THE BENCH CLOTH - Readers Cast (Tom Deschaine) - December 14, 2009
THE BENCH CLOTH
Each of us (tiers) has a table, bench or designated area where we practice our craft. I prefer to keep my area clean, neat and organized. The tools and materials for each fly are brought out on a need-to-tie basis, and then returned to their storage containers after the completion of the tying session.
A Place for Everything, and Everything in it's Place!
When it comes to dressing hooks, clutter slows a tier down. Things get misplaced (now where did "It" go? Materials get contaminated with clippings from other material (specially with dubbing).
I like the idea of using a cloth that you can just pickup and dump all the clipped off material into the trash bucket.
I also save small plastic trays from microwave dinners, for keeping my material separated is separate compartment while dressing hooks.
Tiers of all levels can use this to help speed-up their fly tying, and keep "She Who Must Be Obeyed" (SWMBO) in a good mood! Nothing worst than a hook ending up in someone sock or other peices of clothing! Been there, done that!
Sometimes, I am dressing various patterns, and when done, put all the materials back into their appropriate containers-bags, and toss them into my "Box" for later stocking back into their appropriate storage containers on the shelves of "In My Room"!
I not only dress hooks at my work bench, I also build fly rods, and make tapered furled leaders. I also have to sometime use the area for home repairs. So I have to keep everything in its place, and sealed up, when not being used.
~Parnelli