tonysurface

I use a Daylight Hobby Lamp for tying. I also have an Ottlite clamped to a shelf above my tying area to light the other side of my desk. I looked at the McKenzie and Peak light before buying the Hobby Lamp. For the price, you can't beat the Hobby Lamp as long as you have space on your desk for a table mount. If not, they make a floor mounted version too. Save the money you would spend on one McKenzie and get two or three Daylight or Ottlite lamps. I bought mine on Amazon. Best prices I could find.

The bobbins with the ceramic tubes work for me. No, I don't think the Petijean bobbins are worth the cost. I think all the Petijean products are over-priced, wildly so.

 

 

 

 

The Petijean bobbon is very much the best I have used. The easy of loading, and the easy of the tension adjustment is awsome. The bobbin is prefectly balanced for splite thread dubbing. Well worth the money. All of his tools are well built and worth the money. The Magic clip is very cool.

 

Bobbin number for me is the Temico ceramic bobbin, I have 6 of them. 5 standards and one magumn.

 

Rite bobbns are very well built, I don't like the time it takes to load the thread in them. The thread tenison adjustment is good. Very smooth.

 

 

 

Carlp

I agree Carl. Since purchasing the MP tools, they are the only ones I use. The scissors (curved and loop) are fantastic and his whip finisher is superb. BTW, we need some more fly tying videos from you on YouTube. Your vids are top notch! Keep up the good work.

The bobbins with the ceramic tubes work for me. No, I don't think the Petijean bobbins are worth the cost. I think all the Petijean products are over-priced, wildly so.

 

The ones with the ceramic inserts (not ceramic tubes) are good, but harder to load without a bobbin threader.

I agree that the Marc Petitjean tools are expensive but they a high quality. I bought a tool set from him at the Raleigh fly fishing show and I don't regret the purchase. The MP bobbin is fine tool and it's my go to for dubbing loops, but I don't know if I like it better than the Tiemco ceramic bobbins. I have two Stonfo adjustables that a great for heavy tying, several Tiemcos (standard and heavy duty) and a Rite bobbin. They all serve a purpose. You can never have enough gadgets when it comes to fly tying. Try as many as you can and see what you like best. I feel I have enough bobbins for now, but I do like the looks of the C&F bobbin.

Everyone,

 

I had the chance to speak to Scott, who is the owner of the Bears Den located in Mass, NY. A while back I posted some negative comments at the Bears Den Customer Service and the comapny. I want to start off by saying I sincerly apologize to the Bears Den Company and all the employees who work for the Bears Den. This was a BIG mis - understanding between myself and the company. I take back all the negative statements that I originally stated. Scott and myself spoke for a while and ended on a very good note. Scott is a class act and has a great business mind. At the Somerset show in NJ, the Bears Den staff was very helpful for all my questions and I purchased many products from the Bears Den Booth. I jumped the gun way to quickly and it was a BIG mis understanding. I am comming on this forum to post about this because I am a man of my word and want the truth to be told. I am not posting this to make anyone happy or to get anything for free - I am posting this apology because it is the CORRECT thing to do, while being 100% the TOTAL TRUTH. Scott was very understanding on the phone and a complete gentleman to me. I should of never let my emotions get to me, I should of gave the owner (Scott) a telephone call first. I feel terrible for posting the negative comments and wish I could take them back. However I can not. The truth of the matter is...I was totally wrong, I let my emotions get to me and feel extemely awful for what I have done. Again to Scott and the Bears Den employees - I am truly sorry for the comments I posted. I am glad we could work things out and I thank you for your complete understanding of the situation.

 

Thank you all for reading

-Joe

That's a stand up move Joe. Good for you. A man admits when he's wrong and takes full responsibility for his actions.

The pheasant tail nymph is my favorite pattern to tie. When I can't think of anything else to tie, that's one I go to. I tie it all kinds of variations and colors. Lately, I've been tying them with purple PT and micro tubing for the body. I don't know if the fish will bite it or not, but it looks cool. I also tie Frank Sawyer's original pattern with copper wire instead of thread. It's a fantastic dropper as long as it doesn't get hung up on the river bottom.

I have found that buying cheaper, inferior products is actually more expensive in the long run. You buy the cheap stuff then you have to replace it with the bobbins you should have bought in the first place. Spend the extra money on a quality bobbin. I have tried several manufacturers but I always go back to ceramic Tiemcos. I think they are the best.

I just received a standard sized Rite ceramic over the weekend. This is a very nice bobbin. I have Tiemco ceramics (standard and heavy duty) and Stonfo adjustables. Which one is best? It's hard to say. They all have their uses. I have broken thread a few times on the Stonfo adjustable and it wasn't due to tension. The hardened steel tip is nice but there are sharp areas on the outside lip that will cut the thread. I do use emery cloth to help with this. I think Stonfo should have used a ceramic tube instead of steel. I still think the Stonfo is great a bobbin, I just use it for heavier thread and use the Tiemcos and the Rite for 8/0 and smaller.

I like the idea of a ceramic tube but I'll bet it cost a good bit. I have a few ceramic tip/butt bobbins and they drive me crazy - I almost hate them. With many threads, I can not get the thread threaded through as the tip gets caught under the ceramic tip and doesn't go through the hole; the ones I have, the hole in the ceramic is to small to use a bobbin threader.

The ceramic tip bobbins are the best thing to use for light thread you just have to stick and suck a whole bunch before the thread finds the hole.

 

Kirk

That's what she said!!

I tied on the PEAK for a few years. I now have a Dyna King Barracuda and an HMH Spartan. The 'cuda is my bench vise, the Spartan is my travel/backup.

 

The PEAK is a very well made vise, and does a lot of things very, very well. I think the midge jaws are tied with the HMH for "best in class" for tying on very small hooks. The PEAK does trout/bass/panfish and large saltwater very well.

I second the Dyna King Barracuda. Very high quality. I know the price tag is high, but it's cheaper than buying a Renzetti Traveler and then upgrading to DK like I did. I am guilty of buying "middle of the road" products and then upgrading after a few months. I wish I would have waited and bought the DK first.

I received my order today and I am currently tying some Jujubee midges on the Allen 2488. I compared them to TMC 2488 size 16 and the hook is approx. a half size bigger. The size 16 Allen would be a size 15 (if that makes sense). The gauge of the wire is also heavier so I would consider the Allen 2488 to be more like a TMC 2488H. The hook eyes seem a little bigger as well which I don't see as a problem. Overall, I am very happy with my first order and will be ordering again in the future. The free fly box is freakin' great too. I have seen that box for $12 in the shops and it's free with a $25 purchase! And kudos to Justin for answering questions and replying to comments on our forum. Now that's great customer service!

I ordered some 2488s and 100s. Justin sent them out today. I'll post my comments when I receive them. I prefer daiichi/orvis hooks but I couldn't pass up on the price and a free flybox and free shipping too.

There are many choices in fly tying. It comes down to personal preference and what you are willing to spend. I still use a bobbin I got 20 years ago in a Cabela's kit. It's fine and with some emery cloth, it works great. I use Tiemco ceramic bobbins now. I also have two Stonfo adjustables but I like the Tiemcos best. The Tiemco's use a full ceramic tube and have brass feet to add some weight to the bobbin. Rite bobbins are also a popular choice of many tyers. Fly tying is an obsession and you can never have enough stuff. Just try every bobbin out there and find the one (or ones) you like best. My search for the best bobbin is over. My search for the best hackle pliers, no that's a different story.

I use Stonfo and Tiemcos. I would say my favorite is the Tiemco Heavy duty (black ceramic). I have some Dr. Slick ceramics but I don't use them anymore. After using the Tiemcos, the Dr. Slicks are too light and feel cheap to me. The Stonfos are nice and use them for 6/0 and 3/0 monocord. I use the Tiemcos for 8/0 and smaller threads.

I use a pedestal with both of my Renzetti Travelers. I bought a C-clamp for them over 20 years ago thinking I would need it when I go camping but I have never used it. The pedestal works in every situation I've needed to tie.

 

Moscow

After ramming me knees into a C clamp, I have switched over to a pedestal. The pedestal allows me to move my vise out of the way if I need a writing space. I use a DK Barracuda with a 6lb pedestal so stability isn't an issue like it was with my Renzetti Traveler.

I have been using a Cabelas kit vise for the last 2 years. The jaws are so soft the hooks can dent them. I mostly tie larger flies for small mouth. I will be upgrading to a Dyna-King this week. Not sure if I am going to get the Trekker or the Baracuda.

Get the Barracuda. Keep the Cabela's as a travel vise if you need one. I got a Barracuda a few months ago to compliment/replace my Renzetti Traveler. The Barracuda is a serious piece of machinery and the base weighs 6 pounds. Very solid and a joy to tie on. Renzettis are nice but I now prefer Dyna King.

I was going to purchase a Rite bobbin but was steared towards the Stonfo instead. I haven't used the Rite but was told by Dave Hise of Caster's Fly shop that the adjustment on the Stonfo is superior to the Rite. Stonfo has an numbered dial to adjust the tension. I think both bobbins are high quality products and you can't go wrong with either one. I still think the Tiemco Ceramic bobbin is probably the best I have used.I think it boils down to personal preferrence just like Dyna King vs. Renzetti.

 

Yes they both seem to be high-end products. Though the stonfo one is cheaper from were I can get it, but I don't quite like the big red plastic knob on the bobbin. Also I wonder about that steel-tube, how it is like compared to ceramic tubes.

 

I agree with you on TMC, they have the prime bobbins in my opinion.

The Stonfo fits nicely in my hand. I have big hands though. I haven't had any problems with the hardened steel tip. Once you get the tension right, it's a nice bobbin.

Has anyone compared the Matarelli whip finisher to other "matarelli style" whip finishers? Is it worth the extra cost compared to whip finshers made by Dr. Slick, Orvis, etc?

I was going to purchase a Rite bobbin but was steared towards the Stonfo instead. I haven't used the Rite but was told by Dave Hise of Caster's Fly shop that the adjustment on the Stonfo is superior to the Rite. Stonfo has an numbered dial to adjust the tension. I think both bobbins are high quality products and you can't go wrong with either one. I still think the Tiemco Ceramic bobbin is probably the best I have used.I think it boils down to personal preferrence just like Dyna King vs. Renzetti.

I get mine from Wal-Mart in the men's grooming aisle. There are ten double-sided blades per package and I break them in half length wise. They are very sharp and very flexible.

Has anyone seen this DVD? The price is a little steep and was wondering if this worth adding to my ever-growing collection of fly tying DVDs. Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

I recently purchased a Dyna King Barracuda to compliment my Renzetti Traveler. I know that they are in a different price point but I will compare them. The DK is a sturdy, heavy duty vise that will last a lifetime. You stated that you thought it might be overkill for trout flies but don't see that as a strike against DK. It is a high quality vise that can be used for all kinds of applications. I can go from a #4 streamer hook to a #22 dry hook and I don't have to adjust the jaws. I think once you reach a certain price point, all vises are quality. Each one has it's advantages and disadvantages. I prefer the DK to the Renzetti. Simple as that. Go to your local fly shop and try the vises out. Go to fly fishing shows and ask the tiers what they like about their vises (and what they don't). As far as having a rotary or a conventional vise, rotary is nice to have. I don't use 4WD on my Jeep everyday, but when it snows, I'm glad it's there.

I would say a beadhead Tellico nymph. Popular in TN and NC.

Hi folks: I have a question on tying turkey biot bodies. Which wing do you use to get the "raised" rib effect created by the biot? Or, doesn't it matter? The reason I ask this question is because I just purchased a few packs and it seems that all the strips are right wing. I thought I should have gotten an equal number in each pack from each wing (R and L). thanks for any help you can offer. Rodd Gunn

If you pull the biot off the quill, you will see a notch in the biot. If you tie the biot in with the notch facing upwards, you will get the ribbed effect you are looking for. If you tie it in with the notch facing down, you will get a smooth body used on several spinner patterns. There is a video on YouTube that explains how to tie in a turkey biot if you need a visual. I had to watch it a few times for it to sink in. I'm not real sure about right or left wings. I don't know if it matters or not.

That's great. What do you think of the Stonfo bobbin? I just got one a few days ago and really like it. I normally use Tiemco ceramics but I do like the weight and feel of the Stonfo. Merry Christmas and enjoy your tying.

I have watched Dave Hise and Caleb Boyle tie in person. Very impressive tyers. On video, Charlie Craven, Leroy Hyatt and Davie McPhail are my favorites.