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Submitted by John Fagan on

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GREAT SITE FOR FLYFISHING BEGINNERS AS I AM , CAN YOU RECOMMEND GOOD FISHING SPOTS IN CENTRAL SCOTLAND AS I STAY IN GLASGOW KIND REGARDS JOHN.

Submitted by Joel Ditto on

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Martin, I have been tying flies for about 40 years now. I got started when I bought a box at an auction for $5.00 dollars. It was full of feathers tools and other stuff. The vise was a Herters and after a few years I replaced it with a better vise. I would imagine that I have spent several hundereds of dollars on stuff and it has been a great hobby. I am mainly a warmwater fisherman but I tie flies of all types just because I like to tie. I have given away most of them and you are correct that it is a hobby that cost money. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I still buy flies becuase I want to see how they are tied. Your article hits the spot.

I think a few other good patterns to try are elk hair caddis, compara dun and x caddis, wulffs are good too. These require hair and not much hackle and they are fairly economical to make. Picking simple flies like wooly buggers teaches you skills and how to work with materials. I also would avoid fashion flies with hot materials or foam and glue starting out. Focus instead on skills and learning. Makes 6s or dozens of all. Cheap tools are better than no tools and crap is still crap. The very best bang for the buck of vises is the Danvise. I tie on a Regal as I hate ***ckin' little set screws and bitty levers that don't lock hooks. Most of the rotatory functions are worthless. I've owned several and never use the rotatory stuff, then again, my first premium vise was an HMH, I still have 30 years.

[b:3ee41e9505][quote:3ee41e9505="pittendrigh"]What bobbin is that? ............interesting[/quote:3ee41e9505]
Faruk Ekich designed and built his "Ultimate Bobbin" a while back… it dispenses thread at a calibrated tension great enough to hold material but not so much as to allow for thread breakage… the internal spring that generates the tension can be quickly and easily "reset" every 24" [or sooner during the tying process]… the "reset" is a one handed motion that has become part of my tying routine and is well worth any preconceived inconvenience [ie: non-event]… I've become quite dependent on the thread rewind /retract function… and NO more manually rewinding thread after using the bobbin hanger function...
While his original design is still very much available [I use & enjoy mine very much], Faruk's latest tool evolution has allowed for a price reduction without sacrificing quality nor function…
This new S-series utilizes the same thread tensioning system as the original but incorporates an injection molded durable polymer fuselage that results in a very comfortable tool that rests in the hand very nicely while dispensing thread at the pre-set calibrated tension… As with both of his bobbins, more tension can be manually applied by "palming" the thread spool with finger tip pressure…
If we are "lucky", Martin may be doing one of his enlightened educational articles regarding all things Bobbin… a comparison of quality tools that every tyer relies on… and I eagerly await his formidable schooling and technical insights…
Standing by to stand by for news…
update:
the initial prototype is outstanding…
some details are being tweaked prior to the major production run…
if all goes as planned, the S-series Automatic will be available for the Symposium in November [if not sooner]…
sofarsogood...[/b:3ee41e9505]

Pete.

>no one took the bait...

Heh! Here on GFF we're always vigilant and have our gear radar tuned in on all the new gadgets and gizmos.

Let me know when and where it's available.

I could easily see an article on bobbin holders coming up, and new and different models would be obvious contenders.

Martin

Submitted by Phil Ewanicki on

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New York's "high taxes" also support active and progressive fisheries management, and contrary to many states New York pays as much in federal taxes as it receives in federal spending.

Submitted by Jay on

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Nice to see you casting a rod.
I too have been looking at the Echo glass rods. Haven't cast one yet.
I recently got a blank from Epic built. Great casting rod. More relaxing rhythm than with graphite. A bit like cane indeed.

Submitted by Val Roberts on

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Martin
Thanks for pointing me to Eflytyer.com. Reading more on peccary, I think this material will lend itself well to even more patterns.

Hugh
Being relatively new to fly tying, I still have to try quite a few materials, moose mane being one of them. I did read about it briefly in some resource books but you lent perspective with your recommendation and suggestion for achieving that segmented look. I have already ordered some (as well as peccary) and will let you know how it works out.

Thanks.

Val

Submitted by Hugh Atkinson on

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Val, Peccary may well have particular attributes which make it preferable to Martin (the light & dark patches for instance), but experiencing the same supply problem I have used moose mane. If you tie in both a dark and light hairs, the moose mane does result in good segmentation.

Submitted by Val Roberts on

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I have not seen peccary in the flyshops or online here in the USA. Do you know of a source, or better yet, is there a good substitute material?

[b:c27d2d7280]G'day Martin…
I prefer "kinetic sculpture"… [i:c27d2d7280]TOOL[/i:c27d2d7280] sounds so utilitarian… ;)
anyhow...
my previous post was a calculated gear head phishing expedition…
I got my hands on a wonderful ergonomic bobbin… SWEEET!
it's not available just yet… SOOON!
'just curious to see if anyone would comment…
several sites had zero results… no one took the bait...
I thought for sure that another bobbin head [like myself] would jump in…
'go phigure!?...
[URL=http://s198.photobucket.com/user/Phracas/media/Phracas027/F70A2595_zpse…]
[/b:c27d2d7280]

Colin,

That's one crazy looking fly, but certainly close enough to fool a fish and it also looks very durable, which is a good thing compared to many intricately tied flies, which look a lot like the real thing but also look like a few casts (not to mention fish) could destroy them.

Thanks for posting

Martin

Submitted by Vinh Phan on

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I saw some inscriptions on a rod on line like : " Vintage Milwards- UK bamboo 6'6" 3-5/8 oz spincast rod" . Please advise me : Does that mean the weight of the lure is 3oz to 5/8 oz.? Is that a heavy boat rod ? Thank you very much. Vinh.

Submitted by Juan mario on

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By far, the best adventure to fly fishing Dorados !!
I wish to be there in my next vacation...

Pete,

As always a very nice fly. And your images once again confirms that you must be the biggest tool addict on your continent. The vise, the bobbin holder - heck, even the hackle pliers - are space age, cutting edge, gizmodian designs. Love it!

And may pale Johnny rest in piece and get a lot of fishing done where he is now - if he likes fishing.

Martin

Submitted by John O'Dea on

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That was good information ..appreciated the time you have gone to explaining those items. Always in trouble for feathers floating around on the floor :)) It is interesting how a simple tip when tying such as applying head cement to your thread prior to a whip finish makes things so much neater and easier than trying to seal the finished head.

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