ashley

The quills I use are the large hackle from a Chinese or Indian neck which are perfect for dying. For quill bodies I tend to use pentone pens (light olive on a medium red game hackle)because I don't know of any dyes to match the mayflies in the UK.

I don't think so. You may be able to use the method of dying but not Kool-aid (unless someone as found the right mix). I would suggest trying an acid dye for deer tails in the colours that you want. Although I have used Kool-aid for deer tails with good results (orange, maroon and red).

In addition to what perchjerker says, I would also like to add that it will be worth washing the feathers (although I'm probably a bit late in adding this bit). Personally, I don't do the freezer thing as in 30 years of tying it hasn't made any difference. The bugs that do the damage hit the material after, blood sucking mites are more likely to leave the animal after it as cooled after death due to lack of warmth (or so I read somewhere, Flytyer mag, I think).

Nice step by step. One of the best I've seen. Thanks to friends who send Kool-aid over form the US. I dye stuff myself BUT found I had to use another method. Due to fibres on some materials being damaged by heat I boiled some water and poured it into a bowl and mixed the power while pouring. The material was then put in the dye and left till the colour was right then the vinegar added.

I haven't tried that but found cards of the same kind of stuff as Estaz in a craft store.

I think this a great idea. I've just done some for a friend in US. Its basically a thankyou for woodduck feathers but thought sending it as a Christmas gift would be nice as well. May do a couple for other friends.

Welcome back Kerry, long time no hear!

Hi flytyeruk Welcome to the forums. Nice to see someone else from the UK. Ashley

I haven't done a swap for while but when I did I always included postage, often way over the top to ensure there was enough out for the return plus asked the swap master to return the flies in the container I sent. Namely film canisters or DVD boxes for large flies. Being plastic they are cheaper than metal atloid tins. The other thing I do is include extra flies and an address envelope. The reason I don't do swaps from this site is due to the insistence a few years ago on internation reply coupons.

I went a few years ago and these were go to patterns. hares ear nymphs (weighted-heavily) black and olive woolley buggers CDC sedge Adams parachute czech nymphs in yellow and hares ear (grey).

A quick google search produced this site http://silveysflyfishing.blogspot.com/ which as the tying instructions. The body material is Pearl Core Braid. Ashley

+1 for recommending Congo hair. They did a special several months ago with congo hair mixed with flash. Saved alot of time doing the bait fish patterns.

I bought my coffee grinder years ago at a carboot/flea market for less than a pound (I guess less than a dollar). Still works great. I use it for all my dubbing. All of my Irish flies have blended bodies has well as many of my river dries and nymphs which I believe to be more effective than single colour bodies. There is also blending by hand which is OK when tying in camp or for just a few flies but the blend doesn't seem right.

I've been away for a while. Working on getting my degree in Archaeology and working long days makes it that sometimes I don't want to turn the computer on. I just want to tie flies or do uni assignments. And yes those photoshop wars are missed

I haven't seen it in the UK but when I do will be the day I start carrying scissors for the free material.

I had to vote grey because thats what I can get easiest in the UK the others cost alot or are hard to get decent tails (mostly the second reason).

Put my order in over the weekend because I've been away and couldn't do it earlier. Unfortuantly missed the weird deer.

Practice as much as possible, only buy materials that you need (be selective as well) not kits. Watch others and ask questions. Swap ideas with others as well ask questions. Don't drink at the table......your flies will get gradually worst....or some good ideas may come of it (can go either way).

I try and look after my friends by tying a few extra....plus a few go to any new people on the bank.

I saw mine a selection of plastic boxes and small draws from DIY places. Currently having a sort out (and no I'm not taking offers of out sourcing storage else where...its all mine) Ashley

I strongly suggest that you ditch using salt and use borax. I have lost several capes using salt because it soaks moisture from the air. One of the biggest problems was with pheasant skin but once I started using borax I had no problem. Ashley

Hi Deeky, I've tied with Stoat and dyed black squirral is pretty close although I find enough stoats on the road to keep me supplied. Ashley

Nice, good baitfish. With the addition of a dark back and black strips it would be an excellent mackeral. Ashley

Apartt from 2 packages that have 'gone missing' in 7 years of swapping, I've had no problems. I put 'fishing lures' on the declaration. I also put a value of $5 so that the receiver doesn't have to pay tax duty (not sure if others are aware of the import duties payable, its not worth it). Also, mark the package as gift. I always put in cash, I know of international reply coupons but I don't think they cover costs very well. Also included is an addressed envolope. Don't know if anyone else does but I always include extras for the swap meister. Ashley

For the preserving of materials, I can recommend 'From Field to Fly' by Scott Seymour. I cann't add to the dying advice but would say to try veniard dyes or other fly tying dyes (not sure what is available in the States. Ashley