Most of the flies at my house are tied during the off season. During the summer we are all to busy doing just about everything else to sit indoors and crank out flies. The one exception of that of course is if we run out of something we need. This weekend, now that trout season is over here in Vermont we had some time to sit down at the bench for some much needed vise time.
Caleb has decided his talents have moved beyond the need to flies with dad, so he's set up his own tying bench in his bed room and has been at it all week. This morning Leland woke up in the mood to tie some flies, something he hasn't asked to do since last April. I had quietly bought him a vise and set of tools last winter which he never had been given due to lack of interest on his part. So I took the opportunity to dig them out and present them to him this morning. Leland had a rough start in life and has a somewhat quirky personality. He's a smart kid, way beyond grade level in school. But, when it comes to fly tying he struggles.....ALOT. I taught fly tying classes for almost 20 years, teaching literally hundreds of people of all ages and ability levels. When it comes to teaching Leland though, even I find myself banging my head against the wall after a few minutes. What I've found usually works with him is to set him up with what he needs and let him figure it out on his own, and in his own way. But today Caleb thought he'd give teaching a try, it was as fun to watch as it was for them to do.
Not a "technically perfect" Foam Beetle, but by far the best fly Leland has ever tied. The boys had fun and it's more then "good enough" to catch fish and they had fun doing it, which is all that matters.
Posted: 05 Nov 2017, 10:31 • 
