Chase Creek

The lens jn your example simply screw into a lens you already have mounted on your camera, like a filter. The examples shown will screw onto the front of any lens with a 58mm diameter filter mount, like Canon's 18-55 and 55-250mm kit lens. Since you are adding another lens element (usually of lesser optical quality), the image you end up with will not be as high in quality (sharpness, distortion, etc.) as a regular macro or wide angle lens. I wouldn't waste your money, you wouldn't be happy with the results, and neither would a publisher.These things are far from top of the line. If you want to try macro, get a set of macro tubes made for your brand of camera. The quality will be much better because they don't have any optics in them. You are just moving the existing lens farther from the sensor. You can pick up a set of non-automatic macro tubes for under $15. Fully auto tubes will run much more. I believe Canon's auto tubes run over $200. I can't speak about wide angle as I am using a Canon T2i with the 18-55mm zoom kit lens. That would be equivalent to about a 28-88mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera (because of the sensor size, but that's a whole different topic). 28mm would be fine for landscapes. I also use the 55-250mm zoom kit lens, which is equivalent to about a 88mm-400mm zoom lens on a 35mm film camera. I messed around with 35mm film cameras back in the day. The principles of photography (exposure, shutter speed, etc) are the same, but BOY did the cameras change with the coming of digital!

I went ice fishing - once. Cool rod, like the reel seat.

Got mine today. All the ties are a cut above - excellent work. Thanks for hosting.

Wow! Excellent shot! What program are you using for post processing? Your black & whites are certainly a cut above. I just got Topaz Black & White as an add on to my Photoshop Elements 11 and am quite pleased with it so far.

Welcome from down South in Ohio. I was born and raised in Michigan, and still take a week or two during every Trout season to annoy the Brookies in the small streams feeding the Manistee between Cadillac and Traverse City. You'll find plenty of Michiganders here, and everyone is very willing to help with any questions. Pull up a chair and don't be shy about jumping in with questions or comments.

Here's what I do. Those are plastic tubes from JoAnne Fabric's. Pretty inexpensive, and seem to come in two lengths. This is the longer one. Easy to label, and you can see what's inside. I keep my big stash of dubbing in the original plastic bags in those plastic shoe boxes in a bookcase, and have the most used dubbing in the tubes at the desk. When I run low, I replenish from the main stash.

Terje - I've been tying for 40 years +, and tried all kinds / makes of vises. Finally decided to simplify and got a Medallion. I'll never need another vise! Built like a tank, and REALLY user friendly. Love the pictures. Taken with the vise in a light box?

CDC swap flies arrived today - great looking set. Thanks to everyone for such a good job, and thanks to Vcrider for hosting.

I have already set up my lawn chair (the one with the drink holder) by the mailbox. That's saying quite a bit cuz it's -5F here this morning. Thanks for hosting this one. I'm anxious to see the patterns everyone came up with. CDC hasn't really caught on as it has in Europe, but I think it's gaining here.

I never take my cell phone when I'm on the water (or IN the water).Well, once I did, by accident. It must have been in my jacket pocket. The coverage where I go is really bad. The time I had it in my jacket, it rang while I was walking a two-track back to my truck. I answered it - it was my wife, and we chatted for a minute ("Having a good time?", etc.). As I was talking to her, a black bear ran across the road about 15-20 feet in front of me, REALLY moving fast. It startled me, and I yelled "Bear!", then the call dropped. I had to get to my truck, drive a few miles before I could get coverage again, and call my wife back. I could swear I heard insurance papers rustling in the background. She was not happy. So when I do take the cell, I always leave it in camp or in the truck, saving it for the 5 hour drive home. Oh, by the way, the rice thing does work. I've done it twice now. I won't say where I dropped the phone.

I've used most types of jaw systems over the years, and ended up with a Regal Medallion. Best vise purchase I ever made. Built like a tank, VERY easy to use, and I've never had any problems at all with it. I've never had it spit out a hook (you just have to pay attention when you're placing the hook in the jaws, as mentioned.) I usually don't tie anything smaller than #18, but have never had a problem of any kind. I figure this one will last me until my "ticket gets cancelled." I don't have any experience with the "knock-offs", but the hook holding system is a simple idea, I would think it depends on the quality of materials and construction.

Looks like one of the first symptoms of Cabin Fever, quite widespread among fly fisherman living in the Northern Latitudes around the world.

I think we should draw a line between "Tying Area" and "Storage". These should be two separate things. I utilize storage for everything I'm not using to tie at the moment. That is, I only keep materials I am using or use frequently in the desk area. For instance, I use a few types and colors of dubbing frequently, so I keep a small supply of each in labeled plastic coin tubes on a shelf in the desk area. The main stash of dubbing is kept in plastic shoe box type containers on the shelf of a nearby bookcase. When I run low, I simply replenish from the main stash Same with hackle, thread, etc. ALL the material you own doesn't have to be right in front of you. Simplify.

You might contact the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, just North of Roscoe. They can fill you in, really great folks. And while you're in the area, go see them. Lots of fly fishing history in that area, as you know. Some big names involved in the museum, including Joan Wulff, etc. Go there - you won't be disappointed.

I use Griffith's Sheer 14/0 for most of my tying. Seems pretty strong for a 14/0, and comes in lots of colors. Keeps the bulk down. Of course, I tie mainly dries,soft hackles, and nymphs in a limited range of sizes (12 - 18), no bass bugs, etc. I would think 6/0 or 8/0 would be fine if you pay attention to the amount of wraps.

You also might consider finding a used (or buy a new) computer hutch to set on top of the desk. They come in all sorts of configurations / sizes, and can be pretty handy. Other than that, I'd have to agree with the comments so far. You'll find your needs and preferences will change as you get more experience and figure out what works for you and what doesn't.I can't tell you how many times I've changed my stuff around to suit my needs. I guess that's part of the attraction to tying.

As far as comfort and balancing the load, I'd go for an internal frame pack. MUCH more comfortable, but generally a bit more in the $ department. When I go after Brookies, it's usually alone and for at least a week, so my needs are different than yours. A day pack should do you fine. If you want to carry a stove, first aid kit, etc, I gave up on lugging a lot of stuff around years ago, had something to do with my age I think.

You gonna use it for both fishing and backpacking? I would recommend a daypack of about 2500 cu inches. I've been using a North Face Hot Shot for years (don't know if they make that model anymore).. It has plenty of exterior straps to lash a rod case to, and one large separate zippered compartment on the back I use fora fly box and smal items. I would recommend getting one with a mesh side pocket for a water bottle. Make sure it has comfortable (padded) shoulder straps and a chest strap, along with a waist strap. I've lived out of mine for a week at a time, and kept the weight down to 25 lbs or less, including sleeping bag, tarp, clothes, food, and stove.. Never made any alterations for fishing, but most daypacks will ride high enough to wade with, at least the type of small streams I frequent. The larger the capacity of the pack, the more stuff (read "weight") you'll end up putting in it.

YO!

Got 'em today. Thanks everyone for such a great job, and thanks Joe for hosting.

Looks like a good CNC project, maybe with a brushed or satin finish.

Looks like a killer, Carl.

A 14" Brookie from a small stream that feeds the Manistee River in Wexford County, Mich. Stream was about 15-18 feet wide at it's widest, and had only caught 8-10 inchers before that, so this guy was a complete surprise. Taken on a PT nymph.

Sound advice from everyone. I have never tied commercially, but have had a couple of "cottage businesses", stemming from a well developed hobby. (Ham Radio and photography) 1. Unless you really jump into it with both feet (meaning investing money in it), it's probably not gonna work out. 2. Tying flies will not get you rich, or even support you very well. I know, I know, guys like Craven, A.K. Best, etc have done it, but they had other things going like books and dvd's, etc.; but only after they built up a reputation as a tyer. It's kinda like someone saying they want to be a professional football player - it can be done, but only a few actually make it. 3. IMHO, tying commercially is a good way to take all the enjoyment out of tying. It's a lot of work. 4. I found that as a small business, dealing with the Government is a royal pain. (triple royal pain if you have employees) 5. All of the above are certainly my own opinions, and should probably be taken as such. Please don't get me wrong, I'm really not trying to discourage you from giving it a shot; just take a long, hard look at it from a financial / business point of view. Whatever you decide, good luck.

Here, here!