A very young enthusiast

I was recently in one of the local fly shops and a young man all of 11 years old came in and bought a few books and some materials and his parents said that he was really interested in tying flies and they were going to encourage his interests. We all talked with young Ken Yamazaki, offering encouragement, offering assistance in getting started, and helpful hints in some of the tying equipment that he would need. That was about 4 months or so ago.

this past Saturday, I was in that same shop and young Ken came in sporting a wine cork that had several very nicely done flies sticking in it, and fortunately, I had a camera in my pocket and managed to get a couple of pretty good shots of Ken and his work, thought I would share them with you because I think we are seeing a new master in the making...

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...amisaka007.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...amisaka004.jpg

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/...amisaka005.jpg

:shock: Oh, my heavens!! That young man has talent out the ears!! Incredible!

8) 8) 8)

:idea: I know it's a little tight time wise, but let him know about the 2007 FAOL tying contest reminder. Ronn Lucas has a reminder on the Fly Tying board.

OH, my goodness,,,,and I can't tye a wooly bugger without makin a bo-bo.

Wow! Serious talent and a great imagination.

Hi,

That is fantastic! I've been tying for years and I couldn't produce anything in the same ballpark! It's amazing to see what a kid can do when they find something that fits their talents and interests. I do hope this young fellow gets to go fishing on occasion as well.

- Jeff

Be it ever so humbling. WOW. What talent.

I have decided to reclassify myself from beginner to wannabe. :(

4 months!!! i have been tying twice as long as he, and he is amazing, i can't tie atlantics... but i am trying, i am doing the really hard ones...

tell him hes doin real good. hes young and will have a lot of time to learn. does he have a computer? if so see if you can get him to join this site

Unreal, simply unreal. :shock: A master in the making.
Brad

Very, very impressive! I also hope he gets to wet a line occasionally.
Mike

wow he did a very nice job on those flies :D
now he needs to test some of them :lol:

OMGosh! What beautiful flies! He has potential realized!

I thought it was illegal for someone that young to tie something that nice.

jed

Is the kid up for adoption? :lol:

All hail the Fly Tying Prince. that kid is going places!

Wow! That's all I can say! Wow! 8T :shock: :shock: :shock:

Dleo,

I was wondering if you have introducted Ken to FAOL. With his parents' permission, of couse, he might enjoy having his own account to chat with other tyers, ask questions, and post our next Fly of the Week. :lol: We have lots of younger members who seem to enjoy the safe, family environment that JC and LF so carefully maintain here. Just a thought. 8T :D

I certainly would not want to go against him in a tying competition. Hopefully he will be able to encourage and mentor some of his young friends to get involved with fly tying. I'm sure he could already teach a few of us some techniques we are afraid to try because of their difficulty. God has blessed him with a wonderful gift.

Joe

I have been tying since I was 6 and can't even come close to tying something like that! Very nicely done!

BC

Thanks for the pictures. I don't think that any of us could have understood how well he tied those flies without them. BTW, what did Grumpy have to say about them?

Ed

Ken is definitely very talented, and self taught, that is what impressed me about his abilities. I will be introducing him to FAOL for sure as well as a few other tying sites where he can share his abilities, and learn, I think he will go a long way with his work. He does get the chance to go fishing some but not a great deal, matter of fact, he went last weekend, but I haven't talked to him to see how he did, hopefully I will get to this weekend. He does very well on Salmon and steelhead flies and his work on midges and nymphs is excellent too. Hopefully, as he grows and learns more on entomology, we will get to see him create some of his own interpretations of aquatic life.

Hey Ed, Grumpy loved his work too and is sharing a lot with Ken on materials, technique etc. Hopefully, we will get some more pictures of his work and post them for all to see. I am glad everyone enjoys seeing his work.

Leo

the only thing that i think he needs to work on his the head of his salmon steelhead flies. they are a wee bit raggedy. i think a nice tapered head on the salmon/steelhead flies would make them perfectly awsome. but then again, he is a beginner, and i had the same probolom of making a head. I hope he can come on to the chat room sometime....(now i am not gonna be like... the youngest person on here:))