Re: [VFB] West Va fishing and New Swap

[DonO]

Lane,   My first flies, unfortunately, are long gone.  I was about 10 and was tying bluegill flies with feathers from my pillow.  Later, when I got my first kit (which included some instructions, a vise, bobbin- things people take for granted), I tied chennile-body wet flies with dyed duck-wing feathers for swept-back wings.  They were very large and would have probably caught bass.  I named them 'The Red Baron', the 'Green Lantern', 'Batman', etc., because I didn't know any fly names.   I would love to have those in a fly plate now.   DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: Lane McKellar To: vfb@troutnet.com Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 9:17 AM Subject: [VFB] West Va fishing and New Swap Hey List,   It's been a long time!  I have finally settled into the new house and job in Pennsylvania, and moving from Utah I have been a little deflated about the fishing prospects in the area.  Work is finally settling down and with winter on the way should be able to get some tying done.  I am headed to Kentucky today to pick my dog up at my parents and will be driving the I-79 and I-64 corridor through West Virginia, could anyone point me to some fishing along the way.  I am going to take a couple of days for the trip and would like to make a stop along the way.   I would like to throw out my two cents around the clique string that has circulated.  At times it can be intimidating not feeling like I contribute much to any of the swaps by way of technique improvements etc.  I can understand why some new comers may feel the same intimidation just because of the level of ability that exists among the list.  On top of that there is a bond with a lot of listers that people may not realize.  I have seen listers rally to be a part of things like the Sow Bug, and I have seen them rally for many who have struggled with health, or financial, or professional set backs, it is fun to see the response and what an amazing group this is.  There is plenty of reasons to be humble around this group of talent but no reason to feel outside.  Even if you lurk.   Basically what it comes down to is I tie ugly flies (the kind that catch fish, ok not so humble) and started thinking about a fly box I have kept around that have a bunch of the first flies that I ever tied. They are the kind of ugly that only the tier could love, but fun to go back and look at and remember how exciting it was to get started.  Every once in a while when I am out with my buddies and the fishing is so hot you think anything will work, I will pull this box out and do a stupid fish test.  The test consists of picking the worst fly in the box, the one that looks the least like any natural creation, either by color or shape and fishing with it.    OK so onto the swap idea.  It would be fun if enough people had some of their first flies around that we could swap some of those, but if not, we could all go back and retie our first fly. I realize that this could end up being a wooly bugger/ griffith's gnatt swap, but the idea here would be for all of us to remember what it was like to sit a vice for the first time.    Any interest?  This is my first time hosting so I will send out details if I see interest.   Lane McKellar No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.13.0/464 - Release Date: 10/5/2006