"Tim J." said:

snip

Why don't you join the GFS? Hell, Mark - look at the first couple of
entries I made to swaps. They weren't that great, but tying 50 of
anything is bound to make you better at it. And getting flies back that
are tied by the really good tiers is certainly inspirational. I'll bet
I've learned more about tying from participating in the swaps than any
other source, both from the tying itself and the flies I receive.
--
TL,
Tim
---------------------------

You're absolutely right that tying up 50 of anything would definitely make
me a better tyer (at least on that pattern), but while this group is very
freindly, there is a certain sense of, uhh, dunno, maybe "fraternity", that
makes it a bit intimidating. That's NOT meant to be a "dig" on the group --
it's just that many of you guys have been around here for longer than I've
been fly fishing, let alone tying.

Besides -- who would want a CDC and elk tyed by a beginner? Other than maybe
another beginner?

Dunno, but if the "novice" swap happens, I'm in.

Dan