It is currently 28 Mar 2024, 06:46


New Topic Add Reply
Author Message
Post 10 Apr 2022, 09:55 • #1 
Guide
Joined: 01/25/20
Posts: 120
Location: US-VA
I held off tying my own flies for years because it was rabbit hole I did not want to go down, However, I finally gave in and learned to tie a few, starting with a Zebra Midge and a few other wet and finally trying an Elk Hair and Parachute Adams. The two dry took many hours and tries to get fishable. To get Adams post correct I used the needle trick which saved the day, I could not get thread to wrap tight around post on my own, also wrapping the hackle one at a time was much easier than both at same time. Elk hair was a disaster in process..LOL Local Orvis staff really helped with good ideas like needle and wrapping thread very lightly at first to not spray elk hair wide.

Yesterday I finally got out with my not so good looking flies but the brookies seem to really like the Parachute Adams in size 14/16 and a size 18 Perdigon which worked for those not looking up yet.

Sorry no pics but memory will last as Adams will be retired to Study.


Top
  
Quote
Post 10 Apr 2022, 10:13 • #2 
Master Guide
Joined: 12/11/20
Posts: 378
Location: Dallas, TX
Congratulations that must be a great feeling. I am lucky to have fishing buddies who tie flies and get me to test drive them. So I have not taken the plunge in to that world yet.


Top
  
Quote
Post 10 Apr 2022, 13:25 • #3 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 02/27/16
Posts: 2327
Location: US-IL
That is an achievment.I started tying flies before i ever flyfished.I just wanted to catch the giant bluegills that inhabited some strip mines i used to fish that fed on the surface.Tying is now like therapy to me.Learning to cast a flyrod was one of the best things i ever did for myself.I have been tying on and off for 35 years and i still struggle with new patterns ,mostly my own adaptations of common flies.Usually have to tie a new fly 4or 5 times before i am even close to happy.When i do tie one that i can live with i set it aside as an example to be copied later.I rarely write anything down or take pictures.


Top
  
Quote
Post 10 Apr 2022, 21:45 • #4 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/26/07
Posts: 1385
Location: Ada, Oklahoma
I really need to start using up my flytying materials. Over time I have acquired enough fur, feathers, foam, flash materials, threads, chenille, etc. that I should be able to tie flies for the next 5 or 6 years and still have material left over. About once or twice a year I get ambitious and tie up six to a dozen flies. I enjoy tying for a short time, but then lose interest in continuing. I probably have a couple of thousand flies I have purchased, and just purchased more recently. I need to get some of my grandchildren interested in flyfishing and tying so I can pass these materials on to them. That would also be a good way to dispose of more rods and reels than I can ever use.

Larry


Top
  
Quote
Post 11 Apr 2022, 18:40 • #5 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 05/22/16
Posts: 1760
Location: SJC
Congratulations ! I find fly tying is a really relaxing pastime. Sometimes it is nice to tie flies just to tie flies, or as a creative outlet.

For me it started while trying to "repair" some jig buggers I had bought where the hackle was starting to unwind. Next thing you know I was reading a Kindle book on tying various flies. I also wanted to tie my own tenkara kebari.

I think a lot of people probably start with woolly buggers of some sort. Fortunately, buggers don't need to be pretty to catch fish ! Some of the ugliest flies to human eyes can still catch fish. And the fish can still turn up their noses at pretty flies, too :)

I learned a lot of basic things from youtube channels like tightlinevideo. There are lots and lots of fly-tying videos/tutorials/step-by-steps/recipes online, and I have a huge stash of bookmarks.


Top
  
Quote
Post 11 Apr 2022, 19:20 • #6 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 01/02/12
Posts: 1859
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
It is always rewarding to catch a fish on a fly you tied.


Top
  
Quote
Post 11 Apr 2022, 21:22 • #7 
Glass Fanatic
Joined: 12/31/15
Posts: 1238
Location: Northern Rockies
Congratulations! That's a fantastic feeling.

Like others, I find tying very therapeutic and relaxing. It's a great way to spend your time, and it gets even better when you catch fish on your own flies.


Top
  
Quote
Post 19 Apr 2022, 10:13 • #8 
New Member
Joined: 08/15/15
Posts: 19
Location: US-VT
Congrats!! That first one is excellent!!


Top
  
Quote
Post 20 Apr 2022, 00:56 • #9 
Guide
Joined: 04/04/13
Posts: 197
Location: Central Maryland
Congratulations! May those brookies be the first of many fish on your own flies to come.


Top
  
Quote
Post 20 Apr 2022, 09:36 • #10 
Guide
Joined: 03/21/22
Posts: 172
Location: US-PA
Congrats! I'm fairly new to fly fishing (less than 10 years) and i started tying shortly after I got into the sport. There is just something about catching a fish on something you took time and effort into creating. Put a smile on my face when I caught my first one. Long may it continue!


Top
  
Quote
Post 06 May 2022, 09:02 • #11 
Guide
Joined: 06/15/20
Posts: 260
Location: Toledo, Ohio, USA.
Congrats. I regret that I did not retire the first fly that I tied that caught a fish. I did retire the fly which was the first fly I tied that caught a fish with a rod that I built. It was just a simple black zonker on my JP Ross 8' 5wt beaver meadow s-glass.


Top
  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  

New Topic Add Reply



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Jump to:  
Google
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group