North Country Fly Fishing Book

[willowhead]

Dang hank.....well.....maybe you can make it to Conclave this year in West Yellowstone. Although.......i'm thinking of skipping it this year.........haven't decided for sure yet..........but you should go no matter. Or try to make Idaho Falls (April 15th, & 16th Shilo Inn), this year in April. We're skipping that one this year because we will have already done Idaho twice before that. Don't need to go there 3 times in one year. You can check out some fantastic tyin' at the Idaho Falls show. Good luck, hope you can make it.

[hankaye]

willowhead, Howdy;

I'll make it to one of these shows sooner or later...Gotta keep thinking positave..

[willowhead]

hank, your very fortunate as you know, to have the internet (you-tube, U-Tube(?) etc.), nowdays.......so much info and so many step by step videos, etc., etc. Do you subscribe to Hatches magazine? It's pretty good too. Do you have a fly shop at all near you? Go to this site for basic knowledge bout Trout flies of all kinds too.....specially Catskill style. http://www.sparsegreymatter.com There's a whole slew of very talented CFTG members there who can help you......

[Old Hat]

The hooks are Kamasan B525 course fishing hooks which over your side of the pond is the Daiichi 1480 Limerick Dry Fly Hook. Kamasan and Daiichi are the same company! I have been using these hooks for about ten years now as they offer me the right profile and weight. Interestingly about three years ago I gave some of these hooks to fly dresser over here who is well known for tying North Country flies. He didn't like them and told me they were not suitable for North Country spiders. Rarely for me I kept my mouth shut and resisted the temptation to smack him in the mouth. I just consoled myself with the knowledge that he is from the southern counties of England and knows absolutely nothing about North Country spiders and what is worse he can’t even fish! He is now raving about and selling Alec Jackson “North Country Hooks” on his website; these are of course the exact same hooks as the B525s which I gave him 3 years earlier. Some people are beyond help!

Thanks Bob. The first thing that came to mind was the AC N. Country hooks. A hook that I do like, but still not sure about the "crystal" finish.

[narcodog]

I bought some of those AC hooks from Jim S and I like to tie on them when I do swaps. As far as fishing with them I tell no difference if the fish like um or not.

[chase creek]

Absolutely lovely flies and wonderful photos. Can't wait to see the book!
Thanks for the sneak peek!

[flyfishwithme]

BTW, Bob was a pro tier and is still a Partridge demonstration tier.

[narcodog]

As you are compiling your book how about adding clear color plates of Pearsall's silk including the old colors. With this put the numbers and color designations.

[daringduffer]

As you are compiling your book how about adding clear color plates of Pearsall's silk including the old colors. With this put the numbers and color designations.

Excellent suggestion.

dd

[willowhead]

Definately a good idea...... i've finally started using the Pearsalls for doing bodies.........makes great bodies. i don't really like tying with it, so once i've got the body done, i switch over to Danville (sometimes Uni 8/0 for little hooks), for laying down a base for the hackle, and for the head. Pearsalls heads just end up to bulky. Also, i don't whip the Peasalls.....i simply tye it off (and trim it) with the Danville. No need for a bump right where your gonna tye your hackle in. Danville flattens so nicely......you get a much cleaner fly that way. So i start the fly (body) bout 4 eye lengths back, go down to the bend and back, then bring the Danville into the picture. At the bend, leave the last turn and single turn forming a tiny taper goin' forward. Also, trim your tag that your wraping over bout half way down to the bend.....also adding to the tapered effect.