Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted October 23, 2022 On many of the creeks and rivers I float, grayling seem to bight on one thing, and one thing only at certain times of the year . Royal Coachman. Now why would that be, Royal Coachman are known to be attractor patterns and grayling are generally known to be cooperative participants. The first fly since my stroke and subsequent death from cardiac arrest. Apparently the thirteen people in the room did a good job of bringing me back in time because I don't think I'm any stupider than I was. I was worried about my hand/eye coordination. I have been working on it and it seems to be coming back. Next I'll try engraving again, that may be the real test. Now back to the story, After the interest of the grayling for Royal Coachman I started looking at bugs again and looking in Grayling stomachs. In both, I found a propensity of these. Mydas flies. Mydas flies can get very big, in fact, some sub-species can get to be the biggest flies in the world, but in my streams they only get to be about 3/4 of an inch long. I could tie a fly that matches the Mydas fly closer. Maybe with black wings and a black tail and probably an orange band. It seems like that would be fun to do. For now the Royal Coachman works really well and, it's a classic. I'm tying them in sizes 10, 12 and 14. My best to all, have fun, be safe and catch fish. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandan 0 Report post Posted October 23, 2022 Welcome back sir. I like that tie! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gene L 0 Report post Posted October 23, 2022 Looks great. That fly will catch fish. Continue to tie flies better than I can. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
partsman 0 Report post Posted October 23, 2022 Beautiful fly Mark, good to see you are making great progress, keep it up and good tying and fishing! Mike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chugbug27 0 Report post Posted October 23, 2022 👍👍 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Thanks everybody, I did a few more. A nicer Royal Coachman. Again, the real Mydas Fly My imitation of the Mydas Fly Thanks again everybody, good tying to you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niveker 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Good news, @Mark Knapp, well done flies too. One of my favorite patterns - dry, wet, or streamer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DFoster 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Nice ties Mark- The royal coachman dry or wet is my favorite fly- there is something that's just perfect about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DarrellP 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Glad you are doing well. Great tying! I would say your hand-eye coordination is good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
upnorthtier 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Very nice flies Mark, it must feel good to be on the vise again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Park1 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Nicely done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MuskyFlyGuy 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Mark It is great to see you tying and posting again. Is there a timeline for forging those great knives again? Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Knapp 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Thanks everybody. I'm still not supposed to run machinery like power hammers to make knives. Something like if I keep falling over I can't be trusted to run equipment. Big deal, I've fallen over a few times. It is nice to be at the vise again. Thanks again Mark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SalarMan 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Well done on the flies Mark...and I love to hear good news on the health front as well. Take care of yourself my friend. Regards, George Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickZieger 0 Report post Posted October 24, 2022 Glad to see you back tying. Rick Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites