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Post by turfdawg on Feb 17, 2017 16:35:37 GMT -6
Seems like JP, troutbum, greenman, hankinsfly and some others are always tying and a new member, westernbamboo, makes grass rods. This just got me to wondering how many like to make their flies, leaders, rods, ect..... and how many just prefer to buy.
Honestly, after tying some flies and catching fish with them I have found personally it doesn't mean anymore to me than catching with bought flies. I actually prefer buying them. I do tie a few but really do not like it. Maybe when I am not as busy I will change my mind. |
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 17, 2017 18:57:51 GMT -6
Turfdawg, I do buy a few from local shops most of the time to support the shop, and I don't care to lug my tying stuff all over on trips. I find great enjoyment in the craft of tying. I've come up with my own patterns that catch, and that to me is gratifying. It's also a great way for me to decompress from a crazy work week. But catching fish on any fly, homespun or shop-bought, is fun and what it's all about. That and just getting out there "standing in a river waving a stick" (Gierach). For me, there's no ego in tying my own, I just dig it and it's creative.
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Post by jonbo on Feb 17, 2017 20:48:32 GMT -6
I'm not really in love with tying, myself. My flies don't come out well enough to satisfy me, and I sometimes wonder if the more well-proportioned store purchased flies would fish better. I'm less worried about the mediocre finish on mine, because I don't think the fish can tell. However, mine fish fine. I really tie my own because I have a bunch of tying gear now that I don't want to go to waste. I don't have any "patterns" to speak of. I make them up every time I tie flies. I don't think I'd get into tying again. My fine coordination and eyesight are just a little too lacking. I'd buy them. I'm not mad or unhappy about it, more like, "eh". I just wanna fish, man!
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Post by danimal on Feb 17, 2017 20:54:37 GMT -6
I only tie the simple stuff (midges & such) because I use them a lot so it saves me a bit of money, and like hankinsfly said -- it's cool to come up with something new (or put my own spin on an old standard ) and see it produce. As much as I'd like to, I just don't have the hand/eye coordination to master most dry flies. I do want to start tying my own streamer patterns for smallmouth. I figure I MIGHT be able to pull that off working from a larger hook. LOL
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Post by flyfishermann1955 on Feb 17, 2017 21:03:21 GMT -6
I certainly enjoy tying and started it when I first took up fly fishing. There is great satisfaction in catching fish on my own flies. I don't think I have ever tied "a truly original fly"; however, I have a BWO nymph that I call my own, and it has caught trout every time I have fished it! It works for other guys too, so that provides a lot of satisfaction.
I have learned a lot about fishing/catching from some guys who have never tied a fly, so tying isn't required to enjoy fly fishing, or to be good at it.
Thanks- Ken
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 17, 2017 21:13:16 GMT -6
Danimal- may I make a suggestion for a killer smallmouth pattern? The craft fur Clouser. Gray over white, maybe some olive in the middle, a few strands of pearl crystal flash. Yellow lead eyes. Sorry turfdawg, didn't mean to go off the subject. That pattern has killed it for me from the upper Illinois to the Mulberry in Arkansas and up to Crooked Creek, AR. Homespun. I'll post pics next week in Fly Tying.
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Post by danimal on Feb 17, 2017 22:38:26 GMT -6
Danimal- may I make a suggestion for a killer smallmouth pattern? The craft fur Clouser. Gray over white, maybe some olive in the middle, a few strands of pearl crystal flash. Yellow lead eyes. Sorry turfdawg, didn't mean to go off the subject. That pattern has killed it for me from the upper Illinois to the Mulberry in Arkansas and up to Crooked Creek, AR. Homespun. I'll post pics next week in Fly Tying. Nice! |
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 18, 2017 8:09:17 GMT -6
What Hank and Ken said.
Fly tying keeps me thinking about fishing. It's a good way to decompress and it gets "in touch" with your inner artist or engineer. Honestly it's just damn fun. People say you can save money tying your own patterns which can be true, but often people wind up spending more money on another hobby that supports the main hobby--fishing.
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Post by dfwflyfisher on Feb 18, 2017 8:37:12 GMT -6
I've got young kids and it's hard enough to get away to fish... tying is something I would love to learn, but struggle with the time/energy after a long day.
I buy exclusively from anglers dream or big y fly. Prices are great, selection is outstanding, shipping is quick, etc.
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 18, 2017 9:45:33 GMT -6
What Hank and Ken said. Fly tying keeps me thinking about fishing. It's a good way to decompress and it gets "in touch" with your inner artist or engineer. Honestly it's just damn fun. People say you can save money tying your own patterns which can be true, but often people wind up spending more money on another hobby that supports the main hobby--fishing.  |
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Post by troutbum54 on Feb 18, 2017 18:37:09 GMT -6
I like to tie my own flies because finding barbless tungsten beaded patterns is ridiculous and it keeps me stress free. I'll admit I buy my dry flies, but as far as emergers and nymphs are concerned I like to tie my own to add some "special effects" to them.
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Post by troutbum54 on Feb 18, 2017 20:35:53 GMT -6
Oh and I tie my own leaders simply because I am pretty OCD and having perfect leaders for each of my rods is an obsession. I would love to build a bamboo rod or two, but being a college student I don't have the funds and I doubt my apt manager would allow a lot of wood work in the apartments.
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Post by westernbamboo on Feb 19, 2017 7:21:11 GMT -6
Tying flies has been a great way for me to relax after an intense day or when I wish I was on the water trout hunting (Tug is the drug). Building grass rods was a dream for years and its fun to see that dream come to fruition and others appreciate them. Both just require lots of practice and lots of mistakes. Fish don't seem to be bothered by either. All part of it. The greatest thrill is catching fish on rods and flies you made. Although catching a trout itself is a great thrill. And I agree, none saves money; that's just to convince myself or my wife that I need to buy more stuff!!
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Post by greenman on Feb 19, 2017 9:36:43 GMT -6
Turfdawg, Tying a fly for me is a challenge that allows me to concentrate on the tie and forget about any stress from work, kids, and this crazy world we live in. I look at my bench and pick out a hook, and say "What can I create today?". It may be a midge, a dry, an emerger or something complete ridiculous. I have tied some large colorful fly's for several of the grandkids. They (the flies) will never see water or a fish. The kids like the "pretty colors". The fly's are on a 4/0 hook that has been clipped from the bend.
Crafting a fly and having the pleasure of it being chosen by a fish, is a good feeling to me. I can understand that tying is not for everyone. It is easier to stop at the local fly shop and pickup a few flies for the water your fishing. It allows you to support the local small business and learn what is working for that area. I do buy flies and always stop in to see Eddie and Roberta to help support them and partake on their wisdom.
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Post by golferjeff on Feb 20, 2017 9:36:36 GMT -6
I don't have many creative juices.... I just lack that artistic kick that some people have. I am also impatient and I have 10 thumbs. I buy. Fly shops, Orvis, Feather craft, THe Fly Shop, it doesn't matter to me. Maybe someday I will tie, but for now all of the above reasons dictate credit card usage!
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 20, 2017 14:50:53 GMT -6
Or you con me into tying you up some patterns  |
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Post by golferjeff on Feb 20, 2017 15:52:07 GMT -6
What, Wood fired deep dish pizza and beers doesn't count? That's about 14-18 flies. And I still don't have that euro nymphing pamphlet......
I just want to take some of those heavy flies and barge up spillway and pretend we can fish like Evan.
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Post by mirvc17 on Feb 20, 2017 17:15:16 GMT -6
Ouch, lemme pull that knife out of my back! Yes, I'm still aware that I need to scan that slide show--my bad. I promise I'll get to it.
I'll tie you up some more flies too.
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 20, 2017 20:10:32 GMT -6
Ahhhhhhhh
looks like have us a bro-mance
WAIT
Grateful Head pizza, beers and flies-------------------------------got room for me
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Post by jonbo on Feb 20, 2017 21:10:42 GMT -6
I want to watch you guys try to scramble up Spillway like Evan.
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Post by golferjeff on Feb 21, 2017 9:34:26 GMT -6
All in good fun - JP got to meet the Mrs. and fish some down here in Arlington a few weeks back. There was a secret society meeting where plans were made to fish spillway using heavy flies and Evan's techniques. Bill - you weren't invited, your glass rods would break throwing heavy flies  . JP can tie some flies that catch fish, so I bought the pizza and beer. See what I mean by saying I 'Buy' flies instead of tie them?? Or I might just coerce and manipulate thru taste buds!
Can't wait to try spillway with a 10 foot rod, heavy flies (tied by JP), a goPro, and a wading staff. Gotta get this new house setup...... |
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Post by turfdawg on Feb 21, 2017 19:28:39 GMT -6
4 yo info, I dun went to the dark side and sold most of my glass rods and am now using my 9' 4wt graphite and am looking at 10' 3or4s BTW Glass don't snap! Congrats on the new house. Just had to get closer to me |
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Post by hankinsfly on Feb 21, 2017 19:34:34 GMT -6
I have me a 10' Hardy 4-wt, sure wish I could fish with you'ns....
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. JP can tie some flies that catch fish, so I bought the pizza and beer. See what I mean by saying I 'Buy' flies instead of tie them?? Or I might just coerce and manipulate thru taste buds!