Hi all. I recently started using a large magnifying glass for tying. I got it at Lowes, it’s mounted on an articulated arm and has a light and reflector. It took a couple of flies before I got used to it, but I’m finding that I’m able to tie a better fly this way. I really don’t need it as I have 20/20 vision but I like seeing the detail. I was curious if anyone else is tying this way?
the only time I use magnification is if I am doing an extremely small fly for me to see…I hate the magnifyers because they make me feel dizzy when I tie with it
I’ve had glasses for distance since I was 25, but luckily, have never needed help for up-close work. I considered laser surgery to correct the distance issue, but my optometrist said I’d probably need reading glasses since my near vision would suffer, so I chose to keep things the way they are.
Regards,
Scott
From my work experience I would like to remind folks that a “Binocular Magnifier” is much to be preferred for the sake of your personal eye comfort.
These devices, especially those made of real optical glass. allow you to view items up close while not having to look cross-eyed.
Doctors and dentists use these as do technicians doing fine electronics work. I have no vested interest, but a popular high quality brand is by Donegan Optical
and called the Optivisor that comes in your choice of magnification using interchangeable lens plates.
I wear “readers.” Can’t see without them. 3.00
Ray,
Thanks for the Optivisor suggestion. I had been thinking about either a lighted magnifying glass like Hare is using or some auxiliary glasses. My vision is 20/15 corrected but I don’t feel like I can see as well as I could 20 years ago and I would like a little boost. I think I’ll be getting an Optivisor.
Greybeard
Ah… The eye crossing thing. I forgot to mention that I only have vision in one eye. Lost my right eye when I was six to a tomato stake, so the stereo vision isn’t a problem. My situation may be unique with one eye. Also ruins 3-D movies as well LOL.
I’ve used magnification for about 12 years now. When my eyes started getting tired and I couldn’t focus well I looked into alternatives and now use a rimless magnifier on an adjustable neck for all of my tying and rod-building - absolutely no more eye fatigue. I did demonstration tying at my local flyshop for 3 1/2 hours straight and my eyes were never the problem. My butt, on the other hand, was extremely ‘fatigued’.:mrgreen:. I couldn’t do what I do in the hobbies of fly tying and rod building were it not for good magnification.
Kelly.
I do use magnification at times, not always, but sometimes.
Kelly,
I have the same butt fatigue problem and it is because it is magnified! :lol:
I use 2.5 readers all the time. When I’m tying regular flies for bass or sandbass I don’t need magnification. However, when I get to the #8 threads and size 16 ir smaller flies I use a pair of clip on 3.0 magnifiers to my readers. This brings me up close to the fly and I can really see what’s going on. My small flies were bulky and sloppy and no fish ever looked at them… now they are neat and buggy and the fish tear them up… Magnification does help!
I noticed Kelly Galloup had a pair of readers in one of his videos that “broke” in the middle and just hung around his neck when not needed - anyone know anything about these?
Yeah, I use a big magnifying glass when the flies get smaller than say a #20. I need 2.5 readers for the rest of my tying. Comes with the white hair I guess.
It does help a lot and it makes the flies look so big I can tie down to #32.
Someone asked me how I tied on the little flies when I was on the water. I use two pair of readers. One on top of the other.
Yep! They are called Click Readers …here is a link:
[b]http://www.readinstyle.com/product/CLIC/ClicReadingGlasses.aspx[/b]
I have good eyes and started using some “cheaters” that are 2.5x and have never looked back.
I use my bifocals or readers for most flies down to 12. Then I use the florescent magnifier like you describe. There are two good reasons to use one: (1) the florescent light helps with color matching and (2) the magnification makes getting smooth straight wraps MUCH easier. Doing flies like copper johns the body wraps should be snug and consistent. I can’t do that very well at all without the magnifier.
HINT: If you are doing an exhibition, DO NOT bring the magnifier light. It will be shining right in the face of folks trying to watch you tie.
been using a lighted magnifier for about ten years now. gotten to the point where i cant tie with out. the only drawback i see is now those little mistakes are visible to me. but i think it has probably helped me clean up my flies a little.
Yes… the Clic Readers are the only way to go! That’s what I use. I first saw them in the movie “Wild Hogs” and said to myself, “Self I gotta git me some of them thangs!” Yep, I look just about as crazy as William Macy did in the movie playing Dudley, but I don’t care. They never get lost, they never get set down onto some surface where they’ll get scratched up, and they never slide down your nose. “My kind of glasses!”