On Sep 24, 7:43*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:48:46 -0400, Dave LaCourse





wrote:
Well, actually, it is about fly tying.......

I have a friend named Vincent (Vinny). *Vinny just "graduated" from
high school. *He is 20 yo. *He received a "certificate of completion"
rather than a HS diploma. *Vinny has an IQ of 70. *He was born of an
alcoholic mother and father, and removed from them soon after his
birth. *Surprizingly, he has fairly good motor skills (he's a whiz at
Quitar Hero!), and can learn - it just takes him a lot longer. *He is
not spastic and has a steady hand and good eyes. *His hearing is
somewhat diminished since birth.

Situation: *Vinny has tried working in a supermarket bagging, and as a
bus boy at a local restaurant. *He hates both of these jobs and thinks
they are beneath him. *He wants, *needs*, a different vocation. *He is
creative and capable of sovling puzzles (jigsaw, for example). *

Questions: *How difficult would it be to teach someone like Vinny to
tie flies? *And, if he is successful at doing so, where could he sell
his creations? *I realize that breaking in to such a market would be
tough for most, but I wonder if Vinny could tie and make a "get by
living" tying flies. *He lives with his single adoptive mother who is
a professional woman and makes a fairly good living. *The most
important thing is that he be accepted and have some worth. *Right now
he is down on himself thinking that he has no real worth. *I am
working with him and trying to change his attitude.

How does Umqua select their tyers? *Orvis? *If he can learn to tie,
and I believe he can, I know of several places that would accept his
flies, but only a few gross at a time. *How does one break into the
professional fly tying community?

Dave
(Hoping there are no smart ass remarks posted)

Oh, Tom, Frank...

What about guiding, rod making/finishing along with tying flies? *Hell,
how hard could it be if Reid and Littleton can do it...? *You didn't
really think there wouldn't be smart-assed remarks, did you...?

Seriously, though, there are lots of fishing-related activities that
probably wouldn't make him rich, but would allow an income of some kind.
OTOH, there's a similar guy down here who makes crab pots and wound up
selling them to Wal-Mart and other large outlets. *IIRC, he now owns a
reasonable business. *Is there a reason for it to be fishing related or
are you just looking for any and all ideas? *

Tying flies can be done. I taught fly tying to a five year old a
couple of weeks ago. This is a lot like teaching Vinny.
Both my brother and sister are a lot like Vinney. My brother makes
wooden planters, takes care of folks animals when they're on vacation
and he's also the relay/telecoms guy for the local volunteer fire
department (to include taking the GPS readings of the extent of range
fires). He can barely read, but makes up for it with an incredible
memory and the ability to watch something being done mechanically and
repeat it move for move.
Try working with Vinny for a couple a few weeks. Advance in baby
steps. An hour spent getting the thread on the hook just right for
the initial wraps may be needed. Don't turn it into a marathon unless
he's really into it. Don't talk about it as a money making thing.
Start him off by finding out if he has the interest/talent.
Dave, please email me if you have any questions. I've been
volunteering and working with Vinnys all my life.
Frank Reid