Re: [VFB] England trip...and France

[George Vincent]

I was pleasantly surprised while in southern France last July to have stumbled upon a Fly Fishing store in the town of Navarrenx. Not only was there a very nice selection of fly tying equipment but a table was setup in the back of the store with a vise and materials. Although my ability to communicate was somewhat limited, I was able to have a very pleasant nice conversation. My only regret is that I did not sit down at the vise and tie a pattern to leave behind as a souvenir of my visit for them. Believe me that I will not make that mistake in the future.   Navarrenx is on the Oleron River and has excellent salmon fishing.   George Vincent   George Vincent ----- Original Message ----- From: DonO To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 6:29 PM Subject: Re: [VFB] England trip... Nick,   I found the same thing visiting Holland's fishing shops- not much in the way of fly tying gear and materials.   Ask Keith to show you the swap flies from the first ever (and only ever) VFB TUI (Tying Under the Influence) Swap.   Oh, and Veronical wants you to give Keith a big hug and a kiss from Veronica.   Buggs ----- Original Message ----- From: Niclas (Gmail) To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 4:08 PM Subject: [VFB] England trip... OK... there I was... on my way to shopping in England. Here is where fly-fishing was born and boy, was I excited to enter an English fishing shop. First one... not a trace of anything else than baitfishing gear. Second one was a little bit bigger... and among the baitfishing stuff, you could actually see some fly-fishing gear. "But where is the tying department? I mean, the flies have to be tied too, right?" So I asked the man there and he pointed towards a wall I'd just passed... about 6 feet wide and 6 feet tall. That was the fly-tying department.   But at least there were some. So next step, being in Oliver Edwards country... FLEXIBODY!!! That was something I started to aim for the second Teresa said we were going here. But noupp... no flexibody. Not much else either. It was a miniature fly-tying wall... filled with doubtful quality, packed into bags.   Next stop was Hobbycraft Superstore... and MAN!!! Being in there with an unlimited amount of money would sure be something!!! Feathers, fur, beads, eyes, threads, wires, flash... and foam foam foam.   But tomorrow is the reason for why I want to be here, myself. Believe me or not, the reason wasn't really to spend two weeks with Teresa's nieces and nephiews. No... tomorrow I'll be getting a break. Keith Passant is picking me up and he's going to teach me how to tie under influence and stay awake at the same time. I'd never really gotten the hang of it, but I hear he's something of a champ in this field. It will sure be exciting watching a pro in action..... ;o)  Then on Sunday he's taking me fishing and will teach me his secrets in fishing beer & Jack Daniel's smelling flies properly.   /Nick No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.6/337 - Release Date: 5/11/2006