Fly fishing, the next step, fly tying

[Alex G.]

I began fly fishing about a month and a half ago, and with colder weather that I am not a fan of upon us here in Nebraska, I took the next step and began wanting to tie my own flies. This is natural I'm told, not only because flies are not cheap for the most part, but it also gives you a greater sense of accomplishment when you hook a fish on a fly that you tied. I've also found out that fly tying isn't exactly cheap either, I did the math and figured that to buy the materials to tie one single pattern, it would cost me almost 25 dollars at Bass Pro Shop (I'm blessed, I have a BPS 20 minutes from my house and a Cabelas about 10 minutes from home) but of course I'd be able to tie almost 20 flies out of that material.

After a "learning" session with a good friend, we were off to Cabelas for supplies, his spare vice sitting in my car for my use until I get my own. I got supplies to tie some of the simpler patterns on Ward Bean's site http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/welcome.asp that I found because of this wonderful site when Steve Crowder originally posted it.

The big issue I've come across right at this time is crowding the eye of the hook, I can still get a good duncan knot going if I want, but a palmor knot is out of the question on some of em. That's what practice is for, and I've got all winter long to do it. Between hate of being bored, a drive for perfection, and an addictive personality, I hope to have a nice set of good gill getters to deliver to a certain Nebraska agriculturist by ice off.

here are some of the flies I've been playing with, I'm a big fan of "smaller" presentations, so I put these on size 8 and 10 hooks.

Critiques always welcome.

Alex

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

ALEX!!!

True story..... IM sittin on the computer readin the email you just sent me and the wife walks in with your package. I opened it up expecting a couple homemade lookin bugs (Havnt seen the pics till now) and all I could say was OMG!!!!! These flies are amazing. I can't buy quality like this. My two year old was eagerly watching as I was opening up the package like it was christmas and soon as the lid came off of the box and revealed the prize he starts screamin CRICKETS CRICKETS CRICKETS!!!!!!!!!! I have to say again I was dumbfounded by how nice these flies are. Theres another cool front movin in this weekend but the first 2 warm days we have I will be on on the water. Im hopin the week of the 19th that we can get out there if not sooner. PICTURES SOON TO COME!!!!!!!

[Charles Singleton]

Bruce, if you'd move to the South, you could fling flies at the BGs all year round! :-D

[shooter]

that is some good looking bugs,nice work Alex

[Steve Crowder]

GOOD job Alex. Glad to see you are addicted. The only thing more enjoyable than tying, is fishing. Enjoy both Alex. Remember, the cost of tying is not important.

[Zig]

Great artwork Alex!
Keep in mind, goofs can catch just as many fish as the top shelf stuff.
Looking forward to hearing about that first fish on one of your flies.

[Alex G.]

Thanks for compliments guys, tonights project involves the dozen or so flies that I goofed on and a razor blade so I can recover the hooks. It's addictive, calming, and aggravating all in one hobby!

[Bruce Condello]

Why in heaven's name do we have to have stuff like this when winter is coming!! It's going to drive me out of my mind waiting for those first beautiful April days when I can do some fly-fishing.

Honestly, those are sweet lookin' flies, Alex.

[David Merical]

Those are WAY better than the flies I started tying...and better even than most of the ones I hack together now! Very well done! I've found those #8 and #10 hooks to be the perfect size for bluegills, and you'll catch plenty of bass with them too.

Great flies!

[george]

Alex, many thanks for your post and especeally pictures of your flies - they don't look like beginner flies to me....!
I love tyin' foam gurglers with crystal chenille bodies with marabou tails, or no tail with spider legs, for surface and variations of wooly bugggers for sub-surface.
You are right on about the fun of catching fish on your own flies.