Given the stress some folks are showing over this, I'm going to invoke rule
#1 so as to keep everyone cool and calm and friendly on the VFB. There
is no reason for this to become a stressful event. The idea is not to
show perfection, but to share among a group of friends a fly you have tied
personally for those friends. It's all about the comraderie of the VFB
and its little sister, the IOFF. That said, here's RULE #1 of the
official IOFF swap (followed by others).
Rule #1: IOFF Members are all part of the Virtual Flybox which espouses a
friendly forum for dialog and sharing of ideas between participants of whom
are participating in this swap. We acknowledge the inclusion of both
novice and expert and shall endeavor to allow all to teach and learn to the
best of their abilities. This swap will not be one to embarass the less
talented or engrandize those blessed with superior tying skills. It is
about sharing something personal and reflective of the tyers, nothing
more.
Rule #2: (Due Date) The due date shall be at the end of the Trico Hatch of
the northern-most point to which Byard Miller, CEO of the IOFF, President of
Lines End and Owner of the VFB chooses to fish it. Byard will
announce said date.
Rule #3: (Fly Size) Furthermore, the flys of 20-50 members around an
8.5x11" certificate will not fit if much larger than a size 12 and not be seen
well if smaller than a size 16. Discussion on this is welcome in a
friendly fashion as I was wrong once. (I thought Byard only caught 24
that day)
Rule #4: (Fly Patterns) Flys presented are not to be masterpieces but
patterns representing the tyer's effective fish catching patterns.
Patterns meant to catch fish, not folks who buy flys. They are, however,
to represent a personal side of the tyer's style.
I'm open to discussion on many things but be nice. There is no reason
a further swap cannot be had for this in the future (like a IOFF swap 2) for
more complicated patterns or tyers with extreme time constraints or those who
need a long time to finish a fly. I believe mid summer is quite fair for
this first one but will listen to polite dissent.
Murf
"Entomology is not Buggery" �
Property of the Virtual
Flybox
