Re: [VFB] FOFF Rules- Summary so far/nominees

[Monte Smith]

Well this all hits pretty close to home.  Here's why I'm certifiable (and proud of it!): 2. Anything involving the family pet(s) and the ensuing procurement of tying materials. "Here kitty, kitty, kitty..." 4. Making your own hooks Oh yeah, been there.  Ron Rheinhold and Eugene Sunday are demi-gods at my house. I wanted particular elements in some large blind-eye hooks.  I've followed the advice passed along to Tim with great interest.  More accurately, I've reconfigured large hooks into shapes and sizes I want for my salmon tying.  Always looking to improve on that process!  Now if I could just get that finishing process how I want it ... 5. Dyeing your own materials not to save money, but to get 'just the right' shade. Funny how I don't always find "just the right color" in my vast assortment of materials. 6. Anyone who uses bark, tea leaves, roots, etc to dye materials. Err... see #4 and 5.  I can be a little picky.  :-) 7. Taking a vacation to tie flies No lie, I've done it. More than once.  And enjoyed it too.  9. Name on 'call list' at taxidermist (at least one) for scraps. Nah, but all my hunting friends know to call me... 10. Owns more tying gear and materials than fishing gear. I once didn't think this was possible, but I believe I have exceeded my fishing gear with tying gear in the last couple of years. 11. People think of you first as "The fly tier", even before your profession. Worse.  When people ask what I do, I usually mention the tying part first.  "Oh! You mean to make a living...?" 12. Has more fur and feathers than he/she could ever use in a lifetime, and sees no reason not to collect more. I plan on making my best effort at using all of the materials I accumulate.  Ah, who am I kidding?  Of course I do! 13. Has a library for fly-tying. Books, videos, DVDs, notebooks, sample flies, etc.  It's a beautiful place. 14. Has an dedicated area for fly tying that never gets used for anything else. Most definitely!  It's no longer my 'office,'  or  'den.'  It's the 'tying den.'  And it's going to stay that way, thank you very much. 16. Ties a 19/0 fly, then a size 32 Mustad fly. (Need that one so I can get in) heh heh  Nah!  My range will go from an 8/0 salmon fly to a #24 midge.  Sometimes in the same tying session.  19. Gets a rush from seeing Whiting Cree or exotic bird plumage. Heck, I got a little rush the other day when I saw a Keough Tyer's Grade neck!  It was a beautiful olive grizzly that would work perfectly for my Travelling Sedge flies. *drool, drool* 20. Ties classic Atlantic Salmon Flies Yep.  My primary tying interest at this time. 21. You open a fly shop. I wish! 22. You own a Whiting stuffed rooster, and then name him. Now you're talkin' crazy talk. 23. You meister mega-fly swaps, and then actually do it again, and again. I entered them again and again and again.  And looked forward to them, too. 24. You enter more fly swaps than sit out. Not anymore 25. You actually tie all of your flies for all swaps you enter. Yep.  Sometimes an additional set, too.  Just for kicks. 26. Ties professionally although they have a job that pays the bills. I would eschew the word "professional" but I have been paid for teaching classes and the odd fly or two.  Of course, this and much more is quickly reinvested in the "profession." #27. Keeps personal records of fly recipes, designs, photos, and sketches fly designs and ideas. Yep.  A significant part of 'the library.' #29. Flytying/gathering materials is almost always one part of personal multi-tasking. One must be aware at all times.  You never know when the opportunity will present itself.  Be vigilant, my friends. #30. Has lost count of how many flytying sites are in the "favorites" list. Has multiple levels of folders to organize them. This is just so true.  Glad I'm not the only crazy one. Cheers! Monte P.S.  Don, re: the online rule - tongue was firmly in cheek.  ;-)