When it comes to human aesthetic we love contrast. Wood grain floors contrasted with all white walls, black and white checkered tiles, etc. Contrast helps us see things more clearly and makes objects pop. When something is all one color it, in many minds, is drab, dull, boring, and unpleasing (picture an all-white psychiatric ward room). I think fish are similar. They love contrast.
Read MoreIf you have been fly fishing for any substantial amount of time you have heard of the Wooly Bugger, this variation brings the Wooly Bugger into the 21st century.
Read More“One of the coolest things about fly tying is that it's all up to you. The creative possibilities are near endless….Below are 3 brief and random ideas revolving around unique patterns you may find helpful and hopefully they will give you some confidence in the unique…”
Read MoreIf tying small flies is something you enjoy, or hate, you may glean some useful tips in this article on tying and selecting proper materials for midges and other small patterns!
Read More"With all the new materials and patterns that seem to come out every other day in the fly fishing industry, I thoroughly enjoy revolting against the "more, more, more" culture and getting back to simplicity.
Winter fly fishing is an excellent time to practice simplicity in your tying. With numb hands, minimal bug activity, and less pressure on the water you can really hone in on technique, while being eloquently simple with your fly selection..."
Read MoreOne of the pressing realities for a specialty fly shop is figuring out how to make the best flies possible as quickly as possible. To keep every fly the exact same and crank out 6 dozen flies in a few hours is not for the faint hearted. I am a little bit obnoxious about finishing an order as fast as possible - just ask my wife. I am also a little anal when it comes to maintaining quality with my flies. I want them to be as best as possible. It's another balancing act. Most times if I had to slide either way I would pick quality every day, but what I have been investing in has been ways to make large quantities with great quality as quickly as possible.
Essentially, how can I tie flies as perfect and as fast as possible?
These are eight tips I use to speed up the process that can help any level of fly tier.
Read More"When I see someone else's fly box there is often a mixture of emotions that flood my brain. Sometimes a bit of envy, perhaps determination to make mine look as beautiful, sometimes ideas start flooding and I see my free time disappearing, and sometimes... I silently am weeping.
Here's why..."
Read More"...Every time your thread lays down on the hook make sure there's a purpose behind it. I find myself questioning every time I put thread down - "Did I have to do that?" Clearly, that can be a nagging thought to always have running through your brain, but it does prove helpful. You eventually realize that every time you wrap thread around the hook it matters...."
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