Now we are getting into my neighborhood, lol. I too started tying without much to work with, and no stores or other flytiers or flyfishermen to help (Metairie, Louisiana, late 50's).
Tying with lengths of thread rather than a bobbin made for frugal wrappings, and without the weight of the bobbin to hold the last loops tight, half-hitching was crucial- no other way. Even then, one bluegill and my fly fell apart. Had no head cement and didn't know what a whip finish was. For a long time I tied without a vise, so my left hand fingers became adept at multi-tasking, something that is natural to me even to this day. Like Bob, my BB-gun was my materials procurement department. Roadkill had to be 1st hand, or it was buggy (southern heat). Then I got my 1st kit from Sears. What a change that made, but I never lost the basics. I still have a baggie of some of the materials from that kit, just as a keep-sake- will never use it. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: BobH To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2012 8:30 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] selling flies anywhere Yep but we a lot fun!!! I can remember saving every little feather. Shooting rabbits starlings and other assorted critters. What a great gift when someone would give me their deer hide or my folks told me I could spend $20 & order from Herter's!! Sent from my Kindle Fire ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Anthony Spezio <[email protected]> Sent: Sun Oct 14 09:59:29 EDT 2012 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [VFB] selling flies anywhere Bob, You had to do it that way or the material would fall off the hook. Yes I started tying in the dark ages. Tony --- On Sun, 10/14/12, BobH <[email protected]> wrote: From: BobH <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [VFB] selling flies anywhere To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012, 8:56 AM Something I was taught was to lightly coat the hook shank with cement then wrap with thread. Halt-hitch after each step. The guy who taght me said if you can spin the fly on the hook after tying it would only last a fish or two. Material was just to expensive. Also he did not use a bobbin this was in the dark ages pre- Sent from my Kindle Fire ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Alan Di Somma <[email protected]> Sent: Fri Oct 12 09:56:05 EDT 2012 To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [VFB] selling flies anywhere Brian; One of the things I do to make my flies more durable is to put half hitches in at every junction. But like you say, not too pretty. I tie mine to catch fish and sometimes I do weird little things like leaving off one claw of a craw dad. Or I will put less feet on one side or make one leg of a hopper shorter or cut in half. I think it provokes strike because the fish see it as injured and a quick meal. You won't find that on the commercially tied flies. Thank you, Alan Di Somma Sent from my iPad Thank You, Alan Di Somma Phoenix, AZ. On Oct 12, 2012, at 1:39 AM, "Brian Burgess" <[email protected]> wrote: I am sure if I put any of my flies up for sale there would be a lot of people asking for their money back. There are never two that look the same and are not the prettiest of flies but they catch the occassional fish before they fall apart or fly off into the nearest tree. Just tied my first pike flies so will be interesting to see how long they last. Thinking about it though even if I were good enough to sell I am sure there must be an easier way to make a living. Good tying and fishing to you all Birdie -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VFB Mail" group. 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