Yo! Moderators and Administrators.
How about adding a new and separate Forum Category? ‘LURES’. So call me old fashioned or something like that. But applying a hardening resin over a hook wound with thread just doesn’t sound like a fly. Not trying to push anyone’s sensitivity button. Just saying.
Allan
May not have tried, but you are doing a darn good job! Never used an epoxy for a shell back or as a finish on a fly? How about some of that new fangled head cement…not old school varnish (which is impossible to find since our government has put their noses in varnish formulas)? Maybe the new section needs to be called the “Old Codgers Section”?..Just a thought, or several.
One more thing…toss all the tinsels and flashes off of the tying desk and into the trash, or better yet, throw them in a box and send them to me, I am sure the Boyscouts would be happy to get and use them.
Now…off of my soap box and on to the chat room!!
Brad
Very nice article by LadyFisher’s on the famous Western Bunyan Bug fly of the 1930’s:
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/part220.php
Chewydog: I’d call that one a Lightweight Spinning Lure. But on the other hand I see nothing wrong with using an epoxy or newer UV activated material to actually simulate a hard shell case.
Weak troll.
Seriously, unless we all go back to fly lines made of horse hair and hooks made of bones we’re all using synthetic materials. All of us are aided in our fly fishing pursuits by manufacturing and synthetics as John Gierach waxed:
[b]If we carry purism to it’s logical conclusion, to do it right you’d have to live naked in a cave, hit your trout on the head with rocks, and eat them raw. But, so as not to violate another essential element of the fly-fishing tradition, the rocks would have to be quarried in England and cost $300 each. – John Gierach
[/b]
Nicely put. 
Some beautiful “Flies” by George Grant:
Not a ‘troll’ at all. None of the flies that anyone used as examples in the above posts are what I’m talking about. No problem calling them flies. I’m referring to the use of ONLY thread, wire and a cover of some type of hardening glue/resin/cement, etc. Now if you care to call that a ‘fly’, have at it. I’ll call it a lure.
So, just to “stir the pot”…
If I tie a Zebra Midge it’s a “fly” but if I coat it with UV resin it’s a “lure”?
hummm?
“…applying a hardening resin over a hook wound with thread…”
Many of the steps in tying the George Grant flies above… Might check the 'ol Dupont tube…and thread …and metal pins…
I really think these flies fit the spirit of your concern, but I think nearly all would call these beauties, “Flies”.
This whole discussion really makes me laugh, and there is a part of the western US where people really think about this stuff. How about this… WHO CARES WHAT YOU CALL IT!!!
I fish with flies, I fish with lures, I fish with bait, I fish with your mom… WHO CARES. If you have fun tying them, fishing them, and more importantly if the fish eat them, then good on you.
I really laugh at the guys who criticize me for fishing conventional gear for bass. Truth be told, their “flies” will NEVER be able to do what a bass lure does. If you think they do, just show me your fly rod punching rig.
Simple minded dudes who care what a fish attracting device should be called… Just sayin’
I wrote about using only thread to cover the hook and then applying a cement of some kind. Here’s a recipe for the Zebra Midge from the FAOL archives. You’ll notice that it includes more then just thread:Materials for the Zebra Midge
[ul]Hook: Daiichi 1130 #20-26. Thread: Gray UTC 70, Black UTC 70.
Tail: Grizzly hackle.
Body: Black thread.
Ribbing: Gray thread.
Wing: Krystal flash.
And, as far as the flies tied by George Grant and the other ones identified in the responses above, … they certainly have more then a few materials and involve a lot more then simply wrapping thread on a hook and applying a coat of cement.
[/ul]
What is an example of these “non-flies”??
Your average midge or maggot fly may not have much more than thread and coating…those are lures?
Honestly weather its a common fly or a popper, if its used with a fly line and fly rod it is still a fly.
How’s about listing that Forum Category as “Curmudgeon’s Corner”… 
PT/TB
