Recent comments

Egmont,

I have always loved this book, which was one of the really early ones in my now rather large library, and one I often return to and love to run my fingers through.

4x5 and 8x10.... them were the days. When I used to write for and edit printed magazines, we often used large format cameras for the covers, and I was always fascinated by these large gizmos and the beautiful results they produced. Your photos for this book just confirms that fact. You did a very good job.

I guess mine is a first edition from 1988, and in a very good condition too - and even signed by Judith Dunham. But I'm not parting with that any time soon, so I hope you will find a copy somewhere else.

Martin

Submitted by Egmont van Dyck on

Permalink

Greetings,

I was searching for a copy of the first edition when I came across this review. I wish to say thank you for the very kind words you wrote about the book and the photography, considering I am the photographer of the book.

In those days all images were taken with a 4x5 camera and there are even a couple of sets were I used an 8x10. All images were taken inside the garage studio. I had a great time putting together all the sets on an 4 by 8 foot plywood table.

Warmest regards,
Egmont van Dyck

There is an original volume 1 and 2. The newer volume is an update and a single volume. Terry passed away a few years ago. When he was working on the update he contacted me. The volumes are decidedly USA and even more importantly, Western Trout. There are other types of patterns in these books, they are after all reference books. There aren't a lot of photos in this book compared to several other newer books.

If you get a copy of Dave Hughes' Trout,and the Benchside Reference by Leeson and Schollmeyer, I suspect you'll have most of the reference materials covered.Hughes' book is quite good also.

Some of the writing in this book is quite good. While there are some omissions, this is a reference book and as such it really is one of the best. There are very few reference books with the depth of this one.The author admits that he didn't include a lot of stuff. Since most of the stuff is pretty traditional, things like Czech patterns are really derivative in nature and are often variations of many things. Even the "F" fly is derivative in nature and based on a trude wing pattern design which is included. He also talks about substituting materials and making things out of other materials as well. Perhaps there needs to be a World or European type book done. Given all of Martin's exposure to flies, this sounds like the prefect project!

I am not sure that a lot of the current vogue of using plastic, tons of glue is what this traditional fellow is all about. I also know he has Catskill roots and lived out East for awhile. He was great friends with Glenn Overton of the wonder wax fame . Glenn wrote some material for our Catskill Fly Tyers Guild newsletter a while back.

Submitted by Greg Spear on

Permalink

where can I get this Sully's 2-Speed Rod Drying Motor
and how much is it?

Submitted by Patrick H on

Permalink

If you play guitar the waste ends of a wound steel strings in various gauges make excellent cleaners for gunked up bobbin tubes. The thinner gauge non-wound steel strings make for good threaders - glue a few beads on as a 'handle' and to make it easier to find on a messy desk.

Submitted by Jeff Hanson on

Permalink

Hey Martin,
I know it's been a few years since this topic was active but I am planning on fishing a day near Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands in a week or so and I was wondering if these flies would apply down there or if you could point me in a direction for some info on Falkland patterns!
Jeff

Submitted by Philip J. Ever… on

Permalink

There is already a hook end bobbin threader on the market. I have one and it works fine. Just give it a twirl and it catches the thread for you. This task would be easier if manufacturers made the spool end(inner end) of the tube funnel shaped. The thread could be stuck into the tube easier. Floss threaders are great, and you could also use them for, you know, flossing.

A friend of mine has a really good tip. He cuts one leg off the standard bobbin threader so that it has just one leg ending in a hook, like a letter "J". Push this through the bobbin tube spin it around once and pull back. The hook picks up the thread when you spin it.
Not my idea credit to Wes Ower for this one.

Submitted by Diane on

Permalink

Bonefish like this have been running wild out on the Joulter Cays all Season. What a thrill to catch one of these Gray Ghost.

Submitted by Richard Miles on

Permalink

Great article! Dorado are excellent game fish and I remember seeing them at Iguazo Falls a few years ago.

Some new flies from my box:

[img:518539cfb8]https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1ZUjK-i5M0Q/VBtJBKhSehI/AAAAAAAAGp8/…]

[b:518539cfb8]Wild boar sub wing & body:[/b:518539cfb8]
[img:518539cfb8]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AdH7nhfIZK4/VBtJK48EWPI/AAAAAAAAGqI/…]

[b:518539cfb8]Grey gambler:[/b:518539cfb8]
[img:518539cfb8]https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BYzS9pRJU8M/VBtJy3zVQGI/AAAAAAAAGqw/…]

All the best.
Miro

Submitted by Rachel on

Permalink

Love the videos - well written, directed and produced while the videography is top cabin. What really sets them off is 1) the music - always right on for the narration and I like that it is a little off beat and always has a guitar or related instrument. The narrator has that one in a million voice, perfect for the subject and his voice overs are just so appealing . . . 2) The tiers are poetry in motion. Makes we want to just pack up and go hit a small, quiet stream and play tag with the brookies and browns.

All in all, these are some of my favorite videos to watch, bringing me back now and then to a particular one like Lefty's Deceiver - for me it's a WOW!!!

Submitted by Stanley on

Permalink

I have done business with Lance and he is a stand up guy. Very nice man and I would be very confident buying from him. Like Darren mentions he is a very skilled fly tyer along with Sam Kenney! I believe anyone that gets our streamers will be very happy with our streamer tributes to Carrie Stevens.

Tim,

As always a fantastic bunch of flies. But I have to say that that little Sierra stream takes home the prize. Man what a nice place that would be to spend an autumn day!

Martin

Submitted by Gerhard on

Permalink

poor shaky camerawork; 3/4 of the the vid is in slow motion; at least they managed to catch one fish...

Submitted by Stanley Williams on

Permalink

Sorry I didn't make the list this time. I haven't had a good camera to take pictures the way they should be. I am bidding on the hooks. I do have mine on eBay. I have just started up tying in February. I tied for ten years when I were a child. The Outdoor Sportsman Heritage Museum in Rangeley made an offer for me to supply them with Carrie Stevens streamers. So I consider myself an up and comer that is not on the radar. I glue my wings completely, I don't tie my feathers on one at a time like I know so do. Don't get me wrong they look pretty and better looking than mine but, have a step taken out and that may be fine for them but not for me. I am going to get every step down true, no cheating :) although I have learned from some of these guys I have benefited by the books I've bought and read thoroughly. I guess I feel a little left out that's why I responded but that's no ones fault but my own. Have a great day everyone and thanks for the post,

Keep at it Stan. I post these everyone in a while, I'm sure you'll make it on an upcoming one.

Congrats on being able to supply the Museum. I was out to visit it this summer. It's quite the treat for the streamer tyer like ourselves. The tradition is important, and I can't speak for all the other tyers, but like yourself, I too adhere to the tradition of pre-assembling the wings. It's something that I've worked on honing over the past several years with lots of input from other tyers. It's a process and there is always room for improvement and learning what works for you. :)

Submitted by Stanley Williams on

Permalink

Yes, I just recently learned my own trick on how to get the. Wings standing at the right angle. Took me a couple months but I am now starting to see how I tie this here, affects this later on tying the streamer. It really is tying in a whole different manor. I can't wait until I get a few thousand under my belt.

Many of the companies offer warranties. So if you get a bad one, ask for a swap.

What is interesting is that some of the tools listed are actually Indian made. Many of these bobbins listed contain components from Chinese or Indian sources , some have Indian feet or frames. In our world economy, items often come many sources. Typically any brass work is usually done in Asia due to issues related to lead and work place health. Most USA, EU and UK manufactures have restrictions working with lead which is contained in brass.

Indian tools tend to have quality all over the place. Well made Indian tools can be quite good. To avoid issue with fraying look for models that have flared or ceramic ends. Those models typically have less issues with fraying. Also Martin is quite right, often the thread can be the reason for fraying.The ends of the tubes are places that usually cut thread. I import Indian tools and have sold hundreds and hundreds of bobbins. They are usually half to a third of the price of domestic bobbins. I have some Indian tools I have used for many years with no issues. Usually the better tools are examined for quality and the bad ones are pulled before the customers see them.

One thing not mentioned is that ceramic tubes can shatter. I have seen several broken ones with ceramic tubes. Tubes with bead ceramic tips can often have issues with beads cracking or breaking. Bob Petti mentions Griffin which is very dependable, well made and easy to use. His basic model is one of the best.

Look at what the tool does and what your expectation is. If you are tying bass or saltwater, or you pull hard, some of the fancy ones aren't the best. Some of the more solid models are the ones with the less expensive price. Feet are my biggest issue. Ball feet makes the bobbin twist and those tend to roll in your hand. I like recessed feet. By far the best model I have ever used is Matarelli. For many years the son ran the company. He stopped making bobbins earlier this spring due to some health issues with his Father. His feet never slipped and the tubes never cut thread because they were polished. A true Matarelli is stamped with his Dad's initials on each side. "FM". Those are gold.

Since you got this far …


The GFF money box

… I have a small favor to ask.

Long story short

Support the Global FlyFisher through several different channels, including PayPal.

Long story longer

The Global FlyFisher has been online since the mid-90's and has been free to access for everybody since day one – and will stay free for as long as I run it.
But that doesn't mean that it's free to run.
It costs money to drive a large site like this.
See more details about what you can do to help in this blog post.