Don_P

Daiichi 1190 size 24 are the smallest that I tie and actually use. I have some 26’s and 28’s also but I still have the same number (bare) that I bought. The older I get the less likely I am to ever put them in service. I do have some Gamakatsu C12-BM barbless in size 30 that I refer to as my novelty hooks. I would never (read COULD never) actually fish them because they are just to small to think about holding a fish, for me anyway. I did tie a few Parachute Adams on them just to see if I could do it ….and also for conversation purposes and see, that seemed to work. The 30’s are the smallest I have been able to find and I actually just saw a few packages for sale at a vendors booth at the fly tying symposium.

I was there early afternoon Saturday for a couple of hours. This year was MUCH better than last but with that said I think they could still do a little better. Free parking was good, however it was well attended when I arrived so it took a couple of trips around the lots to find someone leaving so I could take their parking space. With plenty of people coming out to check out the show, there was still no waiting at the admissions booths, I paid and walked right in. It might have just been my perception but it seemed to me there were more guys tying this year. I saw plenty of smiling faces with interaction between tiers and attendees. Each booth I stopped at the fellow, or lady, tying was friendly and eager to engage in conversation or explanation. There were plenty of both salt and fresh water tiers to observe and talk to if you so chose. It's a must attend event for the beginner and the accomplished who just enjoy talking fly tying. There were a few seminars posted but I did not attend any of them and did not see how well attended they were. The actual venue is still a bit small. With the ballroom full with tiers and a few vendors there were still exhibitors out in the hallway. There were not many shops selling wares but I did not expect many, as it's not the Edison show. My suggestions for improvement are few and are based on my failing eyesight and desire to avoid getting stepped on. A larger area with more floor space with better lighting would benefit the event greatly. Aisle room wide enough to accommodate those that want to stop and observe / talk and still allow traffic to pass is sorely needed. Especially when attendees insist on wearing backpacks. The lighting was a bit better than last year but chandelier lighting just doesn’t cut it. Overall, I thought it was an enjoyable and worthwhile event and I plan on attending again even if held in the same venue.

These are the ones from Wapsi. I really like the small size, 2.25" x 2.25" x 1.75" with 30 individual compartments. Refill when needed from coffee grinder blender or from store bought bags.

Try the Hopper Store.... https://www.hopperfishing.com/product-category/fly-tying-materials/ A bunch of foam in different colors and thicknesses, ....although it is intended for making bugs not storing them.

I've used my standard sized Matterelli to whip finish a couple of flies as small as 30 (tied them because I wanted to see (no pun intended) if I could. No problem at all for 20 - 24's. I'm not aware if anyone even makes a smaller size whip finisher for smaller flies.

The Kinderhook Lake Association owns the concrete launch ramp and has a keyed gate access to prevent those with boats on trailers from launching unless you buy a key. There is an agreement with the NYSDEC however that allows for car toppers (canoes, kayaks, pelicans etc) to use the parking lot and launch at no cost. The gate is constructed so that it allows for car top boats et al to fit underneath. How you get your car top vessel to the lake is up to you as long as you can carry or drag it under the gate to the water you can launch for free.

Looks pretty generic, and probably pretty productive by the looks of it.

Ashokan reservoir, (West Hurley) NYS DEP property, permit (available free online) required. Walk the bank on the east end of the lower basin during the spawn (now) Kinderhook lake, (Kinderhook) car topper boat or kayak / canoe (free launch) required, any trailerable boat requires a seasonal pass ($125.00) Saratoga lake (Saratoga) boat required (free launch) Lower Rondout Creek & Hudson River (Kingston) boat required (plenty of free launches) I don't fly fish for them but I do like shooting them with a bow and arrow.

I'm using the small Dr Slick hair stacker (brass). I tie strictly trout flies so I think it's perfect size for that application. From the web images I've seen the Stonfo mini looks a bit smaller than the Dr Slick. If you get steel and have an issue with static I'd try dragging a dryer sheet thru the tube a few times.

The craft jewelry section in my local Walmart has a pretty good selection of lightweight smooth jaw pliers. I like the ones with the short and stubby but narrow jaws that are plenty small enough for even small trout hooks. And they're made from the finest Pakistani stainless steel, I think they were $6.

Not sure how you can be left with a "tight, smooth post" once you withdraw the needle. When you're done wrapping the parachute post and you remove the needle, the space that the needle occupied has to get filled with something, which I would think would allow for some thread / post material loosening when it fills that empty space. I'll try it but I get pretty good results with my gallows holding the post material vertical while I wrap the post and then add a touch of Z-ment for rigidity.

Melted estaz pattern..... Craft sand pattern......

Uh oh, another hotel venue. I hope there's decent lighting in this one unlike Lancaster. Well at least it's a lot closer so I'll be going. ....and I'm bringing my streamlight just in case.

I was there, I thought it was great. Went all day Saturday, had a great time. I agree, parking was very good, just like Somerset. Last year when I was at Somerset all the tiers were free but there were some pay per view seminars just like this year at Edison. I didn't attend any of the pay seminars but I did get to see Gary Borgers casting seminar at one of the casting pools, that was free. ....and I could hear him fine, he wore a mic and the speakers were plenty loud enough. I'm only 90 minutes away and didn't stay so I can't comment on any of the area lodging. Overall I thought it was a great venue and set up quite nicely. (nothing like the fly tying symposium that was held in Lancaster this past November, which I thought absolutely stunk) Edison had plenty of room, good lighting, and an incredible amount of things to see. I wasn't expecting on site gourmet food and I wasn't disappointed, but it was good enough to keep you alive for the day. Vending machine drinks were a bit expensive. I'm not used to paying $4 for a flavored or carbonated drink or $3 for a bottle of water. All the vendors (and there were plenty of them) I spoke with were quite cordial and friendly. I didn't find a lot of bargains but there was SO much to see (you can't see it all in one day) and I didn't spend a lot of time looking to spend money. All the factory booth guys were very friendly and helpful. Plenty of talk about their newly released or soon to be released products. Watched a bunch of different tiers for a while, cast a few new rods, sat in a free tying seminar, and looked over a ton of different "toys". I thought the show was a perfect respite for a lingering winter. Kudos to all those who made it happen. I'll for sure be headed back there next year.

Another totally satisfied Dr. Slick Razor user. Well made, blades and tips line up perfectly, large finger holes, adjustable tension, super fine points, and like the name implies, they're razor sharp.

I used the 3/8" long size and probably could have gotten away with 1/2". I think the proper length screw depends on the thickness of material you're putting them in. I put mine in brand new felt soled boots. Before screwing them in with a screwdriver handled socket I put a tiny bit of Gorilla Glue super glue impact formula on the threads. Don't keep tightening them to the point where they "strip" the material you're putting them in or that hole will be worthless and you'll have to move to a new spot. I used them all last year here in the northeast and a month long trip out west. Lots of miles and I didn't lose not one stud. They don't hold well if you're trying to scale a smooth rock face with any pitch to it but in a freestone stream and on streamside rocks they saved my butt plenty of times.

Kold Kutter ice racing tire studs. Find them cheap on line in 50, 250 or more quantities. http://koldkutter.com/

I put the antenna / horns on my caddis pupa patterns because I think it makes them look more realistic (to me at least) and when fishing that pattern it instills an additional confidence in me. Do the flies with them result in more takes, I can't really say because I've never tied them without them. They just seem to work well with them and it doesn't take but a minute to add them. The next bunch I tie I believe I'll try a synthetic (paint brush bristle comes to mind) and see if it's more durable than the last batch I tied with moose mane.

Yes, I tie them on size 12 and 14 grub hooks. Chug, nice job. I tried my hand at those also, they fished quite well. Looks like you changed material for the antenna. For the latest ones I tied, I did also. I used moose mane, worked out to be a lot more durable. I agree, the antenna, although probably not necessary, visually makes the pattern. Instead of colored mono I used archery sight fiber optic (.10) for the eyes. UV light makes them glow! What are you using for the body Don P? They look great. Thanks. Body is yellow Uni-Yarn brushed out a bit with a toothbrush with the bristles cut to half the height. Thorax is brushed out peacock ice dub. Can't take credit for the pattern, just following Mr. McPhails instruction. :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRT0OryiLyQ

Chug, nice job. I tried my hand at those also, they fished quite well. Looks like you changed material for the antenna. For the latest ones I tied, I did also. I used moose mane, worked out to be a lot more durable. I agree, the antenna, although probably not necessary, visually makes the pattern. Instead of colored mono I used archery sight fiber optic (.10) for the eyes. UV light makes them glow!

LOL!!!

I use these.... get them from Stockard. Great for organizing. I write the hook style and size on the lid over each compartment with a sharpie.

From Field to Fly https://www.amazon.com/Field-Fly-Scott-J-Seymour/dp/1571882057 Fly Tying Materials, their Procurement, Use and Protection https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Tying-Materials-Their-Procurement-Protection/dp/0517503506/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0517503506&pd_rd_r=7TER5CNTF0SZR0RZPE4Y&pd_rd_w=RBnB8&pd_rd_wg=y6odO&psc=1&refRID=7TER5CNTF0SZR0RZPE4Y

The package label says "designed in Bozeman, made in China. FWIW you would never know it. A top quality product.

In print form, I began the learning process with Eric Leisers Complete Book of Fly Tying. It's still readily available. I still have plenty of printed material but the internet is going to be your best source of instructional material. So many tutorials available. Youtube is great. You'll find plenty of good tiers with well made videos (some very poor ones also) As Mike stated above FAOL is a great resource. A frequent contributor, Scott's SBS (step by step) instructions with incredible photos are a fantastic resource. Enjoy what will hopefully become a lifetime addiction for you and your boys.