SilverDoctor

Have to add to my list of vises. Just picked up a Nor-Vise from Dave at fishtails. I've admired them for years and decided to treat myself. Thanks Dave. some of us tend to collect a new vise every now and again but you do have to remember that all it does in the end is hold the fly hook. There are brands that people prefer but the quality among major makers now is great. Even a lot of the "knock off's" are pretty good, but not as good quality as a major brand. A solid vice should last a lifetime. If a vise can't hold the hook it's pretty much garbage. Some inexpensive vises tend to be made of soft metal that will crack, break or will get grooves in the jaws over time. They should also be solid and tight with no wiggle or play. It should sit on your tying area in a solid manner. Whether it is a clamp type or pedistll. Don't be shy about applying the "try before you buy rule". Most fly shops out there will let you play with a couple of models if you are a serious buyer. Ask the shop first of course. Talk to other tiers and take your time before purchasing. Just because a vice is the most popular at the moment doesn't mean it will suit you. If you are new to tying try something simple at first. Or go and take some lessons with someone who will provide tools and materials. No sense laying out a few hundred dollars on a vise and find you don't really tie much, or don't like to do it. You can buy a lot of flies for the price of some of setting yourself up in the hobby. Some of the old classic tiers never used a vise. Carrie Stevens a revered producer of classic streamer patterns never used one. I've seen a few who tie Atlantic Salmon flies by hand adn do a stunning job. I've often used other tools in a pinch to hold a hook when I am on a trip and don't have access to my portable kit. Pliers with a few elastic bands will work. Another great little items in a pinch is an X=Acto Knife. The chuck makes a great hook holder and I carry one in my kit to hold a hook like a third hand. Great when you eyes get experienced and you need a steady platform to tie leaders to small flies. Well I got to rambling a bit here. Guess I should gather these thoughts together and post an article.

The fish are there like everywhere else in the Bow.

Hello all, I've been tying on a Renzttti Traveler for about six years adn really love it, it's the cam style. I started tying on a Universe rotary (one of the first rotaries) in the early 60's and used that for about 20 years. Still use it occasionally. Owned and tied on a Regal vice for a couple of years. Not a rotary but certainly on of the most solid vices I ever tied on. My son decided it was his. The peak is an really good looking vice and I mat pick one up. I'm also looking at a Nor Vice. They have a few new features I like teh look of like the new tapered jaws.Always wanted on and with the us and Canadian dollar the way it is is has become affordable. Have a couple of other ones. It is funny that guys may have a dozen fly rods but often only have one vice. I often use a second vice to hold a Steelhead or salmon fly I am working on over time. One thing I do own by Nor is their excellent Automatic Bobbin. I love it and will be buying a second.

Try just putting a bit of cement on the thread, about 4 turns worth then whip. works great.

That will be a happy Thanksgiving. Give her hell for me guys.

I wish I could go again this year. Ah to be ritch and fish all the time. I count myself lucky for being able to hit these rivers many time in my life. Every time I get back I get the "migration" urge again. Steelhead get under your skin.

Teh prime runs should be in in about 3.5 to 3 weeks. My friend Nick usually emails me.

You can reinforce it by wrapping it around your tying thread before wrapping it on.

Yep, you’re right, good eye the moose is on the Skeena, You obviously have been up there as I surmised with a handle like mykiss (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Me and my fishing partner had been talking with locals up there for weeks before out trip. The Skeena was quite high. It was certainly in fishable” condition but we heard there where not a lot of Steelhead taken when we where there, mostly Coho and pink. That’s why we headed for the Copper (and the fact that is my favorite river). It was running clearer. The guys said runs where starting there and we found fish in the lower part of the river. I heard from a buddy that they where getting some rain which will get fish moving up the system. The Skeena has dropped about 3 feet since I was there. They figure the major runs are about 2 weeks away. Are you heading up there?

A warm welcome to you. I've been looking at UK patterns and love the classic and new variation ties. I also collect and fish old Canadian patterns especially those from western Canada.

It should work. You do have to watch tails. They tend to wrap around the hook shank. Just a tip. I found sizes in 3 to 6 to be good but my friend nick had good luck with 1 to 3 salmon hooks. Keep the ties sparser. Pm me if you want.

I tie and fish a lot of tubes also. I just string the mono through the tube. Tie a Surgeon’s End Loop. Then run the loop end through the eye of the short shank hook and over. The knot in the Surgeon’s End Loop will usually create a stop at the end of the tube. If you are using larger tubes that may slip through the tube add just a glass bead above the knot. This system makes it easy to adjust the position of the hook in relation to the end of the tube. It also makes the hook run horizontal to the tube which is very important. This is the way a lot of the steelheaders run their rigs. Humm... Acupunture tubes. Save me a few.

Wonderful pictures. I love the fall. I have to try ot get out next weekend and take some pictures. Unfortunitly I have to work this weekend. Love the bridge shot.

Isn't that a Winnipeg indicator?

I also tie it with the classic mallard wing but the hair wings are much tougher and take more abuse.

Actually it's tied in the classic manner with Squirrel. With all the focus on new flies people often forget about the classics.

Good eye for hooks man. it actually just fell away as soon as I touch it.

We where blessed with a solid run of Steelhead. I've been there when the water is dead one day and positively boiling the next. Nothing like when I was young and hit the rivers with my Dad. I would be embarrassed to tell you how many we released in a day (yes some fly fishers did catch and release in the 60's). I was lucky to know the water up there. But we quite easily have beeen up there just for the scenery. I must say that the Spey rods did make a big difference.

Yep she is getting chilly. The weather was cool and drizzly but great for fishing. Do do need the extra layers. I like wool as even if it is wet it's warm. The trees where starting to turn here and there. If you have any other questons give me a shout.

Too bad you couldn't make it, I've canceled many a trip in the past. Life gets in the way. But the fish will be there for next time.

And then use even bigger stinkin streamers. :lol:

Well like the saying goes “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. Such is life. I had planned a Steelhead trip of the Skeena this year. But once we got to Kelowna my wife’s dad was quite ill. We spent time with the folks and I did a fly tying demo at one of the shops there. Toward the end of the week things looked better and the wife said do your thing, but I would only have a day and a half to spend chasing steelies. My friend Nick and I flew out to Terrace. I normally like to drive having access to my truck that way but time did not permit. Nick had a distant friend who had a boat and as pre arranged was glad to run us upriver. My goal was to fish the Copper river (Zymoetz). I have fished the Skeena system with fly rod many times, growing up in BC and having had a dad who lived to fly fish helps a lot. It is familiar ground. There is something about the fall that sets me into migration mode. I think I have somehow inherited genes of those wild fish who seek the distant rivers. We where greeted in Terrace by a great guy who went out of his way to give us a hand. Aside from a bit of cash he asked me for a few flies and at the end of the trip I gladly gave him most of his request. Nick insisted on the other half leaving me quit flyless coming home to Calgary. We ran upriver early morning in an on and off drizzle. Reached the Copper and after a couple of k’s he dropped us on the shore with our rods and packs of essentials and possibles. You know this country is where God decided to hide beauty. It is the high wild where the river flows like silver ink through black timber. It’s fine mists inspire. We hurriedly assembled out Spey rods and parted up and downstream although Nick joined me hurriedly on the up walk after having a close encounter of the Silvertip Grizzly kind. He figured she was either getting romantic or hungry, and neither suited him. We did count 8 of his brothers that day. We fished the broken water and found fish quickly in slower water below and especially in front of large boulders tail outs or sections of river just above rapids. We saw during the course of the day over 20 pods of fish. We cast intruder tube flies, blue charms, tail gunners, General Practioners Spratly Spey and a variety of others. We had dozens of hits. A few spectacular takes on waking flies tied riffle-hitche style. Brought 3 fantastic fish to hand that where a chore to pick up. And a joy so see. Lost 5 Steelhead close in after great fights one at my feet which almost knocked me over adn left me with a sore knee. The event of the day was one large Coho that most have hit the 30 pound mark. This baby ran me to my backing till I could see reel steel twice before straightening out the no: 3 blue charm hook. A souvenir that I will treasure. We where picked up late in the evening and it was back to the world. Our “guide” had a great day also with a few of my borrowed flies. With all the fish I was really glad to have the Pfluger President. A reel with solid and quality drag is a must. We also sharpened hooks at every opportunity. This is important. I sit here this evening back in Calgary fairly exhausted this week. My shoulder hurts from the constant fish. A good hurt. I daydream a lot reflecting back on the trip and will sketch and paint my experiences through the winter. I’ll be tying Steelhead flies for myself and a few clients and with every fly I will think back on this trip.

Most nights you have some sort of light to work with. A bit of moonlight, starlight or lights form the city if you're in town. It does take a bit of time for your eyes to adjust to the dark. There have been nights when it has been pitch black when I position myself by flashlight and cast and wait for the slurp. Sound fishing alone. Swinging is nice as you can feel teh take if you know what to look for. I tie my night caddis with a large white antron post and keep my casts in a familiar area. I think you will find with a lot of the guys who stalk at night, they usually fish a stretch that they have gotten to know in the daylight like the back of their hand. So no mystery as far as the drif and the take.

Snails.... need..... to.... be..... fished... toooooo...... slow... for... my... taste.....................................................

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