flyty1

Thanks for the tips guys! Nothing gets me going more than some greedy individual trying to "cash in" on something because it is dedicated to fly tyers. I guess it goes back to my beginnings when fly tying material availability was few and far between - I would scrounge stuff from hunters and craft stores (of course these materials were very inexpensive if not free). These days, we have outfits like EP who want to charge outrageous prices for materials that cost less than the package the material comes in! Thanks to all for the endorsement of FTD - I am glad to know there is a reasonably priced alternative to some of the over-priced stuff out there for us.

Back in the late winter / early spring there was a buzz about HMH introducing a true rotary vise. As I recall, they were anticipating an introduction in the spring. Has anyone heard about this highly anticipated product?

You have plenty of options for a sub $500 fly rod. If you have a fly shop nearby (or even a box store like Bass Pro or Cabelas) see if they will let you take one or more of their offerings outside to test the rod out. Most (graphite) fly rods are fast and very fast action these days - there are some that are a little slower (as well as fiberglass). You might be surprised what you like vs the price point.

The last time I contacted Thompson was a couple of years ago. I believe this is a company that is continuing on with the Thompson name - I have seen a vise recently bought new from them...not exactly the same as the original Thompsons but it had excellent quality and workmanship just like the originals. The phone number I have is: 815 885 3202 Good luck!

Try contacting DH Thompson: https://www​.dhthompson.com/ They might still have parts available.

I learned to roll cast long ago - started with level line and progressed to DT...I do find myself in very tight casting situation and use the roll cast as well as the method where I just let the current take my (wet) fly downstrean and then strip the fly back to me - no disturbance on the surface of the water at all!!

Contact Silver Creek (member of this forum) he has lots of knowledge concerning different resins and curing lamps: http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=85123&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 He also sells resins and lamps at very reasonable prices...just in case you need to reload on either or both.

We are getting close to native ripe tomato time...fresh, ripe tomatoes on italian bread with mayo, salt, and pepper...have to wait all year for tomatoes worth eating this way!!!

As many have already stated, each has it's own purpose. However, the synthetics have it all over natural for the ability to reproduce colors and the wide variety of colors to choose from.

I fished with a guy who made the most awesome smoked trout pate...wish I had asked for the recepie - I'll bet you can find one online though

Thanks for the good information on FTD...I find it terrible that people in the fly tying industry think they can get rich by re-selling materials originally for a different purpose and then turning around (and because it is fo fly tyers) putting a huge mark-up on the stuff. I know that some of the materials sold today cost less than the package they come in - only to retail for near double digit dollars - disgusting!! Glad to hear there are still places like FTD.

Or you can contact Silver Creek on this forum - he sells resin and lamps...he will even service the lamps if necessary. http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=85123&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

A similar flexible magnet material comes in many of the Tiempco hook packages. You can also buy this stuff at craft stores or Stapels.

I concur...this thread has been around for so long it was started when the dead sea was just sick...

I thought steampunk was for punks you get steamed at...

For a much better product and a wealth of support information contact Silver Creek about his UV resins and setting light: http://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?showtopic=85123&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1 Silver Creek is a frequent contributor on this forum and others - his products are moderately priced and of the highest quality.

Every day is a great day to be an American...the 4th of July is our yearly reminder of all that we can be proud of !!!

From my experience with UV - almost any material will attenuate UVA and UVB. In fact, to transmit UV efficiently, you need a magnesium flouride window on your UV lamp. If you are worried about exposure, just about any plastic lens in front of your eyes should do.

I have been using Dry Magic floatant from Tiempco. This stuff is a little pricy - but a tube lasts me a very long time. The only drawback I have found is that I have to keep the stuff in a pocket - I haven't found a way to hang the tube from my vest.

Parachutes all the way! You can make the hackle oversize on any size fly. The biggest I have made was a #8 all white - for a podamanthus hatch.

I think the point of alll of these comments is: if you are going to take the time to make a fly tying video, please take the time to make it appealing - the intent is to share information on tying a fly, not what was for lunch based on the stain on your shirt...the peeving is multiply compounded when the video is for sale. Every fly tyer has a trick or two to share - these are great! But when it comes to pompous a#!holes telling us that they are the best thing to ever tie a fly - well that's a different story!!

These aren't exactly dumbbell eyes but it is worth a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boZtUdfXdFU

There are embedded links to the videos I discuss in my post. You should be able to click on the link or copy and paste it int the addres block.

Over the years, I have amassed many different styles of hooks (obviously in differing sizes). I have resorted to storing in plano type fly boxes for my home tying station - these boxes get labels and pretty much each style has it's own box in a large drawer next to my tying station. For my travelling hooks I am more careful to make sure the hooks can't migrate from one compartment to another - many of the travelling hooks stay in their original packages (which I buy by the 100s).

I don't think there is a wrong way to tie a fly...but there are many ways to accomplish the same (or similar) end result. The more you can tie with other people, the more tips and tricks you will pick up. Use what works for you - either in materials or techniques. Remember, it is the fish that will ultimately judge your flies (unless you are going for display flies) and many times the neatest fly isn't the one that grabs all of the fish.