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There is a fly fisher born every minute, to paraphrase P.T. Barnum.
On a recent visit to the local fly
shop (which is really a misnomer as it is
actually more of an expensive clothing store
for SUV driving soccer moms) I saw a new specialty
fly tying tool from a famous Italian fly tier.
There, in a clear bag with his name on the tag, was
a plastic comb, the kind you can buy in a drug store
for two-bits. The price was two bucks. I took the
comb in my hand, turning it over and over, searching
for something, some modification that made it a fly
tying tool and not a hair comb. But, sigh, it was
nothing more than a hair comb selling for eight times
its normal retail price.
Initially I was upset, but soon my anger soon
turned to admiration. Maybe he was onto something.
He has, after all, convinced the fly fishing public
he is the originator of the high tie style of fly
tying, even though it's been around for decades.
With one son on the verge of college, and another
a mere two years away, I decided it might be wise
to take a page from this entrepreneur's book, and
after a substantial investment in R&D, I've came
up with the following essential items to make life
a bit easier for the fly fisher.
WOODEN BODKINS
If you are into the traditions of the sport,
these beautifully made hand-crafted solid
wood bodkins are for you. Designed with
the fly tyer in mind, each bodkin is double
ended, so no more floundering around on your
fly tying table to find the right end. And
each bodkin is biodegradable which means,
after years of use, you can discard it with
a clear conscience. These are a steal at
$1.00 each, but if you order 12 now you will
receive an additional hand-carved wooden
bodkin for free.
NO TANGLE LINE STORAGE SYSTEM
This is the only line storage system you
will ever need. Put an end to line memory
and the resulting tangles by simply winding
the line around the cylinder; the No Tangle
Line Storage System does the rest. It also
conveniently has an enclosed compartment for
storing your line cleaner and other products,
and it is made from impact resistant plastic,
similar to what the military uses in their
plastic items. The No Tangle Line Storage
System costs $19.95, incredibly inexpensive
considering it will last a life time. For
$29.95 we'll send you the No Tangle Storage
System filled with coffee, a novel gift for
your fishing buddy or a nice treat for yourself.
TRANSLUCENT HALF-HITCH TOOL
The Translucent Half-Hitch Tool is one of
the most useful innovations that we've seen
in quite a while. It is machined to perfectly
match any hook eye from 5/0 to 28, and its
transparent material lets you monitor exactly
how and where the half-hitch is being applied
to the fly. Finishing a fly has never been
easier! This tool is a bargain at $15.00, but
for an additional $5.00 we will include a special
insert that will allow you to use the Translucent
Half-Hitch Tool as a writing instrument.
This is my product line to date. I'm researching
other ideas, like a smaller version of the Puglisi
fly tying comb that you can carry in your back
pocket, and a woven cotton lanyard that can double
in a pinch as a shoe lace. Watch this site for
further innovations. ~ Dave
About Dave:
Dave Micus lives in Ipswich, Massachusetts. He is an
avid striped bass fly fisherman, writer and instructor.
He writes a fly fishing column for the Port City Planet
newspaper of Newburyport, MA (home of Plum Island and Joppa Flats)
and teaches a fly fishing course at Boston University.
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