First Fly Box

On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:43:18 -0700, riverman
wrote:

Suggestions on a basic starter fly box?

Mine would contain Harry Mason's Killer Caddis in a couple of sizes.
I have never seen a fly work so well. It's a dry, but after the cdc
gets soaked, fish it as a wet and it will still catch fish. You have
some coming.

Dave

On Nov 2, 9:06 am, Dave LaCourse wrote:
On Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:43:18 -0700, riverman
wrote:

Suggestions on a basic starter fly box?

Mine would contain Harry Mason's Killer Caddis in a couple of sizes.
I have never seen a fly work so well. It's a dry, but after the cdc
gets soaked, fish it as a wet and it will still catch fish. You have
some coming.

Dave

Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M

On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:


Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

On Nov 2, 10:40 am, Mike wrote:
On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:



Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

Well, I guess...

In any case, I can't open your link here at school, but I'd be very
interested in your opinion...for a newbie box that had limited
quantities (say, 20 flies); which would you compromise on: diversity
of sizes, diversity of styles, or diversity of back-ups?

--riverman

On Nov 2, 4:28 pm, riverman wrote:
On Nov 2, 10:40 am, Mike wrote:





On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:

Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

Well, I guess...

In any case, I can't open your link here at school, but I'd be very
interested in your opinion...for a newbie box that had limited
quantities (say, 20 flies); which would you compromise on: diversity
of sizes, diversity of styles, or diversity of back-ups?

--riverman- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Heh heh. Now that I'm home and CAN open the attachment, I see that you
seem to be quite prescient. How clever of you.
:-)

I've never seen a Greenwell's Glory or a Snipe and Purple (although I
can attest to a lot of success with other soft hackles in Sweden), but
you've answered my question with your article. It seems that a narrow
diversity of flies, in a few sizes, with 2 or 3 of each, is the
recommendation. I think I agree.

Thanks, Mike.

--riverman

On 2 Nov, 12:27, riverman wrote:
On Nov 2, 4:28 pm, riverman wrote:



On Nov 2, 10:40 am, Mike wrote:

On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:

Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

Well, I guess...

In any case, I can't open your link here at school, but I'd be very
interested in your opinion...for a newbie box that had limited
quantities (say, 20 flies); which would you compromise on: diversity
of sizes, diversity of styles, or diversity of back-ups?

--riverman- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Heh heh. Now that I'm home and CAN open the attachment, I see that you
seem to be quite prescient. How clever of you.
:-)

I've never seen a Greenwell's Glory or a Snipe and Purple (although I
can attest to a lot of success with other soft hackles in Sweden), but
you've answered my question with your article. It seems that a narrow
diversity of flies, in a few sizes, with 2 or 3 of each, is the
recommendation. I think I agree.

Thanks, Mike.

--riverman

One may vary the actual flies to a considerable extent. More or less
any of Harry´s generic patterns would also suit. The main thing is to
stick to a strictly limited selection at first, and concentrate on
learning when to use what. Even an extremely limited selection of the
right flies will work in most places 70....90% of the time, and using
such,automatically removes a lot of variables and confusion, which is
important for beginners.

Presentation is usually of considerably greater importance than a
specific pattern.

Also, I try to start people off with generic wet flies/streamers/
nymphs. Dry fly fishing can be quite difficult for a beginner. Can
also be fun of course, but a draggging wet fly is much more likely to
catch a fish than a dragging dry fly.

With regard to sizes, for streamers, specifically woolly buggers,
which are probably THE most versatile streamer in existence, I would
go for #6 long shanks. For soft hackles, other wet flies and nymphs,
#16 and #14.

In time, and with experience, one will wish to increase one´s
selection, also to suit specific venues. Tailwater fisheries WILL
require other flies for instance, and in small sizes.

I obviously don´t know the specifics of your class, but you might like
to have a try at making these with them;

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sit...ta rt=10&sa=N

(Scroll down to the Singaporean leaders at the bottom of the
article). They are easy and quick to make, and work very well indeed.

I would also recommend the leader rings;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on.../leaders..html

Some set-ups may also be of use to you;
http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on...s/set_ups.html

Usually, beginners have the most problems with rigging and knots.

If I can be of any further assistance, please don´t hesitate to ask.
If you drop me a mail, with your address, I will also send you some of
the flies mentioned, for your class.

TL
MC

On 2 Nov, 18:41, Mike wrote:
On 2 Nov, 12:27, riverman wrote:



On Nov 2, 4:28 pm, riverman wrote:

On Nov 2, 10:40 am, Mike wrote:

On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:

Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

Well, I guess...

In any case, I can't open your link here at school, but I'd be very
interested in your opinion...for a newbie box that had limited
quantities (say, 20 flies); which would you compromise on: diversity
of sizes, diversity of styles, or diversity of back-ups?

--riverman- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Heh heh. Now that I'm home and CAN open the attachment, I see that you
seem to be quite prescient. How clever of you.
:-)

I've never seen a Greenwell's Glory or a Snipe and Purple (although I
can attest to a lot of success with other soft hackles in Sweden), but
you've answered my question with your article. It seems that a narrow
diversity of flies, in a few sizes, with 2 or 3 of each, is the
recommendation. I think I agree.

Thanks, Mike.

--riverman

One may vary the actual flies to a considerable extent. More or less
any of Harry´s generic patterns would also suit. The main thing is to
stick to a strictly limited selection at first, and concentrate on
learning when to use what. Even an extremely limited selection of the
right flies will work in most places 70....90% of the time, and using
such,automatically removes a lot of variables and confusion, which is
important for beginners.

Presentation is usually of considerably greater importance than a
specific pattern.

Also, I try to start people off with generic wet flies/streamers/
nymphs. Dry fly fishing can be quite difficult for a beginner. Can
also be fun of course, but a draggging wet fly is much more likely to
catch a fish than a dragging dry fly.

With regard to sizes, for streamers, specifically woolly buggers,
which are probably THE most versatile streamer in existence, I would
go for #6 long shanks. For soft hackles, other wet flies and nymphs,
#16 and #14.

In time, and with experience, one will wish to increase one´s
selection, also to suit specific venues. Tailwater fisheries WILL
require other flies for instance, and in small sizes.

I obviously don´t know the specifics of your class, but you might like
to have a try at making these with them;

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sit...omepage.t-onli...

(Scroll down to the Singaporean leaders at the bottom of the
article). They are easy and quick to make, and work very well indeed.

I would also recommend the leader rings;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on..._ups/Leaders/l...

Some set-ups may also be of use to you;http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on...s/set_ups.html

Usually, beginners have the most problems with rigging and knots.

If I can be of any further assistance, please don´t hesitate to ask.
If you drop me a mail, with your address, I will also send you some of
the flies mentioned, for your class.

TL
MC

OK , read the other thread on this, and found your postal address.
Will send the flies to that. Should go off about the end of next week.

I don´t know what flies you will be getting from Harry, ( although you
may rest assured they will be first class), so I will simply send what
I think might be useful.

As people here can be quite generous, you will probably end up with a
lot of flies. Don´t be tempted to put them all in the boxes! This
is contra-productive. Stick to a basic selection, and save the others
for your next course.

You might also like to make a list of the flies with descriptions and
uses. This also aids selection considerably.If you require assistance
with that, then let me know. I will enclose such a list for the flies
I send.

By this, I mean that ONE! generic nymph pattern, one generic caddis
pattern, etc, is sufficient to begin with, but at least three of each.
This immediately obviates a lot of doubt and confusion, and it
ALWAYS!!! works.

Much the same applies to sizes. There are some criteria which allow
one to select the most useful size of certain flies: Here for instance
are the criteria I use for selecting a general nymph size, when I don
´t know the exact size required ;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on...ear_nymph.html

This also works for generic caddis, mayfly, and other patterns. It
also makes it a lot easier to choose the right flies.

Also choose a limited number of set-ups, ( see previous post) which
you are going to use. Don´t try to tell them everything at ionce.
Describe a couple of set-ups, and how and why they work.

Decide on ONE general knot, for attaching flies etc( I always use the
tucked half-blood, also known as the improved clinch), and practice it
with them. ( In previous post) Consider pre-configuring fly lines
with whatever terminal knots you prefer, ( I prefer a piece of nylon
at abou 80% of fly-line diameter, permanently nail knotted to the line
and I attach leaders with a loop. One may also use the improved clinch
to attacheleaders to such a loop, or to leader rings).

TL
MC

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sit...omepage.t-onli...

(Scroll down to the Singaporean leaders at the bottom of the
article). They are easy and quick to make, and work very well indeed.


Sorry, the first link in that post was wrong of course. Here is the
right one;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on...nes/lines.html

TL
MC

On Nov 2, 1:41 pm, Mike wrote:
On 2 Nov, 12:27, riverman wrote:



On Nov 2, 4:28 pm, riverman wrote:

On Nov 2, 10:40 am, Mike wrote:

On 2 Nov, 02:32, riverman wrote:

Dave, you're a gentleman and a scholar, and I thank you deeply. :-)

M



Just wait a while, the dishonourable old ****bag will make sure he
gets a pound of flesh for them!

Don´t drink his beer either!

MC

Well, I guess...

In any case, I can't open your link here at school, but I'd be very
interested in your opinion...for a newbie box that had limited
quantities (say, 20 flies); which would you compromise on: diversity
of sizes, diversity of styles, or diversity of back-ups?

--riverman- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Heh heh. Now that I'm home and CAN open the attachment, I see that you
seem to be quite prescient. How clever of you.
:-)

I've never seen a Greenwell's Glory or a Snipe and Purple (although I
can attest to a lot of success with other soft hackles in Sweden), but
you've answered my question with your article. It seems that a narrow
diversity of flies, in a few sizes, with 2 or 3 of each, is the
recommendation. I think I agree.

Thanks, Mike.

--riverman

One may vary the actual flies to a considerable extent. More or less
any of Harry´s generic patterns would also suit. The main thing is to
stick to a strictly limited selection at first, and concentrate on
learning when to use what. Even an extremely limited selection of the
right flies will work in most places 70....90% of the time, and using
such,automatically removes a lot of variables and confusion, which is
important for beginners.

Presentation is usually of considerably greater importance than a
specific pattern.

Also, I try to start people off with generic wet flies/streamers/
nymphs. Dry fly fishing can be quite difficult for a beginner. Can
also be fun of course, but a draggging wet fly is much more likely to
catch a fish than a dragging dry fly.

With regard to sizes, for streamers, specifically woolly buggers,
which are probably THE most versatile streamer in existence, I would
go for #6 long shanks. For soft hackles, other wet flies and nymphs,
#16 and #14.

In time, and with experience, one will wish to increase one´s
selection, also to suit specific venues. Tailwater fisheries WILL
require other flies for instance, and in small sizes.

I obviously don´t know the specifics of your class, but you might like
to have a try at making these with them;

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sit...omepage.t-onli...

(Scroll down to the Singaporean leaders at the bottom of the
article). They are easy and quick to make, and work very well indeed.

I would also recommend the leader rings;

http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on..._ups/Leaders/l...

Some set-ups may also be of use to you;http://www.mike-connor.homepage.t-on...s/set_ups.html

Usually, beginners have the most problems with rigging and knots.

If I can be of any further assistance, please don´t hesitate to ask.
If you drop me a mail, with your address, I will also send you some of
the flies mentioned, for your class.

TL
MC

I got the best fishing advice on patterns from a Bass fisherman of all
places.
He said whatever you chose to fish with for patterns always bring 3.
Why three?

Because you can fish with confidence. If you go with 2, and you lose
1, all of your follow up casts will not be as well placed and you will
be far more cautious about getting in and around structure. So i have
been putting 3 of whatever patterns I chose in the fly box (at least).
That way if i lose one, I will still fish the follow up with
conviction, and even after losing number 2, I still have one left, and
will probably be thinking about the next pattern anyway when
searching.

This little tid bit has worked great for me personally. I can't tell
you how many times I have hit the water with one new fly to try out,
lost it on a break off... and wonder if it was a fluke, or if that
patterns was "The one". Either way I had no back-up to find out.

Hope that helps a little in your choices.

Lloyd M
The Fishin' Hole
http://www.mainetackle.com