Vision aide for on the water use

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
1

Now that I am in my late 40’s my eyes could use a little help when tying size 22 and smaller flies to tippet. What are you using for vision aide on the water?

2

Bifocals.

Rick

3

Bifocals! :frowning: :? :lol:

4

Bifocals and drugstore reading glasses…at the same time :shock:

5

I got a pair of these this year.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602006-cat130009&id=0029765712201a&navCount=2&podId=0029765&parentId=cat130009&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=QW&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat130009&hasJS=true

So far I love them. I know Smith/Action optics also makes bifocal sunglasses.

6

Size 16 flies seem to help me.

7

“Flip-focals” clipped to brim of hat.

:shock:
Will

8

I don’t like bifocals when wading, because I have to look down through it. So, I wear sunglasses and a flip down magnifier on my hat.

9

Well I use cheater glasses for putting the fly on the line but like you…I can’t see the bloody thing on the water anymore either and I’m still too stubborn to get the bifocals. I don’t see THAT bad yet. I put a LITTLE piece of float putty on the tippet knot or about 18 inches from the fly. Anytime I see a rise anywhere near that close to the putty, I lift the rod. Otherwise I tie in a bit of bright yarn or fur into the fly if I can.

I like this new format…I can make the print big enough to read!

10

I was reading a book that said the fish only see the bottom of the fly. He recommended using bright colors on top so you cold see it better. He claimed making exact imitations is for youngsters with perfect vision. He did a bunch of testing and didn’t catch anymore fish with perfect imitations compared to his version with bright colors.

He used mostly parachutes with either white or florescent on top.

Something for us blind bats to experiment with.

11

B^)

If you’re over forty, try saltwater !
Not only are the flies bigger on average, but the flats are a whole lot easier to wade than boulder hoppin’ those rivers.
Heck they even put bigger guides on the rods…

Best, Dave ( well over 40 )

12

As for me, whatever pattern I use HAS to have a parachute . In the rare event I do not have one of those available, I yank at every what LOOKS like a take. Needless to say, I’m no fun to watch. :slight_smile:

Mark

13

Marty,

Welcome to middle age!

Flip Focals, been using them for years.

Thank God I don’t have to wear them fishing the salt.

I also wear progressive trifocal glasses because without them the world is a blur.

Jerry

14

I wear bifocals and have a pair of prescription polarized sun glasses. With small flies and tying knots in fine tippet I have to use cheaters. I have flip ups also. :lol:

15

I have bifocals, but still pull my glasses down my nose and just look over them. I can still see clearly at about 6 inches from my face.

One can always spot us +40 anglers in the evening, holding fly and tippet up against the darkening sky, trying to get some contrast to tye on the one last fly for one last cast :shock:

16

Thanks for all the great ideas!! I have a lot of catch up to do.
Some people have mentioned parachute flies, but the blonde elk hair caddis is my favorite.
Doug

17

Doug:

IF you are considering the Flip Focal option; take a look at [url=http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0011336316678a.shtml:e0f5a]Hat Eyes[/url:e0f5a] which are a FAR superior product IMHO.

They have replaceable lenses, the frames are made of stainless steel and come with two different extension lengths PLUS they have more flexibility as far as folding them up or under the hat brim.

I’ve had mine for a few seasons and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

18

I just bought a pair of Smith bifocal sunglasses at my local Orvis shop. They’re really nice!

19

Exactly! :lol:

20

Another exactly :lol: