Chuck, As in everything, there are extremes as to viewpoints. Some tiers/flyfishers would catch trout all day on a piece of yarn tied to the hook if that would work. And then some will fish only if they can dry fly fish, and that only with a traditionally tied classic dry fly pattern. Both views are valid. I know guys that fish with $70 Cabela's kit-rods, and I know guys who go out with no less than $3 grand worth on them and in their hands, with hand-tied flies (theirs) and hand built rods (theirs).
I enjoy studying the creatures I fish for, the materials I use to tie the flies to catch them, and the foods that I imitate with these flies. To me, it's part of the enjoyment of the sport. I can tie 12 months a year, but flyfishing in Wyoming is viable for about 6 months a year, unless you're one of those polar bear flyfishers. So studying flies and feathers and furs and all the misc. stuff available is just part of the whole experience. Feathers are particularly fascinating to me. Just think of the DNA files it took just to create the pattern of a ring-neck pheasant. Everything is so complex and diverse, yet together looks so congruous and in place. Where are the main banks that cover color coordiantion? Each follicle does its own job, but are they all individually controlled, or is there a master gene? It could take a lifetime of work just to understand the splicing codes of hybrid species. And if you think all ring-neck pheasants are identical, think again. After examining hundreds of tail clumps, getting the 'skirt feathers', I find that rarely can I get two feathers from different birds that match enough to mate, much less match perfectly. So yes, I could use a traditional Adams to catch lots of fish. But my Adams has Pardo Cd'L tail fibers, rope-dubbed mink underfur for the abdomen, hand-picked genetic Winger wings, and Hebert Speckled Champagne Badger hackles. Will it out-fish the traditional? Who knows? Do I care? Nope. Do they work? Yep. Really good- I'm happy with them. Ta-daaaa. Mission accomplished. There are many tiers on this list that tie just for the joy of tying and extending their expertise. I invite them to add their ideas to this thread. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chuck Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 12:08 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Feather ? Biots > Don: Great info.. Thanks... I think it helps a LOT to know things like this > if I am going to be tying my own flies.... Chuck >
