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MyFishFinder Tips and Techniques => Fly Fishing => Topic started by: rgfixit on Mar 06, 2004, 07:40 PM

Title: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 06, 2004, 07:40 PM
Thought I'd start it up ;D
RG
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: mike VDM on Mar 06, 2004, 08:06 PM
Going to learn this summer!  Hope to have some super secret jigs for the next ice season!
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Cider on Mar 06, 2004, 11:47 PM
I was hoping someone would.  I suggested it in the suggestions board.

What do you tie the most?  Do you follow standard patterns or create your own?

I follow standard patterns for dries, but like creating my own streamer fly patterns.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: fastribs85 on Mar 07, 2004, 12:21 AM
been tying off and on for couple years used them mostly on spinning gear and have fun try to keep to traditional patterns but will try my own once and a while
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 07, 2004, 04:29 AM
Ever tie any trolling flies???

These patterns have taken trout, salmon, bass, pike, pickerel and perch. They were an experiment that worked.
RG

(https://www.myfishfinder.com/fishing_forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg5.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv15%2Fbrfixit%2Ftrollflies.jpg&hash=9305443567fe8663357f0de5454fc73a)
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 07, 2004, 04:49 AM
Going to learn this summer!  Hope to have some super secret jigs for the next ice season!

Mike, I still owe you a tool list...Here you go!

Vise, Get the best you can afford. Make sure the head will handle a variety of hook sizes fron tiny to big. The head should be adjustable in all directions while holding the hook so you can look at all sides of the pattern as you tie.

Bobbins ,can't have enough, 2 to start, ceramic sleeves are nice

Bodkin, I made mine from an old bait needle, I have a few sizes and find them useful

Scizzors, Ive tried lots of types and I have settled on Fiskars Embriodery scizzors. These can be found at a quality sewing shop like Sew Creative in Fairport.


Hackle pliars, I have 3, 2 are metal with flat jaws and 1 has rubber jaws

Tweezers find a pair with good tips

The rest depends on how deeply you get into tying.

Hope this helps
Bob
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: mike VDM on Mar 07, 2004, 07:27 PM
Well I do believe that some shoppping is in order now!  Thanks RG! 

Mike
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: seaweed01 on Mar 07, 2004, 08:26 PM
RG,
You didn't tell him about all the necks, feathers, various body material, different type/style hooks, a whip finisher is nice also, various color thread, etc. the list can go on and on and on.
Do you need any lemon wood duck?
Pete
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: mikevdm on Mar 08, 2004, 06:59 AM
I need everything!  Just getting started so I have nothing.  Don't even know how to start but I guess admitting that is a start?  I will be doing some reading and some shopping over the next few weeks.  Hope to have something to try by this summer.  Seaweed have you had your grandson out much after Conesus? 

Mike
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Cider on Mar 08, 2004, 07:46 AM
Those are some nice trolling flies.  I have never tried tying the tandem hooks before.  Is it difficult?

I tie similar streamers myself.  I use a lot of the newer synthetic material like mylar, crystal flash, flashabou, angel hair, marabou hair, and widow's web.  I also incorporate deer hair and calf's tail of various colors.  I like the synthetic because of the way it refracts and reflects the light as the fly parts the water.  I like to start with a basic smelt pattern or a clouser minnow pattern and tweak it.  I find them to be very effective for trout and salmon. 
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Cider on Mar 08, 2004, 08:03 AM
What does everyone have for tools, vises, etc.?  I have a regal gold medal c-clamp vise and most of my tools are from Orvis.  I am thinking about getting a pedestal mount vise so I can be a little more mobile in the future.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 08, 2004, 08:17 AM
Seaweed1
I was trying NOT to overwhelm him. Mike is an "All In" kind of guy from what I've seen.

He already suffers from rampant jig and ice fishiing equipment addticions. His downward spiral into the dark depths of  flyfishing is inevitable.

Soon, he'll smile at a tiny piece of yarn, his cat's tail will be mostly bald and road kill fur and feathers will take on  special significance. 

Yes, Mike will be found frequenting craft and sewing stores
buying embarrassing things like pink thread, tinsel and tiny colored beads. Soon enough!

RG
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: seaweed01 on Mar 08, 2004, 09:09 AM
RG,
It sounds like you and I have both "been there" before.

Strikemaster,
He has been out some, but with basketball and all
the extra school activities he has been real busy.
Thanks for asking.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 08, 2004, 10:15 AM
Cider,
The tandem flies are not difficult to tie.

 Obviously, you'd start by whipping the trailer hook to the steel leader. I like the coated steel leader. It's stiffer and keeps the trailer in line with the fly. Be sure to feed the leader through the eye and use drop eye hooks . This allows the hook to hang and set better when hit.

Next whip the leader to the head hook and start building your fly. Keep the leader  in the forward 1/3 of the shank towards the eye so the hook can hang down in use.

I got the idea from tying pike flies and have tied tandem hooks with BIG Muddlers and Dace imitations.

I use weighted Black Nose Dace and Shiner patterns in open water for Smallmouth. Very Deadly.
RG
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Cider on Mar 08, 2004, 10:32 AM
Hey RG - that sounds simple enough.  I think I will whip out a few tandems this year to try on landlocks.  I also use the black-nosed dace pattern and I like the mickey finn, gray ghost, Franke shiner, Joe's smelt, and zonkers.  I use dumbbell eyes for weight.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: seaweed01 on Mar 08, 2004, 12:57 PM
What do you guys think of parachute style? I like them much better than the traditional dry fly style.
They sit down in the film more and of course the
small post is easy for "old eyes" to see.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Cider on Mar 08, 2004, 02:09 PM
They are certainly a lot easier to fish than a traditional.  Seems like they always land on the surface in the correct presentation everytime.  Traditional drys will from time to time come down upside down or on the side.  Especially if the hackle wasn't put on just right...

I also agree that you get a better chance of hook-up with them because they make a larger profile from underneath the way they get trapped in the surface film.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: livin4ice on Mar 08, 2004, 08:47 PM
rgfixit,

I was SO glad to see you mention the cats tail.  I will never forget the look my cat gave me the first time I yanked fur out of it's tail.  Cat hair looks so natural under water and the undercoat makes great dubbing.

Mike
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 09, 2004, 06:45 AM
Thanks for mentioning the Parachute style files. I haven't tied any of these yet , but I really like the look and the idea.
I see some Dun's, Adams, and Mosquitos coming up real soon. It's gotta produce a great Wulff Coachman as well.

For those interested, the best online source for tying instructions that I have found is;
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/

Great for every one from beginners to masters.

RG
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: seaweed01 on Mar 09, 2004, 07:28 AM
RG,
If you ever start using the parachute style you will
like them, especially on really selective trout.
A tip on tying the parachute:  I have found that if I
tie the posts first and put a small drop of lacquer on
the bottom of it, and after it drys it is easy to wind
the hackle around it. I usually tie up a dozen or two
of the posts before I start whatever pattern I'm
trying. If anyone wants some help/tips that I have learned in tying the parachutes, feel free to ask and
I'll try to help. If you need a sample, thats no problem either.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: rgfixit on Mar 09, 2004, 08:42 AM
That's a good tip Pete. Thanks ;D
What sizes do you normally like? What type and brand of hook?
RG
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: seaweed01 on Mar 09, 2004, 12:06 PM
RG,
I use the standard dry fly hook #94840. I tie 18, 16 & 14, sometimes a 12.  I do not put a tail on 16 or smaller, but do on 14 up.
You want to put the post in the middle or slightly forward on the hook shank.  Use very little material, You will be suprised at how easily you can see the post. As I said before, I use these 85-90% of the time now, except when I'm using a caddis pattern.
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: fastribs85 on Mar 09, 2004, 10:17 PM
mike if your just starting out try some streamers and nymph pattersn just to get down the basics and then start on thr drys but my favorite is the hares era nymph and then the pheasent tail there pretty easy to start with and thats how i learned
Title: Re: Fly Tying
Post by: Germ on Mar 18, 2004, 05:11 PM
 ;D I liked the Part about The Cat tail...I work shift work at nights and when its slow i tie flies...The Cat at work Bugs me all the time and there has been lots of Times iv'e pinched more then my share of fur from him...He is a glutton for punishment...My dog is also 3 parts wolf one part husky..Big white fur...He doesnt mind being snipped every once in awhile also...Nothing with fur is safe. LOL I also have lots of Parrot feathers but need some Rooster capes as the Parrot Feathers dont quite make the cut...ANyone have Rooster cape for trade?