First flatwing

[Jon]

Having an absolute ball attempting some simple patters; some Deceivers, some flatwings; perhaps some spun deer hair next - should be quite interesting.

Here's a pair of flatwings (RLS Morning Glory [Abrames]) - one tied by The Fisherman as a template, the other (foreground - materials not to spec) by yours truly. Not half bad, but room for improvement in seating the hackle properly on its 'pillow'.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/Kirkaig/Stuff016.jpg

The waste after only a dozen ties is quite something. Perhaps this will lessen in time?? Or perhaps materials for my kids to play with....
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/Kirkaig/Stuff007.jpg

[The Fisherman]

Now you're cooking with gas. That's a nice looking fly.

Your is, too.

(A thousand apologies, chum. I couldn't resist.) :-)

But seriously, that's going to catch you a lot of fish.

[Riffle]

While tying can be frustrating at times...perhaps almost will drive you crazy...it's truly a lot of fun.

Also...maybe I'm just cheap, but it looks like you've got a lot of usuable peacock herl in that waste basket.

[leadwingcoachman]

Marabou and bucktail make quite a mess...
I keep one of those small shop vacs under my tying table, comes in real handy. They cost about as much as a dust buster but have 10x the power! Just be careful you don't suck up your tools, if you do they're easy to sort through for retrieval. Plus one day if I empty mine I'll have the perfect dubbing for cased caddis.

Available at your local walmart
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8477890://

[Jon]

Leadwing. I now know I'm bitten with another, fishing-related, bug. I simply cannot repeat in public the "household" materials I've recently considered appending to a hook!

Thanks for your tip on vacuum cleaners. If I didn't feel like an old lady before, I sure do now!

Jon

[leadwingcoachman]

shop vacs are for men, vacuums are for old ladies...

[Jon]

I'm more than happy with my dust buster, thank you Doris.

:-)