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Tying in public
In September, a well known angler did a program at our club on river smallmouth fishing.
Many of the folk there mentioned that they wanted to learn to tie the poppers that he used. Since I made an identical popper, I opened my big mouth and volunteered to demonstrate the various poppers I tie.
Although I've tied for many years, my tying style can best be discribed as adequate. Not something I want to show off.
Well, the next meeting I found myself in front of my vise, tring to build some poppers and while tring to field the questions of the large group gathered around me.
I found it a bit confusing particularly when some one would ask a question about something I wouldn't come to for a few minutes.
At the end of the meeting I packed up my stuff, very glad it was over.
Well, today I find out they want me to do it AGAIN. I guess some people missed it and wanted to learn.
So I guess my question is how do you manage it? Tying while answering question after question.
I could use some tips.
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Dudley,I find it goes alot smoother to tie
as many of the pattern that your going to demonstrate and I just say out loud what I'm
doing and why as I'm tying. It gets easier everytime
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Gman is right. Also practice at home as though you were being watched. Speak the steps out loud as you practice. Have all the parts ready to go so you don't have to spend time looking for stuff you need when demo is in progress. Tell them ahead of time you will be explaining just what you are doing as you tie the popper and that you will tie several and take questions after they just watch the first one. It is easy to get distracted if you start answering questions several steps ahead of time. You will get used to questions eventually but if the Q is something you will be doing a step or two later.. just say I'll be explaing that in a minute and keep on tying. Some times you might wrap something on the hook and secure it with just a couple of turns of thread.Stop, look up and ask..did everyone get that? you can then unwrap and repeat what you just did. They may want to see the angle or how you pinched it with your fingers. If you explain each and every thing you do before you do it and then again as you do actually tie it on there shouldn't be many questions. Good luck. It's fun! You will do fine.
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G-man hit the nail on the head !!!!! With anything you teach, you always practice the presentation. That means being able to tie the pattern you are teaching, in your sleep,
with your eyes closed, or fielding questions
from the class while demonstrating. The more classes or demonstrations you do, the more comfortable you become (basically overcomeing stage fright). Since I am both a music teacher (conductor), & professional fly tyer, I've been where you are at & felt the same nerves. The fact they want you back shows you can teach !!!!!
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dudley, RW here
Nerves affect different people different ways. When tying at shows I usually put out a display of a dozen or so flies and sets of flies that I've already tied so folks who stop by my table don't think I'm a total klutz when they stop by and I'm making a mess of the fly that is presently in the vise.
A display of your flies also makes a good ice-breaker which makes it easier to strike up conversations with strangers who other wise would just stop and stare at your tying.
Also, slow down when someone talks to you. I don't even tie when somebody asks me a question, but rather stop and look right at the person like I would in regular conversation. Trying to talk, think and tie at the same time is hard for some folks, but it doesn't mean you won't eventually be able to do it. It's an aquired skill and in the beginning nerves play a big part in the equation, similar to public speaking. Eventually it becomes so second nature you don't even think about it.
Once, at the Sowbug Roundup in Arkansas, I couldnt thread my bobbin with the wire loop. The more I tried the worse it got and I had a family and several other folks watching me intently. I mean, this went on for a full minute. Finally the mother of the two boys got more frustrated than I was, reached over my table grabbed the bobbin and threader out of my hand and deftly threaded the bobbin in about two seconds. Everybody laughed and I went on and tied two beautiful Rainbow Variants for her two youngsters as show souvenirs and everbody went away happy, including me. It was just the ice breaker I needed at the time.
Later, RW
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"We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours." -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
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The past six months I got draged into tying in front of people. The first time I had less them 24 hours notice, it was hard but not too bad. Now it is nothing, I end up doing it alot and just stop when a question is asked and talk your way through it. Everytime you do something explaine why you do it or why that color, why that brand. Just keep doing it. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
Joe Fox
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While I also am not a professional tyer, I've found that in addition to having samples of your flies to show the objective results even more samples help. Make yourself a series consisting of samples showing a popper in each stage of construction. The first one could be just a little block of balsa with a hook wrapped with bedding thread next to it. Etc. You may actually find this process helps you to guide you along as you literally "talk your way" through the program. Another important thing, as mentioned above, is to talk continuously as you go.
[This message has been edited by Ray Kunz (edited 05 November 2005).]
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My two cents:
I have only a few patterns that I will tie in any given session. I organize all the materials for each in an individual freezer bag so that they are easy to locate.
My goal in demonstrating is to demystify the tying process - so questions are encouraged. There are no quotas - so if I only finish one fly in 10 minutes (or more) that's okay. I'm not there to try to impress (which is good...it would be an uphill battle all the way) - but to interact.
That being said...even with a few sessions under my belt....I still get a bit jittery...
Chris
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CG (Chris ) is right. Don't bring the whole store. Have "Kits" made up so everything you need to tie a few of a certain pattern is on hand in one place. If you are tying say Catskill style flies and someone wants to see you tie a deer hair bass bug or a salt water surf candy just refer them to another tyer around the wall. You can ask if they have a particular problem that you may be able to just answer...but it is better if someone else can show them.
A couple of more tips you may not think of but could come in handy:
Bring an extra bulb for your lamp
Bring an extension cord or one of those multi outlet things.
If you are tying at a show or someplace and are tying in the morning, eat something to go with those 2 cups of coffee you have. If not your hands might shake from the caffein. Been there, done that!
If you are going to be tying for a long period, bring a cushion for your chair.
If you are tying for a long period of time and want to take a break, leave a note on your tying desk that says "Back in 10 Minutes".
Small things but if you start tying at these things on a regular basis you will at some point appreciate them.
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URSUS---Look me up at the Expo,I'm usually straight in from the main door and a little to the left. "Satchel" one that is on FAOL often will be maning our club booth "The Three rivers Fly Fishers" straight in from the door.
I have been tying since the first year--they say I talk more than I tie. Dont worry about your tying have a display of some of your flies. Tie for a while and then visit other tyers like Helms and"Bear" Andrews. Your not required to tie from 9 till closing.
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Bill