Maction17 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 Hi folks, New to tying, so new to the forum. A northeasterner born and bred, I'm moving with my family to south Florida in June 2021. While I'll miss the seasons, my favorite place to fish is Everglades Nat. Park, so I'm pumped about that. I turned 40 over the weekend, so I kicked off the new decade by diving into tying for the first time (since I was probably 12 and lost patience). Here are my first two flies; both attempts are patterns my favorite guide in ENP ties on for me when we're on his skiff. The part I've found most challenging is getting the craft fur to cooperate-- even when I've wrapped thread over it down the entirety of the shank, a fair bit still seems to pull out. This was less of an issue when I tied my third fly, so I'm optimistic I'll figure it out. Happy to be aboard. -Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikemac1 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 16 minutes ago, Maction17 said: The part I've found most challenging is getting the craft fur to cooperate-- even when I've wrapped thread over it down the entirety of the shank, a fair bit still seems to pull out. This was less of an issue when I tied my third fly, so I'm optimistic I'll figure it out. -Mac Welcome, decent ties for someone who’s been away from it for a while. Two points: Make sure you get all the short craft fur and fluff removed from the butt ends. A good brushing with a stiff toothbrush help accomplish that. Second, after securing the craft fur with a few wraps, add a bit of cement, UV resin or superglue to the wraps. It will soak in and help secure the fur. Finish with all the wraps you need and use the cement again. Bullet proof. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Poopdeck 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 Nice job! Proves the old adage that the hardest part of any task is getting started. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maction17 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 25 minutes ago, mikemac1 said: Welcome, decent ties for someone who’s been away from it for a while. Two points: Make sure you get all the short craft fur and fluff removed from the butt ends. A good brushing with a stiff toothbrush help accomplish that. Second, after securing the craft fur with a few wraps, add a bit of cement, UV resin or superglue to the wraps. It will soak in and help secure the fur. Finish with all the wraps you need and use the cement again. Bullet proof. Ah ha! Yep, that would do it! I was removing the fluff as best I could, but the resin suggestion is a great one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philly 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 They look good. Not something we would use in the Northeast. Don't abandon your Northeast patterns, Surf Candies and other silverside or bay anchovy patterns should work for what the call rain bait down south. Mullet patterns could come into play. Peanut Bunker patterns, probably with some change in colors, should work. Good start in getting the Southern salt water patterns down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maction17 0 Report post Posted December 10, 2020 25 minutes ago, Philly said: They look good. Not something we would use in the Northeast. Don't abandon your Northeast patterns, Surf Candies and other silverside or bay anchovy patterns should work for what the call rain bait down south. Mullet patterns could come into play. Peanut Bunker patterns, probably with some change in colors, should work. Good start in getting the Southern salt water patterns down. Great point. And the trips I've taken down there have often resulted in fish coming to hand on a deceiver or clouser. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charlie1947 0 Report post Posted March 7, 2022 On 12/10/2020 at 8:02 AM, Maction17 said: Hi folks, New to tying, so new to the forum. A northeasterner born and bred, I'm moving with my family to south Florida in June 2021. While I'll miss the seasons, my favorite place to fish is Everglades Nat. Park, so I'm pumped about that. I turned 40 over the weekend, so I kicked off the new decade by diving into tying for the first time (since I was probably 12 and lost patience). Here are my first two flies; both attempts are patterns my favorite guide in ENP ties on for me when we're on his skiff. The part I've found most challenging is getting the craft fur to cooperate-- even when I've wrapped thread over it down the entirety of the shank, a fair bit still seems to pull out. This was less of an issue when I tied my third fly, so I'm optimistic I'll figure it out. Happy to be aboard. -Mac Great looking ties! Are you getting short strikes(hitting the tail, short of the hook) with that length? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
