The Craft is inextricably woven into fly fishing. It is what makes this sport so beautiful. At its essence is a respect for the fish and the incredible environments within which they reside. This is expressed in the way flies are tied, rods are built and ultimately how that line is cast and that fly is fished. Whether it is through a run in a mountain stream or into the raging surf of the ocean.
The intention of The Craft is to bring insight into the skills of the many talented and unique men and women who make this multifaceted sport what it is.
The books are great, a real inspiration. The issue for me is I don’t take the time to really think about the flies I’m tying, too often I follow a recipe and as well look to emulate the pictures of flies tied by others. The books help a lot though, watching RU-vid is a great resource for guides on tying flies, the books help with the Realisation that the fly should do a specific job well enough to influence a fish. Quite like us it seems fish are drawn to certain things that are not natural but are bigger better versions of what occurs in nature, we get it from colours in food or the shape of a banana. The books are great reading and I can only highly recommend them to any tiers out there.
How do tou become a fly fishing guide or even a fresh water fishing guide what is neede what to do. I am intersted in becoming fresh water fishing guide both like on fly fishing and specimen carp fishing
Loving your book The Feather Mechanic II best Father’s Day gift. While I’m inspired by your approach I’m not putting biots in my mouth! ;-) lovely tie and I’ll give some CDC a go on my next Klinks.
I actually 100% agree with you about fly fishing… but the problem I find with it is that is more art than fishing… to the extent that you are considered an expert if you can make beautiful flies and you can make intricate casts and drifts… and the catching fish becomes optional… and then it becomes pointless …and if you go too far it is no longer considered fishing …if it is your thing sure - go for it …but if I need fish to eat - I go to dynamite, euro nymphing or nets (in this order btw 🙂)… absolutely stunning video btw, you have a real talent 👍
Nice fly, thanks Gordon, will definitely tie a few for my box) I also love CDC - recently collected some very nice feathers from ducks that have nice head-balls - try if you can find those in your area, I am sure you will love it too. I also like going towards simplicity of the flies - the recent ones I tied are just the ice dub and some UV - look real. I have also abandoned the beads - creating my own using a wire and different resins - it is more fun than putting something ready made). Great sharing the same passion for fly tying & fishing: nice energy you share.
First of all, wrap the entire working shank of the hook with a peacock feather. You will be pleasantly surprised, it will become many times more catchable!!)
Gordon, this is great. I enjoyed both your April volker fly tying session but especially the piece you did set in the cape hunting yellow fish….enchanting dialogue, enchanting photography and ditto soundtrack. A perfect haiku of a film. One question….would you use a light colour / transparent thread for the hopper…to mark it up as you suggest. I think I remember you saying you tend to tie with light colour thread for that reason? Ie, shows up pen marks? Would Vevus nano silk do the trick? 12/0 but it’s super strong….am sure I could get it to lie flat. Thx 🙏
Great terrestrial pattern…so much easier than the plethora of complicated hopper patterns out there…may I ask what the thickness of the foam you’re using? 2mm,3mm or 4mm?
No one taught me how to fly fish or tie flys! I started with worms at 5 and flys at 14…figured it out as I went along and still learning,now in my 70’s! Of course, with the internet, there is an almost unlimited amount of info. on this now!
If one didn’t want to put the biots in your mouth, you could soak them in hot water instead! Sometimes feathers and furs are treated with mothballs etc. so you could be exposing yourself to unnecessary risk!
Fly tying just calms me down …I tie 2/3 flies every day…it’s the best therapy I know … this film is amazing and one day it will help explain to my kids why I tie and fly fish…for that alone, thank you Gordon
