SalarMan

Vicrider mention $2-3K a few years ago. Well that was for just a vise and base. But do all the gadgets and geegaws add up to another $7K. I don't think so. I didn't hit the lottery last night so my flies will have to be what they are without that $10,000.00 improvement😂 Capt LeMay probably nailed it...good old fashioned greed. The vise is located in Tampa...maybe you can get a looksee😎 Dean - You face the same problem I do. I don't have that kind of discretionary cash...and Linda definitely WOULD NOT understand😁

We are all familiar with the auction site ebay where you can find all sorts of fly fishing stuff from rods & reels to materials, etc. Well I'm certain many of you have heard of the legendary LAW fly tying vise. A highly desirable collectable, or so we've been led to believe. Well there is a LAW for sale right. It is in new condition with ALL of the goodies Lawrence Waldron offered when he was making the vise...and I mean ALL of those goodies as well as the carrying case. Ready for this? It can be yours for only $9975.00. Don't waste any time it could go fast. Now if I hit the lottery tonight...hmmm Betcha it is a good hook holder too

Love the look of that stream. Reminds me of an unnamed spot about 90 minutes from where I sit. I've been fortunate enough to have fished in a lot of places, but what you describe and the stream in these photos is my kind of fishing. Thanks Dean!!!

I was sitting going through Mike Radencich's book "Classic Salmon Fly Patterns" when for some reason this one caught my attention. Simple...yet something tells me it is a fish catcher, and is easily tied in other color combos that would be both pleasing to the fisherman's eye and and appealing to the fish. Finally...a special shout out to flytire. He told me he uses UV cement on the stunning heads on his flies, so I decided to give it a go. THANKS flytire!!!

AHA!!! Great tactic and if memory serves me well this was also something practiced by Jim Leisenring oh so many years ago in the Poconos.

HUH??????

Interesting comment about rarely fishing beyond 30 feet. When guys I know fish big trout water like the Delaware or the Lower Beaverkill for the first time they are concerned about being able to cast far enough. I tell them to break the river up into 30 to 40 foot segments and fish those areas like you would any other trout stream. You'll catch more fish that way and you won't frustrate yourself by trying to fish in a manner beyond your capabilities. I know that works for me!!!

Valid points SilverCreek. But...and you knew there would be a "but"...there is always something newer and better, or so the marketing folks would have us believe. That does not change the fact that those stats of 98% to 99% of the fly fishers out there just don't need to spend big bucks to have equipment that will perform for them to the best of their abilities. I must add I do own and enjoy my share of very fine fly rods and reels and I have enjoyed them immensely over the many years I've spent with a fly rod in hand. I just like to point out that the $$$$ signs on the tackle do not mean it is any better for the average person.

As you al know we have the Silver, Black & Blue among other color variations of the Doctor series of Atlantic Salmon flies. I have never seen a gold variation of this pattern so I thought I'd give it a go. I picked the colors in hopes they would work with the overall gold theme of the fly and to honest I am pleased with the result. The fly itself needs a bit more finish preening, but again I am pretty pleased with the result. Also, I like to give credit where credit is due. The hook is a reworked Mustad by my friend Gordeaux from the Pittsburgh, PA area. The fly will be a gift for my regular doctor and the gold theme fits for 2 reasons. She is a superb, caring physician and being a 6' tall, blond from California she deserves the gold classification on both levels👍

First thing - don't...DON'T...DON'T let yourself be fooled by the price. The high end rods are things of beauty with lovely gingerbread that is very eye appealing but means nothing in the end. Now what I am about to say please do not take personally. But...probably 98% to 99% of the fly fishers in this world who walk into a fly shop cannot make a $300 graphite rod perform up to its full capabilities let alone the $1000 extra high tech jobs. My long time friend Ed Jaworoski...who Lefty called the best casting instructor in the U.S....assured me this is oh so true. I fished for Atlantic Salmon for many years with an Orvis Clearwater 10'0" 8wt and I didn't cast any further, anymore accurate, land a fish any faster than their most expensive rod would have done for me...well you get the idea. I am one of those 98%'ers. Do as planned and try some at the Midwest Expo. Buy what works for you and your budget allows. DO NOT allow any sales pitch fool you.

Love it...Where was this trick when I started tying hairwing salmon flies the winter of 1973-1974? 😁

What is this top of the line vise you bought?

I make no bones about it and I've said this many times...your choice is a purely personal. I just do not like the Regal vise. It is a combination of the working mechanism and what I always considered a clunky appearance...but that's me. Plus it has a reputation for damaging the finish on Jappaned salmon hooks. When I am tying classic salmon flies that is something I do not need...especially at $15.00 per hook. For the money I truly believe the Renzetti Presentation 2000 is the best of the bunch. It functions in a very similar manner to their top of the line Master Series without the heavy duty aspects needed to handle those larger hooks like a 9/0 or 10/0 that vise is capable of. If that is within your price range I would give it a try...and I award it a *** rating. Finally, if you really want to splurge take a look at the HMH TRV. I love that vise.

As a cane rod lover, all I can say is just super Dean!!! It is always a pleasure to see the work of a good and caring craftsman.....

Due to some physical issues my stream fly fishing days are not happening. But for the last 59 years fly fishing was my predominate fishing activity. However, I never hesitated to use conventional or spinning tackle in the salt when conditions made working a fly rod virtually impossible. Just being there was all that mattered...and I would never look down my nose at anyone who fished any way they enjoyed the sport.

Sot on chugbug27. People still have selective and short memories.

Hey...you didn't hijack anything. That's what sites like this are all about. Good luck and if your experiences turn out like mine you will be hooked on Atlantic Salmon and fishing for that magnificent fish!!!

Always a pleasure.

Moshup - I was lucky enough to be introduced to the Darbees by a LONG TIME friend of theirs, a chap by the name of Baird Foster...another Scotsman. They always made me feel welcome and at home when I would visit. Most of those visits were during the winter when things were quieter around the place and there was time for me to me to shop plus sit and enjoy conversation and company over lunch. Then drive the 4 hours home after a bit of libation with Harry...whew...those were the days🥃🥃 I still have and occasionally tie off necks I got from them. One funny story about a particular neck then I'll sign off for now. I asked Harry about what a true bronze dun neck would look like and he disappeared for a few minutes and when he returned he had this incredible neck he described as a once in a lifetime bronze dun. With a big smile on my face I asked if it was for sale and he apologetically told me he just couldn't let it go. Okay...I understood. A few days later I received a package from them and inside was that neck and note from Elsie. The note was simple and to the point - "George, $50 for the neck. If you don't want it just send it back, Elsie." I couldn't write the check fast enough and I still have that neck virtually untouched. They were just wonderful people who I always remember with great fondness!!

Not bad if done right. I had lunch on more than one occasion while sitting in their kitchen nibbling on saltines with jellied chicken and sipping scotch with Harry. Maybe it was the whiskey that made the old bird more palatable 😂😂😂

Very nice Micke...and no doubt a fish catcher!!

That's correct. I spent way too much time at the Darbee's place, and that is exactly what they did. When the bird was no longer a viable producer for feathers it became food.🍽️🍷

I remember that earth is cooling belief back then, followed by in the 1970's we are heading for another ice age. I'm a believer, but sometimes when I listen to some today's talking heads I begin to wonder.

Mike, First...I made my first trip for Atlantic Salmon in 1974, and I haven't been back since 2014. During those years I fished primarily in Quebec, with 2 trips to New Brunswick and several to Nova Scotia as well as Maine. The list of rivers is as follows - Quebec: Matane, Piashti, Petite Watshishou, Petite Cascapedia, Grande River, York, Dartmouth. St. Jean & Pabos West - Nova Scotia: The Margaree of course - New Brunswick: The Tobique (now closed) - Maine: The Narraguagus (also now closed). The sad part for me personally is that I never fished the Miramichi system in New Brunswick. Just didn't get around to it🙁 Should you decide to make the trip north I strongly recommend using the internet to gather info on outfitters, lodges and in many cases whether or not any particular river has some if any public access with the exception of Nova Scotia where all of the rivers are public. In New Brunswick guides are required by law for non-residents, or that is the way it was in the past. Finally...Nova Scotia is the most reasonable choice for costs. Otherwise be prepared to open your wallet because to be blunt it has become rather expensive in most cases. My last trip to Gaspe averaged out to $900 per day, including tip for my guide, travel expenses, meals, etc. However you can fish that area on a budget if you are a camper and stick to the public sectors on the Dartmouth and York rivers. Want a outfitter? I used Quebec Sporting, and found the owner Ann Smith to be super. Go to www.saumonquebec.com for info on the rivers in the area and be sure to click in the box for English unless you are fluent in French. Oh yea - If you are serious about this start planning and making reservations NOW!!! I guess that's about it and I hope this helps. Good Luck, George

Thanks...much appreciated.