You have just stepped into a bottomless pit from which there is no escape! Some of the early symptoms are a flatting of the wallet, lose of hair(from you pulling it out),bloodshot eyes from to long at the vise. Its all down hill from here. There is no known cure for the urge to tie salmon flies.
gary s
fight crime...shoot back
"Chapman, Chris" wrote:
Hello,9
I sat down and in 2 hours, I tied 3 flies!!!
Usually, 3 flies would take me 10-12 minutes. However, this was something special. As I live in NH and have a great opportunity to pursue stocked Atlantic Salmon nearby, I have begun my journey into <gasp> (bling bling) salmon flies.
I have tied salmon flies before, but usually chartreuse zonkers and wound marabou flies that fish nicely but nothing special.
But last night, I tied a Cosseboom, a Reduced Dusty Miller (woodduck flanks), and a chartreuse matuka. Each of the flies, I used a tag, a tip, a but, two body colors, and oval tinsel. Used high gloss for the head.
I wanted to put extra effort into them as I will be giving my brother-in-law a selection of a dozen for his Christmas present.
Guess what - I am off to the fly shop to look for some squirrel tails, bronze mallard, salmon quality ostrich, etc.
When I think I have enough materials, I go and do something like this.
I guess within a year I will be buying Florican Bustard, Macaw, and I will be marrying wings; especially when I get my spey hackle from the Whiting swap.
There are so many types of patterns and pattern creations possible, it is really a satisfying tie.
Any advice from others that have been where I am?? I definitely want to focus on fishable flies, but something more than the reduced hairwings. Full dress - I need a raise to be able to afford....
Chris Chapman
