On topic fly tying
 

What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

On topic fly tying
 

Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........

Most folks start off with the Wooly Bugger. The good things about
a Wooly Bugger are it's easy to tie and no matter how poorly it's
tied it can still catch a fish.

Good luck.

--
Ken Fortenberry

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 2, 12:10*pm, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:
Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........

Most folks start off with the Wooly Bugger. The good things about
a Wooly Bugger are it's easy to tie and no matter how poorly it's
tied it can still catch a fish.

I concur with the Wooly Bugger suggestion, tho oddly enough, I
remember this question being asked a while back; and someone taking
issue with the simplicity. Still, you tie stuff to a big hook, wrap
some more stuff around it, and tie it off. Walla! Like Ken says,
even an ugly one is still a good fly.

Joe F.

On topic fly tying
 

rb608 wrote:
On Dec 2, 12:10 pm, Ken Fortenberry
wrote:
Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........
Most folks start off with the Wooly Bugger. The good things about
a Wooly Bugger are it's easy to tie and no matter how poorly it's
tied it can still catch a fish.

I concur with the Wooly Bugger suggestion, tho oddly enough, I
remember this question being asked a while back; and someone taking
issue with the simplicity. Still, you tie stuff to a big hook, wrap
some more stuff around it, and tie it off. Walla! Like Ken says,
even an ugly one is still a good fly.

Joe F.

The easiest? How about a hare's ear scud? Even ribbed, its very easy
to tie and catches fish.

On topic fly tying
 

Sorry should have mentioned these kids are 6 years old...........The
easier the better

On topic fly tying
 

Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

A large hackled spider. On at least a size eight hook. This is merely a
thread body, and a hackle at the head.

Although many people advise woolly buggers and similar stuff, the fact
is that these are simply too complex for beginners, require too many
different techniques, and too much precise manipulation.

The simple hackle spider will also catch fish.

There are still various ways to dress such a spider.

For info on a simple way;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tln6uj9AUrY

Or you can try something like this, whcih is nearly as easy, and will
also catch fish;

http://copperfly.net/foamspider.php

None of the tools described are actually necessary, although a simple
vice can help, and scissors are required to cut thread, hackle etc.

For a cheap vice;

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/feat...cast/rc161.php

TL
MC

On topic fly tying
 

"Mike" wrote in message
...
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

Ditto on the Wooly bugger. It's the first fly I taught my son and he picked
it up easy. Best part, he caught fish on it the next day...

JT

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 2, 11:59*am, Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

* * * * * The Handy One

In our tying classes, the first fly is always the Woolly Worm. A bit
easier to tie than the Bugger, it is ideal for a fist timer. Generally
the next fly in the series would be a simple, wingless wet fly, like
the Grey Hackle Peacock.

On topic fly tying
 

For ABSOLUTE beginners, who have never tried to dress a fly before, the
simple hackle flies are best. Just a thread body and hackle.

Even then, some things need to be learned, here are some general
introductions ;

http://ukflydressing.proboards47.com...lay&thread=744

Some complete beginner videos;

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1470


Loads of step by steps, techniques, etc etc;

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14091

TL
MC

On topic fly tying
 

This is a fly many begin with, although the herl body adds another step
and material;

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=514

TL
MC

On topic fly tying
 

"Mike" wrote in message
...

Sorry should have mentioned these kids are 6 years old...........The
easier the better

You may need first to consult an experienced kindergarten
teacher. I would be apprehensive some boys of 6 might
lack the dexterity to tie flies (cf. handwriting, shoelaces etc.)
so that the group might divide into those who could learn
this new skill and those simply not ready to undertake it,
therefore frustrated.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On topic fly tying
 

Don Phillipson wrote:

You may need first to consult an experienced kindergarten
teacher. I would be apprehensive some boys of 6 might
lack the dexterity to tie flies (cf. handwriting, shoelaces etc.)
so that the group might divide into those who could learn
this new skill and those simply not ready to undertake it,
therefore frustrated.


Indeed, that would be my major worry in this case. I doubt that many
kids under 10 will be able to do it at all, and the aptitude across a
group of even ten year olds will vary massively.

I refuse to try and teach fly-dressing to kids under 12, and only then
when they comme along with their parents to a club evening and show
interest.

Fly-dressing is not a "casual" skill, and can also be very very
difficult indeed for kids generally.

TL
MC

On topic fly tying
 

What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

Mike,
I'd recommend the black deer hair ant.
There is only one material used and most kids are familiar with ants
so they will be imitating an insect they have seen before.
I'd further recommend it because my skill seems to be stuck at a 6
year old's level and I manage to get through them easily enough..well
with some tongue gnawing.
While I sent my terrestrial bible to a friend overseas I still have a
copy of Chauncy Lively's Flybox which has instructions for his
Carpenter Ant and Horsefly, both of which are tied only with deer
hair. The Crowe Beetle is also a simple tie using deer hair you might
consider.
http://www.yagersflies.com/crowebeetle.html
If you'd like me to scan the Carpenter Ant and the Horsefly tying
instructions for you to evaluate let me know at .

Kiyu

On topic fly tying
 

george9219 wrote:
On Dec 2, 11:59 am, Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

In our tying classes, the first fly is always the Woolly Worm. A bit
easier to tie than the Bugger, it is ideal for a fist timer. Generally
the next fly in the series would be a simple, wingless wet fly, like
the Grey Hackle Peacock.

I agree on the Wooly worm. No marabou tail to fool with. Should be good
for kids.

Tim Lysyk

On topic fly tying
 

Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

The Handy One

No question about it: The Black & Gold.

http://www.bestclassicsalmonflies.co..._gold-ndx.html

:-)

Seriously, the ultimate object of tying a fly is to catch fish (unless
you're a sweatshop worker somewhere in the third world).

The Wooley Bugger sets the standard for a beginning fly that catches fish.

--
Cut "to the chase" for my email address.

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 2, 1:39*pm, "
wrote:
Mike wrote:
What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............

A large hackled spider. On at least a size eight hook. This is merely a
thread body, and a hackle at the head.

Under the circumstances, how about just a foam-bodied spider with
rubber legs? For 6 yr olds, this doesn't even need to be a "real"
fly. Ought to be simple enough, and there's a bluegill somewhere
that'd take it.

Joe F.

On topic fly tying
 

Good advice from all. Mike C makes some good points regarding level of
difficulty for 6 year olds and such.
Give it a shot and see how it works out, just don't make
a big deal of it, until he shows you how ready he is.
Check your email........
your slow-moving pal in PA

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 2, 8:11*pm, "Tom Littleton" wrote:
Good advice from all. Mike C makes some good points regarding level of
difficulty for 6 year olds and such.
Give it a shot and see how it works out, just don't make
a big deal of it, until he shows you how ready he is.
Check your email........
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *your slow-moving pal in PA

I suggest Tim Trexlar's Water Witch http://www.bestclassicsalmonflies.com/tim_trexler.html
Though I am partial to that one if I can't do the Catherdral Window.
In all honesty, regularly teach 4 to 6 year olds at shows and fairs
(had a couple last weekend). I show them a wooly bugger and then have
a good selection of colorful chenille and braids for the body, ditto
for the hackle. I let them pick the colors.
It takes a one-on-one to work with these kids, but I had one come back
to the fair this year that had gotten "hooked" on it the year before
and brought a bunch of flies that he'd tied at home (his dad had put a
pair of vise grips in a board for him). Be patient and use "baby
steps." Ensure that the hook point is buried in the jaws of the
vise. Also, don't let them have too much thread hanging off the
bobbin. About 3 inches is good. They get frustrated when they find
they have 12" of thread hanging off and they can't wrap.
Watch how far forward they go with the chenille. Make sure they keep
about a third of the way back from the eye. This will help them tie
in a head and give them some room to do it.
Frank Reid

On topic fly tying
 

On Tue, 2 Dec 2008 08:59:05 -0800 (PST), Mike
wrote:

What is the easiest fly to tie........I have some tiger scouts looking
to get a fishing badge one of the requirements is to tie a fly as I
get the majority of my flies from my long tall friend I have never
learned to tie.......any help will be appreciated............


According to to Poul Jorgensen, they should tie The Insult. "First,
it's a very easy fly to tie. Second, it has taken more trout than any
other fly I have used."

http://tinyurl.com/55rqqe

It's also mentioned here
http://tinyurl.com/63hrpp

On topic fly tying
 

Thanks all for the suggestions..........Just got the skinny for the
pin fish in tourny, clean fish, report on 3 different fish to include
habitata,feeding habit,fishing techniques baits to catch it, tie 3
flies catch fish with 1, casting proficiency at 30 ft, draw a pic of 3
different reel explain how each works, draw a pic of fish label each
part and it's function, replace line on a reel, make simple pole and
line catch a fish on it, catch a fish on artificial bait, pratic
fishing 5 times complying with rules and regs.......I don't think I am
going to do this with all the scouts looks like a winter project for
me and my grandson to spend some quality time together that part I
know I will enjoy...........

On topic fly tying
 

wrote in message
...
Thanks all for the suggestions..........Just got the skinny for the
pin fish in tourny, clean fish, report on 3 different fish to include
habitata,feeding habit,fishing techniques baits to catch it, tie 3
flies catch fish with 1, casting proficiency at 30 ft, draw a pic of 3
different reel explain how each works, draw a pic of fish label each
part and it's function, replace line on a reel, make simple pole and
line catch a fish on it, catch a fish on artificial bait, pratic
fishing 5 times complying with rules and regs.......I don't think I am
going to do this with all the scouts looks like a winter project for
me and my grandson to spend some quality time together that part I
know I will enjoy...........

they expect a child of Austin's age to do all that??
I know the years slip past on me, so the kid could be
16 years old this year, for all my feeble brain remembers, but what are they
thinking???
Tom

On topic fly tying
 

Tom Littleton wrote:
wrote:
Thanks all for the suggestions..........Just got the skinny for the
pin fish in tourny, clean fish, report on 3 different fish to include
habitata,feeding habit,fishing techniques baits to catch it, tie 3
flies catch fish with 1, casting proficiency at 30 ft, draw a pic of 3
different reel explain how each works, draw a pic of fish label each
part and it's function, replace line on a reel, make simple pole and
line catch a fish on it, catch a fish on artificial bait, pratic
fishing 5 times complying with rules and regs.......I don't think I am
going to do this with all the scouts looks like a winter project for
me and my grandson to spend some quality time together that part I
know I will enjoy...........

they expect a child of Austin's age to do all that??
I know the years slip past on me, so the kid could be
16 years old this year, for all my feeble brain remembers, but what are they
thinking???

That sounds more like a Boy Scout merit badge than a Cub Scout patch.
I can't imagine anyone expecting all that of a 6 year old.

--
Ken Fortenberry

On topic fly tying
 

"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message
...
That sounds more like a Boy Scout merit badge than a Cub Scout patch.
I can't imagine anyone expecting all that of a 6 year old.

--
Ken Fortenberry

precisely my thought.....at six, it's hard enough teach them to develop an
elitist attitude, without all the detailsg.
Tom

On topic fly tying
 

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 6, 8:57*am, "Tom Littleton" wrote:
"Ken Fortenberry" wrote in message

...

That sounds more like a Boy Scout merit badge than a Cub Scout patch.
I can't imagine anyone expecting all that of a 6 year old.

--
Ken Fortenberry

precisely my thought.....at six, it's hard enough teach them to develop an
elitist attitude, without all the detailsg.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Tom

Good point. Even getting the inflections correct for such necessary
efficient vocabulary as "gearhead," and "meat fisher," is difficult
with kids this young. I'd just focus on the basics like "do you work
for my father (?)," or ". . . of course they are custom made, raggedy
assed person."

Dave

On topic fly tying
 

On Dec 2, 1:16*pm, Mike wrote:
Sorry should have mentioned these kids are 6 years old...........The
easier the better

Mike,

I missed this info when I made my first reply. Our club has been
teaching tying for over 30 years, and we long ago concluded that
attempting to teach kids younger than 9 was pretty much a waste of
time. They just don't have the dexterity or the attention span at
younger ages. I saw your later comment on the merit badge
requirements, and that seems way too advanced for a kid younger than
11 or 12.