[backlash]

Are there any other tyers out there? There hasn't been any new additions to the Fly Tie Section in some time. Looks like it's time to get some new pattens up.

 

[flyakker]

I started tying a few years ago but have not stuck with it enough to consistently produce top quality flies. Best success has been with the larger but simple saltwater patterns and clousers. I have managed to tie a few small dry flies that have somehow caught trout (the stupid ones), but these are always harder to create. Don't think I'm quite ready to post any of my creations on the forum.

 

[backlash]

I think it's great to start with larger patterns. Tying those patterns such as Clousers and Deceivers really allows you to hone the basic tying techniques. I'm sure that your flies are not as bad as you think. As I have found the flies that I thought looked terrible, still caught fish. Don't be afraid to show off your work. You might even find someone willing to give you tip on how to do it easier or better the next time. Thanks for your post.

 

[fojoloy]

backlash---I'll add some more later--I've had a spell with sorriness setting in lately. Never considered my work was anything outstanding or to brag about-- More of a novelty thing with me--Like you said, some of the ugly ones are very effective --can't argue with a caught fish.

 

[sinker man]

I've decided to give up the fly tying and fly fishing all together. It has gotten a little too pricey buying at the local fly shops and truthfully I never really got into it enough to justify staying with it. I have already sold most all of my gear hooks etc. so it's a done deal. I know that I can get anything the local guys sell much cheaper but but I'd still rather focus elsewhere.

 

[backlash]

fojoloy- I know I've been pretty lazy about tying and post ties for some time myself but I do enjoy seeing the flies that others have created.

Sinker- There's no doubt that I could buy flies cheaper but the biggest part of tying is the personal touch that you can add to a fly to make it your creation. Also, I know that my flies are on quality hooks. I have broken the hooks off from those bin flies in a couple of fish.

 

[kjgallaher]

I like to tie because I can't fish as much as I would like. When I am at my vise, my mind is on the water thinking about what I am trying to immitate, how I will fish it, what I am trying to catch, etc. Very soon the problems of the day are long gone. Also, I can tie flies to do just what I want them to do rather than be limited to what is available commercially.

Regards,
Keith

 

[gotabig1]

Tying flies is like fishing without going anywhere. I seem to use the same part of the brain when tying flies as when I am fishing. Also for me its cheaper. I can get thread for $3 each and everything else is free. Except for hooks, chenile, moose, peacock, and elk. by the way, instead of marabou I use the fluff that is built up on the bottom of turkey breast feathers. I think its pretty cool how you can find uses for every piece of a feather.
joe

 

[backlash]

I travel alot this time year. I packed my fly tying kit for the trip week so I hope to get time to turn some out in my hotel room this week.

 

[TAO guide82]

I need some help with patterns for river musky. I know the basics for this type of fly: big, flashy, lots of action. Just wandering if anyone has found a pattern that works well for them.

P.S. check out my frawg pattern i use for smallies on the toe river.

 

[Topsail Angler]

P.S. check out my frawg pattern i use for smallies on the toe river.

Did you put it in our Fly Tie database? Check it out - using the toolbar menu above, select "tools" - "fly ties"

 

[backlash]

That's interesting TAO. We were just talking to guide at the Fly Fishing Show about catching Musky on the fly. He had a pttern that he was using but as my buddy put it, it was roughly the size and weight of a wet sock. While the guide claimed to have caught Musky on the fly, he seemed to really trying to steer us to some plug fishing and wouldn't guarantee or discuss the sucess of a fly trip. His belief was that Muskies are huge lateral line feeders, that need a bait with a lot of flash and vibration. I have noticed that most Musky lures seem to be either very large spinners or chuggers. I like to see some patterns myself since I haven't seen many and there are a couple of folks here in Fayetteville think that they want to give it a try.

Great looking frog!! Good Luck.

 

[TAO guide82]

Thanks for the write back. I guess ill post a pic of some flies that i tie to fish for striper on the Saluda that i have had strikes on but never got a fish to the boat with. Maybe you can give me some constructive criticism. I have seen a few of the musky that live in the toe and downstream in the nolichucky river. Lost a few plugs and spinners to the devils to. My dad caught a nice one two years ago-36" 15lb. Im using Cortland toothy critter wire albright knotted to 40 lb flourocarbon on an 8wt rod. Hope i dont smoke my reel. Haha It would kinda be worth it though. If you ever find some time to come to the mountains send me an e-mail and well definetly go fishin for trout or smallies or try the musky out, maybe ill be catchin a few by then. I have a creek company 1220 for the floats and my buddy has a three person pontoon boat also so you could even bring a friend. Thanks for the message hope to hear from you soon.

 

[kjgallaher]

Hey TAO,
Interesting posting. Smallmouth bass are my favorite freshwater fish. I have caught pike and pickeral on the fly but never a muskie. I am not sure I have the patience to cast a wet sock a zillion times to maybe have a muskie come and say hi. Here a link to some muskie flies: Muskie/Pike Flies
The fly I see referred to most often is a Dahlberg diver with a long zonker strip tail. I would tie it weedless. The head could be the typical deer hair however some tie them with foam heads. I imagine lage saltwater streamers would work well. Black for dirty water and light colors for clear.

Good luck,
Keith

 

[R4ED]

Has any one tried to tie Deer Hair Bass Popper's? Looks hard. Is is .......I like a challenge.....Ed

 

[al k]

Guilty as charged. I have not posted many flies on any of the forums that I frequent. Like most of you, I am busy, but that is really not a good excuse. I hear-by resolve to do better because if we don't share we don't learn.

As many have already said, fly tying can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. You won't save any money but not many hobbies do. There is a lot of satisfaction to be gained when you catch a fish on your own creation.

I suspect that most of you fall somewhere between Keith who is a master tier and myself, who is all thumbs. One thing that has helped me add a few fingers to my hand is watching another tier work his magic. No better way to spend a few hours then in the company of a good tier. Makes for good social time as well. Don't be afraid to attend or even host such get together.

Those of you in or near the Fayetteville area would do your fly tying skills a favor by either participating or observing the "Fly Tie-a-thon" at Tarheel Fish & Game from 9am to 9pm on Saturday, April 19th or come by Gander Mountain between 1-3pm, Sunday, March 9th where I will be holding forth with my Allieworms, Foam Beetles and Woolly Buggers.

 

[Fishingbear]

I am just getting started in salt water fly tying and will go this week to Southport to try out a few I have tied. The new one for me is the "feather duster " I saw in Fly tying Mag. It's colorful and easy to tie. The $1.00 feather duster from a dollar store is full of multi-color fibers red, yellow, green, blue, and white. Great selection for clousers. I am in Raleigh and hope to get together with some of you follow tiers.

 

[Coach D]

Mark the 19th of April like Al said. The fly-tie-a-thon is to benefit the march of dimes. Come on down to fayetteville for it.

 

[fojoloy]

The new one for me is the "feather duster " I saw in Fly tying Mag. It's colorful and easy to tie. The $1.00 feather duster from a dollar store is full of multi-color fibers red, yellow, green, blue, and white. Great selection for clousers.

Yep! Feather dusters--standard supplies--Don't overlook synthetic costume and ladies wigs (you'll meet interesting people when buying these)

 

[pbyrley]

I have liked tieing [tying?] since I was a kid but have never been a devoted fly fisherman. I decided to try taking my fly rod with me in case I catch so many fish on my spinning tackle that I get bored-hasn't happened yet . Now my fingers are too stiff to tie small flies but I still like salt water flies. I sure have a bunch of good hooks with feathers wrapped around them now!
Paul