Under “Sound Off” I ranted about my “perfect light and magnifier”.
Instead of ranting, I should get on down the road.
The McKenzie Bright Light and Magnifier, mounted on my vice. It was easy to use, and one less thing to “pack up” when I joined my buddies tying flies on Wednesday evening. I’m trying to minimize and simplify.
It just seemed perfect.
If you are going to pack up, 30 to 40 nights a year and tie flies; what light system and magnification would you (do you) use?
Since it’s June–that same group of guys goes fishing on Wednesday evening. I’m going fishing, while you guys give this your best shot.
Thanks, for the help!!!
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider
Like you, I use to use the same light with magnifier, but, I would constantly bump the magnifier while tying and have to readjust it which cost time. I now use a Daylight folding tabletop light (similiar to an Ott, but, cost less). The last time I had my eye exam my eye doctor asked if I was having any trouble seeing while tying and I told her that I had to use a magnifier. She increased my bi-focal by a +50 for my new lenses and now I do not need the magnifier!
Now I really need to tie flies! My Billy Belize girdle bugs (tie’em in any color, as long as you only fish black with yellow rubber legs), and the hopper popper I tie with Rainey’s float foam(hmmm–maybe I should say super glue) were the key to a good evening—and I shared with all present.
Great evening!
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider
To cut down on weight I use the McKenzie ‘attached to the vise’ light. I use 2.75 mag glasses rather than some oher mag system. At home I use a giraff system but with 2 lights rather than the mag. All these ‘real’ light and ‘bright’ lights with all the PR about seeing ‘true’ color is nice and I must have tried out a dozen different lamps. But then I thought, heck, myself or anyone else that looks at my completed flies are going to be looking at them in normal house light or natural day light so why bother replacing expensive bulbs. So at home I just use normal 60 or 75 watt bulbs in the lamps.
I use the Mirco Halogen Lamp by Zeico, for my magnification I wear a pair of strong reading glasses. I feel it’s the best combination I’ve used so far.
I use the McKenzie Bright Light also and am quite happy with it. The only real drawback I’ve found with it is that it does become quite hot and replacement bulbs for it are rather expensive.
For magnification, origianlly I was using the “gooseneck” magnifier that came with the light, but I recently become quite fond of a cheap pair of 3X reading glasses I bought at dollar general for a buck.
-Darryl
“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.”
I agree, these natural bulbs are over blown, I have and use one. They certainly don’t provide enough light by themselves. Halogen’s get to hot as far as I’m concerned. A couple of cheap swing arms are just invaluable and easy to position where needed.
hmms - better pay attention here … I’m getting there - at times
Lighting is pretty good at my tying area - even using magnifyer at times. My eyes are starting to shows signs - so I need to pull out the glasses more frequently. When I’m really into the tying bug, and I can’t see - and can’t stop either - I have a glass with its own light that hangs around my neck.
For now - it’s enough - but the 18 and 22 flies that I’ve started playing with … I seem to be pulling out the glasses (or glass) more and more …