Two suggestions: for obtaining decent flies to use as models.
1. Go to Bass Pro Shops in Grapevine. They have a really neat fly shop.(White River
Fly Shop) It has all kinds of flies, reels, rods, from the BPS line all the way to
ORVIS. Their flies are pretty danged good.
2. Go to an Orvis store in the Dallas/FT. Worth area
FT. Worth - Mainstreet Outfitters, 1 & 2
Dallas - The Orvis Company Store & Angler's Retreat
You can access the above stores on the web: basspro.com and orvis.com
Any of the above stores/fly shops will have an excellent assortment of "well tied" flies for you to purchase for your "models" with which to compare your work.
Cheers,
JIMMY from WACO
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Dr. Doug Miller wrote:
007401c28cb3$f5d1d7c0$64721ece@drdoug">Let me see if I can explain what I am looking for more clearly.
The very first fly I learned to tie was an Adams. I bought one of those
packaged kits that has enough material for three or four flies and began
tying. Through the years, I have accumulated material, tools, books, etc.
I have been content to tie flies that were good enough to catch a fish or
two in the Gunnison, the White River in AR, the wilderness of Maine, and off
the Atlantic Coast.
However, I do not have the confidence that my flies are worth swapping. I
am SURE that the patterns I tie could be improved. You would agree with
that.
Here's the problem: without something to compare my flies to (other than my
own ego or a two dimensional picture) I have no way of judging progress or
critiquing myself. Hence the need for a "benchmark" fly. Not one suitable
for framing or one to simply collect; just a good working model of a certain
pa ttern. A picture does not allow me to feel the stiffness of a hackle; a
view from different angles; to float the fly in a glass of water and see how
it rests in the surface film.
Suppose I went to the nearest fly shop, closed my eyes, dipped my hand into
the Adams drawer and withdrew a fly. Would this fly be a good
representation of what a well-tied Adams should look like? I simply do not
know.
Someone was kind enough to suggest that I eneter lots of swaps and host a
few. I will take their advice - and apologize for my flies and solicit
critique along the way.
Thanks for letting me be part of this list! I am learning with every day -
and am in the company of some really great fly folks!
Doug
-- Jimmy D. Moore - Author,Outdoor Writer,TOWA, TF&G,VP-GRTU Owner/Webmaster - Worldwide Flyfishing Info. http://www.BIGTROUTMAN.homestead.com/MainPage.html
www.sportingtales.com This is the website of Sporting Tales magazine - No "how-to OR "where-to"! Just the "Why-to", with outstanding campfire type stories about hunting and fishing.
