Do you fish them?

[DUBBN]

Somewhere on this board, somebody said that when they tie a fly, they think of the fish first. It's been a week or so since I read that. It made me take stock in what I am trying to accomplish with my tying of flys. Am I tying a fly to impress you (Fly fisherpersons) or the fish? I can honestly say that when I sit down to tye a new pattern, I am trying to put together a fly that is more appealling to the trout I pursue, than any other pattern in my current inventory. If I copy another tyers technique, it is because I see worth in it. A worth that tells me I need to try something different. The new patterns and techniques work better at times, and at other times, they dont work as well as what I have in my inventory.

In order for me to tell if a new pattern is better than what I am currently using I have to fish it. I usually tye it in two different sizes, and fish it for two trips. If it doesnt show enough promise in that time, I get rid of it. If it does show promise, I use it through out the year in different situations. After the year if I am still impressed, I add it to my arsenal.

Currently I am still running three patterns/techniques through my paces. All three came from this forum. Dougsdons Flymph (tyed in Gray, Olive, and Brown). Letumgo' POP series (tyed in Orange, Yellow, and Red). Tie2fish' technique of using Krystal flash or wire as a core in Midge Tubing.

Believe it or not, it's TOUGH to try to fit that many patterns into everyone of your fishing trips! I am not being a smart alic here, when I say,,,"Thank goodness Colorado allows me to fish three flys at the same time!" I am kind of making it sound like it's an agonizing chore to do this. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Learning new things is what fly fishing is all about for me. I could limit myself to a dozen patterns and cover 99% my fishing situations, and crow like a Banny Rooster how wonderful the flys are, and how great at working them I am. I cant be that person. I have to keep trying new ideas and patterns. If I dont, I might aswell break my fly rods over my knee as the fun would no longer be there for me.

So, my question is.....

Of all the new patterns you have tyed this year, what percentage will actually get fished? I dont consider presentation flys like the works of art on willowheads thread to be counted if they are not intended to be fished in the first place.

I will be the first to answer my question. I can honestly say, every pattern I have posted on this and any other forum, will get fished twice at the minimum. I am not saying this gives each pattern the propper amount of time, but its the way I do it.

That was my burning question. There is no wrong or right answer.

As always this post is just my opinions.

[narcodog]

about 1 %

[DUBBN]

Doesnt surprise me.

[letumgo]

The majority of the flies I tye are intended to be fishing flies. If I had to guess, I'd say that a little better than half of them end up getting fished by me at some point. I love testing a fly, to see how it behaves in the water. I get a lot of joy out of the experimentation. Even the failures are successful in teaching me something about fly design. For me, that is all part of the fun.

The rest of the flies tend to be given away, at different times during the year. I don't know if they ever get fished, but it make me happy to think that they may be fished some day.

I know that Karsten has fished some of my flies in England last summer, and you (Wayne) have fished some in Colorado.

[redietz]

Close to 100%. I generally only tie new patterns to fill a void; that is, catch fish under circumstances where I don't already have a fly that works consistently.

[narcodog]

It's kinda ironic that you brought this up because I have been trying to get my flies, hundreds, into some sort of organization. The problem is I'm not very organized and have for gotten what material I tied them which or what the original names are. Sometimes I just throw material on a hook and that's it. I take them to the stream and may carry them numerous rimes and never tie them on because something else is working. Then if I have one that works and some I'm with or just a stranger I end up giving them away.

[Mike Connor]

100% although it may take some time. If I dress a dozen patterns of a fly some may remain in the box for a long time before actually being used.

TL
MC

[DUBBN]

Every pattern I tye will be fished. The flys of that pattern can be used for swaps, or gifts to friends, family, or trading material with the occasional fly fisher that I might strike up a conversation with on the river. I really enjoy gettin a peek into other peoples fly boxes.

[DUBBN]

Every pattern I tye will be fished. The flys of that pattern can be used for swaps, or gifts to friends, family, or trading material with the occasional fly fisher that I might strike up a conversation with on the river. I really enjoy gettin a peek into other peoples fly boxes.

[Roadkill]

%100, that is why I artisticly smash the barbs on the flies I post before they go into the vise. Except for a few this old guy forgets to smash in a creative tying frenzy.