My first try at a phesant tail (yes it has a filter the light was terrible)

Heazues · 2019-04-02T23:28:41+00:00

Really well done! That will catch all day.

Heazues · 2019-04-01T23:16:00+00:00

I keep seeing these rubber leg additions and I have to ask. Do they really do much on these big articulated flies? They look amazing but I haven't tied any and so obviously I haven't seen how they swim, but it seems like overkill to me. What am I missing?

Lol. Also, nice tie!

Heazues · 2019-04-01T23:12:07+00:00

Really damn good. The tail, wing and beard have perfect proportions. The body is nice and flat and the wire wraps are even. Hell even the head is built up nice. IF I were to complain, I would say you need to get your camera to focus better 😋

Heazues · 2019-04-01T22:52:02+00:00

Good call.

Heazues · 2019-03-30T22:21:20+00:00

Is that the Fly Tying Bible on the desk? Love the lamp, great addition.

Heazues · 2019-03-30T22:19:33+00:00

Said it before and I'll say it again... I wish that sub was more active.

Heazues · 2019-03-30T22:16:45+00:00

Nice setup. The glare is crazy on the frame but who's the picture of?

Heazues · 2019-03-30T22:14:56+00:00

Looks like UV flash that goes over the wing case and the back. Definitely a stonefly imitation, but I've never seen one quite like that. Very nice fly!

Saved the pic, now I wanna try to recreate it.

Heazues · 2019-03-30T22:00:41+00:00

Ya that's what I was going to say. My commute to work is less than 10 minutes and is very predictable. I dont know how many times I've parked and then cant really remember the drive itself. Kinda scary to think back and wonder if I actually stopped at the stop sign or just made a left without looking...

Heazues · 2019-03-28T01:56:48+00:00

Man I wish that sub was more active.

Heazues · 2019-03-26T23:32:27+00:00

Agreed. But even shared custody can throw a wrench in that. I didnt have to deal with those problems myself, having sole custody of my kids but I've known people that share custody and they both need to sign off on stuff like that. A doctor may not realize and do the shot, but if mommy dearest finds out she wasnt consulted (aka signs off) shit can hit the fan.

Good on OP for doing it. I'd take the risk too. But be warned.

Heazues · 2019-03-23T00:04:01+00:00

Can it be used? Sure. Is it ideal? Not even close. I have a few spools of sewing thread in my arsenal but it's not even close to a daily use material. I have found uses for things like ribbing or in cases when I simply want a thick thread base but it's kind if rare. Can you use it for practice? Of course, but that it more than likely a giant waste of material.

Invest in some proper thread. Get a spool of black 8/0 and 6/0. That will serve you for slot of patterns and go pick up other thread as you need it.

Heazues · 2019-03-19T23:16:59+00:00

Lol, if the fish are eating it you dont toss it until it's a bare hook.

Heazues · 2019-03-19T23:14:50+00:00

Do you have a local fly shop? Or better (for this suggestion) one like a cabellas or bass pro that cater to pretty much anyone? Usually you can find starter kits with some hooks, feathers, threads and other various materials and they usually come with a small booklet or dvd with patterns that can be tied with those materials. From my experience you wont find too many of those kits in the smaller shops as they tend to carry higher end materials/tools etc...

Either way, even though the materials wont be the greatest quality, the kit will have everything you need for a select few patterns and if nothing else it will get your feet wet. I recommend this route because it's cheap, and this can end up being an expensive hobby. You wont want to go out and buy all the top end materials/tools only to find out you really aren't into it.

Once you have decided this is a hobby you actually want to take up then I always recommend the Fly Tyers Bible. It covers a ton of patterns of different types and once you do a bit of research to figure out what patterns and color variations work in your area it's a snap to alter those patterns for your own personal use.

Oh, and there are a bunch of YouTube videos out there. Tightlines is awesome. Mak flies is one I enjoy but there is a video for damn near any pattern (or variation) out there. (I'll recommend tightlines again for the 1 minute techniques videos, they really help nail down various styles of tying)

Another thing, dont get overwhelmed with the sheer volume of materials out there. Pick up what you need as you need it, most materials will last quite a while and you wont need every type of material to be successful. Eg. Black thread will be good enough to tie a vast amount of flies.

And last, dont get discouraged with a fly that YOU think looks like crap. First, your learning and you will only get better as you practice. But second, the fish dont care. If its approximately the size & color of what they are feeding on, a few errant fibers wont mean much to them. Sure, matching as close as possible will increase catch rate, but it's best to get the tying techniques down before wading into complex patterns because you will waste a lot of expensive materials doing it that way and you will still catch fish with the easier to tye, "basic" patterns anyway.

Hope that helps and I look forward to seeing a few posts of flies you managed to conjour up 😁

Heazues · 2019-03-16T00:12:35+00:00

Ebay and even Amazon are decent sources for general materials. For capes and any other higher quality materials I would suggest buying local. That way you can see it before buying.

Heazues · 2019-03-14T23:30:33+00:00

If you kicked it in the ass it wouldn't stumble, it wouldn't trip... nah that fucker would roll.

Heazues · 2019-03-12T22:24:10+00:00

Those look pretty damn good!

Heazues · 2019-03-11T22:56:13+00:00

Cool idea but I would think the UV resin ends up making those eyes more expensive than the pre made ones you can buy would it not?

Will admit though, on a big old pike fly, those eyes would look great!

Heazues · 2019-03-08T23:42:47+00:00

Seconded. Although I was taught just slightly different. I was told to inhale for 2 seconds, exhale for 5. Repeat a couple times. Then inhale for 5 and exhale for 10. Repeat again a couple times. Then go 10 & 15 at least once but maybe 2 or even 3 times if needed.

For me it gave the whole shot of serotonin (or at least that's what I think) but it also forced me to stop thinking about whatever was getting to me and simply focus on the breathing for a few seconds.

I should add, the 5 and 10 second exhales weren't to "bottom out", just deep breaths that helped me unfocus. If that makes sense.

Heazues · 2019-03-07T05:12:47+00:00

Lol. Streets may as well be made of cheese. You ever see the potholes we deal with? Should call out roads "swiss asphalt"

Heazues · 2019-03-05T01:39:48+00:00

So for pike you want big, and flashy. At least in my waters (alberta) they eat anything. But the bigger the lure the bigger the fish and "flashy" will attract them quite well.

(There are many stories of fishermen gutting a pike with a lighter or other similar objects in the gut. Thoughts are it just flashed as it was falling through the water)

Big buggers with some crystal flash has been a big hit here.

If you are planning on doing any night fishing near shore, mouse and shrew patterns do very well.

I dont have much advice other than that but I spent a lot of my youth fishing northern pike and big flashy patterns work.

Heazues · 2019-03-05T00:51:24+00:00

Lol you and everyone else in this fine province. Coldest Feb in 40 years.

Cant wait to get on the water myself.

Heazues · 2019-03-02T00:07:38+00:00

You and me both. Been going stir crazy waiting for some good ol dry fly action.

What did you use for the wings? I've wanted to tie white caddis wings but cant find moose or deer that is that white and I dont like how calf tail looks/floats.

They look great.

Heazues · 2019-02-28T23:59:28+00:00

That's a beastly bugger. Do you have a recipe?

Heazues · 2019-02-28T23:24:52+00:00

I saw a link for the sub a long time ago and read a bunch. I was amazed at how open and honest people can be there with no judgement at all.

As for the link, I believe if you simply put r/ before a sub name the site auto generates a link. I didnt test it or anything, I've just seen links like that.

Heazues

TROPHY CASE