Thursday, December 19, 2013

Egg Sucking Leech

As promised, I have been spending some time at the vise. Here's some of my variations for the egg sucking leech. (Feedback is greatly appreciated.) Sorry I haven't included a video for this but it will be coming. 

This version is tied with a black rabbit strip and a black marabou feather.


Hook: Mustad 9671 Size 6
Thread: Black 8/0
Tail/Body: Black Zonker Strip
Head: Red Egg
Collar: Black Marabou Feather


This version is tied with a black rabbit strip and black saddle hackle.


Hook: Mustad 9671 Size 6
Thread: Black 8/0
Tail/Body: Black Zonker Strip
Head: Red Egg
Collar: Black Saddle Hackle



Till Next Time - Tight Lines

Monday, December 16, 2013

An Early Christmas

A couple weeks back I seen my wife was on Gmail chat so I decided to talk with her. I asked her about my Christmas present this year. I posed the question: "Would it be cool I purchased my Christmas present this year?" Her immediate response was "What is it?". I then explained what it was plus the advantages it had compared to my current product. Little did she know I still had the biggest selling point sitting in my back pocket just waiting for the right time to spring it. It was going to be the price. It was unbeatable! Then all of the sudden, BAM! There it was, the question I was waiting for. "How much?" she says. I now know I have one shot to make the sale. I let it fly. I shared a price comparison to the price on website and how I would save about $300 bucks. Plus, I explained that there were a few extra items that would be included in the package. 

I did it! I made the perfect sales pitch. Now all I have to do is wait. So I sat and stared at my monitor for a moment awaiting the verdict......... Ticktock, Ticktock, Ticktock. Seconds felt like hours. Then it happened! "Sure" she said. "It's what you like to do during the winter." I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was all I could do not to jump out of my chair and run up and down the hallways yelling. Once I finally calmed down, I thanked her and I placed an email to the gentleman I was in contact with and committed to the purchase. About 3 days later it showed up at my door. My daughters and I ripped it open. It was like I was a kid again on Christmas morning. There it was, my very own Nor-Vise Fly Tying System. I have been looking at this vise for about two years. Searching Craigslist, KSL, Ebay and just about any site where things could be sold trying to find a deal. It was brand new and has never had a hook in the vise. Most of the components were still in the plastic wrapper.

Its now set up and producing flies. There is a slight learning curve associated with it since it's a rotary vise. The creator of the Nor-Vise, Norm Norlander includes a DVD with techniques on how to use it. I will start to share flies and videos once I have perfected the vise.



I would like to give a special thanks to my wife! She is by far the best friend and person I could ask for!

Update!
Last Friday we headed up to the hospital to find out what the baby will be. I was secretly hoping for another girl which would have made three but I was about to be disappointed. There on the ultrasound we counted three legs. The Doc said "Congratulations, you hare having a baby boy!"

Till Next Time - Tight Lines


Thursday, December 5, 2013

What! It's only December!



Well it's safe to say that fly fishing in western Wyoming has officially came to an end. Headed out to start the pickup today, looked down and realized what the thermometer was reading. It was reading -24 degrees! What! It's only December! So, from here on out (or for the 5 months at least) I'll be at the bench producing flies for the upcoming season. To start this tying season off, I'll be throwing together some springtime nymphs and emergers with an occasional streamer, then work into some summer dries. For each pattern tied, there will be a video tutorial to go along with it as well as a list of materials. Who knows, some of the materials and flies may go up for sale later in the year. Only time will tell. But in other news we are expecting our 3rd child due in late April. Once again another exciting time and adventure is set to begin! Plus an added bonus, the baby will come toward the end of the spring Steelhead season and just before the Salmon season begins in mid to late May.

But stay tuned over the next few days because I will have something very new to share!

Till Next Time - Tight Lines