Tying flies 101 by a beginning old person.

[dick tabbert]

Well after yesterdays mishaps today went a little smoother. Didn't break near as much thread my worst experience was I pushed the bodkin halfway through my thumb got blood everywhere but after looking at the pictures I didn't see any so I assume it blended in quit well. I started last night but after getting thoroughly disgusted after breaking the thread about four times I put it all up. Today I did figure out the bobbin where new and I had to open then up. That took care of 75% of the breakage. Jen helped with the superglue and it worked great now the bodies don't tend to pull to the side when cinching them down. Greg suggested a different thread which I think I will have to order I didn't see it at Jann's.

[Jen Nayfly]

Subsurface just means a fly that floats barely underwater...ie a foam fly that has soaked up and is no longer on top of the water.  Usually just a few false casts in the air will dry them out and they float again.

[dick tabbert]

Or a mistake were one uses the wrong size hooks. I already fixed one a made a sinking wasp out of it. Hope the fish eat wasp.

[Doc Parker]

Wowee! Those are really nice! Heck! I'd even bite on them! Have you tied up any ants?? I fish them behind a bobber about 4' with a small piece of worm. I like your lil bee!!

[dick tabbert]

No doc no ants yet. Plenty spiders I just started tying yesterday but ants will be coming along. I use to fish a rubber spider behind a bobber on my spinning gear. It was always fun and I caught many fish. I love catching fish on top water it is a great high.

[Doc Parker]

The worm piece helps sink the fly. I'd reel in just fast enough to see the "Vee" behind the bobber, then slow down. The point is to keep the fly touching the top, then dip, then touch the top, repeat. I caught 50 gills when a bunch of guys caught nothing right next to me!!! This is a killer method from"Professional Guide secrets" book from Herters when I was like 20!! (40 years ago!!) They had some great tricks in there!

[dick tabbert]

Doc I used a rubber spider about 40 years ago behind a float with my spinning rod probably the same set up you used but I never used the worm sound like that would be the ticket when the gills get lockjaw. I will put that in my bag of tricks and thank you for sharing. Doc keep in touch and I love the fish your holding (chainsaw carving) I'm assuming.

[Doc Parker]

Yeah, it's a saw carving, I like the way I can blast them out! When I fish this rig it's like the fly is bouncing upside down under water. That's the only way to describe it. It absolutely kills them! And the tiny worm piece makes it almost weedlsee for casting into pads, etc!

[Greg McWilliams]

Dick, LOOKS like YOU have MASTERED the SPIDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!  What is the next one YOU are going to DO for US!!!!!??????

[Doc Parker]

Yeah! How do you follow an act like that??? I can't wait to hear how they work!

[jim cosgrove]

dick-jann's sells some really small lead ant and spider bodies.i paint em with cheap nail polish as it dries fast.some rubber legs and your done.very good in deep clear water.w

[dick tabbert]

Thanks Jim I got the spider bodies in the large and medium sizes the small looked to be a little much for my big feeble fingers. I didn't know about the ants though next time I'm over I'll check them out. I've been there 3 time this week already so I'll make the ant a future project. GOOD FISHIN..

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY DICK,

  MR. Cosgrove is right on about the lead ants!!! Black seems to be a favorite color for me and nothing wrong with white or chartreuse either for the bodies. LLLLLLLLLots easier to tie than a regular ant, but when you are a bit more advanced the ants are easy and have a few pics of steps to tying em on my page Dick and it will help you . Won't be long and you'll be a first class DUBBING MASTER!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS DICK and should be proud of your self ole buddy. The size hook I use for regular ants DIck is a #14 , but don't let it intimidate you cause they look small but the way the ants are tied it's not that bad.