Ode To Fly Tying

Yes, it's true.  The thing that I said that I wouldn't do, I did.  For five years now, I have run away from the inevitable.  Fly tying.  For those that are new here, the River Damsel has hemmed and hawed for years now about starting up that vise and creating those little bugs that can be bought for $2 a shot.  Now, I have come up with all types of good reasons not to do it.  First, the cost.  After buying the materials, are you really saving money?  Second, the time.  Isn't it much faster to stop in a shop on the way to the river than to sit down and tie a bundle up?  Third, satisfaction of the end result. Wouldn't a store bought fly look better than my poor duplicate of a YouTube video fly?  So, there are my excuses of the past.   Not even the Midgeman, Cofisher, or the PondStalker could talk me into it...  And I usually always listen to them.  Go figure... Maybe I was just downright scared.  

And then it happened.  I met a friend who said that he would teach me to tie a fly and promised that it was simple as simple to do.  I still had my reservations, but was willing to sit down and listen.  So, we will thank good ol' Joe for creating a fly tying maniac wannabe that can't stop looking up new recipes on the internet.  What made the difference?  I got past the frightening "whip finish" that gave me all sort of nightmares.  He made me do this part over and over and over again...  No exaggeration!  I can now do it in my sleep effortlessly... Ha!  It's easier than putting on the bead anyway... = )

So, I have started slowly, but surely.  First, midges.  Then scuds and sows.  Then it was a beadhead olive hares ear, as I am getting ready for an upcoming trip to Montana.  The one thing that Joe has taught me about tying is that you only need to tie up simple patterns.  They usually do just fine in catching trout.  No need to doll em' up with lots of fancy and expensive materials.  No, I'm not going to be clipping off dog hair off of my Shitzu.  Haha.  I'm just saying that there are cheaper methods to get by in a fix or to make a pattern work just as well if you can't afford what is called for.  Of course, there will be times that you might have to have that dreaded costly hackle or feathers... but, as I have shopped around, I have learned how to make things work a little cheaper.  And I plan on keeping it that way for now anyway!  Just having some fun and getting the basic things that I need ... (Is that what the gal who has 6 different fly rods said in the beginning)  Haha.

Every fish pictured in this post was caught on one of MY ties...  Now, everyone said that it would feel like the most special thing in the world to catch on your own hand made fly.  Ok.  So, it was a nice feeling.  Still wondering though, why in the heck they liked my novice creation, but I will take the end result!  So far, all my midges, sows, and scuds have been proven worthy.  Now, for the hares ear... it still has to be further tested.  But, have no fear... then end is not near!  Haha.  

Because my friend Joe believes in me and my tying abilities more than I do.  And has the patience of Job...  (He must)  So, I thank him for being a great teacher and I promise not to be too much of a pain.  Because this journey is now going to another level...

Catching and releasing fish from my own handiwork.

Who would have thought that the three reasons why I didn't pursue fly tying don't really matter now...  = )