Fly Tying Class

[Pup]

Visited FlyMasters of Indianapolis yesterday for a change of pace. Been tying things my way for quite some time and wanted exposure to some things new. So, I chose a class that taught me to tie some patterns for stream smallmouth.

The first ones tied are called Murdich minnows. You can find lots of information about them using Google. Here are my first efforts.

Have lots of practicing to do with that one.

Others tied included Spinner'd Minners and Clouser Deep Minnows.



Something I don't think much about when tying with dumbbell eyes is the position of the dumbell along the hook shank. Moving it closer to or further away from the eye affects the action of a lure or fly. Keep this in mind when designing a lure or fly with them.

Found that there were large and small holes on the beads used for tying the Spinner'd Minners. Knowing this makes a great difference when finishing the tie.

Was a good experience, well worth the small charge for the instruction. I hope to attend a session on pike flies this fall.

Take advantage of a class if one is offered at a fly shop near you. It's a great way to grow in this hobby.

 

[quivira kid]

Very nice ties! I have a friend who swears by the Murdich minnows for largemouths. I also like those spinner'd minners using the new Flymen spinners. Those should be awesome!

 

[Pup]

Thank you QK. I still have a ways to go though on these. My instructor ties marvelously. I want to tie flies like him.

He gave me some of his insight on the spinners and I still missed the mark on one of them. You have to be careful to tie the materials far enough back so that the blade doesn't touch the hook eye when folded back flatly.

I tied using Wapsi monofilament on the Clousers. Took me some getting used to again. Lazy fingers let loose of some wraps, but I do like the look of materials through the nose of the flies.

Turns out that I have some of the material used for the spinners. Used some of Spirit River's Lite Brite in "electric banana" during class. Have a product at home called Optic Fiber made by Liberty Art of Mantua, Ohio. It's the same stuff when viewed side-by-side imo. Purchased for around a dollar a bag that is much larger than SR's a few years ago. Liberty Art might be an alternative source for this material.

Upon reflection, I learned a lot. This tying class absolutely rocked.

 

[smalljaw]

Great looking ties pup and it is awesome that even a veteran tyer like yourself was able to learn new things, I find that out just by this site. I once talked to Bob Clouser himself, and he told me that he had been doing a group tie with Lefty Kreh and he was the first instructor and of course the first pattern was a clouser minnow and they had a master midge tyer in the group that could not tie buck tail to save himself, he said the guy had one all kinds of tying awards and had his flies featured in magazines and books so he was surprised to see him in the class but he found out that all the years of tying he never learned to use buck tail and never tied any thread heavier than 6/0. So it just goes to show you that no matter how much anyone knows there is always more to learn.

 

[StumpHunter]

Very nice flies Pup. Enjoyed your thread about the class you took. There are many things to learn about tying and no better way to learn than to see it tied in person and to be able to tie with a group. Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[quivira kid]

If you're tying up a mess of Clouser minnows, try chartreuse over yellow with gold flash. That has been one of my top producers!

 

[Pup]

Thanks for your comments Guys.

Have to go field test my classroom projects sometime very soon.

 

[Jig Man]

Great work Pup...

 

[Radtexan]

Awesome ties Pup..... Bet with your ability,the student wasnt very far behind the teacher...

 

[Pup]

Thank you JM and RT for the nice words.

RT,
I took along a box of my ties and showed them to my instructor after class. I like that he took an interest in seeing them (very good instructor). He mentioned to me during class that he never tied with eyelash yarn (EY) and seemed particularly curious about my furled (long-tailed) EY ties for bass. There is so much to know about fly and jig tying that even the professionals are constantly learning.

I'm going to make an effort to attend another class this fall. It was a good learning experience for me.

 

[toadfrog]

I never hear of any tying classes in my neck of the woods . Not for flies or jigs noth'in . I'd do it just to talk to someone besides myself when I tied .

 

[Pup]

I never hear of any tying classes in my neck of the woods . Not for flies or jigs noth'in . I'd do it just to talk to someone besides myself when I tied .

TF,

That's kinda why I did it. Too much talking to myself when I tie and my wife wanted me out of the house for a little while. Wanted to learn a few new things too.

 

[ragged edge]

Great looking ties Pup! You would think that there would be tying classes here in New Mexico.........naw....... Grandpa taught me that you will always learn till the day you die.........

 

[AndyLane]

Those are Great looking flies! I wish i had a place here locally that offered classes. Although I am thinking about joining a Fly fisherman's club here locally. They meet once a month throughout the year and go fishing and other activities (Stream cleanup ect...) but during the winter months they get together and tie flies. You learn a new fly or two each meeting. Anyways I Love the Murdich minnows and the Spinner flies. Question.....Do the spinner flies have lead wrapped on the shaft?

 

[Pup]

Thank you for your comments RE and Andy.

Question.....Do the spinner flies have lead wrapped on the shaft?

Andy,

They do not.