Disciplined Fly Tying.

[sholgate]

After joining the fly swap, I sat down to tie 12 flies. 12 of the same fly. I must be either ADHD, immature, unfocused, or ... I don't know, but I just realized I have never actually sat down to tie 12 of the same of anything, ever. I don't think I would ever make a good professional fly tyer.

I like to tie a fly or nymph and fool one of God's beautiful creations on it. I try to remember which ones produce the most strikes and when I start to run out, I tie some more. You guys (and gals) out there that tie professionally or guide or just tie a whole bunch at a time ...

My hat off to you.

PS ~ I did manage to finish the 12 nymphs. And I do have to admit I did get much faster and efficient at them.

[LopatNympher]

I'm still waiting for my beads to arrive to start mine. I'm sure I'll ave the same experience Steve.

[Walshmiko]

Yes sometimes fly tying in numbers gets the best of you..I don't know how many times I have thrown my vise across the room. There s no question about it being a disipline.. Some people call fly tying relaxing, but i think its far from it.. I like my flies perfect for some reason although the fish probally wouldnt give a crap..I really do beat myself up over the tying part of fly fishing, but I have stuck with it for many many years(its sweet ,yet sour)

[kyle]

all you need is a sterio and some good CD's ;D just tie a few of a pattern go to a different pattern and then come back to the first, or do a bunch half way then go back and finish them. It takes a special kind of person (aka flytying robot) to tie the same pattern over and over and over....... all day long.

[SperryWater]

I started my 3 sons (ages 5, 8, and 10) fly tying a month ago and they are already more disciplined than I am! Maybe it is because they don't have any preconceived notions about what a fly is "suppose to" look like.

They just like to have fun and make something that looks cool. I think I have learned more from them in the past month than I have in the past 15 years - namely, relax and don't sweat the details!

[Adam]

add a nice beverage and some Johnny Cash on the ipod and off you go.

[sholgate]

UPDATE... I now have to make 13! Just kidding. But in all seriousness, I did learn that I can hammer out quite a few if I just sit still and do it AND stick to one pattern. Funny, after 17 years of fly fishing, this is a first.

[AaronJasper]

Tying lots of flies can be taxing. I usually tie a dozen, take a break and then go back and tie more. I can't crank out dozens of flies at a time. My adult ADHD kicks in and it can become a bad scene gone bad in a hurry!

[Davyfly]

kYLE, yup l am one of those robot fly tyers, there was a time when was full time pro tyer that a average day would result in 10 to 15 doz, simply numbers make money.
As Aaron will tell you l can churn flies out in a hurry and still enjoy to do it, but bear in mind for me it is not so much a issue of stress, l do not really have to think about it, done it so many times.
I do watch the TV when l tie that l find relaxing also a few beers or Scotch .

I still find great pleasure in developing new and better fly patterns and figuring out what is needed as the habits and choice of the fish change as they do.
What may work well one year may not the next, you never know, subtle changes can make a world of difference at times.

Tying is a skill make no mistake about that.
As is fly fishing, the more you do it the better you should become.

Davy

[sholgate]

The Key word to Disciplined fly tying is DISCIPLINE. As a teacher, fly fisherman, and tuba player, many times it is the discipline to sit down a practice tuba that sometimes hangs me up BUT I make myself set aside X Hours a week to prepare for this gig or that. I need to do the same with tying. Dedicate certain hours to tying with no interruptions. It would probably save me money, hone my skills, and set me up for many hours of future fishing.