Mark Knapp

This falls under the heading of "I have one of these and you don't so neener, neener, neener " George sent me this when he sent his vise for altering. As you can see, it holds a prominent place in my fly tying room with some other special stuff. Thank you George. I'm pretty sure there's not going to be very many other people that will need their HMH altered but, I will work for feathers. Just putting that out there.

A fly tying vise is a pretty simple thing and this one is pretty well proven. Aside from manufacturing anomalies (which can happen) I'm not sure what can go wrong with the vise.

Of course sizes will vary from maker to maker but generally, the number size, (ie #2, #3, ETC.) refers to size of the hook with a standard length shank. The size of the gap goes up with the number size. The X number refers to the length of the shank. So, a size 8 gap of any given brand/model of hook should be the same size gap as a size 8, 2X but with a longer shank. The X stands for extra long, just like it does in clothing (XL, XXL)

You are sure doing some pretty stuff Scott, Norm too, and quite prolific too.

I'm quite sure that it would. We altered the vise. The work I did, however, didn't change it's structural integrity in the least. I'm sure these alterations will have no effect on how the vise functions, or how long it lasts, except that it takes larger hooks.

I think the tail is soft hackle and the body is as SC says.

I say kudos to your daughter and you.

Unless I'm mistaken, I would say that the fish in Dan's first picture and SCs picture have clipped tail fins (meaning they were pen raised) If they were worn down from concrete, wouldn't only the bottom of the tail be worn? It could be I'm just splitting hairs, I apologize for that.😄 It also appears that the rays of the tail continue where the "clip" ended. If worn, I think the wear would continue straight across the grain of the rays.

Yes, I spoke about it in another thread, "hardness of the HMH TRV". The modification is quick and easy. There is actually another part that needs grinding in order to facilitate a wider opening jaw. The oval fulcrum that attaches the fixed jaw to the movable jaw has a very tight tolerance and inhibits the movement of the movable jaw. I lengthened the slot that the fulcrum fits into. I did the same thing to my vise. I like it a lot. I can tie on a size 11/0 with no problem. The alteration doesn't change the way the vise holds smaller size hooks. I'm glad I could help Solar.

Hmm, never saw it before. I think I'd like to try it. Thanks.

I'd love to go to one once, just to have a look around. When I get some of my damascus vises done, I'll spend some time at some shows.

You guys are sure kicking it this month.

I'm talking to you right now over the internet, and I know what I'm talking about.😁

You really can find anything you want on the internet.

You are the tier, the sky is the limit. It starts with the species you are fishing for and the kind of things they like to eat. Google "Mop flies" for inspiration.

I agree generally with what both of you are saying except for the somewhat negative geste. I'm not big by any means, but the more people that demand my attention, the less time I have to give each individual his or her own attention. I don't see it as evil or greed, we all strive to do better, what ever that is in our own minds. I have had a few opportunities to go bigger like licensing my patents, selling my designs or going to China for manufacturing. I have chosen not to but if someone does, in my opinion, it doesn't made them bad. It's very hard to survive building one thing at a time and serving one person at a time. When other people go big, it leaves an opening for another Mom and Pop if the market can support one. Those things are kind of self regulating. When there's a market, someone will fill it. If there isn't a market, people have to find something else to do. It's tough for Mom and Pops, we're adjusting all the time.

Very good mister.

Thanks everyone

Thanks Bud.

Sorry I missed this. If you don't quote the guy you are asking, he doesn't get a memo that you replied. Yes, many sizes from jewelry suppliers.

I do this. https://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?/topic/90578-trim-less-waste-less-synth-fiber-bait-fish/ There's also the shimmy method in which you cut the material you need and using the thumb and first two fingers of each hand you shimmy them to make all the ends uneven then you tie it down to the hook shank in the middle of the fiber, fold over and tie down again. I'm sure some one will post that method here too.

We catch a lot of ling cod like that on rock fish. One day last year we boated five like that. We call them "cling-ons"

Great story, sounds like a lot of fun.

You da man, man. Thanks again.

Do not worry, like I said, we'll let it run a little bit. I'm sure you didn't intend to break the rules, and I'm not really sure you are. Just trying to keep everything on the up-and-up.