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Tecnically you can use this stuff right away. There is nothing wrong with the hair on the pieces, what you're doing is allowing the hide to dry nicely and absorb any fat or oil that may seep from the...

It's important to consider the traditional knots used with old flies - and the knot you'll be using with them today. In addition to what was available, there were many common knots that influenced...

Ray,

Kirbed hooks offer a wider gape than traditional straight pointed hooks, most are Kirbed at an angle of 5-6%.

If you think about geometry the wider gape falls out of triangle theory where...

I've used their Scud, Nymph, and Streamer hooks for a couple of years. Their error rate (partially closed eyes, malformed hooks) is equivalent to the other major brands, and the wire used has not...

Used a jewelers vise - but those lacked that big "c" shaped appendage. It may be a vise from another industry used for tying - yet not a fly tying vise. That's an awful lot of metal for holding small...

Maodiver,

I noticed we live in the same town. Why don't you drop me a note via email and I'll deliver a free set of "Sixth Finger" scissors to you at the Raley's parking lot?

No sense busting a...

That is a hard color to come by ...

Here's the ebay solution - jot down the yarn brand and find it locally. I've only seen blue chenille in a fly shop ... once....

The Polly Rosborough book mention above is the only one that comes to mind - it's a wonderful book.

I did a post sometime back that may assist you a little. It describes some of the basic...

Polyester doesn't bleach at all - but some nylons will take bleach or dye very well. Polester requires very high temperatures and a chemical agent to assist the dyeing process - which is why bleach...

Those are perfect, it's the cotton chenille you want to stay away from - and that's only because it rots and falls apart eventually. Traditional chenille in the fly shops are Rayon based, with the...

RIT is useful, but I think it's your problem this time. Many of the vibrant colors you see in dyed materials are from Aniline (sometimes called "Acid" or "Coal Tar") dyes. You can purchase these in a...

They respond to a variety of chow - most of mine are caught on small nymphs, the same standard patterns used on trout - like the Pheasant tail, AP Black, etc. They can be really spooky and when...

I spent a number of years living nearby and guiding Fall River, the level fluctuates somewhat (not as much as a normal river) - but it's normal for Opening Day to lack any weed cover.

The water is...

Silk lines are woven and usually have some small texture, nylon lines are largely slick to the touch. You may have to wipe away the accumulated "tacky" part to tell, as likely any dressing the line...

Anglelina has at least 7 different fiber types and dozens of denier thickness's - it's very hard to sort out.

Ice dub is the 15 denier Angelina "soft crimp" - the fibers are markedly softer than...

Clay,

The best thing to do is find a surgical supply house (if you live in an urban area) and handle the scissors. There are so many lengths and styles available one may fit your hand better than...

The sharkskin does cause skin loss, but it is a wonderful line that I use daily.

If you're fishing mostly dry flies you won't suffer any hardship, if you are spending the entire day stripping...

I use barbed hooks and pinch them down, barbless hooks cost more and are not available in all of the styles I need. You may be able to get them in "standard" dry and nymph, but you can't get them in...

I buy half pints of DH-66 vinyl cement and a jug of thinner, and make my own. Sometimes I need super-runny cement so it penetrates the fly, other times I want it thicker so I can slather in on a...

I use the tungsten scissors from the below post.

http://singlebarbed.com/2007/11/19/tools-of-the-trade-part-1/

Most skins have enough oil remaining in them to avoid drying out, even tanned hides will remain supple for many years. The biggest issue is bugs.

Moth Crystals are a pain in the rear as well,...