlie Craven's site and www.charliesflybox.com Look for the hair diver under his fly box I found many youtube video's that are rather hit and miss.

I have been using my fingers too and do try to really pack it back. I found a you tube link through the forum which I think has highlighted some areas I can work on. I use the razor blade but never used it curved to do the head as a 'one cut' which I think will make a big difference. I find the bottom cuts fine and flat but its the sides I'm never happy with. Think I'll be a bit firmer on the pack, try using the razor properly and then go from there. Oh and look to alter my hair type. Use the barrel of a bic pen or something or get a brassie to pack the hair. Much of the deer hair technique comes with experience. I would disagree not to use belly hair, it tends to have a larger diameter and I like to use it. Sometimes other body hair can have a fine diameter which I find more difficult to trim. Steam your hair before you trim it. Shape with a scissors but do the final shaping with a double edged razor- only about 1-2 flies per razor. Keep at it and you will do fine.

Its not really that its not working....probably....no scratch that most likely lol... has alot to do with lack of experence. At the same time though seems there would be a better material to make it easier on someone less experenced like myself to deal with...also speed things up abit. Heres one like the type I'm talking about. From what you show it could be your materials. Here are some things to try. On the whole it looks ok, it will catch fish. I might recommend you use more feathers on the collar and wrap further forward, this part will be swept back even further by the popper body. 1) Wash your neck in dawn and dry it. Residual grease will cause clumping 2) Try a generic chinese neck - might help. Different materials will respond differently 3) Steam the feathers 4) Comb them out with a tooth brush after you tie them, some times fibers are trapped and cling together Hope this help

I have been tying the saddle( two of them at a time) in tail first, folding it back as I wrap and after the last wrap, trap the feather with a wrap and kinda hold the whole deal back and make a few wraps at the head of it...then the end of the popper body pushes over that alittle. Ya like a skirt type deal. Kinda like alot of collar ( maybe a lil wider than most folks would too) to give it a real bushy look behind the head...and all the plucking, looking, cussing lol kinda burns up time looking for the right width and length. Kinda makes me feel like I'm not getting alot done. Guess I enjoy it more when I can not only make bugs that look decent, to me anyhow......but make them faster in my time allowed. Haven't been able to see any metz saddle first hand to know myself. Hard for someone like me to tell about the pictures online when ordering....without having the first hand experence with alot of it. I certainly understand your frustration. Some turn out great, others do not work at all. For larger sizes Whiting American Hackle is the way to go. If you look on you tube under popper or deer hair popper I think there are some videos of Christ Helm, those might help you pin point some problems. Any chance you could post some pictures of what is not working?

I've tied poppers like you are describing, if I understand you. I used metz saddle hackle. On strung hackle you need to throw out about half as you sort through it for consistent feathers. I would wrap the feathers then slide the popper back over the hackle. The effect was to "stack" the hackle and gave it a nice skirt. Do you fold your hackle? Are you tying it in tip first or tail first?

-Murdich's Minnow -Shenk's white streamer Harry Murray has several good recommendations for smallmouth bass. Most saltwater flies scaled to fresh or tweaked work really well. Also check out Shannon's streamer over at flyfishohio.com -Enrico Puglisi baitfish - congo hair baitfish will work. Its more a question of how you fish it and when you fish it to catch large mouth

Why not just go with SLF - which was designed as a seal fiber substitute? Or Angora goat is another possibility. You could probably find it or even order from Cookshill in the UK. There are some easier options, I agree Davie has some nice materials.

Eyes make a nice touch as has been said. I really like fabric cement to attach them or Beacon 527 or epoxy. I would recommend extending the head of your fly and then attaching flat decal eyes (fold them in half first - the crease will better follow the contour of the head) or a 3-D epoxy eye. I do think there is something about eyes that makes a trigger for fish

Follow Utyer's advice. I started with a griffen 1A? vise and it served me well for the first 10 years of tying or so. I also might mention that if you must go with a kit the orvis kits look ok too.