NW Fly Tying Expo 2011 Albany, Oregon (Observations)

I went yesterday, and I wish I could attend today as well. But, alas, not to be. My humble assessment of the show is that it was well managed and well attended. The usual tiers captured observers several deep and there was much to be gained. I have to say, this year, I slowed down and sat down. I know that is the intent. In years past, I spent more time visiting with acquaintances I ran into and buying stuff than sitting and gaining the available knowledge.

This year, I learned several ideas and walked away the better for it. Special thanks to Marlon Rampy, Skip Lynch (and his secret box), Jessica Sall, Ron Eagle Elk, Jim Ferguson, Robert Paxton and Carl Sanders to name but a few that provided their unique take on how to tie flies. I also noticed most tiers readily gave away their trout fly creations, unlike years past.

Speaking of buying stuff…there were assorted vendors there. I bought some of the discounted materials for sure, and visited every booth, but the two booths that capture my attention are Steve Korbay @ Fly Tying Specialties and a combo team out of Medford with Mike Barnum & Dan Kellogg. They combine their efforts at Tyers Tool Shop.

Steve Korbay of Fly Tying Specialties (SwittersB)

Steve Korbay, the owner of Fly Tying Specialties has positively unique materials focused around the Czech Nymph concept, but transferable to all manner of nymph/pupa patterns. Unique, exciting products for the tier. I seriously bust the allowance visiting Steve’s booth. Check them out on line if you can’t meet them at a show. I believe Steve is headed to Idaho Falls next.

I also stopped by Mike Barnum’s table of unique tying tools hand crafted by Mike. Last year, I did the same. I took pictures to highlight the emerging business and got home only to realize I had neglected to put the card in the camera! This year, I was determined to redeem myself. I think Mike thought I was a bit obsessive in my intent to capture a shot this time.

Mike Barnum (Barnum’s Machine Shop, 1684 Spring Street, Medford, Oregon 1-541-772-5315) has created some nifty little tools. They are unique in design, hand crafted and nice. Expensive? Well, comparatively I spose. But, you are buying these tools as a special treat, as I did. Mike makes nice tools and his vise is amazing.

Mike’s partner, of sorts, Dan Kellogg of the Tyers Tool Shop, also creates a fine collection of tying accessories that are well designed and worth a try.  Great show, great time, great company!

Fly Tying: Nymphs & Their Sex Life

 

Nyphms Came Together & Put Their Heads Together In Order To...

Tomorrow, I think I will discuss the Fly Tying Expo in Albany, Oregon ( held today and Saturday, the 12th, Albany Expo Bldg.) As I sat in an accident related traffic jam tonight, I had time to reflect upon the event’s effect upon me. I will offer up my observations (in the for what it is worth department) and what I learned. Also, I will bring attention to a few tiers that caught my eye. Oh, and to you fella’s (and gals) that have a thing about sweet, innocent, wood nymphs and the like, and ended up here…………..they do visit here, but only after a wee bit too much of the spirits.

 

Fly Fishing: Sticky Mud = Tippet Weight

Explained at Field & Stream “Stuff That Works” by Deeter

Fly Fishing: Tying for Chrome

Accomplished fly fisher, Larry Tamiyasu of Portland, Oregon, travels far and wide fly fishing for a variety of fish species. He is an accomplished tier and like most of us, anticipates success with his own creations.

Preparing by Larry Tamiyasu (SwittersB)

And, more often than not, he and his fishing partners are successful where ever they wet at line.

Successful Fly Pattern by Larry Tamiyasu (SwittersB)

Thanks Larry for sharing. He and his buds have already booked their digs for next October. Anticipation……………….

 

Fly Tying: Understanding Thread

Geeze, so much to know about thread! Not really. Several excellent points to remember while wrapping that thread and avoiding the hook point or pulling too hard. Martin Joergensen at GFF lays out a lot of valuable info re thread.

Sooner Or Later Buy Ceramic Bobbins

 

Fly Tying: WFF Hairball

Justin Carroll @ Winona Fly Factory turns out yet another innovative, enticing pattern. You have to love Bead Head Pupa patterns. Nice tutorial/SBS piece here on the WFF Hairball. Cat fur is not a bad material, if they enjoy that comb raking through their sides and back… purr away kitty.

 

WFF Hairball by Justin Carroll at Winona Fly Factory

 

 

Oregon Coastal Cutt’s: Amazing Video

Horatio Nailknot over on FB shared this amazing underwater video by David Saiget. For me it was  informative and I think you will agree beautifully done.

Behind The Bubble Curtain: The Underwater World of Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Fly Tying: Loop Wings of CDC

A straight eye, size 20 hook was used and 14/0 Sheer thread. I tied in a grouping of tail fibbets. I was not exacting as to two  or three tail fibers. I should have been as the extra fibbets added thickness to the top of the shank. I tied in a single wisp of 14/0 grey thread for a ribbing. I wrapped the black thread over the fibbets and back.  I think the initial layer covering the shank plus the two additional layers to cover the fibbets added a touch too much thickness to the abdomen. I wound the grey thread ribbing up the body and tied it off. I tied in two CDC plumes, tan in color, and held them toward the rear and then dubbed a small amount of Hareline Ice Dub, Black Peacock, for the thorax. I then pulled the CDC feathers forward over the thorax but provided slack to form a small loop wing above the thorax and tied off. The tail is probably a touch long, but it’ll do. I like the two photo’s because they give some sort of scale to these ridiculously small hooks. The shot is not as crisp as it could have been, but you get the general ideal w/ the description. Loop Wing Emerger

Fly Tying: Goggles/No Goggles

I tied two flies, not identical but close enough, on a size 14 hook. Although the differences are not that apparent there are a few obvious differences (pattern on right): I rolled the tail, wrapped the abdomen with more gaps and generally did not see the mistakes as I tied. With the goggles (ok, magnification specs) I tended to see as I tied my mistakes and unwound more often. What I know/see is that I am tying slower. That is ok, as I don’t tie that many patterns at a sitting anymore (maybe 10 to 15 at a sitting, often less). Most of my patterns are trout patterns and simply easier to tie, even if on a much smaller hook.

Goggles on the Left....No Goggles on the Right

I am enjoying this new fly tying tool (magnification specs/goggles). I have enormous respect for those tiers that tie with such precision. I will be satisfied to improve the basic elements of my tying: proportions, cleaner starts and finishes and everything in between.

Fly Tying: A whole wing, what to do?

I recently came by a whole wing from an unidentified bird (outstretched about 18″) which was medium gray in color. It had been cut at the bone (about 3/8″ in diameter). There was flesh around the protruding bone and I could feel what felt like ‘meat/muscle’ in the front section closest to the bone. I was really unclear of how to process this material. Frankly, I have received pheasant capes and skinned rabbits before. The processing results of borax and salt and curing really never turned out very well and waste resulted.

http://limjunying.wordpress.com/2009/09/

This time, I took heavy kitchen scissors and cut each individual feather away from the connection points as close as I could. In the end, I harvested maybe 40 feathers (primaries, secondaries, primary coverts) that will mostly provides wing material for say a classic wet fly pattern. I am attaching a link on process materials for fly tying. I have frozen deer hair hide in my freezer. They went in somewhat clean but still possessing blood/flesh. I did not process them. I have to contend with that at some point. (Fly Tying & Processing Materials)  There are safety/health/hygiene concerns in handling these materials. Rubber gloves might be a good idea.