I am looking for a software package to help me keep track of my fly patterns. I often get patterns from various sources like online, books, mags, etc as well as develop some of my own. Do any of you use such a tool to keep track of your patterns and if so, what is it and how do you like it?
I found software called Fly Assistant at www.sportsmansmanager.com. Anyone seen or used this package?
Thanks in advance for your comments.
Bob
I have the demo it and rather like it might buy it at some point. its only 20 or 24 but its not bad. I do think the fields for the pattern database could be better expanded as they do not allow for long text. also their are no fields for saltwater flies at all. the program is very well though out but could have some work done to make it more funcitional other than that i like the program alot. and would recamend it to anyone who could use it.
If you can’t find what you are looking for I can program one for you. Just post exactly what you want it to do. It will give me something to do in class.
James-FS, show us what you got. I’m interested, but I’m not sure what I want without having a starting point. If you’ve got something in mind or have developed something already by all means share it and let us be your guide as to what we would like to see and what already works.
Kelly.
I am looking for a database for a lot of different fly patterns. I also do a lot of entymology and would like to log the insects. I would like to be able to log my fishing trips and a database for my gear. Anyone know a website for this
You could also do this fairly easily with Microsoft Excel.
I use excel to keep track of things I put on Ebay. You can link entries in Excel to any file on you computer. So all you have to do is pull up the excel file and click on hotlinks.
You can also make up entries in Microsoft Word that can have detailed instructions as well as photos so all you have to do is hotlink one document in your Excel file.
It is really very simple. You could even have it all loaded onto one data stick and you could take it anywhere for reference…
http://www.softviewer.com/download_detail.php?softid=4515
TreeDBNotes is what I use, and it is free.
yes what Kelly said
CD:
The web site for the Fly Assistant software is in my original post. It can do all the things you listed. Check it out. You can demo it for like 14 days.
James:
I am just looking for something to store patterns and directions for tying. Check out Fly Assistant under the Fly Pattern icon. I would like something like this, including a spot for a picture, but I don’t need all the other stuff that comes with the software.
Dr Bob
I downloaded it and messed with it a little bit and like the fly pattern and the bug thing but would nt use the other things after looking at them
I just created a new folder and named it "Fly Patterns…
I opened Fly Patterns and added more folders naming them “DRY”, WET", “NYMPH”, “STREAMER”, “TERRESTRIAL”, “SALMON”, “STEELHEAD”, “EMERGER”, “MIDGE”, “POPPERS”, “PRESENTATION”, 'CHRISTMAS", “DREMEL”, “SALTWATER” “TUBE”.
I created another new folder, and named it “TIER”. Inside the “TIER” folder, I created more new folders, with the name of the Tier of the previous patterns in the “Fly Pattern” folder.
Another thing I did is each folder I marked int “THUMBNAIL”, so when I opened a Tiers folder all the various fly pattens would display the first page, which included the Masthead Photo of the fly pattern.
Parnelli
Chartered Member of “Friends of FAOL”
(you have to go to the bottom of the list, there are only 4 who are Chartered Members.
PS: I bought on line a program for $19.95 called DeskPDF, and converted all my articles to pdf, and I can view them using the Free Adobe Reader Download. I have every fly patten that has ever run on FAOL, since the beginning, with the 1st Edition of FAOL on September 1st 1997. I know where every article in in the Archives of FAOL. If I do not have it already in my files. I can convert is to pdf in less than 30 minutes. There is never a charge for my service. That has been the policy of FAOL!
Steve’s project is massive and he was kind enough to send a lot of us CDs several years ago of the flies up to that time.
For those of you that want to do something less ambitious …here’s what I do…
Download CutePDF Writer…it’s free…there are other free ones
Setup a folder system that suits you…Steve’s is good one
When you have a fly pattern…or article…or whatever… that you want to keep…[who knows how long a particular website will be available…or if you can find a particular page again]…
Click on “File”…
Click on “Print”
Pick “CutePDF Writer” from the list of printers…
Click on “OK”
A list of your folders comes up…pick the one you want to save to and click “Save”
Done deal…yours till your computer crashes:(
Parnelli:
It’s me, Dr Bob from the NW. I was in one of your beginner fly tying swaps a few years back. I was a beginner for 4 years until you asked me to move on as I was not considered a beginner anymore. How you doing??
Dr Bob
I am doing okay, was cut off from using the BB and Anglers Hut by Mr. Birkholm, but now I am back on both. During that period, I was still here on FAOL, copying and pasting, all the fly article, and some others.
I let you stay because you kept improving every years beginners only fly swap, finally I had to let you go out in to real world of fly swap. I am glad that you made it! ~Parnelli 
As for the FAOL CD’s! I will be burning a new edition of of the FAOL CD this spring 1997-2009 (for my 2009 Beginner’s Only Members), if you (or anyone else on FAOL) want one of these updated CD’s just email me at…
I will need the full mailing address…
…no charge, just burn additional copies for your friends, and that way you will be paying forward.
~Parnelli
Everyone we meet in life give us happiness! Either by their arrival, otherwise by their departure!