deeky

Warm water for me. That's all I've got locally, and with a little one on the way, I don't think I'm going to be allowed any big adventures (at least in fishing) any time soon. But I tie anywhere from size 16 nymphs for pannies up to tandem bunnies for pike. Hopefully will get onto some local water with muskies this summer. No guarantees, but a shot would be nice.

Just to make sure, we only need to send 11, since there are 12 tiers and I don't need one of my own, right? I'm running close on strips and don't want to pay shipping for a single package. Just don't want anyone to get shorted. 7 done. Finally, something that keeps my attention enough I don't procrastinate.

Thanks

Deeky

Go figure - northern Minnesota and the ice is to crappy to be out fishing. MIght as well tie. I'm in.

Try moving your background away from the fly a little further to reduce the shadow there. Moving it away will also put less light on the background and make the fly 'pop' against it a little better, especially with side- and top-light. I did this shooting a habiscus flower one time. I had side light from a window and the background (not directly lit) was a couple of feet from the flower. It was a quilt that was dark blue and green with gold highlights. The resulting picture - the flower almost glowed and the background looked black and flat.

I saved a couple of pieces of skins from hunting this year that are drying as I type. There are some beautiful golden colored feathers that I want to tye into some Matukas, and the brown marabou from near the legs should make a really nice small leach pattern, just about the same color as you buy at the baitshop.

I know for the first while I was putting too many wraps around each clump of hair, which caused some separation. I got better thread (kevlar and 3/0), and trusted it more, and so used fewer wraps. Took care of my gaps.

If there is a game farm near you, stop in. We have one near here that breeds pheasants for different colorings. You could have pheasant tail nymphs across the color range from white to almost black, with no dying. I'm also liking the natural brown marabou-like feathers on a pheasant to match the gray-brown leaches that you see.

Small clousers were my go-to flies this summer. My best was a black over chartruese with a little holographic flashabou on the sides. Never needed anything smaller than a size 8 hook. I would have to second Luvinbluegills recomendation of Angel Hair. It is very fine for the small size and swims great. Great natural looking colors.

Just found this site - WOW. This could be trouble for me getting anything else done.

As far as species, the big bass are a lot of fun and I kind of have an affinity for crappie, but I had to vote bluegill. You don't have to fish all day for a few, and pound for pound, they are tough to beat in a fight. Those figure-8s drive me nuts, especially when they draw in a big northern.