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)

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

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

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

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 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.

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 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 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

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...........