Besides Norm and a couple others, this tying forum has pretty much dried up. What’s the deal? Lots of folks view this place every day but few participate in discussions and even fewer are willing to show their work. Other forums like tying sections of the Washington Flyfishing and U.K. Flyfishing forum are very dynamic; lots of participation and input that EVERYONE benefits from.
Hans Weilenmann isn’t coming back any time soon, that I know of; doesn’t matter what level you tie at, it’s time for some others to step up to the vise and show what you’ve got.
Reprimand noted. I, however plead “not guilty”. I do not tie but DO frequently view the creations posted. Some VERY fine work posted here, and perhaps SO fine as to intimidate . Who knows, maybe your “reprimand” will wake up a few folks out of the weeds.
Mark
PS: I have most of the “stuff” but lack the talent ( and my hat’s off to thems who do.)
There are those, too (like me), who have been tying at fly tying for a lot of years; and to call me an amateur would be a compliment! However, I’ve known, and associated with, some cracker-jack fly tiers and they are without a doubt a skilled, talented bunch! Some years back I belonged to a group of obsessive fly fishing nuts where we would all gather at different campgrounds and do a group camp-flyfishing-flytying meet. I so much enjoyed those gatherings. We would put a couple of campground picnic tables together and all setup our flytying bric-a-brac … looked like a late 1800’s blanket sewing bee! Well, that was a few years back, and I’m presently 84 and some of those guys were older then me! Needless to say, the herd has thinned out so that presently there’s only about four of us - and we only meet on rare occasion.
Hate to bring up another site, but hard to beat U-tube (youtube?) where you can pull up some fly tying question and get a visual step-by-step demonstration. Also … another determent about asking questions, however elementary, been known to generate a persnickety response every once-in-awhile.
I’m one of the guilty ones, I look at all the posts here and am inspired, I have a go at tying many of the fine patterns shown, but I lack the photograph skills or equipment, (not sure which,) to post any of my flies. I’m really grateful to you, Byron and all the others who post great patterns and especially your SBS’s Scott!
I echo Cliff. Flytying is by far the most viewed site on the forum thanks to Scott, Norm, Byron and others. I hope Scott’s invitation brings more people out. Thanks to all who participates and thanks to Dave Merical for sharing his warm water patterns.
I use an 11 yr old point-and-shoot that was on the low end of Canon’s line at the time. It does have a decent macro but I bet a lot of cell phones nowadays have optics that are at least as good; main thing you need is proper lighting.
if you think this fly tying forum is dead, you should head over to the fly tyer magazine forum. i dont understand how an international fly tying magazine can have a forum and nobody hardly ever posts anything. its crickets over there
ive been a slacker on here lately. some days i just dont want to tie anything. i just had a laser procedure to my right eye and then the left eye in 3 weeks
with the 3-4 of us who post, its seems like duelling fly tying
ive also been working on my house putting up new shutter, porch lights, replacing old molding around a picture window…
when i was here before, there was always fly tying related discussions. doesnt seem that way any more
now its just post up a fly and get 58 views and no comments or questions. maybe nobody cares anymore
I care and read and try to comment. I will try, I’ll be a away for a week, to post some of my efforts.
I guess YouTube has taken a lot of the wind out of these sails.
M ime
Even with the advent of YouTube and all the tying videos there, other tying forums, like the ones at Washington Flyfishing and U.K. Flyfishing still have a great deal of participation from tyers of all levels of ability. If people are willing, there’s no reason this place couldn’t see a resurgence.
Scott, what brought that on? There are plenty of us who have been tying for years, but not handy with the camera and all the lighting issues. I look at all yours and others posts and they are very good, thank you. However I don’t agree with all the dying you do and won’t start that effort. By the way, do you still need some nature barred wood duck? Lastly, what do you recommend doing to generate enthusiasm on this site?
I just hate to see this forum dry up like it has over the past few years. As for the photographic issues, as I said earlier, a lot of cell phones people have now days can take decent pics, certainly good enough to display ones work here, which we’d all like to see. I’m no pro, but I can get some decent pics with my old Canon using an Ott light + 2 clamp-on lights (LED), and a piece of grey craft foam as a background. This shot was taken on a road trip but the basic setup is the same wherever I tie (it’s geared towards tying so I haven’t added any fancy diffusers or reflectors; the photos are just a byproduct).
Don’t know what would generate participation/enthusiasm here; I had hoped some of the stuff I submitted would encourage others to join in but that doesn’t seem to be the case. If folks choose to sit on the sidelines and just watch, that?s their choice; too bad because it’s a lot more fun to be on the business end of the vise, sharing what one can.
Regards,
Scott
Ps - I am always in need of wood duck; any and all would be greatly appreciated
Scott,
I have really enjoyed all the SBS posts you have made and the other flies as well. I must admit that I have been somewhat intimidated by the photography requirements. I appreciate you posting your set up and it does inspire me to post some photos. Hopefully I can keep some of this enthusiasm when we finish our house move in another month and I am able to unpack all my tying stuff.
Thanks for the prodding,
Ted
My fly boxes are full enough for me to go harass the Bluegill. I don’t loose that many flies. My job has picked up, so work takes most of my day right now. As a result, I haven’ tied a fly in a few months.
At the same time, I do not have proper lighting to take decent pics. I have a good point-and-shoot, and should be able to manage with my new cell phone.
My apologies. I do check in from time to time. I really do like looking at the fly porn.
Like Allen, I have tied flies for about 50 years, have more flies than I can use if I had another lifetime, which I don’t. There was a time when FAOL was one of the few online websites but that was long, long ago. I keep this site open so that people can share their ideas and talents, but I’m not certain that we will see a return to the “good old days” any time soon.
