Recent comments

Mike,

The gut eye is used to copy the old style of salmon flies. Older hooks had no eyes (they were hard to forge) and a loose eye had to be tied onto the hook before the fly could be used. Another technique was snelling where a piece of tippet material was tied in under the body of the fly and permanently attached to it.

Martin

Submitted by Mike Bullard on

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Hi Guys, I am no way near the level of artistry you have clearly accomplished and that can be seen in this article, but I hope to be one day. I do not understand why use the gut eye or what it is for, assuming it serves some important purpose. I am assuming it is an anchor point for the tippet. If so, could a standard hook be used that already has an eye on it? Also, can you recommend any books that would be useful towards teaching me how to tie flies like these. They are stunning and really quite beautiful.

Submitted by Brian Swancutt on

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Wondering what kind/weight/WF Taper the line is that you are fishing in this video? thanks!

Submitted by Serge T. on

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Well done Bob. I believe we all have the same tying environment. I would add one more important thing to your list of tips...a tool organizer. Essential from my point of view.

Thanks, Mike. Like most tying, I have found that staggered hackles need to be done to the correct proportions so it is pleasing to the eye. No formula needed, just sliding them back and forth until they tell me it's right. This is why I like the wing things, as I can do all three at once without tying them down, moving them back and forth until I am pleased with the overall look.

Mark,
Stick with it- we were all newbies at one time. There's no pressure here, so just relax and enjoy the learning experience- a little bit at a time. That teaches your mind to enjoy the learning experiences of all tying rather than it being intimidating. There's little enjoyment here by taking things too seriously.

Submitted by Dave Benoit on

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What an absolutely beautiful streamer pattern. Ted never ceases to amaze me with his choice of flies for presentations such as this and the top shelf quality of his craft.

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