Caving Into Fly Tying

There is a reason why I haven't tied flies...  Ok, there are many reasons!  But, I have run out of excuses.   And I am so tired of paying $2.50 for every midge that I lose.  So, I am now signed up for a fly tying class in March.  And I have now organized and packed items out of a room downstairs and moved them into another storage room.  So... A whole room for "anything fly fishing".  Gear storage to tyin' table and vise and all that good stuff.  My fingernails even will be shortened.  But, not all the way.  = )  Unless I have to.

Will it be worth all the preparation?  We will see.  But, first I needed some ideas on how to set up a fly tying play work station.  So, I went around to some friends and asked them if I could post up a picture of their home work benches.  Now, I have a better idea of what I need and how I'm going to organize the room.  Batter up!! 

Well, you know who's work bench this is...  Well, wait a sec.  It could be anybody's!  Don't we all have a T! sticker lamenated on something fishy?  Yes, this is Troutrageous Mike Agneta's tying area... Nice little setup for his Tenkara flies. The lamp is way cool.

Here we have Brian Schiele, mtbbrian... Tenkara fly fisherman and Holga photographer.  Brian has a very "fishy" feel to his cave.  I especially like the trout poster!   And looks like he has all the light he needs.... = )

Whoa!  Now wait a minute here... Can I order one of these gizmos?  No, unfortunately, it is a fly tying table that Matt David over at FuncFish built himself!  It's got most everything right within reach... Even a toothbrush!

This is Howard's Corner.  You know that guy over at Windknots and Tangled Lines.  He has quite the fishy room with tying materials, books (Did you know that he likes to read?), fish on the walls, and even a fish clock!!  Nice.  Can I order one of those? 

Do I see a river map to the right?  Can't be...

Next up, Dub The Thorax... Mike Volensky.  Kind of looks like his setup is on a baby grand piano... = )  From markers to bins to spools... And even a waste basket for the clippings!  He has thought of it all.  Oh, wait!  I know that there is some kind of sound system across the room... there has to be! (Ok. T! gave that one away)

Now, Ben Smith over at AZ Wanderings, bring us a pegboard with all the goodies attached.  Geez, it looks like a fly shop wall!!  I personally like the fur lined TV set.  = )  Kind of gives it an outdoorsy feel, don't you think?

Here we have Jim Browning, who you can find over at Two Guys ~ Wet Waders

and Flies... I will take the bulletin board idea to heart.  Then, I can put up "my favorite things".  By the looks of this set up, he just might enjoy tying as much as fishing!   

Ok...this is getting serious.  Grant Bench at OversmartingFish, has a comfy cabin setting along with...yes, a twin bed.  What does this say about fly tying?  Eh?  No, he swears that it is rarely used.  Really...  = )  And the chair looks pretty comfy for late night tying sessions.  I think that I will take one of those!

There you have it... The many different looks of fly tying caves and all that extra stuff that goes in them.  I'm sure that I will be taking an idea or two out of each of these photos.  I used to be a big time craft lady... It's been years though since I sat down long enough to make something crafty with my own two hands.  Maybe that is why I have delayed learning to tie flies.  Because I know that it will become something that I like to do and I will spend too much time in the Damsel cave!  Well, here goes nothing.   The next phase of my fly fishing journey will begin in a couple of weeks.  The class.