Recent comments

Muddler Magic dead?

Carlos,

Looking through my mail, I found this mail from Gary, which I had totally forgotten:

"Muddler Magic is (a) still in the works, (b) on hold, (c) on life support, (d) all of the above, (e) none of the above?

I wrote it, like Woolly Wisdom, in bits and pieces. And when I assembled them, I disovered the book was three times too long. That put me into a year-long funk. Unable to cut it down to size, I was sort of teetering on deciding to slash deeply and put the cuts on a web site that would be many times referenced in the book. Finally, Frank Amato said to send him the raw manuscript for a look-see. He and his editor both liked what they saw and he said they wanted to try to publish it pretty much in its entirety. Then the economy collapsed, and it hit book publishers--and particularly small fish like Amato--very hard. So Frank wants to revise the contract. Now were stuck over money. It's a pathetic two grand, and that shows you how strapped both of us are that so little matters."

The mail is from 2011, so unless they are still negotiating, the book is dead. I will contact him anyway to hear what the destiny of the manuscript might be. Maybe entice him to consider electronic publishing or self publishing...

Martin

I have no idea what happened

Carlos,

I have no idea what happened. I was supposed to have flies in that book and was looking forward to it - muddlers being one of my all time favorite flies. But it might have died somewhere underway. I'll try to get a hold of Gary and inquire.

Martin

stone clinger nymph

Davie does this nymph swim point up or down. I would with the extra lead on the top of the hook the point up, if so the top of the nymph (head) would then then be on the bottom. I enjoy your videos and try to tie many of the flies you tie. john

how does this nymph swim

Davie, have just watched the clip on tying the Organza stone clinger. is it meant to swim point up or down?. with the extra lead on the top of the hook, I would suggest point up, but if so the back of the nymph would be on the bottom. I enjoy your tying clips and copy as may as my limited tying skills allow, and also what I believe would work here in aust.

Muddler Magic

Hello Martin,
I have a weird question out of left field....Do you know what ever happened to Muddler Magic, the book that was being written by Gary Soucie? I really enjoyed his Wooly Wisdom and I contributed a few patterns for the muddler book...and that was the last I ever heard of it. That was...wow....a decade (!?) or so ago, I guess. Any info you may have would be appreciated. Thanks.
Carlos

Instantaneous

Dear Wiggy & all who just don't know....... A Welsh pal of mine who I miss very much as he passed away 9 years ago now had a natter with me after the first days fishing of a week in Scotland on the river Aven (A'n) tributary of the Spey. I asked him in a puzzled way & conveyed to him that I felt tweeks & little pulls that definately were fish but they had let go of the little worm that was on a size 8 hook. He said oh yes I know what your experiencing & I'll tell you one word but you'd better remember it because he usually will not come back again!
That word was 'instantaneous'. That was 44 years ago and through experimentation I found it not only applies to the bait but also to the Fly and very much so. My friend was no slouch when it came to sea trout but also salmon. In the Trout and Salmon in the seventies he was stated catching 13 sea trout on the Glasllyn when not another fisher caught anything.It was stated as a notable catch by the bailiff Edgar Owen. We often watched fly fishers on the Aven on the opposite bank missing fish by not being aware that an instant strike was necessary to catch these playful type of fish.......
I believe Hugh Falcus was aware of this anomaly but he thought this mainly applied to running fish that would come short as he said. I have also learnt that a fish that tweeks can be caught if not pricked on the fist tweek but the fisher must be of lightening fast reaction variety otherwise nil.
Once a fly fisher knows of this essential knowledge as stated above he may attract adverse criticism from those fishers who do not know and I find there are many such anglers who will always fish with one hand on the hip which I think rightly or wrongly is a terrible laid back way to fish & I hatwe to see that style of fly fishing. OK the fisher is enjoying his or herself but I think personally it is a very incorrect way to fish and that angler who persistently fishes that way will never be as successful in terms of fish caught as I or my friend who I spoke about.I feel that statement is pompous but I mean that in the nicest possible way so that those who fish do so with a purpose. There have been many an eminent angler who fish that way but I do not like to see it & I liken it to the chuck it and chance it brigade who are the first ones to moan if they see the successful angler catch a fish when they don't. Shame on them for not keeping an absolutely open mind which is essential for optimum success in fly fishing and experimentation............. I was once approached by an ignorant angler on the Nith who asked me - are you trying to foul hook them ? I replied definately not I make my fly behave as a shrimp does, don't you know about that technique. He cleared off in a huff but I did not get a pull that day but on the last day using the same technique I landed a 13lb salmon right in front of the bailiffs nose & I could not for the life of me help saying to him, well what do you think of that Mr Bailiff !
So do not forget the word instantaneous when fishing for Sea Trout /Grilse and even some salmon and keep well in touch with that fly on the end of your line and know full well at all times what it is doing..

Great and realistic shrimp,

Great and realistic shrimp, but it can be tied faster...

reels

Martin, I have to agree about the Lamson reels. I have a Guru model and it is very lovely and well made. I recently got an Orvis Hydros IV to use for saltwater. It is another great reel that I think Orvis is phasing out in favor of their Mirage line. The Mirage is a great looking reel and the price is good when compared to other heavy duty salt reels.

varnish

When Davie McPail ties flies he uses "old varnish". What is this varnish?

Compliment

Thank you, great photography. Also you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you health and prosperity in the New Year!

Organza caddis pupa

Very nice fly. Now I have to find some yellow organza.

Couldn't agree more

Svend,

You are so right. That first sunny March or April day where it's warm enough to just lean back and doze off is a moment worth waiting for.

Thanks for your comment.

Martin

Another morfar aficionado jumps out of his closet ...

Spot on and very well written.
The first morfar (or nap) in the spring ist just as important as the first fish!

Thank you

Mr McPhail I truly like your patterns and presentations. As a new tyier these have been a source of classic flies which are doable. Thank you.

Glen

Reel

It,s about 20years ago I bought a System 3 flyreel. Bad balance and brakes they told me in the shop and nearly gave the reel to me. Today still in mint condition and all package included. Outside the cabinet, in real life, I use Danielsson reel.

Great site! I am a novice

Great site! I am a novice fly fisherman and your advice on leaders was just what I was looking for.

Live and let live.

The subject of hunting whether it be fishing or shooting is indeed a very complex one. I notice that the people
who are antis such as the PETA folks are continuously and some would say fanatically trying to convert and even tell lies in the process of their unremitting relentless quest in degrading the life of people who eat meat and especially those who would hunt their own meat as a food. These people are not worth listening to and should be totally ignored because they are disrespectfully saying that ones parents are to blame for a hunter's killer instinct. Nothing could be further from the truth and I say this from experience.
The fact that a human with a hunting instinct is a natural ocurence will not be recognized by the antis ever because if they do not agree with what people are doing they will try to stop people from doing it and I might add with vigor. Since time began there were hunters and perish the thought there were those who sat back and let the hunters bring home the food and of course there are many of those that sat back who survived who are now telling all and sundry what is right or wrong. Have all those with a killer instinct noticed it is always those who are anti try to convert the hunters never the other way round?
Incidentally all brown trout can live due to them tasting so bad but sea trout are another matter and they are good for you.

Easy Shrimp Eyes

The Easy Shrimp Eyes are a nice, simple, innovative product. I have been very impressed with their quality and durability, and am happy to carry them in the Skeena River Fly Supply store. I wish Sten and Erik good luck with their business.

My LAW reel

Grant,

I'm aware of the rarity of my LAW reel. A very good friend has one and I do too, but we are probably the two only Danes owning such a reel. I have only seen a few others in my time. Dutch Hans Weilenmann had a few - one small stream size model and one none-anti reverse, which were both real gems. I even think I remember him showing me a large arbor reel of Lawrence's making too, but it might be my imagination. Apart from that I remember seeing my friend Richard Ross having one... and that's about it. They are few and far apart.

I treasure mine - and still fish it every time I have a chance.

Martin

New design

G.S.Marryat,

I'm sorry to hear that the new design doesn't become you well... I know it's question of liking and taste and that it's difficult to create something that everybody likes. You are the first person to criticize the new design - not that it makes your critique less valuable.

Oddly enough I did get several remarks about the old design being old fashioned, too colorful, messy and other remarks, and looking at it right now I have to say that it's just as glaring white as the new one (the dominant white background is the exact same white background we have now) and the washed out green was in stead a washed out yellow supplemented by a lot of different colors chosen individually for every single article.

I'm truly sorry to hear that the design will keep you from visiting daily as you used to, and I hope that lots of new content can convince you to reconsider that. I'm probably going to leave the new design as it is for now, but I'm certainly not totally locked on that and might consider changing it if more protests come in.

Thanks for your honest comment. It's highly appreciated.

Martin

Nice fly, but terrible

Nice fly, but terrible comment!

My secret flyreel fetish

When I was a millionaire Martin,I filled a whole "room" with cabinets full of Fly reels.
Love them and like to have them in my hands to turn them around and study them. I am also very lucky to have quite a few reels and take good care of them. Some reels I put in my cabinet and I don't use them anymore, because they are so special and I don't want to damage them by anything, some of them are the ones I made myself! Very nice artical!!!

Best regards,
Tom Biesot.

website design/colours

I have tried. Yes, I have really tried. Unfortunately, I am not enjoying the new website design, and particularly the colours. The glaring white is almost 'clinical' in its look, and does not radiate warmth. Perhaps someone felt it's the way websites are now, and is attempting to make it look 'cleaner' or sharper. But for me it's too 'clean', and where it's not white, it has this insipid washed-out green colour, which again is not attractive (to me). Of course there will be others who find this attractive. But for me the design does not make we want to linger, as i find it 'uncomfortable' and 'not pleasing'. I have been an almost daily viewer for years, but visit less frequently with this new design. This is probably disappointing for the staff to read, as i am sure a lot of effort has gone into this. However, as much as i love the content, I thought you should also hear that at least one of your viewers does not appreciate the website colours.

Great video Thanks!

Great video Thanks!