deeky

Guinea wing case - interesting. Looking around I only found the peacock herl and turkey for wingcases. Well, when I take the razor to the ones I tied, I can reuse the hook to tie one with guinea and then razor that one too. Deeky

Troutguy - thanks for the heads up. I'll take the razor to them tonight. Deeky

That's it. Thanks for the help guys. Looking around, it looks about like any other pattern - one where the original has gotten lost among the variations. Caught my eye. Thanks again. Deeky

Got some Polar Fiber for Christmas. Pretty happy with the results so far. Now we need to get rid of some ice so I can fish it. Was aiming for good motion of the fiber and for it to push some water with the wool head. Enjoy. Deeky

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by deeky: Polar Express

From the latest issue of Fly Tyer, I was working on the Cricket Nymph. I had the magazine laying open and the next article about beadheads started on the next page. One fly on the next page caught my eye. There is a pic, but no other information. This is my best rendition of the fly. Compared to the pic in the mag, they had a finer hackle, so I don't think my Hungarian Partridge is quite right. Also, I added a copper rib over the back for a little durability in the herl back. Anyone have an id or any info on the fly? Thanks. Deeky

Don't know about the dying process, but I've bought dyed feet before and there didn't seem to be any difference in floatability. Deeky

Great start - should come up with something myself. I would suggest more front light on the fly, though. Moving it back in the box will help, but not solve it. Coming from a theater background, the best, most natural looking light is done at 45 degrees, particularly with your primary light. 45 degrees above the subject, and 45 degrees to either side of the subject. I understand this isn't theater, but you have no front light other than ambient light from around the room, and that should be your primary lighting direction. For what it's worth...... Deeky

Biggest accident? I fell in love at my desk, and boy has my wife been pissed about it at times. But the feathers, the fur, all the pretty colors, I just can't get enough of tying. Not quite as cuddly as my wife on a cold night, but not nearly the lip and attitude and always happy to see me when I get home. Deeky

My apologies for holding things up. For some reason I was thinking this was extended to the 15th and got distracted with FTOTY. But it's ok, I guess Dr. Oz says I have ADHD, so that explains it all. I have them done and will get them in the mail immediately. Deeky

These hooks were recomended to me for some spoon flies, thinking larger panfish (Crappie) and smaller bass. I was thinking a heavy scud hook, but the largest I can find there is a size 6, which may work well. I could bend a straight shank, but want a little heavier hook for weight and am always leary about bending anything more than a wire hook and weakening it. The large gape is good as well considering the body of the spoon wraps around the bend aways. Thanks for the help guys. Deeky

Looking at these hooks, but have to do it online. For those of you who have used these, I would like to know the actual length of the hooks for the smaller sizes (6,4,2). Whether you've got a comparison pic, or just a measurement for the overall length, that would be great. Thanks. Deeky

I have to disagree with perchjerker. You shouldn't need any fixative to keep your slips together, even if you are marrying slips from different colors together. Keep in mind, they won't stay together after a fish or two, no matter what. Make sure you have good material, are marrying slips from the same side (left to left, right to right, etc.), and take your time. Keep in mind that marrying is a 3D process - you need to get the slips lined up right end to end and front to back, even after you get left to left figured out. Some feathers also stay married together better than others. For example, I found that slips of mallard flank stay together better when tied in upright than if inverted (it makes more sense in my head than it sounds in writing). Keep at it - it's a finese thing. Deeky

My vote is no weight. As soon as I saw it I saw a damsel pattern. Think about how they swim and you want to crawl them along very slowly over the weeds or bottom, not jig them up and down. That's my opinion. Deeky

I'm guessing running a fly shop isn't all that lucrative either, unless they are closing their doors because they have made too much money. You may be able to have a higher proffit margin selling direct, but without a shop you don't have shop rent/mortgage, utilities, marketing expenses, employee expenses (pay, taxes, workers' comp., etc.) and the other costs. Without all of that, they don't have the exposure and customer base to sell your flies at the rate they do. Being self-employed as my own primary income, I'll argue with anyone that very few small businesses are the cash cows that others imagine them to be. I just got a $700+ bill for my annual dues. That doesn't include office fees, E&O insurance, taxes, license, office expenses, marketing, MLS service, continuing ed, tech services, etc. Just saying....... Deeky

As far as program, it sounds like it's a pretty clear choice. The other bit I'll add - you will learn as much if not more in the dorms than you will in class. Having worked with youth, I advocate every college student move out and away from home. I changed a lot during college, I believe pretty much all for the better, and I don't think that would have happened if I had been at home. My girlfriend and I went to separate schools 5 hours apart. We made it through 4 years apart before we got married. It's not as easy, but it can work, especially considering the ease of communication now compared even to 13 years ago when I started college. I didn't have a cell phone until I was a Junior, and things like Skype were entirely unheard of. But it really has more to do with your committment than it does the location. Deeky

That sounds about right! The first hunting trip I took out there was about 30 degrees, 25-30 mph winds, and rain. Some days I've considered figuring out a way to just drift a fly out over the water like a kite before letting it fall to the water and then fish it back. At least on those days you can retreat into the Hills and find some shelter. Deeky

Actually, I just looked it up and they state that the tails are cut from Ultra Suede. That's probably just a little thinner than chamois. I'll have to go back and look at some scraps I have laying around. Deeky

Uni won't lay as flat as something like Danville, but untwisting can make it less round. Getting a mirror head with Uni will mean paying very close attention to where your thread falls and putting wraps exactly side by side. Also, an extra coat or two of cement will help. Deeky

A half-built (I am making progress) 6'6" extra-light spinning rod project. Might be an empty pop can or two as well. Deeky

My go-to flies are a black/chartruese Clouser and a simple black bugger-type leach with a beadhead. Depending on where you are, white and pink can be good colors too. Don't be afraid to think big - I once caught a 6 inch crappie on a 2 inch plastic. Deeky

How close is it to chamois material? It looks pretty close in the photo. Buy a sheet and cut what you want out of it. As far as the motion of that fly in the video - HOLY CRAP. I wanted to eat it. Deeky

The heads are just thread. To get the heads right, it is an issue of limiting your number of wraps and putting them in the right place to keep it from getting bulky. If you are using a flat thread like Danville, make sure you untwist it so it lays flat when you wrap it. Build a nice head and whip finish. Then, use a head cement of your choice to finish it. I use clear over the black thread. Some use black cement, varnish, or whatever (not epoxy) your choice is to cover the wraps and make there aren't other colors showing through. Just be careful that you apply only the amount of cement needed or it will wick up into your materials. Nothing overly complicated, just a little attention to detail. Deeky.

Try this link. Each lesson adds a new technique or two. It's a great way to build through the basics. Tying Lessons Take it as far as you want, but be aware - tying a few flies to catch fish with is fairly cheap. Tying to create art and further your ability can get awful expensive awful quick. But enjoy the process however far you take it. Deeky

A new addition to the fly pattern database has been submitted by deeky: Stinky Sock