Question:

Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. ….take a deep breath, assume the lotus position and let your mind begin to wander and then to wonder…if necessary, use the ancient relics and the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation… While sitting…grasp the rod. Hold it. Feel it. Become one with it. …. Learn how to gently coax line from the tip. Learn to move the line to different places. Use as little motion as possible in order to not molest or in any way raise your pulse rate. Your breathing should become deeper and slower as you bond with your rod. Start off with small strokes. Gently teasing and calling….calling…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air…..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy expenditure…..can you make it straight.? Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?  Can you make it then go straight out in back of you? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line? Can you keep the line flat and straight, curving only to change from forwards to backwards?  Can you feel the line so softly and tenderly tugging and pulling – yearning to be free of the rod and thus of it’s master? repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine…… john

Response:

asadi wrote… repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine……

My rod is my best friend, it is my life.  I must master it as I must master my life.  Without me my rod is useless, without my rod I am useless.  I must cast my rod true.  I must cast better than my friend who is trying to outfish me.  I must catch fish before he outfishes me.  I will.   Before God I swear this creed.  My rod and myself are defenders of our rivers.  We are the masters of the trout.  We are the saviors of fish.   So be it.  Until there are no fishless days but catching.   Amen. — Warren (amazed at how memories from 10+ years ago can flood your mind as fresh as if the events just happened….) PS – This is my rod and this is my gun.  This is for fishing, this is for fun….. Henry’s Fork Clave info and Bozeman, MT fishing info www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt

Response:

Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. …

        (etherial wisdom snipped) john

        i knew it would only be a matter of time before you got these techhies on the right path, john.         it must be tough being the only bodhisattva on roff. your friend in the old north state wayno – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

… the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation…

Yeah, that’s the part I like about fishing with you, John. I just gotta remember to tie on the fly BEFORE I toke the secret herb. — Ken Fortenberry

Response:

Hello asadi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do not learn to cast. Very bad. Too much like work. Learn to draw pretty pictures. ….take a deep breath, assume the lotus position and let your mind begin to wander and then to wonder…if necessary, use the ancient relics and the secret blend of herbs to attain a sated state of complete relaxation… While sitting…grasp the rod. Hold it. Feel it. Become one with it. …. Learn how to gently coax line from the tip. Learn to move the line to different places. Use as little motion as possible in order to not molest or in any way raise your pulse rate. Your breathing should become deeper and slower as you bond with your rod. Start off with small strokes. Gently teasing and calling….calling…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air…..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy expenditure…..can you make it straight.? Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?  Can you make it then go straight out in back of you? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line? Can you keep the line flat and straight, curving only to change from forwards to backwards?  Can you feel the line so softly and tenderly tugging and pulling – yearning to be free of the rod and thus of it’s master? repeat……this is my rod. There are many like it, but this one is mine…… john

Never had a dirty phone call and this is my first erotic newsgroup post……or did I just read it wrong <G May your Yin and Yang be in harmony always, and your Ch’i flow freely. — Don’t Worry, Be Happy! IRC Sandyb in #Rabble uk3.arcnet.vapor.com port:6667 Sandy (http://www.ftscotland.co.uk)   (Replace noway with sandy to email)

Response:

asadi [held it in a *real* long time then] posted…. Learn, seek the way to keep the line in the air

yes…young grasshooker …..slowly….how to keep it in the air with the least energy

expenditure….. yes…i can see it now…master bong lit can you make it straight.?

yes…ho wang…but for the fleeting flap of a single gnats nad… Can you, with a flick of the wrist, a flex of your forearm, make the line go straight out in front of you?

yes…huk lo…but then it will stay there forever (sometimes even with a mighty samurai pull) Can you make it then go straight out in back of you?

yes…far flung…I think I am ready…can I try to snatch the splitshot from your palm ? Can you keep the ess curves out of your line?

yes…but I can’t keep the fuk ng knots from my 5x… — The Halfordian Golfer

Response:

 Very bad. Too much like work. Some days it does feel that way.  Feel it. Become one with it. …. When I bring to mind my favorite places, most of them are places that for some reason or another, are more likely to give me one of those special days. On these days, "you" can get lost in the experience and all is right with the world. I’ve only had these sort of days when I was fishing alone. When I bring other people to these places, the trips are often disappointing because their "specialness" isn’t because of exceptional fish catching. Willi PS Before I once again get accused of not having a sense of humor, I DID see the humor in John’s post.

Response:

Question:

Finally!!!! a pertinent post to ROFF!!! waldo

#1 pickup line…."hey, nice tooth". Natty

Response:

Thanks to all who have given their advice regarding my trip to somewhere in Maine in late June.  From what I have gleaned from your responses, I believe that I will have my best success on either the Rapid or the East outlet of Moosehead Lake. It sounds like I can not go wrong with either of these pieces of water.  If these waters are comparable, what are some of the things that would make you prefer one of these rivers over another? Quality fishing, lack of crowds, nearby lodges, wildness of scenery, etc.. Thanks, Brooktrout22 Ed

Response:

Brooktrout22 writes: It sounds like I can not go wrong with either of these pieces of water.  If these waters are comparable, what are some of the things that would make you prefer one of these rivers over another? Quality fishing, lack of crowds, nearby lodges, wildness of scenery, etc.. Thanks, Brooktrout22 Ed

Ed, Lakewood Camps is super.  You can go to The East Outlet and you’ll probably catch fish, but Lakewood’s food and atmosphere is tops.  Plus, I think the Rapid fishes better than the East Outlet, with less crowds.  You can *drive* to the East Outlet.   You can’t drive to Lakewood (it is gated).  A boat picks you up at South Arm.    "Outsiders" have to either boat or walk in, so it is less crowded than EO.    The only time I fish EO is in October when the crowds are nil and it is the only place you can still fish.  JMO, of course.  I will be at Lakewood in late June  (25 – 30) with my grandsons and could help you with the river.  Both rivers have their idiosyncrasies. Dave L.

Response:

If these waters are comparable, what are some of the things that would make you prefer one of these rivers over another?

Hard question. Tough choice. There are camps at the headwaters of the Outlet and also at Middledam on the Rapid. I can’t vouch for the outlet as I’ve never stayed there, but Lakewood camps are quite nice and they take good care of you. Plan on gaining weight if you stay there. Both rivers are fairly wild once you get downstream a bit. I expect that the ‘famous’ pools of each have their crowds, and both have plenty of water if you’re willing to walk a bit. Based on my limited fishing of the Rapid my opinion is that the outlet has more large fish, but you will catch more fish at the Rapid and the Rapid also has the opportunity for you to catch a genuine wild brookie of prodigious size. To be fair to the outlet there are some very large brookies there as well, but it’s reputation is that of a salmon river, not a brook trout river. I once even caught a fairly skinny toque (Lake Trout) in the outlet as well that fought about as hard as 2 foot stick. late June is prime time on both rivers, the outlet will run more to generic caddis and stonefly hatches, with a few selected mayflies mixed in. The Rapid is rumored to have a fairly substantial Alder fly hatch in late June. I expect to day trip up for some of that action this summer. You didn’t say if you were interested in a guide. On the east outlet there are a couple of guide services that will run the entire river in a drift boat, something I highly recommend. I believe that the Rapid tends more to a wading experience with the exception of Pond in the River. This is not to suggest that the outlet isn’t wadable, it is, but it has a series of fairly large and deep pools that cannot be completely covered while wading. The outlet offers the opportunity to sample the extensive night life in Greenville and Rockwood (I’m a lumberjack and I’m ok, I work all night….everyone join in now:-)) and to easily visit the Roach and with a 2 hour drive and a couple of paper company gates, the West Branch. Or head north 30-40 mins and fish the Moose River where it dumps into Moosehead Lake. Lakewood will offer you a nice cabin, with lights and showers, incredible food (plan on gaining weight) and an easy walk to the fishing beginning at Middle Dam. Flyfish

Response:

Thanks to all for your advice.  I will see you on the Rapid in late June. Brooktrout

Response:

The outlet offers the opportunity to sample the extensive night life in Greenville and Rockwood

LOL.   You mean the ceremonial rolling up of the sidewalks?  (in the few spots they actually have sidewalks.)  :-) Joe F.

Response:

Joe Fleischman writes: The outlet offers the opportunity to sample the extensive night life in Greenville and Rockwood LOL.   You mean the ceremonial rolling up of the sidewalks?  (in the few spots they actually have sidewalks.)  :-) Joe F.

Hey, the pizza parlor in beautiful downtown Greenvile stays open until 11 pm – Dave

Response:

Caviasco writes: Thanks to all for your advice.  I will see you on the Rapid in late June.

I’ll be the old guy with two tall teenage boys. Dave LaCourse

Response:

Caviasco;   Can’t go wrong with either choice. My only complaint about staying at Lakewood–which I have many times–was the meal schedule. They serve dinner from 6:30 to 8 pm in the evening–EXACTLY when I want to be on the river on a June evening.    Most of the guys staying there were in the dining area–while–as a "hard-core"–I was eating a sandwich out on the Rapid.   By staying at camps on the East Outlet I find I can arrange my meal schedule to suit  my needs–around the best fishing times. That’s the only complaint I had about Lakewood. Great camps–great people–great fishing. You’ll have a wonderful time.    Dave M

Response:

Dave M. writes: My only complaint about staying at Lakewood–which I have many times–was the meal schedule. They serve dinner from 6:30 to 8 pm in the evening–EXACTLY when I want to be on the river on a June evening.

Psssst.   Shhhhhhhh.  (speaking softly) Don’t tell anyone, but you can have your meal served to you in your cabin *after* 8 p.m.  Extra charge of course.   Few know about it. Dave L.

Response:

Dammit you bottom feeder, why didn’t you share that with us during the clave! Of course I could have been broke by the end of the clave… Flyfish

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave M. writes: My only complaint about staying at Lakewood–which I have many times–was the meal schedule. They serve dinner from 6:30 to 8 pm in the evening–EXACTLY when I want to be on the river on a June evening. Psssst.   Shhhhhhhh.  (speaking softly) Don’t tell anyone, but you can have your meal served to you in your cabin *after* 8 p.m.  Extra charge of course. Few know about it. Dave L.

Response:

Psssst.   Shhhhhhhh.  (speaking softly) Don’t tell anyone, but you can have your meal served to you in your cabin *after* 8 p.m.  Extra charge of course. Few know about it.

The other thing you can do is cheat back the show-up time a bit. I spent my time at Lakewood trying to figure out what the *latest* possible time was that I could show up for meals and not lose out. I also tried to figure out how to get up and get ready in the morning without waking up Jeff Miller. An impossible task. I defy anyone to pre-rise Jeff at the Penn Clave. –Steve

Response:

Dave B. writes: Dammit you bottom feeder, why didn’t you share that with us during the clave! Of course I could have been broke by the end of the clave…

Well, I would have, but I figured an intimate dinner by candle light  with Paul, Dave, and Dave  would have been too much for you.  <g   What Dave M. says has some merit, but if you eat at 6:30, you can be back on the river by 7.  I’ve done it myself many times.  Or, you can get your big streamers and a 6 or 7 weight and go to the dam and chuck for big brookies/salmon.  I took a 4 pound brookie on a green ghost last September at the dam after dinner. Dave LaCourse Pirate and Bottom Dweller

Response:

LOL.   You mean the ceremonial rolling up of the sidewalks?  (in the few spots they actually have sidewalks.)  :-)

If you fish the West Branch, there’s a girly bar in T2R9 just outside Millinockett.  Actually, there’s a girly bar there even if you don’t fish the West Branch.

Response:

If you fish the West Branch, there’s a girly bar in T2R9 just outside Millinockett.  Actually, there’s a girly bar there even if you don’t fish the West Branch.

Ya know, now that I think of it, I lived in Millinocket for 2 years and never once went into "La Casa", starting to wonder if I was sick at the time . Of course what looks great to a lumberjack after a week in a tiny trailer somewhere out off the Golden road might not be up to my exacting standards. For the out of staters, also affectionately called flatlanders, T2R9 is township 2 range 9, otherwise known as an ‘unincorporated township’ meaning most likely no one lives there except the critters, there is no local government, no local taxes except at the county and state level. Almost heaven except for the (usually) exceptionally long drive to anywhere that has gas, food, entertainment etc. In the case of La Casa, the adult entertainment megacenter of Penobscot County, it’s wedged right between East Millinocket and Millinocket. Imagine the chagrin when the town counsel of East Millinocket discovered that La Casa was NOT located in the town thereof and was therefore not subject to their attempt to zone it out of existence (true story). Flyfish

Response:

LOL.   You mean the ceremonial rolling up of the sidewalks?  (in the few spots they actually have sidewalks.)  :-) If you fish the West Branch, there’s a girly bar in T2R9 just outside Millinockett.  Actually, there’s a girly bar there even if you don’t fish the West Branch.

Finally!!!! a pertinent post to ROFF!!! waldo

Response:

Zimbo writes: I also tried to figure out how to get up and get ready in the morning without waking up Jeff Miller. An impossible task. I defy anyone to pre-rise Jeff at the Penn Clave.

Can’t be done.  Will never be done.  That’s why he’s the official coffee maker whenever he’s around.  That’s all we let him do, though.  Coffee, just coffee……good too… Dave LaCourse Pirate and Bottom Dweller

Response:

Rory McQuillan writes: If you fish the West Branch, there’s a girly bar in T2R9 just outside Millinockett.  Actually, there’s a girly bar there even if you don’t fish the West Branch.

<g  Better explain to our non-Maine friends what a "T2R9" is, Rory.  And our southern brethren call dem places "titty bars".  <g   Dave LaCourse Pirate and Bottom Dweller

Response:

Rory McQuillan writes: If you fish the West Branch, there’s a girly bar in T2R9 just outside Millinockett.  Actually, there’s a girly bar there even if you don’t fish the West Branch. <g  Better explain to our non-Maine friends what a "T2R9" is, Rory.  And our southern brethren call dem places "titty bars".  <g Dave LaCourse Pirate and Bottom Dweller

Yeah, but do them girlys do back massages?  In the water? Frank (oh,the pain!) Church

Response:

Question:

______ The prettiest Western Dry Fly in all the world.  I don’t know about Eastern opinions on this but  I suppose it would have to be the Light Cahill or Hendrickson?  I love them all, really.  I love dry flies, period. I wish some of you would start submitting your signature fly to our "Flies of the World" web site listed below.  See Mike Connor’s examples.  Don’t any of you eastern boys know how to tie a dry fly for christ sake?  You guys have only one good fly tier their, I think and his name is George Harvey.  I thought he taught fly tying out that way in Pennsylvania and about?  You DO know what a dry fly is in North Carolina now, don’t you boys?  They sure don’t, in Arkansas. ; ) George *twitch —

Question:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

Response:

Vic,How many do you need? James Ehlers Uncle Jammer’s Guide Service Underhill, VT

Response:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

I got mine from Hunters Angling Supplies in New Boston (NH). Look for their number in any ff journal or mail back and I will try to find it Thomas (not affiliated with Hunters…) — Thomas Urbig

Response:

Vic, Mike Houge has some listed on his Web Site http://www.commonlink.com/~Midwestflytying/ I met him at a recent Fly Show and he was very helpful with good prices. Rick — Richard Padgett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot? Thanks, Vic

Response:

Does anyone know  source for a White Snow Shoe Hares Foot?

A most reliable source, Vic, would be a wilderness area where you could catch a White Snow Shoe Hare and chop its f*cking feet off. Spinolio

Response:

I’m looking for a white snow shoe hares foor to use as wing material for the comparadun.  Does anyone know of a source for one or two of those. Thanks, Vic

I think Feathecraft Fly Fishing in St. Louis has them in their catalog. 800-659-1707 Steve Rosenblum

Response:

I’m looking for a white snow shoe hares foor to use as wing material for the comparadun.  Does anyone know of a source for one or two of those. Thanks, Vic

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Al, I still can’t seem to get to the new group from IBM’s ADVANTIS network so other folks may be having similar problems with their news servers. Hopefully they will all be ironed out soon. — Charlie Choc Charles E. Choc & Associates Computer Telephony Consulting Marietta Georgia, USA Hi Charlie, Sorry to hear you network is not carrying the tying newsgroup – at least I assume this is the problem. My last look at the group indicated about 75 messages on the current screen. Maybe a call or email to your network server would be in order. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

That’s all it’ll take.  The ROFFT group is definitely going. Bob Lundy IWFFC Mississauga, ON http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rlundy

Response:

Hi Sandy. Keep plugging away, the group is being accessed by UK readers. Damn good stuff too. I’ve currently got something like 175 news items stored. E.mail your provider and tell them of your problems.                                        Read you soon. Dave T. , I am having trouble accessing the fly tying group through America On Line. , It will show up for a while and then disappear. When I search for it-it’s , gone.  No one seems to be posting there. I keep loggin on, but no new messages appear. We need a few people to log on to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, with something (anything) to say!

– dave tait

Response:

Hi Sandy. Keep plugging away, the group is being accessed by UK readers. Damn good stuff too. I’ve currently got something like 175 news items stored. E.mail your provider and tell them of your problems.

Just to clarify things… The newsgroup is indeed globally created and has been receiving quite a bit of traffic.  I was out of town for the weekend and when I returned there were 96 new messages. If you still can’t access the group the problem is with your provider.  Some service provides don’t "auto-create" new newsgroups and you’ll specifically have to ask them to add the group to their subscribed list.  In any case, there isn’t anything that anyone that is reading this newsgroup can do about the local problem. — John Fereira Isis Distributed Systems – Ithaca, NY

Response:

This newsgroup still doesn’t exist…for me.  Is it active?

:   : , I am having trouble accessing the fly tying group through America On Line. : , It will show up for a while and then disappear. When I search for it-it’s : , gone. :   :   No one seems to be posting there. I keep loggin on, but no new messages : appear. We need a few people to log on to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, : with something (anything) to say! — Laboratory for Applied Logic    Dept. of Computer Science University of Idaho             www: http://www.cs.uidaho.edu/~foster —–BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—– Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAzDtvLEAAAEEAKAC21G2Be0K0DMgjLpxrwLmsYfCz8rWcfgyABjr3Ryfk1dO nV7fFFpUF3xohR7die+/B2V9oqRQzTLeSF2ECKlsTY/yUyw2kn+P2ju1umh4Fwzd cVTvc+H69q1+Ft3kmw/PE0Pan+g0PUGGJ43stw3q4OgBHdixbRd/f9giJFDxAAUR tCZKYW1lcyBBLiBGb3N0ZXIgPGZvc3RlckBjcy51aWRhaG8uZWR1PokAlQMFEDD8 ReEXf3/YIiRQ8QEBFrAD/2AFuRWcD/3MENC3qJMC/Or1qxknjkK7Uv+TDf2LHPOY GHBbG9PyWuXQ8of0Dd+JYwf/tzlO9Yk1s1zTdikfriak21FW0bCokxDIhA3myppZ IZDWVA9CyvDYHuP5Ii1NkBvocab813JzDLZA+0iVN5sebGb9zSXR4Za47hlriHeP =RDHK —–END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK—–

Response:

I’m unable to find this group either.  Address again?  The one I got a week ago just doesn’t connect, at least on my server… — Ken Brown Satis elequontiae, sapientiae parum.

Response:

I’m unable to find this group either.  Address again?  The one I got a week ago just doesn’t connect, at least on my server… — Ken Brown Satis elequontiae, sapientiae parum.

rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying is what I have been trying to join. — Charlie Choc Charles E. Choc & Associates Computer Telephony Consulting Marietta Georgia, USA

Response:

Al, I still can’t seem to get to the new group from IBM’s ADVANTIS network so other folks may be having similar problems with their news servers. Hopefully they will all be ironed out soon. — Charlie Choc Charles E. Choc & Associates Computer Telephony Consulting Marietta Georgia, USA

Hi Charlie, Sorry to hear you network is not carrying the tying newsgroup – at least I assume this is the problem. My last look at the group indicated about 75 messages on the current screen. Maybe a call or email to your network server would be in order. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

, I am having trouble accessing the fly tying group through America On Line. , It will show up for a while and then disappear. When I search for it-it’s , gone.  No one seems to be posting there. I keep loggin on, but no new messages appear. We need a few people to log on to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, with something (anything) to say!

Something is wrong on your end.  My site did not add the group until it was officially released, but since then (a week or so) there have been around a dozen messages a day on it. Dave

Response:

Hi Vic, I’ve been corresponding through the tying newsgroup with several folks who use AOL and they seem to have no problem. Anyway the tying group seems to be taking off. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Al, I still can’t seem to get to the new group from IBM’s ADVANTIS network so other folks may be having similar problems with their news servers. Hopefully they will all be ironed out soon. — Charlie Choc Charles E. Choc & Associates Computer Telephony Consulting Marietta Georgia, USA

Response:

I am having trouble accessing the fly tying group through America On Line. It will show up for a while and then disappear. When I search for it-it’s gone. Is this a common problem for AOL members or am I doing something stupid again? Vic’s Fly-By-Night Too much time spent tying Not enough fishing

Response:

Hi Vic, I’ve been corresponding through the tying newsgroup with several folks who use AOL and they seem to have no problem. Anyway the tying group seems to be taking off. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

, I am having trouble accessing the fly tying group through America On Line. , It will show up for a while and then disappear. When I search for it-it’s , gone.   No one seems to be posting there. I keep loggin on, but no new messages appear. We need a few people to log on to rec.outdoors.fishing.fly.tying, with something (anything) to say!

Response:

Question:

Enjoy your reports.  Keep them up.  April 4 particularly important:  I was scheduled to fish out of Miami but had to cancel because I couldn’t get down there; rescheduled to June.  Interested in June 26, 27, or 29 with you; are those dates open?  If so, what’s the rate, what’s the likely target, and can my buddy spin fish? Dave Motes Oakton, Virginia

Response:

Enjoy your reports.  Keep them up.  April 4 particularly important:  I was scheduled to fish out of Miami but had to cancel because I couldn’t get down there; rescheduled to June.  Interested in June 26, 27, or 29 with you; are those dates open?  If so, what’s the rate, what’s the likely target, and can my buddy spin fish? Dave Motes Oakton, Virginia

Dave, I don’t have any time open in the foreseeable future.  E-mail me at Thanks. Marshall

Response:

Today promised to be a great day but turned out to be so-so because of the lack of fish.  We fished west of Key West on the oceanside flats during the morning and had four or five good shots at feeding permit that were mudding and tailing.  It was a good thing they were so active because the water was very silted up.  In fact a couple of fish never seemed to see the fly even though it was put right in front of them.  We did get three fish to tail on the fly but did not hook any of them. Because of the dirty water I went to the gulfside around midday but there was way too much water up on the flats there.  Between noon and 2 PM we saw one fish.  Fitz C. hooked and lost a cobia following a ray. Then we lost our visibility to high cloud cover.  We decided to go look for tarpon because the wind dropped, but couldn’t find any. Finally, we cast to some "floater" permit that were mooning and nymphing in a channel.  We got some follows but no takers. Marshall Cutchin

Response:

Question:

Does anyone know where I can find the following rodbuilding book? A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod Hoagy B. Carmichael 1977 Marth’s Glen Publishing Co., Katanah, NY 10536 Thanks very much for any help in this regard. BTW, the flyfishing is great this year in Wyoming. Big Horn area especially. Please email me if you know where I can find the book.

I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or smail is:    256 Nashua Court    Grand Junction, CO 81503 Good Luck, Rick

Response:

        The latest printing and the first printing are both sold out. However, a third edition is supposed to come out late this year or early next year. Higher price though. Try Angler’s Art at 800-848-1020.

Response:

orig snipped<< I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or smail is: Good Luck, Rick

Well Rick, moving on your advice I stopped by the site you published and was impressed, looks really great. I am also interested in this book and some other ones also, Being a poor dude, I ain’t in the credit card-fed-ex-next-day-instant-gratification< catagory, so I e-mailed title and one other by money order. As the publication is a limited printing and not due out untill sept, (gee I guess thats today) I really wanted to get my order in now, not to mention the times that I have about a hundered and a half bucks to spend on books being pretty rare. I hate to jump to this conclusion, but after a few days, I have a hard time not doing it, as I usually return e-mail with in a few hours, a day at the most. It seems that the color of my money is not good enough for Mr. Bamboo and I am just a little pissed (that’s mad in american for all you Brits) that not only is this title apparently sold out before it was offered, but he has yet to dignify my request for a M.O. purchase. There are shop keeps out there, they too need to earn a living, and by and large that is where I preferr to spend my hard earned wages. I’d like to think that Mr. Bamboo is not the type to read his email and think "Ah, here’s a little punk who thinks he wants to buy my wares, but he’s not going to creditcard his way straight into my purse, so to hell with him".   But thats what it looks like from here. I wish bamboo much success in his on-line venture, I really do. But it doesn’t look like he’ll get my money, But then again, it looks like he doesn’t want it either.

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I HAVE COMMITED AN INJUSTICE HERE orig snipped<< I got my reprinted copy from Centennial Pulications in Grand Junction Co. They have a web site "http://www.gorp.com/cl_angle/flyfish/main.htm" or

My response Well Rick, moving on your advice I stopped by the site you published and was impressed, looks really great. snip< There are shop keeps out there, they too need to earn a living, and by and large that is where I preferr to spend my hard earned wages. I’d like to think that Mr. Bamboo is not the type to read his email and think "Ah, here’s a little punk who thinks he wants to buy my wares, but he’s not going to creditcard his way straight into my purse, so to hell with him".

I should learn to keep my mouth shut, Mr. Bamboo DID respond, after a few days, and took care of me pretty nicely, a lot more nicely than I did him.   I am ashamed, this seems life a very fine outfit, i really wished I’da kept my mouth shut. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I wish bamboo much success in his on-line venture, I really do. But it doesn’t look like he’ll get my money, But then again, it looks like he doesn’t want it either.

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Does anyone know where I can find the following rodbuilding book? A Master’s Guide to Building a Bamboo Fly Rod Hoagy B. Carmichael 1977 Marth’s Glen Publishing Co., Katanah, NY 10536 Thanks very much for any help in this regard. BTW, the flyfishing is great this year in Wyoming. Big Horn area especially. Please email me if you know where I can find the book.

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Question:

Destination question for the group: I am planning (on very short notice) a family vacation to Destin/Panama City, Fla.  Should be arriving down there Saturday 6/24. I’ll be driving this time, so I’ll have my vehicle at my disposal. The trip will be heavily slanted towards keeping my wife (not a fisherman) and my three kids (8,6 & 4) happy, but I will have some time available for myself. I assume there’s inshore opportunity for speckled trout, redfish, maybe small tarpon and even snook. On previous trips I’ve been able to do a little evening/morning fishing scattered in here and there. I also usually get away with a half day or so of fishing. The 1/2 day will probably be spent fishing off a party boat or "six pack" type charter. As far as tackle goes, I have to admit I havent much experience with salt water fly fishing. There are no saltwater opportunities in Missouri I’ve got a few BIG deceivers that I’ve used for yellowtail, baracuda and bonita off boats out of southern CA & baja Mexico. I also have an assortment of jigs & plugs for my spinning & casting tackle. Most of this is your typical heavy lead jigs and lipped diving plugs like "Cisco Kid". I’ve got a Sage 890RPL. I use an 8wt Bass Bug Taper line on it. The reel is a Lamson 3. There’s about 100 yds of backing. I’ll also be taking a 7 1/2′ spinning rod with 200+ yds of 17lb mono. I haven’t booked a room yet, but I’m sure we’ll be staying beachfront. So here come the questions:  1) Where to fish  2) What to fish with, epecially inshore in the surf or around     jetties/piers/bridges. I am no longer into chucking a hunk     of squid or shrimp out and seeing what happens. I don’t need     to use fly tackle exclusively, but that would be nice.  3) Any advice along the lines of how to spend the 1/2 day fishing     trip. Open to almost anything.  and 4) What kind of things other than the beach and pool are there         to do for the family.  *** THANKS IN ADVANCE! ***  -Mark-              ,              O          .:/          Mark Devino          ,,///;,   ,;/   Sr. Recruiter   o     o:::::::;;///    APPLIED DATA SYSTEMS      . ::::::::;;\    St. Louis/St. Charles, Missouri               ‘;      "I fish, therefore I lie"

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: Destination question for the group: : I am planning (on very short notice) a family vacation to : Destin/Panama City, Fla.  Should be arriving down there : Saturday 6/24. Which one, Destin and Panama City are like an hour plus apart.   Destin and Ft. Walton Beach are just across the bridge from each other.  If you are in Panama City, I can’t offer any help. : I’ll be driving this time, so I’ll have my vehicle at my disposal. : The trip will be heavily slanted towards keeping my wife (not a : fisherman) and my three kids (8,6 & 4) happy, but I will have : some time available for myself. I assume there’s inshore : opportunity for speckled trout, redfish, maybe small tarpon : and even snook. : On previous trips I’ve been able to do a little evening/morning : fishing scattered in here and there. I also usually get away with : a half day or so of fishing. The 1/2 day will probably be spent : fishing off a party boat or "six pack" type charter. : As far as tackle goes, I have to admit I havent much experience : with salt water fly fishing. There are no saltwater opportunities : in Missouri I’ve got a few BIG deceivers that I’ve used for : yellowtail, baracuda and bonita off boats out of southern CA & : baja Mexico. I also have an assortment of jigs & plugs for my : spinning & casting tackle. Most of this is your typical heavy : lead jigs and lipped diving plugs like "Cisco Kid". : I’ve got a Sage 890RPL. I use an 8wt Bass Bug Taper line on it. Perfect.   : The reel is a Lamson 3. There’s about 100 yds of backing. I’ll : also be taking a 7 1/2′ spinning rod with 200+ yds of 17lb : mono. I haven’t booked a room yet, but I’m sure we’ll be : staying beachfront. : So here come the questions: :  1) Where to fish If you are in Destin, find a public beach on Chochtahachie (sp) Bay and wade out to whatever grass flats you can find.  The deceivers should work fine for Specs and Reds.  Maybe some crab or shrimp patterns would also be useful. The surf or jetties at east pass should give you some opportunities to strip some deceivers past some nice fish.   :  2) What to fish with, epecially inshore in the surf or around :     jetties/piers/bridges. I am no longer into chucking a hunk :     of squid or shrimp out and seeing what happens. I don’t need :     to use fly tackle exclusively, but that would be nice. Jigs on spinning gear work well but with the 8 weight you can rig up some front weighted flys that would act similarily. :  3) Any advice along the lines of how to spend the 1/2 day fishing :     trip. Open to almost anything. :  and 4) What kind of things other than the beach and pool are there :         to do for the family. Left Ft. Walton 16 years ago, so I don’t really know what is there any more. :  *** THANKS IN ADVANCE! *** Good luck and have fun. Bryan :  -Mark- :              ,             :  O          .:/          Mark Devino :          ,,///;,   ,;/   Sr. Recruiter :   o     o:::::::;;///    APPLIED DATA SYSTEMS :      . ::::::::;;\    St. Louis/St. Charles, Missouri   :             ‘; :      "I fish, therefore I lie"

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Don’t forget to take some Clousers-no better fly for anything in the salt.  Lady fish in the surf or trout/reds on the flats eat them like nothing else.

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Question:

I’m thinking of buying a Winston 9′ 6 weight rod. I’m interested in hearing peoples’ opinions about Winston rods. Does anyone know what the company means when they refer to "Winston action"?

I have a 9′ 2-piece 7 weight that I used for a week in Alaska (Wood- Tikchik State Park) last summer for rainbows, sockeye salmon, and arctic char.  The rod is a little slower than, say, a Sage, but it it really a pleasure to cast and especially to play fish with. It might not be as great for casting heavy or bulky flies in the wind, but it really is fun for most fishing.  A very distinctive feel and definitely plenty of muscle for fighting big fish. I also use that one a lot for bass bug fishing here in Iowa and just love it. Bob

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It might not be as great for casting heavy or bulky flies in the wind, but it really is fun for most fishing.  A very distinctive feel and definitely plenty of muscle for fighting big fish.

I love the Winston rods and use almost nothing else.  The one occasion to go to something stronger, however, is, as suggested, for bulky flies in the wind.  Other than that situation, however, the "Winston Action." is perfect for me. BTW, there has been thread on the Flyfish listserve that would indicate that Winston rods have a very broad and loyal following. Lyman Hughes                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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I have two Winston Rods—they are "sweet."  I have an 8′ 3wt made from 1st generation graphite and an 8 1/2" 3 pc. 5wt.  The 3wt is my small stream, light action tool. It excels at small flies, fine tippets in the close to medium ranges, is ultra lite in the hand and will lay up to 65′ with a little effort…still pinpoin acuracy. My 5wt is for bigger streams. I prefer the 8 1/2" legnth over the 9′ for personal reasons.  The im6 graphite is a little faster, but is "sweet" to cast.  It feels so light in my hand and smooth on the cast it is a joy to use. I’ve fly fished for 18 years and these rods are the ones I’ll use till my last fishing day.  The comsetics, the Winston action are as allthe other posts describe.  Winston is the epitome of what a quality production rod should be and expect to pay dearly for it…then enjoy!  

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I’ve owned several winston rods, my 9′6" 6 wt.Graphite I, is my favorite. My idea of the "winston action" is a slower to moderate action rod, i.e. it bends deeply into the butt section. I find for me this action is the best. Your feeling on casting a rod is the most important element in buying any rod.

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I’m thinking of buying a Winston 9′ 6 weight rod. I’m interested in hearing peoples’ opinions about Winston rods. Does anyone know what the company means when they refer to "Winston action"?

Hmmm…I’m an incredible Winston bigot (consider yourselves warned!) – I own three of their rods and am eyeing a fourth (all of them are for freshwater use) – and yet I’m not certain how to convey the feel of their rods…But I’ll give it a go… First of all, they’re incredibly smooth, from tip to butt – a true progressive taper using IM6 graphite with resultant progressive action (using the standard jargon, I guess most freshwater Winston rods would be "medium/fast" to "medium" – though some of their short rods might be considered "fast"). A Winston loads easily enough to make a short cast, but has enough backbone to support you on those wind-fighting long reaches. Such are the hallmarks of a well designed progressive action rod… Speaking of the tip: Winston is known for their tip designs, and I don’t believe you’ll find a rod made by anyone that will protect fine tippets better than a Winston. I have no fear in using 7x-8x tippets in low/clear water situations even when I know there’s a good chance that a 3 or 4 pound landlock salmon or wild brookie will latch on. I’ve landed large fish using fine tippets under tough conditions that I just *know* were kept on the line as much because of the rod as my abilities. (Hey – that’s the way it should be – we’re partners! ;^) Regarding more aesthetic qualities: I defy anyone to show me an off-the-shelf rod that is better appointed and finished than any model Winston you might look at. They’re simply beautiful. You won’t find a cheap plastic winding check on a Winston, or aluminum or steel reel seats with PhonyWood ™ inserts – they use German Silver and exotic wood components instead. They use high grade cork for their grips, and high quality strippers, snakes, and tiptops. First rate stuff…And you’ll never find a rod wrapped better than a Winston – a flawless emerald green jewel… Besides my Winston collection, I also own a couple of GLoomis IMX rods (for AtSal & striper/bluefish/false albacore use), a Sage RPL (bassin’ and schoolies), and a full custom built on a GLoomis IM6 blank (backup trout/landlock rod). All very fine rods, well designed/manufactured for the tasks I use them for. But they don’t give me the same sheer pleasure to hold and cast as the Winstons do… If you’re looking for blinding speed – pass on the Winstons and get a GLoomis IMX. Otherwise, spend some time at your local shop’s "casting pool" (be it grass, asphault, or *real water* ;^) with a Winston… /dave (geeze – he sure does get carried away, don’t he? ;^) <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< < Digital Equipment Corp.    Alpha Server Engineering  < <           "Read this and nobody gets hurt"           < <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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I’m thinking of buying a Winston 9′ 6 weight rod. I’m interested in hearing peoples’ opinions about Winston rods. Does anyone know what the company means when they refer to "Winston action"?

I use the three-piece 9′ #6 model and like it better than any I have tried.  Three years ago it was the only three-piece model I could find and that is what I wanted so I cast it and it felt so nice that I saved my pennies and bought it.  Now there are other three-piece rods on the market.  In this price range you should try Scott too.  I could not tell the difference in action from the two-piece but if you hike or travel at all this is a real convenience. The Winston action is a soft tip with a medium, fully flexing butt, more reminiscent of classic cane than most of today’s fast stiff graphite. I mostly cast big loops because I use long leaders and often use two-fly rigs and big loops prevent tangling and this rod does that very well.  It also loads easily at short distances. If you fish a very tight crisp loop or need to cast for long distance as the primary consderation, you will like the stiffer rods better. Last year I hooked a steelhead over ten pounds unexpectedly on this rod, and had to try to horse the thing back up past a rock he had gone around and beyond.  I knew this was really abuse but held the reel tight and really put a bend in it, and found it had the power to do this (unfortunately later in the game the leader parted at the abrasion). I think the best word for Winston action is lively. Whether casting or playing fish, it feels springy and sensitive. I wholeheartedly recommend their rods. Mark Vinsel Visit my gallery: http://www.lanminds.com/local/vinnie/gallery.HTML

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Have use Winstons for 15 years.  Fell they are the best rods onmarket.  Can handle a King Salmon on my 8 wgt.  Nice beause between a 4wgt and 10 wgt, they all cast the same. — Gene Dobrzynski, Eagle River, Alaska

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I have two Winstons, one of which is a 9′0 for 6 wt. three pc. This is a great rod. Like most of the other people who have responded to your inquiry I have several other rods (including cane) which are used for various situations but for a production graphite rod I think the Winstons are in a class by themselves. Before I bought the 6 wt I tried a Sage SP+ in  a 5wt. with a Wulff 5/6 Triangle Taper line which was very nice. Ultimately the Winstons superior aesthetics and more subtle action (the Winston Action!) tipped the scales in favor of the Winston. If you have already bought the Winston (or whatever rod you selected) enjoy it. If not, good luck withyour decision Bill Sadataki

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I’m thinking of buying a Winston 9′ 6 weight rod. I’m interested in hearing peoples’ opinions about Winston rods. Does anyone know what the company means when they refer to "Winston action"?

Response:

"I’m thinking of buying a Winston 9′ 6 weight rod. I’m interested in hearing peoples’ opinions about Winston rods. Does anyone know what the company means when they refer to "Winston action"?" I am familiar withthe Winston rods.  I own a couple (including the 9′ 6wt) and have made several rods from Winston blanks for others.  Here are my thoughts. I very much like the Winston  rods.  The "Winston action" is a slow action that is true for all IM6 graphite rods, but is particularly smooth in the Winstons.  My favorite rods are the Winstons in the lighter weights.  The ones that I have made have been three weights.  Perfect mid-range, spring creek, dry fly rods.  O secondary importance, but also nice, is the fact that the deep green rods are absolutely beautiful. Two words of caution.  The softer action carries into the heavier rods as well.  this makes a 6wt a very nice rod for longer distances or a little wind when a lighter rod just won’t cut it.  But if you have a heavy wind, the "Winston action" just isn’t strong enough.  If you need an IMX, the IM6 just won’t do the job.  So if you are planning on getting the 9′ 6wt for heavy wind conditions, I would caution against it. Second, Winston just switched to its own factory for the manufacture of its blanks.  Before now, the blanks came from Loomis to Winston specs.  I assume (and have been assured by people at the factory) that the action of the blanks made by Winston will be the same action as the ones from Loomis.  Time will tell, but I have already made one rod with the new blanks, and it was perfect. (BTW, if you are near or in Twin Bridges, MT, go by the Winston factory.  Thepeole are very friendly and wil be glad to show you around.) Finally, although I am a big fan of the Winstons, you should try out any rod that you are considering buying if you are not familiar with the action.  What is right for one person may not be right for another. Good luck,                                               Dallas, TX                                               Ennis, MT

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Question:

Watch out for the new toilet rings they are not the old beeswax kind and are to soft and oily. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try Test clips from Radio shack, they are a lot cheaper than those from the fly shop.  Also,  Wax Toilet gaskets make about the tackiest dubbing Arrrrrrg!  THE WAX TOILET GASKET.    What a great idea.  I thought this thread was dead.  We  were just ready to put together kits and start tying.  We would have come up short.  But saved by the toilet gasket.    What can we use to store all this great equipment?  Maybe we should go to a pot party and buy some Tupper ware.   Nah!  We are doing such a fine job.  Throw the plastic out.   I’m a river keeper, too!      .

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Thread sucking is a method…

And here I thought that I had invented this.  Oh well, another delusion of grandeur blown all to bits… <grin regards, John — Dr. John G. Hardie Indiana University Cyclotron Facility

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Thread sucking is a method…

      Sounds a little like Blondie’s definition of Dagwood as a fly tyer: "thread-sucking-leach." —

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writes: I would like to start a new thread on fly tying tools and paraphernalia, specifically, home-brew tools or modifications to store-bought ones.  I am afraid of this hobby going the way of many others, where the manufacturers (and peer pressure) convince everyone that they need to buy things that are easily made at home.  I offer a few here to get things going: Who wants to add more? Dave

Here is another one for the bench.  You can make an inexpensive dubbing teaser by asking your dentist for a root-canal pick.  Epoxy them in a wood handle and you got yourself an Awsome Dubbing Teaser. Nick

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I use a selection of cartridge cases instead of an adjustable hair stacker.  Short = 9 mm Parabellum, Medium = 357 Mag, Long = Sawed off rifle case. — Keep your stick on the ice.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think there is a point where using home grown flytying tools vs. store bought tools is more trouble than it’s worth.  Hackle pliers are just not that expensive.  Working with good tools designed for flytying is going to make the whole experience more enjoyable.  Sure you can save a few bucks over the long run is it really worth it. On the other hand, several people advocated the use of bobbins with ceramic inserts.  Has anyone really come up with a good estimate about how long it takes to wear a groove in the tube of a bobbin with a metal sleave?  For the cost of a bobbin with a ceramic sleeve I can buy a couple of cheaper steel sleeve bobbins.  So it wears out after five years or so.  I would have save a lot of time over those years because I didn’t have to thread a bobbin (I use the thread sucking technique too and it works well for me) everry time I changed threads.

This is a very valid point.  I think the choice of tools follows with the depth of one’s tying.  Do you tie 100 flys in a sitting or just 3 or 4?  Do you tie for yourself only, just for friends to give away, or hundreds to sell to others?   I find that with the limited amount of tying I do — just for myself and a few friends — I can get by with the cheaper steel bobbin.  I have yet to wear a groove in one that I bought for 25 cents on clearance.  Hackle plyers are cheap.  Why spend hours grinding one smooth?  Or for that matter…. Why spend $125 or more on a vise?  If I made a business out of tying flys, however, my attitude would change drastically.  I would then want the best tools money can buy.   I enjoy hearing about the better tools and I have tried them out from time to time, but I tend to weigh their price with their advantages over my rather limited private use.   I feel the same way about rods and reels.   Bob

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Try Test clips from Radio shack, they are a lot cheaper than those from the fly shop.  Also,  Wax Toilet gaskets make about the tackiest dubbing wax you’ve ever seen.             Tom Loveday   Keizer, OR                I’d Rather Be Fishing

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Try Test clips from Radio shack, they are a lot cheaper than those from the fly shop.  Also,  Wax Toilet gaskets make about the tackiest dubbing Arrrrrrg!  THE WAX TOILET GASKET.    What a great idea.  I thought this thread was dead.  We  were just ready to put together kits and start tying.  We would have come up short.  But saved by the toilet gasket.    What can we use to store all this great equipment?  Maybe we should go to a pot party and buy some Tupper ware.   Nah!  We are doing such a fine job.  Throw the plastic out.

For that matter, while you’re shopping at the hardware store for toilet items, pick up some lead wool.  It’s cheap and it makes great lead weight for flies. Jamus – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I’m a river keeper, too!      .

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:  What is the Thread Sucking technique for preparing a bobin? Aaron,  He’s refering to the practice of allowing some slack in your tying thread, placing the tip of the thread into the end of the barrel of your bobbin, and giving a sharp intake of air (i.e. "Sucking") to the other end of the barrel of the bobbin.  This pulls the thread through the barrel unless there is too much wax buildup to allow the thread in or you’re like me and insist on getting that slack you allowed wrapped around various parts of your anatomy and gumming up the works! Charley (been tying for my friends for 22 years!)

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Working with good tools designed for flytying is going to make the whole experience more enjoyable.  Sure you can save a few bucks over the long run is it really worth it.

I don’t use tools specifically manufactured for fly tying to save money.  I do it   for the same reason why I don’t watch drag racing.  Most drag racing, and other   "sports",  have come down to a competition of machines and equipment as opposed to   man.  I enjoy tying flies with as little manufactured tools as possible because it   becomes a question of what is making the fly that catches the fish, a skilled   creative person or equipment.  I still catch plenty of fish. —

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This is an old one, but many people use electronic test lead clips as hackle pliers.  They come in a variety of sizes and can be bought at places like Radio Shack. I’ve also heard of using the (hemostat or tubing?) clamps from a medical supply store for hackle pliers.  File the teeth off of the clamping surfaces.  (I’m not in the medical profession, so I probably have the exact type of clamp wrong.)  

I think the proper medical term for those kinds of clamps is "roach clip" I think there is a point where using home grown flytying tools vs. store bought tools is more trouble than it’s worth.  Hackle pliers are just not that expensive.  Working with good tools designed for flytying is going to make the whole experience more enjoyable.  Sure you can save a few bucks over the long run is it really worth it. On the other hand, several people advocated the use of bobbins with ceramic inserts.  Has anyone really come up with a good estimate about how long it takes to wear a groove in the tube of a bobbin with a metal sleave?  For the cost of a bobbin with a ceramic sleeve I can buy a couple of cheaper steel sleeve bobbins.  So it wears out after five years or so.  I would have save a lot of time over those years because I didn’t have to thread a bobbin (I use the thread sucking technique too and it works well for me) everry time I changed threads. — John Fereira "Guru of Miscellany" Pleasanton, CA "Ask me about my vow of silence."

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And here I thought I was one of the only ones to show up at the local welding shop with a set of new (slightly modified) Vise-Grips and a length of steel rod, asking for them to be welded together. It’s just about the only way to handle big saltwater hooks! JL 8-Wt Editor

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And here I thought I was one of the only ones to show up at the local welding shop with a set of new (slightly modified) Vise-Grips and a length of steel rod, asking for them to be welded together. It’s just about the only way to handle big saltwater hooks!

An HMH vise with a super magnum jaw will handle the largest hooks. Mark Miller

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On the other hand, several people advocated the use of bobbins with ceramic inserts.  Has anyone really come up with a good estimate about how long it takes to wear a groove in the tube of a bobbin with a metal sleave?

For those of us who tie large bass bugs and use Kevlar thread, you can tear up a steel tube in short order (less than a season). The ceramic tubes hold up much better when Kevlar is you spinning thread of choice. JL 8-Wt Editor

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This is an old one, but many people use electronic test lead clips as hackle pliers.  They come in a variety of sizes and can be bought at places like Radio Shack. I’ve also heard of using the (hemostat or tubing?) clamps from a medical supply store for hackle pliers.  File the teeth off of the clamping surfaces.  (I’m not in the medical profession, so I probably have the exact type of clamp wrong.)  I don’t know, however, if this alternative is cheaper than the ones from fly tying supply stores. Dave

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Couldn’t agree more about exercising good home-grown common sense inventivenes to accomplish just about everything promised by the gadget-floggers.

Very true.  And, although this observation drifts slightly away from the subject of home-made tying tools, the very best tools a fly tier has are his or her hands.  I try to rely on mechanical tools as little as possible, tying as much as possible with the fingers.  This saves time otherwise lost in locating, picking up and putting down the tool each time a fly is tied. Laying out your tools and materials in advance, and then tying with less fiddling with unnecessary tools, allows you to swiftly and smoothly tie a dozen flies of the same pattern, and they’ll be tighter, better flies. Woods Hole, MA   USA

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My father-in-law has made me several hair stackers out of copper and brass pipe scraps and end fittings, using sizes which just fit inside the next.  I then glued rubber on the bottom so they don’t rattle when tapped to stack the hair.  He also made me a vise, but nothing can substitute for my HMH. A bic pen with the guts removed is possibly the most useful tool for pushing back piles of spun deer hair, and also half hitching. You can often thread your bobbin by starting the thread and then sucking it through, that is if the wax is not built up too bad. The ultimate in homemade tools, the mouth!

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A spent shotgun shell can be used as a hair stacker. I made a "bobbin hanger" (not sure if there is an official name) out of a wire coat hanger.  I have seen fancier ones made from a piece of rod soldered to a small metal tube that slips over the upright rod of a vice.  Before wrapping hackle, you half-hitch the thread, then extend the thread out off of the eye end of the hook and over the bobbin hanger.  The thread is now out of the way for winding the hackle. Dave

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The front end of a ballpoint pen casing makes a find half-hitch tool. Different pens yield different sizes of hole in the tool.  (Is there anyone who doesn’t Who wants to add more?

I have not seen it lately, perhaps to a lack of looking around, but back in the fifties I use to see people using vise grips for fly tying vises.  It worked great, depending on the fly, at times you lay the VG on it side, adjust the jaw closure to be proper for you size hook and have at it.  I think it would probably work for any fly if you build a modest little stand out of wood and hold the vise up off of the table or what ever.  When we used to tye the flys out on the boat, we just stuck the jaw part over the edge of a table.   I just remembered a local tyer in Annapolis, Md also used a vise grip.  He did not cotton to a lot of foolishness,  but his flys sure worked. George,

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Couldn’t agree more about exercising good home-grown common sense inventivenes to accomplish just about everything promised by the gadget-floggers. But Dave, I think you’re a little late. Look in this year’s catalogs and you’ll see there’s everything from fly steam-cleaners to special brushes to re-align plume barbs. (sigh!) The gadgeteers have alread won. Still, we don’t have to buy, do we? If you can get your hands on some back issues of American Fly Tyer and Angler, there’s a regular series on the sort of thing you’re talking about.  Have fun. — David A. Calderisi

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I would like to start a new thread on fly tying tools and paraphernalia, specifically, home-brew tools or modifications to store-bought ones.  I am afraid of this hobby going the way of many others, where the manufacturers (and peer pressure) convince everyone that they need to buy things that are easily made at home.  I offer a few here to get things going: A potter’s needle tool is a cheap alternative to a dubbing needle. You can make a dubbing needle from a sewing needle and a piece of wooden dowel rod.  Glue the needle into a hole drilled in the end of the dowel.  If you break the needle across the eye first, the two jagged ends can be jammed into the bottom of the hole for better holding power.  (Be careful and protect your eyes when cutting/breaking the needle.) Dental floss threaders (available at drug stores) can be used as bobbin threaders. You can make a bobbin threader out of piano wire.  Bend a piece of wire in half, drill a hole in the end of a wooden dowel rod, and epoxy the two ends of the wire into the hole. I suspect you can also make a dubbing fur winding tool in a similar fashion. Nail polish works as head cement.  I’ve had Sally Hansen’s "Hard As Nails with Nylon" in nude (i.e., clear) highly recommended.  Pull out the bristles from the brush and replace with a (broken off) sewing needle, instead.  The needle applicator will allow you to apply a drop at a time without needing to grab your dubbing needle or a toothpick to do it.  (I’ve seen other people use this trick, but haven’t done it yet myself.  I am not sure if you need to epoxy the needle in place or if it will stick there on its own.) The front end of a ballpoint pen casing makes a find half-hitch tool. Different pens yield different sizes of hole in the tool.  (Is there anyone who doesn’t know this one already?) Who wants to add more? Dave

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