smalliehunter

Just thought I would say happy birthday to this website. I launched it 19 years ago in July 2003 at the age of 24. Much has changed since that day but happy to know this site continues to be a resource for fly tiers around the world. One of the proudest things I have done was create this website. 

On 7/1/2022 at 10:27 AM, DarrellP said:

I have to say that I have been very pleased with my experience with Green Caddis Outfitters hooks.

Thanks for the tip.  I just bought several packs.  I explained to my wife how much I saved and she was "thrilled."

Glad you enjoy the hooks. I founded this site 19 years ago(if you can believe that) as well as GCO. I can't fish like I once did because of physical limitations but try to stay included by continuing to run this site for everyone to enjoy. 

"The Lord of the Toilet Paper"(rings). 

We are at the mercy of the software developers as far as what features exist and how they work. The old version no longer worked and was no longer an option. 

Agree with @Steeldrifter we can't pretended like it doesn't exist on here but we have to be smart enough to not make it an attack on any specific group of people(race, political party, etc). I know I hope all of you are handling this ok and that both you and your family are well. 

Time for a name change? suckerdrifter sounds nice. 

As sent to my customers today...

"My hook inventory is drastically low and for that I apologize. We all know we are in unprecedented times and to sit at our desks and tie a few flies is both a welcomed and important distraction. I expect new shipments of hooks to arrive in less than two weeks and even when those shipments arrive I plan on keeping my $2 per pack price. As a home based business I will remain here shipping orders and doing what I can to help. -Will"

I updated the profile section to remove gender and interests. I kept location and favorite species. Think those fields are relevant. 

I am actively working on speed improvements. Not much choice on the upgrade, the previous version was out of date and unsupported meaning the "license key" that enables anti spam features was gone. Which is why I had to disable registrations a while back. Either no new registrations or new version of software. I am looking into why the icons are missing...

This turned out to be a far bigger undertaking than originally planned. Glad so far it seems to be mostly working well. The fly database is temporarily gone...

Hard to believe it has been a year since I started up the Wooly Bugger challenge. I'd like to get this kick started again, anybody tie any new bugger variations in the past year? As we did last time if you post a bugger variation in this thread by the end of the month you will be entered into a random drawing. Don't know what the prize will be yet but I'll dig something good up.

Been watching this post carefully and feel it is time to award the scissors. After going back and forth on a few flies I think the most unique and creative bugger posted here was tied by deeky on page one. There were several well deserving flies but I kept going back to deeky's unique use of a weave which I would have never thought of when tying a bugger. Congrats deeky, I will be sending you a PM today to get your address for the scissors.

Just because I announced the winner today I hope to see you guys continue to post your bugger variations here, this thread has been a lot of fun!

Well, I sat down at the vise, looked over my materials several times and just couldn't get the creative juices flowing so I'm gonna post one of my personal favorites that I have been using for several years.

Hook: #4 Mustad 9674 4XL Long

Tail: Olive Grizzly Marabou

Body: Dirty Olive Leech Dubbing

Ribbing: Copper Wire

Hackle: Olive Grizzly Hen Soft Hackle

Head: Dirty Olive Leech Dubbing

Weight: Hourglass Lead

Hans, great way to kick this topic off!

It has been 5 long years since we did a "fly challenge" here on FTF and I would bet that there are very few people that are still around from those days.

How it works is simple. Upload a photo of your favorite wooly bugger. It could be your best fish producer, the one that you enjoy tying the most or something creative that you just came up with for fun.

Upload the photo and please include a material list for any members that wants to tie one for yourself!

You guys are in for two treats...

1. I'm actually going to take a few minutes and come up with a wooly bugger variation I have never tied before. Don't know what it is going to be, what materials I am going to use, etc but I want to participate in this. I haven't posted a fly I have tied on here in quite some time, so I am long overdue.

2. One lucky person that shows off a bugger variation will get a shiny new pair of the 5.5" Tungsten 6th Finger scissors that I have been selling for quite some time. That is a $30 pair of scissors just for posting a photo. Once this thread has been around for a while I will randomly choose a member that has posted something on this thread.

Just trying to do what I can to bring back some of the unique things that we use to do around here so take a few minutes and post a bugger that you have recently tied!