Danielle Lowry (13) & Grandfather, Greg Lowry of Boise, Idaho at 2009 Albany Expo

There were dozens upon dozens of talented fly tyers at the 2009 NW Fly Fishing-Fly Tyers Expo in Albany, Oregon. I watched several and learned as I worked my way up and down the aisles. At one point, I settled upon two tyers, Danielle and Greg Lowry of Boise, Idaho. Both were tying nymphs using the Polish Weave or Shuttle Cock Weave. I sat and watched as both Danielle and Greg nicely demonstrated the how to components of the weave. I learned that Greg learned the technique a few years ago at the same show and was now passing on his knowledge to others. It was a good learning experience from both of them.

Greg Lowry Tying Weave Pattern, Albany, Oregon

Greg Lowry Stonefly Experiment

http://www.wfn.tv/experts/protips/fishingtips30.html

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/advanced/part4.php

http://www.flytying.ro/masa_muscarului/article.php?id=324 

http://www.flyguysoutfitting.com/shuttleweave.html (slightly different method)

Greg Lowry's Finished Cal. Stonefly

Always pleasant to see youth tyers, especially young ladies. I suspect we will see more of Danielle in the years to come. At least I hope so…oh, and Greg too. Thanks for the help.  

A couple points re the tying: the material Greg was using for the body was embroiderer’s thread; he wrapped a tungsten under body and over wrapped the round weighted form with thread. Then he tied in some embroiderer’s thread (not the ones for the body) and then over wrapped the weight and then, the space where the weight stops at the rear and then the  hook shank progresses toward the bend, Greg wrapped the thread to build up or fill in that gap  and then he over wrapped that with tying thread. Most importantly, he did this to support the tungsten (or lead) before he took pliers and flattened the body. Without the over wraps, the pliers would compress the body and the threads would cut/spring loose ruining the under body. Greg took his time forming the weighted/thread under body before flattening the weight…..then he was ready to start the weave…the pictures depict well the flattened abdomen.  

 

NW Fly fishing & fly tyer expo (a success in my book)

Robin Healy~StoneFlyMaidens for Casting for Recovery

Well, I think it was a success because the show satisfied my needs and I met interesting people…talked briefly to Brian & Judith O’Keefe, Matt McCrary, Jack Hagan, Robin Healy , Dean Crouser, Don Nelson, and watched numerous tyers.  Bought some unique materials from Angling Specialties (Steven Korbay) and bought some beautiful watercolors from Dean Crouser. I also made the acquaintance of youth tyer, Danielle Lowry and her grandfather, Greg Lowry. Greg and Danielle gave me first hand instruction on using the Polish Weave technique (more to follow). The hot dog with lots of mustard and relish didn’t fail to give me heartburn. The beauty of a fly fishing/tying expo such as the Albany show is it presents visible generalizations that show the direction of the sport…the over all average age, minus any accumulation of data by me, was overwhelmingly 65+ years, in tyers and patrons. There was a respectable number of women in attendance, who seemed interested in the tying. Then some of the shops and vendors had the same “geez, I moved all this stuff here and no one is buying anything”. Tip: whining is not a magnet for business, especially if people can hear you bitchin’. Overall, I thought the show was pretty entertaining. The true barometers of booth sales, raffle and auction $$’s and actual number of attendees may indicate otherwise, but by me the show was just fine.    

 

Fly Shop Etiquette (don’t be a dick)

I have written about this before, but pretty much from the fly shop owner angle. To recap: if you own a shop practice the Golden Rule (do onto others as…in case you forgot), don’t act so nonchalant and cool, and develop customer goodwill and loyalty (the Caddis Fly Shop in Eugene follows this practice for one. I go there 2-3 times a month and they are always spot on perfect). Not everyone that lays out $1,500+ for a two hander outfit is a doctor, businessman or pot dealer. Some peope are anxious over spending that much money…gently help them along. Buyer’s remorse won’t help your shop.

BUT, for the customer a few salient points of conduct: don’t be a dick (no not named after your favorite villain Dick Cheney). Don’t walk into the shop with an arrogant chip on your Ex-Officio shoulder. Don’t brag about where you have been thereby attempting to put the owner in place or gain status. Don’t hang out for an hour telling boring stories to boost your ego in their eyes and purchase nary a fly. Don’t hold a struggling shop hostage with your purchase. Shops don’t have a lot of wiggle room on pricing so if you are really shopping make your purchase on shop loyalty (note shop owners..be nice). So, customer, if you walk into a shop with an attitude and brag and talk in the condescending tones of some elitist…you are a dick; a dick in the shop, a dick at home and a dick on the river. Knock it off.