So I dragged out the remnants of my father’s and uncles Herters kits this weekend, cobbled up a semi-working vise from the parts in the box and went out to buy some hooks, chenille, and thread. I had previously bought a Dr. Slick ceramic bobbin and whip finisher. I conned SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) to get me some Sally Hansen, and I was off.
An hour after starting, I’d tied my first fly, a Green Weenie. An hour later, I had 2 more. I tried fishing them in the Clinch River tailwater yesterday, knowing that it was a lost cause - the Green Weenie is not the fly for the Clinch.
By this morning, I’d tied another dozen. This afternoon, I went out for more hooks, some different thread, and hit a craft store for some beads and fine wire. This evening I tied my second type of fly, a zebra midge. This one WILL work on the Clinch. By the time I quit, I’d tied a half dozen of them in brown and olive.
This seems to be a reasonable way to fill a fly box.
92Esquire, your off to a good start. You are now hooked. You will have a lot of fun now. By the way your green weenies will work in the Clinch come spring. Any time I might be able to help please let me know. John
I tried LRO today, their January class is full. The Clinch chapter of TU was also full for their class. I was also in at the Creel tonight buying materials and mentioning trying to get in a class. No classes were mentioned. Although the guys at the Creel might think I’m beyond help…
I wish you lived closer to Tullahoma, Tn. My Beginner’s Fly Tying class starts the first Thursday evening in February at Motlow College and meets every Thursday for 5 weeks at 3 hours per night. Limit of 6 students. I would love to have you in my class. We would have a blast!
Great and now I can’t get that song by Queen out of my head. In all seriousness though, I don’t know which is more addictive tying or fishing LOL. Which reminds me since I have a bit of free time now, I need to get back for tying for some swaps…ackkk…when will it ever end…:roll:
I have a backup plan though. In addition to Al Campbell’s articles, my wife has a friend at work who’s stepfather is an experienced tyer. I’ve spoken to him many times about fishing, and he’s invited me on trips before (couldn’t go due to work). He’s agreed to exchange some tying lessons for good beer. Sounds like a fair trade to me.
Now all I have to figure out is what I’m going to replace this Herter’s vise with. Renzetti Traveler or Griffin Montana Mongoose?
Deanna…Yep, thats what I am hoping too . It only took me four years of tying, and three years of being here to enter a swap. Now I am really enjoying it and trying to pass on some of my favorite patterns and variations on to others. What fun it is :D.
. It only took me four years of tying, and three years of being here to enter a swap. Now I am really enjoying it and trying to pass on some of my favorite patterns and variations on to others. What fun it is :D.