busy at the vise

Well with the constant high water in my local rivers (and wanting to play around with the new vise ;D) I've been doing a lot of tying and only a bit of fishing. I have been able to get the fishes opinion on some of my patterns and the outcome wasn't bad. Here's a few pictures so I can get your opinion on some of them.

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk073.jpg

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk070.jpg

brown czech nymph (I do them in all different colors) with the thorax outside of the shellback

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk079.jpg

cased caddis I did these in size 12-16 (did well in the high water the other day)

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk088.jpg

very simple wire caddis with my own blend of dubbing, it's a very easy and quick tie but extremely durable.

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk094.jpg

http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/w...o93/idk103.jpg

simple but effective anchor flies, tied in a variety of weights and sizes.

A good friend of mine and I have also been working on the polish weave. He is a very accomplished tier and has been weaving for a long time. He's shown me some of his simple tricks that really add to the fly and give it a great look. He says I'm doing pretty well with it, and believe me if you know this guy you know that he will pick out every tiny imperfection in your flies and he's not afraid to tell you. Once I figure out how to take some good pictures of the flies I'll post some up. But for now criticize these!

Those flies look great kyle. How long have you been tying?

I sort of started last year but I really got serious about 3-4 months ago. I'll put some more pics up tonight but I'm on my way to RI right now

I just started about a month ago. I am getting better but nowhere's near that.

you'll get there just focus on 2 or 3 simple patterns for now so you can get the rythm and the basic technique of tying, then you can branch out. If you try to do all sorts of different patterns without getting the fundementals down first you will be way overwelmed. Try doing some patterns such as simple dubbing ants, foam beatles, then you can move to a simple adams and polywing spinners work on those for a while before you try comparaduns or other more complex flies. As for nymphs do some straight single color caddis larvae, thread body midges, and brassies then move up to the slightly harder czech nymphs and then eventually woven flies. I've found this to work for me because when I first began tying I tried doing too much too fast, got frustrated and stopped tying for a year. Just master one pattern at a time and expand from there.

I've been concentrating on caddis larva and Pheasant tails. The legs on the PTs were giving me fits at first but its starting to come together, at least in larger sizes, 12-14. My biggest problem is I try to make them perfectly but if you think about it there really isn't too much in nature that has perfect form.
I have to say though that I am really enjoying this aspect of the sport. Its a fantastic creative outlet.

Whenever I start feeling like my flies look good I just YouTube search Oliver Edwards then I realize I've got a long way to go.

Kyle: You flies look alot better than your hat. :P JK they look great.

Lopat: I've seen your flies and they look good keep it up.

Quote:

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Kyle: You flies look alot better than your hat.

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hey I'll take it

Black,
Thanks, I must be doing something right because I am catching fish with them. And not just stockies but wild browns as well. I am tying those caddis on a 14 now. I can't wait to try those out Saturday morning. Its too hot to hit the creek after work, I don't want to stress the fish any more than they already are.

I have said it before, and I will write it again...

I have to admit, there nothing like catching a fish on something you create. I have caught many fish on flies that I have purchased, but fooling a beautiful wild creature on something crafted by you... that almost makes me an artist.