WhiteBuffalo58

Those were fun, thanks for posting them. Rob

Not sure where it is exactly, but I think the lake was called Lake of the Woods. Like flytire, I doubt that i'll ever fish many of the locations they're filming at. However in this case, my local waters do have both smallmouth and walleye. So the show did have some interest to me. Rob

This may be common knowledge, but it's the first time i've seen it. There's a show on PBS's Create channel, called "New Fly Fisher". I think the hosts name was Bill Spicer. On this afternoons episode he was fishing for Smallmouth, Musky and Walleye. He did a short intro on the equipment he was using for each and caught some pretty decent fish. Not sure how often it's on, but it was a fun watch. I'm gonna have to check out the schedule and see often it's on. I've seen a show or two on PBS about fly tying. Anyone know of any regularly scheduled programs to watch? Rob

Great responses, guys and gals!! Thank you! Most of what i'm reading is what I had pretty much thought. Keep it fun, but don't ignore the benefits of learning to tie the long established patterns. AND, tie them in quantities in an effort to perfect the techniques that each has to offer. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of patterns i've not even tried yet. And as such, there are obviously many techniques that I havn't mastered. My target fish are warm water pan fish species. Even though many of the flies are not suited to these, learning to tie them will surely add to my skills in tying flies that ARE suitable. With all this in mind, I think i'm pretty much on track. My approach over the past couple of months, has been to tie several of an established pattern,(6-12 each) then change it up a bit by tying a few of my own creations. Along the way i've, (generally speaking) taken on increasingly more difficult patterns. I started tying from the very lowest level of knowledge. Fly fishing and tying have never been a tradition in my family. Hopefully the tradition will start with me and be handed down to my kids and grandkids. (all traditions start somewhere, right?) I have a long way to go and much to learn. But judging from your responses, I think i'm on the right track. I've learned alot here on the forum and appreciate all your help! On behalf of beginners and future masters of fly fishing and tying, I thank you all! Rob P.S. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!!

Beautiful places and pics indeed! It looks like for most of us, winter has come. I do envy you Florida and SoCal folks. With this being the first day of winter, it can only get worse here. However, the storm did blow its way through (top gust of 56mph)and it got up to 46 with full sun and no wind today. Winter in the midwest! Snow back in the forcast for Christmas eve and Christmas day. I can live with that. Just please no ice storms! I'm still cleaning up and burning off brush and limbs from the last one! Rob

Well, i've been tying for a couple of months now. I've picked up a couple of books, watched hours of videos on youtube and spent a great deal of time browsing through the forum. I've buckled down and tied 6-12 examples of a half dozen or so classic patterns that I felt would work good for the species of fish i'll be fishing for. The problem i'm having, is that I not only get really bored tying the same fly over and over, but I really enjoy creating my own flies. I have to admit, learning to tie the classics has taught me alot about use of materials and the different technics in getting those materials on to a hook. But, no matter how focused I try to stay, I always seem to revert back to putting a hook in the vise and just creating whatever comes to mind. I think part of it probably comes from the 20 lbs. box of materials I bought for $15 at a fleamarket. There's such a huge variety of materials that i'm not bound by having purchased a small amount of materials aimed at tying just 1 or 2 patterns. A small voice inside, tells me that, to be a good tyer, I really need to stay focused and learn to tie more of the classic patterns. (even if they are from time to time variants) But a loud, shouting voice says, "hey, you're not doing this commercially, so just have fun with it. You never know, someday you may actually create a killer new pattern"! Is that wrong? Rob

With temps in the low 20's, sustained winds of 30+ and gusts over 45 mph, I can't think of a better way to spend the day, then sitting at the vise. What's the weather like where you live? Rob

Ah-hah, that makes more sense. Another one of my "duh" moments! Thanks Paul and flytire! Rob

Thanks tidewater, I've been using a fairly drab dubbing for the body and the flashbou was indeed to add a little sparkle to it. I have several colors of very fine tinsel that might be a better choice, also a few different flashy colored chenilles that I think i'll try. As far as weight goes, I was trying to tie one that'll have a fairly slow decent. I'll be fishing in mostly calm waters, over sunken brushpiles. I thought maybe the slower decent would give it a little more time in the water. Not sure of that reasoning, but thought i'd try it anyway. Rob

So when you're tying with chenille and omitting the rib, do you start the hackle at the rear and wrap forward. Then tie it off at the eye? I'm trying to picture the sequence. Tie in the tail, then the chenille, thread forward to the eye, wrap the chenille and tie off. Then run the thread back through the chenille to tie in the hackle, then forward to the eye, wrap the hackle and then tie off? I'm assuming when wrapping the thread forward and back, try to keep the thread in the grooves between the chenille? Sounds like that would make for a pretty clean fly. Rob

I wondered if I was just trying too hard or thinking about it too much. I've tried both wrap and counterwrap methods. From what I could tell, i'm getting pretty much the same result with both. Wire does seem to "work in" a little better, but don't always want the added weight. From what you guys are telling me, I think i'm probably doing alright. I'll keep practicing and I think it'll work out. Thanks for the replies, Rob

When tying Wooly Buggers, I seem to be having a hard time with trapping quite a bit of hackle underneath the ribbing. Is that just normal, or is there a good technic for minimizing this? Generally, i'm using Flashbou for ribbing. Thanks, Rob

I havn't tried it yet, but I have about a half dozen dyed calf tail tips, wouldn't they work ok for blending into dubbing? Rob

As a relative newcomer, I can only say, this forum has been an inspiration and PLEASE don't go away!! I still have a whole lot left to learn, and can't imagine a better place or group of folks to learn from!! Thank you for making it possible!! Rob

Thanks Guys! Sounds like foam bodies, poppers and clousers are high on everyones list. As well as many of the classic trout and carp patterns. Those give me a good place to get started. Flytire, I appreciate the SBS! That ones definetly going on the list! Thanks again, Rob