karsten's miscreations...

[fly_fischa]

Been a while since I've put up a post so I thought I'd snap some blurry freestyle pics of my latest catastrophes
I decided to have a well deserved night off and to finally tie my swap flies for Ray.
Choosing a hare and plover I decided to tie them as I envisage they may have been tied in the past, as fishing flies. Sounds easy, not if you know me, I'm used to counting thread wraps, dubbing hairs and hackle fibres. The easiest fix was to start the tying session with some American craft beers, substantially dulling the reflexes seemed to do the trick. I wasn't as critical as usual at sizing my hackle, just plucking them from the wing one at a time and using every feather, even the ones with broken hackle tips I figured if I was a thrifty Yorkshireman from 200 years ago I would have used every feather, regardless of it's condition, and I definitely would have used every hackle fibre possible, less waste. They certainly aren't pretty or consistent, but I had a lot of fun getting back behind the vise. I'm sorry for the slurred typing but I think I may have had one too many craft beers!

Cheers
Karsten

[Mataura mayfly]

Well, there does not appear to be any blood in the final photo, so you cannot be too under the weather!
Besides 5 empty stubbies is only a "whistle wetter" for the average Aussie.

I like your theory about the feather choices and appreciate the fact you are probably correct in your thinking. However, they are not "messy"..... wait until you see mine!

[fly_fischa]

A whistle wetter, you've a stronger constitution than I The 3 tall bottles equate to 1,950ml alone not to mention the strength, I'm surprised I got through the first 2 without losing a finger! That's why I chose a 14#, surprisingly there was no blood involved. I'd better stop typing as I'm onto the Elijah Craig bourbon and probably make even less sense than usual. Cheers Jeff and I look forward to seeing your flies

[daringduffer]

You can't better that one - it's beautiful!

dd

[letumgo]

Karsten - Cheers mate! I laughed as I read your post. Great to see you back at the vice. Most blokes take the first fly out of the vice after it is finished, but I see you just kept cranking them out, one after another. (humor)

Honestly, how the heck did you manage to link the flies together like the, after five beers?!!! I'd have been knocking them all over the floor, by that point. Impressive display of drinking dexterity.

Incredible buggy flies! And I mean that as a sincere compliment. The photos tell a great story.

Welcome back ole friend...

[DUBBN]

You are a fine tyer Mr. Karsten. Your evenings work show off your talent, even if you were aided by malt beverage. My trout flies are much like the women I use to associate with. They finally start looking good after fiver beers.

[tie2fish]

Karsten ~ So good to have you back participating! That fly of yours and several of its siblings would fit very nicely into my day box with no problem.

[fly_fischa]

Thanks for the kind words guys, glad u like the scruffy creations

Ray- it took longer linking the flies together than it did to tie them
Btw no one ever told me you were meant to remove the first fly when doing a batch tying session.
It'll be a hard habit to break...

[letumgo]

[gingerdun]

Hey Karsten,

Evidently your beverage store is better stocked with American craft beers than mine.
But I am buying Australian wine, so we're even.
You are a fine tier, as we have know all along. Thanks for taking the time to share these beauties with us.

Lance