FLYMPH FORUM

Mr Bailey comes through! That's fantastic. What are the dark square-shaped parts at the top? The round topped parts at the side? I assume those are glassines in the middle? Could you elaborate on the show & tell? I'm over the moon

From the numbering on the wood box, I am assuming the black square things are hook boxes (000, 00, 0, 1, 2 etc). The envelopes look more like cardboard or pasteboard dividers, though there may be glassines between them. Glassine envelopes I've used for holding photographic negatives were very thin and almost transparent.

The thing that caught my eye was the number of scissors and hackle pliers, even what may be a set of dividers for measuring slip wings. There's no bobbin holders. Was the fly tyer tying in hand, or were his bobbin holders and possibly a vise in another box? Hmmmmm?

Very cool piece of history there, William, very cool indeed.

Ah, yes, I didn't see the numbering. Must be hooks. On the side I'm thinking dubbing fur, and maybe in the middle it's folded up wax paper holding the feathers? I saw one labelled for guinea and thought maybe old crumply glassiness, but you're right they look thick for that.

Ron, I believe you are correct about the hooks but none of the pictures show them. BTW, I borrowed the photos off of FB. Under the boxes is a set of Crawshaw’s dyes, The colors originated with Halford who wrote extensively about dyes and color. Crawshaw’s was eventually bought by Veniard who still sell the dyes. I wish they would bring back red spinner color.

Some hackle storage tips from Robert Smith

https://theslidingstream.net/fly-tying- ... treasures/

I usually plucked out of anger. I hate roosters, I really do. The bastards come at you when you aren't looking and they can do some damage. Most of the time, I'd get nailed, stop the bleeding, and then turn around and punt the SOB across the yard. When I'd had enough of one of them, I'd bring out the ol' Colt .22 six shooter and have me some target practice. When the smoke had cleared, I'd grab the bird and go to town on the feathers. I stored them in sandwich bags according to size and quality. The rest of him becomes coyote bait.

Gawd, I hate roosters almost as much as I hate dams.

Mike,
You make me laugh friend! It really brightened my day to read your thread because every word you wrote was true! Walt Dette once made the statement (not a direct quote) that chickens are the dirtiest, stupid creatures.....I don't think he liked raising them at all but, it was a most necessary thing for him to do at the time!
Doug

DOUGSDEN wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 8:58 pm Mike,
You make me laugh friend! It really brightened my day to read your thread because every word you wrote was true! Walt Dette once made the statement (not a direct quote) that chickens are the dirtiest, stupid creatures.....I don't think he liked raising them at all but, it was a most necessary thing for him to do at the time!
Doug

I've missed your voice!