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Oops we better do a 2023 version.

Fly fishing in another era.

Hello, I’m fairly new to tying flies, I’ve got my equipment, and have really been enjoying tying when I have time. But I’ve just kind of realized I don’t know how to move forward on what I will be tying. I see tying nymphs as a way of improving technique and skill but I honestly don’t really fish with nymphs all that often. What I enjoy most is fishing bigger streamers (often articulated) on the bow and dry flies in the mountains. I don’t really see a point in buying material for flies I don’t use often and am wondering if I’m hindering progression by skipping nymphs? Is it to ambitious to go straight to tying streamers, then articulated streamers? Is there a suggested path to progress through? What are some of your suggestions?

sorry the table didn't stay formatted, simple tho, bead size first and then followed by for what hook and a sink rate (inches per sec) BRASS BEAD-HEAD HOOK CHART 1.5 mm bead 20 - 22 hook 5/64th - 2.0 mm bead 18 - 20 hook 13.45 IPS sink rate 3/32nd - 2.3 mm bead 16 - 18 hook 14.88 IPS sink rate 1/8th - 3.2 mm bead 12 - 14 hook 15.79 IPS 5/32nd - 4.0 mm 8 - 10 18.29 IPS 3/16th - 4.8 mm 4 - 6 21.07 IPS 7/32nd - 5.5 mm 2 - 4 22.50 IPS happy tying

Hello All, Fish Tales is pleased to announce an exciting week of events planned at the shop: Wednesday January 14: Open Vise Night with Fish Tales Staff Start Time: 7:00 PM Cost: Free Join Fish Tales staff members as we turn off the open sign and break out the vises. Once a month (except for July, August, September) we will gather together to share stories, re-stock the fly boxes and learn tips and tactics from one another. This event is free, open to the public and goes from about 7-9 p.m. Thursday January 15: Tying the "Gamechanger" with Terry Johnson. Start Time: 7:00 PM Cost: $35 (includes course materials) One of the latest innovations from FlyMen Fishing Co. is the articulated fish spine which is ”an innovative system of interconnected, articulated shanks that combine to form a multi-jointed “fish spine” upon which incredibly animate and realistic baitfish patterns can be tied. The future of articulation has arrived!” This product is being used by Umpqua and other fly manufacturers to create articulated minnow patterns unlike anything folks have created to date. Check out “Blane Chocklett’s Gamechanger” video here. Sunday January 18: Aaron Caldwell on Steelhead Start Time: 1:00 PM Cost: FREE Join Aaron for this session focussed on all things steelhead. Aaron Caldwell is one of Fish Tales’ guides for the first two-thirds of each season…. but come the third week of August for the last two seasons (and going forward) he’s off to his other guiding gig at B.C.’s Babine Norlakes Steelhead Camp. Anyone who’s met Aaron during his day’s in the shop or during a day of guided fishing knows that angling is in his blood. His passion for tying, fishing, and the resource in general is boundless. During this session Aaron will discuss flies, lines, fishing tactics, and provide an overview of some of his favorite gear for targeting B.C. steelhead. First people in get the seats and coffee! We look forward to seeing you! -Your Friends at Fish Tales

Happy New Year Everyone! We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and would like to welcome in the New Year with some free upcoming events at the shop: This Wednesday, January 15: OPEN VICE NIGHT 7-9 Join Fish Tales staff members as we turn off the open sign and break out the vices. Once a month through the winter we will gather together to share stories, re-stock the fly boxes and learn tips and tactics from one another. This event is free, open to the public and goes from about 7-9. This Sunday, January 19: Free Sunday Seminar - Kelly Oikawa – Tying with CDC Please join Kelly Oikawa this Sunday as we host our first Free Sunday Seminar of 2014. Kelly will be venturing up from Lethbridge to share his knowledge and expertise on the topic of tying with CDC. Many of you have seen his flies in Fly Fusion or while surfing the web and it will be a huge pleasure to watch his artwork happen live and in the shop. As always, seminars start at 1:00, are free and open to the public, and first ones in the doors get the seats!

Thank you all who braved the weather this past Sunday to sit in and hear Mike Venhuis discuss salt water flies. Join us this Sunday as Fish Tales staffer Sean Britt shows us some tying techniques for his go-to patterns for the Bow. Sean focuses a lot of his Bow River time on the off-season and will focus his favorite patterns and discuss tactics on this season. This is part of our free Sunday seminar series that runs most Sundays from late October through December and mid-January through April. Seminars are open to anyone who wants to attend. Start time is 1 p.m. Sessions generally last one to two hours. First ones in get the chairs! In-store session starts at 1 p.m.

Thank you all who braved the snowy weather this past Sunday to sit in and hear Todd Clark discuss nymphing tactics. Great questions from everyone, even the little ones! Please join us this Sunday, November 10 at 1:00 PM when guide Mike Venhuis will discuss salt water flies. During this session you’ll be introduced to some of the standard patterns for saltwater and how to tie them. Mike has spent time exploring flats in Cuba, Cook Islands, and Mexico. During this session he’ll tie a few of his go-to patterns and talk about prepping your fly box for a saltwater adventure. This is part of our free Sunday seminar series that runs most Sundays from late October through December and mid-January through April. Seminars are open to anyone who wants to attend. Start time is 1 p.m. Sessions generally last one to two hours. First ones in get the chairs!

Looking for Cochrane and area tyers to start a fall/winter roundtable (after my October Steelhead trip). I have 20 years tying experience, and no need for materials (have plenty of materials that would be willing to trade once roundtable established). Willing to host on a rotating basis (once to twice a month).

Join avid fly tyer and angler, Alan Youell for this session focused on flies for the grand slam. Alan’s spent a lot of time targeting bonefish, tarpon, and permit in several places including Cuba and Belize. He is a passionate and precise tyer who’s flies have proven themselves in a variety of fishing situations. His tying materials will likely range from EP fibers, to Fly H20, to the new UV2 materials from Spirit River. This is part of our free Sunday seminar series that runs most Sundays from late October through December and mid-January through April. Seminars are open to anyone who wants to attend. Start time is 1 p.m. Sessions generally last one to two hours. First ones in get the chairs!

http://www.cwffc.ca/2013conclave.html

So here we are, as the the weather turns, and our days on the river are replaced by days at the vice, I figured we could use a new thread about what we are all tying. I`m kicking off this year with dries (mostly because I can find saddles again at a reasonable price). And after a few dozen Adams, I`m onto some CDC Caddis (critics are encouraged). So, what are you tying?

Please join the staff this Sunday, November 25, for our next free Sunday seminar! This seminar will feature Fish Tales crew member and guide Jeff Harrop who will be tying up some of his favorite dries for the Bow River. Jeff will go over these favorite patterns and discuss some tactics for using them on the water. Our seminar begins at 1:00 and is free and open to the public. Looking forward to seeing you then! For CFL fans, not to worry, as you know the Grey Cup begins at 4:00 and we promise to have you home well in time for the game!

Please join the staff this Sunday, November 18, for our next free Sunday seminar! This seminar will feature Fish Tales crew member Sean who will be tying up some of the entire crew’s favorite nymphs for the Bow River. Sean will go over these favorite patters of ours and discuss some tactics for using them on the water. Our seminar begins at 1:00 and is free and open to the public. Looking forward to seeing you then!