ironfly

What's the "other"?

I know several veteran tyers that rarely do the full whip finish and cement anymore, and I find myself following suit. It seems like it's just not necessary if the rest of the fly is well tyed. I realize many of us use different techniques depending on the fly; I'll use 2 whip finishes and Zap-a-Gap for Pike flies. But I didn't want to add a "Some/all of the above" choice, because I thought that would be too easy. If anyone is unfamiliar with the "glue only" technique, you apply glue (Zap-a-Gap works best) to the thread between the shank and the bobbin, make a few wraps, give it a moment to set, and trim. Of course you can also throw a knot on top of the glue. Best way I know of to prevent wicking of excess glue into absorbent materials.

That book, great as it is, is pretty out of date. Same with his annual fishing guide. In my opinion, every specific reference to a fishing spot from Barry Mitchell must be taken with a grain of salt. That might be a good thing, because you get some really good tips, but there's still an element of exploration.

So, did you inform the realtor?

I like to use both. I have a small chest pack for those essentials I need while fishing (fly boxes, tippet, tools, etc.) and a waist pack for the extras (food and water, rain coat, etc.). All of the chest or fanny packs I tried that were big enough to hold everything in one, were too bulky and cumbersome, and a backpack poses access issues. I found that dividing the load between two smaller units was the best solution, for me. I still sometimes go back to the old canvas vest when I'm in a boat, though.

I think the hackle farmers are in a win-win situation. Right now they have an insatiable market, willing to pay exorbitant prices. And when it's all over, the fly shops will have to come back. After all, there's only so many quality brands, and fly tyers insist upon those brands. Even with the current shortage, fly shop staff tell me that the fly tyers still refuse the cheap stuff, but the hairdressers happily take it. To me, that says that when the good stuff is available again, the shops will have no choice. Sure, they can switch brands, but there's only a few to choose from, and they've all responded to the market in the same way, and I don't blame them. If I was a hackle farmer, trying to save up a college fund for my kids, and an opportunity like this came along, I'd be an idiot to pass it up.

x2

Whiting is not the name I heard. But who knows? It's just a rumor, right? What I do know for sure is that this fad has already exceeded everyones expectations, and it just keeps growing. The feather earrings have been around for a while, but not like this. They're trying new materials, using them in new ways. We're living in interesting times, and I think we're kind of lucky, in a way; we're going to have some great stories about the Dark Ages of fly tying...the Great Hackle Depression...the Piracy of the Plumage...whatever. I hope you're right, and it's all over in 14 months. Best case, we end up with a flooded market of cheap, premium hackle. But you're wrong about one thing; some hackle farmers have shorted fly shops. And yes, people are vowing to take their business elsewhere...someday.

I've always preferred capes. They just seem like the better value to me, but then I tie a whole range of flies, not dozens and dozens of the same 2 sizes. Trust me SD, more and more girls are deciding that capes are better than nothing. In some ways they're a lot more reasonable than many fly tyers, which I think is kind of amusing. Did you hear that Clairol pre-paid for the next three years harvest from a major hackle producer? Gold star if you can guess which one. We often joke that we have a lifetime supply of something. Whether you have 2 saddles or 20, that just might be all you get for a long time.

Most of the saltwater hooks I've tried, including Mustad, were pretty dull out of the package. Do those ones stick to your fingernail?

Well, I don't live in Calgary so I can't see for myself, but I've phoned a heck of a lot of fly shops (all over the country), and was told they have little or none. Maybe they thought I sounded like a hairdresser. If it's true that necks are available, I suggest you get them while you can, because this fad isn't dying anytime soon. Some fashionistas are willing to resort to strung hackle at this point.

I was a writer and editor once upon a time, so I can't help but pick it apart. I'm glad you found the article helpful. First rule of writing is "know your audience".

I've had Mustad's bend part way out on me, but I still landed the fish, so I can't complain.

Goes to show just how much opinions can vary; the 2487 is one of my favorite hooks.

True enough, but I don't think the article was written 20 years ago, when "Indian" was an acceptable (sort of) term for First Nations. Besides, those earrings are made, sold, and worn by little neo-hippie girls. Natives use feathers to make headdresses, bustles and ceremonial garb. They make their earrings primarily out of beads. These aren't my only problems with the article. He claims that a novice can tye a dozen or more foam beetles in an hour; after teaching many beginners, I don't think there's a pattern simple enough for that. Occasionally you come across a "natural" who might do a half-dozen in an hour. Tyers like that are about one in twenty. To me, the biggest issue is that it's an article on alternatives to hackle, but of all the featured patterns, the only alternative material used is foam. Sure some have antron in them, but still use hackle or foam for floatation. He mentions deer hair a few times, but doesn't provide an example. And he doesn't even mention CDC or Snowshoe Hare. I just think when you call an article "awesome", that sets the bar pretty high, and this one falls short.

Even the highest quality hooks in the world will occassionally get a bad one. I really don't think switching brands is the answer. Tiemco is a pretty tried and true brand, with plenty of fans around here.

Except for the fact that he erroneously claims that there's plenty of capes still available, and that a few of the featured patterns still use hackle. I'm especially fond of his use of the term "Indian-style earrings".

Tried that. Problem not solved. Maybe the flies I got were worse than yours, but the whole flies were tyed so poorly that even with a secure head, there was so much slack in the rest of it that one by one, parts worked themselves loose. Once one part falls off there's more slack and it just gets worse. The hooks were terrible, too. I think it'd be a shame to detract from a child's early flyfishing experience by giving him/her inferior gear. They're just going to lose any fish that bites, through no fault of their own. Why set them up for disappointment?

x2. Been there, done that. Total waste of money. Half of them will literally fall apart with a few false casts.

Laura MacPherson's name is familiar, but as far as I know she's not part of this one. We (TU-Edmonton) are partnering with Golder Associates to assess health and distribution of Arctic Grayling and their habitat. We've installed a baker's dozen of Hobotemps, and have 15 teams of anglers spread throughout the Pembina watershed. It'll be a multi-year study; I'm hoping we do the McLeod system next year.

Oh, and now that I think about it, most Grayling I've caught have fought with their dorsal fin up. Some switch (up and down) during the fight. Now I'm wondering if those that vary their tactics are the better fighters. More field research, I guess. Darn.

And I think you sound a little condescending. Dennis59 is participating in a Grayling survey right now, taking measurements and DNA samples. So far we've been getting a lot of good news; finding fish in water that had been written off anecdotally, better numbers and sizes than last year in waters we frequent. Besides, Dennis is a pretty darned experienced fly fisher, not some chest thumping kid who needs to one-up everyone around him. If he says 15", I believe him.

Alberta record Lake Sturgeon was 105 lbs, caught in the SSR in 1981. Anecdotally, they can be up to 120 lbs.

I'll second the comments from FlyfishingEMT. I haven't actually caught one myself, but I have a few friends involved with the sturgeon tagging program on the NSR; they all use jumbo dew worms predominantly, and tell me that most of the really successful guys do the same.

If/when you get them apart, I recommend that you do not treat the ferrules with anything. Wax makes it stickier and increases the chance of getting stuck (at least until you get a chance to heat it up), and lubricants will make sure it comes apart at just the wrong time. Both treatments are excellent at collecting dirt and sand, which does a fine job of stratching up and wearing out your ferrules. Eventually your rod won't stay together at all. You've had your object lesson, just don't push them together quite as tight next time. Every couple of hours of fishing, check your rod to be sure it's not coming apart.