How many do you tie and and take on the water with you? I am tying some new patterns and I dont know how many I should tie up and try out. I was thinking about two of each, just in case I loose one or if they are hot and working then I have another.
Without any rhyme or reason…I have gotten into the habit of tying 4 of each pattern when it’s a new pattern. But like I said…no particular reason. If it’s a known productive pattern I am restocking…I always tie 6. Creature of habit :^)
I tie exactly as many as I think I’ll need…never less than 2. For my experiemental cased caddis, I tied 2. If I catch any fish on it, I’ll tie a few more and try to have 4-6 on hand at all times. When I got around to restocking my stash of #14 para-adams, I just tied a dozen while I had the materials out. 
I’ll be tying more before long…
i’ll tie 2-4 of a new pattern.
same goes for sizes of that new pattern.
Would depend on the water I’m fishing. I generally fish very narrow streams with plenty of overhanging trees and/or grasses. If the fly is working, I know I’m going to sacrifice a few to the Tree gods so I usually pack 6.
I try to tie at least 4 of a new creation. My thoughts are that you need to know that you have at least 4 with you and then you will allow the new creation to go places where there is a possiblilty you will hang it and lose it. These are the places where the fish live and you need to get the creation to them to see if it is something that they like and want. You may also want to have different colors with you and that would mean at least 3 of each color so that you can determine which color works the best. My last creation was all one body color (orange) and it did work very well, but, I noticed some hatches coming off while using it and noticed that the bodies were a light color and that got me to thinking I needed a lighter color to the body, so, the next session at the tying table produced some with a light yellow body and orange head and that combination seems to out fish the all orange. They both work, but, one seems to work a little better.
If it is a new creation you need to have enough with you to really “fish” it and know that if you lose it, you have more. Plus it is always nice to have extra to give to others that you meet on the river.
Three! One for you, one for the fish, and one for the guy you fish with that never seems to have any.
I always do six. Thge last one always looks better than the fgirstone.
Rick
With a new pattern, I usually need to tie a couple dozen to work all the kinks out and feel comfortable with it, but for test driving, I’ll take 4 on the water with me. Once the fish let me know if it’s a keeper, I tie in batches of 6.
Regards,
Scott
I always tie at least a dozen of any pattern. It works out the kinks, as mentioned before, and gives me plenty to take on the water. I’d hate to have stumbled on the hot fly of the day and only have one or two. Trees, bushes and rocks can take that many in a heartbeat.
REE
Ron,
Please check your ‘PM’ box.
thanks,
If its one of my own creation I will tie up 3, keep one at the house to keep as a pattern and fish with 2.
Tying new patterns that I never fished before 4, just to get the hang of it.
If I am tying a pattern for a friend I will tie up all they want and 3 for me.
Now if it is a proven pattern and one I fish all the time I keep 6 or so with me in different colors and have reserves at home. Fish um share um, which is how I started tying for some of the guys that cant.
Quill,
I replied to your PM yesterday.
REE
i tie lots: two to learn the pattern, 6 to fish with, and if it’s my invention, 6 more in a couple more sizes each.
sometimes this supply lasts for years, and others they’re gone in an hour…
On a new pattern, I tye at last 6 and up to a dozen. I figure 2 flies to get the pattern down and a few for my fishin buddy and few for myself. Also, like others here, once I get all the supplies out for a pattern, I may as well crank out a few more. I have had times when I thought the pattern looked good and did 2 dozen.
Dr Bob
Ron,
I seem to be having trouble with my ‘Inbox’ because I don’t see any new messages lately! I am online and my Notifications menu shows no messages.
I haven’t seen any new messages since the website changes took place. What setttings do I need enabled… anyone ?
* Sorry to deviate from the posted topic, but the ‘PM’ was in reference to a pattern posted by REE in the ‘Fly Archives’.
LOL… How do you guys deal with a moocher on the stream?
When tying a new pattern. I usually tie 6, to get them where I’m comfortable with them, and usually in 2 sizes.
I usually tie three or four of something I made up…just to test them. If they produce, I will tie more up. If a particular pattern does well for me that is known, and I know the waters I am heading to require that fly…I will have at least four on hand. Sometimes I bring six. It never hurts to bring them in two or three colors if possible as well.
Three of each color I decide to take and each size I decide to use. Usually that’s about six. It gives me two to use and one to give away…:shock: