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It is a good thing I didn't say which Friday it was going to be. Wow time has got away from me. Just gave them to the postmaster. To all, Merry Christmas. Michael

I too would like a pattern or a link to the youtube video. Michael

Good morning Kevin, I have finished and just need your address. I ended up tying some salt water and some fresh water. Hoping that was OK with everyone. Same size fly but with stainless hooks on half of them. I have had this fly work on Stripers, Blue fish, Large mouth, Small mouth, Pike and Pickerel. Curious to see what else it will work on. Michael

I agree that this is an epic question. I also agree with a number of people that say they would or have taken lessons, purchased less/more and better tools, and keep a razor handy. The one thing I would ad though is to talk to everyone that even smell like they tie flies. Then ask them to get together and show you how to tie their favorite fly. I have found some of my biggest learning curves are greatly changed by having someone show me something different. Classic steamers and nymphs are a prime example. I want to sent a kudos to Flytire, he is absolutely correct, it is up to the fish to tell us if a fly is good or not. Some of my ugliest flies have caught the most fish. Best of luck tying, Michael

Good evening Mike, I have a question for you about this fly. I've been asked to tie something like this and I'm having a difficult time getting the feathers to stay in place. How are you putting them on? Michael

My daughters wanted to help name this fly. They wanted something that reflected the holidays this time of year. So we have called it the "Tur-Duck-Hog". For everyone that has ever had a meal with Tur-Duck-Kin will understand. They are toe tagged and will be in the mail by Friday. Michael

Mattias, If you have tried tying with Mallard flanks, try using Mallard brest feathers. Either Drake or Hen would get you the smaller sizes you are asking about. Hens would get a very different color than the Drakes too. Michael

I was down to 10; 4 cedar strip kayaks, 1 wood canvas canoe, 2 wood glassed canoes, 1 wood canvas square sterns, and 1 aluminium boat. A month ago I was given a square stern "White" canvas boat. The wood is in mint condition but the canvas needs to be replaced. I couldn't pass that up. My biggest problem is storage now. Michael

Troutguy, Duck hunting has been fast and furious this year. The state has three zones, and I live at the line of the north and south zones. The coastal zone is with in 35 minutes of me. It is awesome. The waters froze us this past week and moved the ducks to the moving waters. Unfortunately, it ended a lot sooner for me this year. I have thought about going to a kayak. Acually I have thinking about it for years. I have a 12 foot wooden canoe that I camoed. Extremely quiet and paddles well. the only bad thing is I usually tear a few holes in the bottom every year from paddling the swamps. On top of that, I usually have someone else with me and that is one of the reasons I haven't gone to a kayak yet. That and I have too many boats now. It would not be an easy sell with the wife. Michael

I this is an on going discussion through out this forum. The one thing I have not read yet is the use of aromatic cedar. I have used it for many years. Michael

Ok. Now you guys are really making me upset. My kid see this post so I can't use stronger language. I'm really missing being on the water. Tore up my knee a month ago and I'm just not comfortable getting into the canoe. I have no doubt I can get out, the big question is can I do it with out getting wet. My flies are ready. Just need an address. Michael

All the waterfowl kept their eyes closed except for one. He was a Peking Duck.

Just my opinion, I do not care to skin them. I take the primary wing feathers, the flank feathers, the breast feathers and the CDC feathers. I also find that zip lock bags store better for me. Again this is just my opinion and I'm sticking to it. :-D Michael

Woodenu2, I am seeing that many people have chimed in on the leftie rightie debate. However, are you also asking what to purchase for a new vise? Because this will have many answers from many different folks. Michael

This is beautiful!!! I'm see she is a keeper. Congrats on your wedding day. Michael

OK I've decided on a Lefty Kreh Cockroach. Michael

Bear Claw, OK everyone has covered the biots. I want to know what you did with the rest of the goose. How do you like to cook it? Canada Goose is one of my favorite meats. I am always looking for something new to try. Michael

SilverCreek, Sweet!!! Thank you for the info. I have many Ruffed Grouse, aka Partridge, in my area. I have been trying to use the feather for soft hackle flies with very little success, because the feathers are too big. This was a huge amount of help. Michael

When you HAVE to tie a fly as foreplay to sex. This is reminding me of George Castanza. All you need is a good sandwich, a fly tying vice and sex and you would have the life time trifecta! Michael p.s. thank you for resurrecting this thread. I have waisted the better part of my work day reading this thread from start to finish.

Oh man, what happened? On my end it's the best it can be considering the circumstances. We moved to Cleveland so I'm having to travel alot to hunt which is draining. The dog is doing as well as I could have ever hoped. She's even learned to look back at me with a disproving stare when I miss. Everyone is shocked to learn she is a hunting dog, as down here the golden doodle is the hip dog to have for the townies. Maybe next time I'd avoid a white one, but a few minutes in the marsh and she's basically camouflaged herself anyways. You can do fun things with your engagement announcement with her force-fetching ability too... PA280352.JPG This is funny. I have the day off and sitting tying some flies. Thought I'd look up how many we need to tie for this swap. Cleveland? What kind of hunting and fishing is there in Cleveland? Oh, hold on, that must be why you added the traveling and being tired. Glad to see the pup doing well in the blind. There is nothing better than an attentive blonde that is willing to roll around in the mud to please you. Huge congrats on your engagement! There no greater gift from God than the institute of Marriage. I will be tying a #12 Turkey Tail Nymph: Turkey Tail body, Black Duck Tail and legs, Groundhog thorax and Mallard Wing wing case. The copper ribbing was harvested from some demolition I did. Michael

I'm in for this. I'll need to decide. Michael

I'm definitely in. I just ended my duck season due to injury. Crap!!! It was a stellar year so far. Even had one banded duck so far this year. I really want to get out and try for a couple of geese before the end of the season. Maybe a prince nymph with Canada Goose biots and a patridge collar? I was also thinking somthing with turkey. I have a turkey tail nymph that works well for me. Although I could do some classic Light Cahills in wet or dry. Have plenty of Woodies. I do have some Moose mane that would make an interesting mosquito or the hocks that I'd like to try a caddis with. Not sure yet. Nate how is your duck season going thus far? Do I remember correctly you have a newer dog this year? Michael

I'd be up for it. Are you looking for fresh water or salt water? Michael

Steve, Massive Congrats!!! Michael

Great question, Even though it was a couple too many years ago, I remember it perfectly. I had been stealing/useing my brothers tying kit that he received for a christmas gift. Now in my defense, he never use it once. A friend showed me how to tie a blue damsel fly. I caught a nice fat brook trout from Cold Stream in Parlin Pond Township Maine. Michael