Today I learned that I should have my head examined for running 3 fly swaps at the same time. It was “re-distribution day” for the Larva Lace and the Dremel Bug Swaps and I had padded envelopes all over the place and frogs popping out of altoid containers, sliders sliding out of CD holders, and minnows slipping out of all sorts of containers.
Today I also learned that “make your container big enough for the return flies” does not mean the same thing to all tyers and I learned that unpadded envelopes and recycled mailers aren’t so great for fly swapping.
Right now I’ve got about 30 packages ready to go out in Monday’s mail and life is good.
Diane
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming-WOW—What A Ride!
I know what you are saying Diane, I have padded envelopes all over my desk right now. But I do transfer them to smaller box’es for each swap, kind of like small filling drawers. I also keep a few medium sized Plano 12 compartment box’es on had to sort the flies in to for each swap I put each tyers name on a compartment and sort them that way, then I just transfer the flies to there box’s when I have received all the flies in the swap. It is hard some times with some of the box’es you receive but some how you will make do. I have had small round metal containers sent to me to hold all the flies from a swap and they are lucky to just hold 12 small flies. I know you are doing a great job, keep up the good work. John
[url=http://home.comcast.net/~bassman540/johnsfliesandswaps.html:6fe06]http://home.comcast.net/~bassman540/johnsfliesandswaps.html[/url:6fe06]
I wish you all everlasting flies and tight lines.
[This message has been edited by bassman (edited 04 March 2006).]
Diane & Bassman, both of you have been in my fly swaps, where I had 40 fly tiers, divided into 4 groups. They did 6 monthly swaps, and it takes “Prior Planning to Prevent Poor Performance” (“5 P’s Rule”, use to be known as the “6 P’s Rule”, but one of the P’s had to be deleted because of vulgar connotations).
Just remember…“Nobody ever learns the lesson, by doing it correctly, the first time!”
This reminds me of a “Smothers Brothers” comedy routine…
Dick: What do you have there?
Tom: A bottle of “Smart Juice”!
Dick: “Smart Juice”? There is no such thing, as “Smart Juice”!
Tom: Drink some of this “Smart Juice”, and you instantly become smarter!
Dick: Give me that bottle! (Dick takes a swallow from the bottle) Yuck! That’s Vinegar!
Tom: You’re getting smarter!
That is all I have to say, except one other thing…ROOKIES!
~Parnelli
PS:
I am very proud of both of you, and your efforts and dedication to helping others!
[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 04 March 2006).]
I just love the creativity, and as such, consistancy. Swaps have made me a better tyer, and a more consistant tyer. I’m not there yet but with practice . . . What is also very amazing to me, and my wife and I were talking about it last night (I’m in that Marde Grau swap that is TOTAL creativity) is hook size. As a warmwater fisher my small might be a size 12, but probably a 10. I had shown her some of the midges you trout lovers have sent as Meister appreciations. “How in world could you tie something so small?” That is one of the great mysteries of the world. On some of them I can’t even find the the hook eye! So, for all of you, thanks for this incredibly insane passion and education. JGW
ps send bigger cruch proof boxes!
[This message has been edited by white43 (edited 05 March 2006).]
