I like tying flies mainly due to the large amount of creative freedom and connection with the process of fly fishing it provides. As a result of this interest I am almost always spying craft stores, garage sales, even the local salvation army for any items that would make good tying materials. This past weekend Liz and I stopped in to drop off literally a truck load of stuff from our basement, mainly clothes/electronics and stuff others will get more use from. After completing our drop off we scoured the store for the occasional odd item, we do this often as it’s ever changing in the salvation army, it’s a fun afternoon activity and a five dollar bill can go a long ways. Towards the end of our adventure I turned the corner and saw…tinsel. No? Crystal Icicles? No… Pearl Tinsel!! I scooped the package up, examined it, new instantly what I had in my hands and began to clutch tight the now very important item. The asking price… fifty cents!! At home I quickly pulled out my roll of pearl tinsel and compared it, exactly the same only the “icicles” were just ever so slightly wider, not by much at all so in my opinion this is the same product. It pays to keep your eyes peeled and your bench in the front of your mind. Now it’s time  for a bit of math… Read the rest of this entry »

Tied on a Mustad 37160 (#20 shown here), these flies have been great the last few times I’ve been out. I tie them in light brown, dark brown, and black to imitate the naturals in the water. I tied several with a traditional brass bead and several with craft store beads that I found appealing. The black flashback versions that have a black wire rib rather than traditional copper have been producing very well as they imitate an Ephemerella Invaria nymph that are in full force on our area streams right about now. I lost a few this last time out but I tied a few extra, for those who love to tie flies I suppose.