Recent comments

There is a lot of misinformation

There is a lot of misinformation in this article, and even internal inconsistency with respect to details, but it's still interesting reading. We see statements such as this: "When you are reading this, the last ever free flowing Argentine Patagonian river will be on its way to be tamed" but there are many Argentine Patagonia rivers that are not controlled in such as way as to prevent movement of trout and salmon, such as the Ri­o Gallegos, Rio Santa Cruz, Rio Coyle, Rio Chico, Rio Deseado - to name some larger ones in just one of the Patagonian provinces.

Thanks

Don,

Thanks for your kind comments. Much appreciated!
It's great to know that there's still people out there who appreciates what's done here. And it seem that you are not alone... We're closing in on 35 million video views and the site as a whole has about 15,000 visitors a day, so obviously someone must like what we're doing.

Martin

I don't care of what

I don't care of what anybody say' about this site.this is the best site ever for fly tiers. And it always seems there is whiners who will post negative comments.i'm like You Martin if they don't like it just go some where else and leave Us the hell alone.Keep doing what Your doing Martin You've got plenty who stands behind You including Me, Respectfully Don Prater

I just came across a

I just came across a wonderful letter that Preben wrote to me after meeting on the Madison River in September of 1980. Revives fond memory of a charming man. I can scan and send it to you if interested. Norman

Comment to The Black Watch by Larry Leight

I couldn't agree more, Larry - your streamers are works of art!

Comment to The Black Watch by Larry Leight

Absolutely beautiful Larry.

By going to a flyshop

David,

By going to a flyshop and placing an order.

You can't order anything here.
We're a magazine and not a shop.

You might consider clicking the link under the video leading to the shop "In the Riffle" whose staff produced the video in the first place. They might have the fly in their assortment (they ought to since they market it in the video)
Or consider typing "Schminnow price" into Google and see what comes out.

Martin

I would like to buy

I would like to buy some schminnows: sizes 6 and 4s... How do I order?

Right vs. left hand

Right vs. left hand reel was a bit of a dilemma for me when I first learned to fly fish. My spinning reels were all left-hand wind, and my casting reels were all right hand wind. As I am right-handed, I can reel faster and longer in small circles using my right hand. Lefty Kreh, famous salt water fly-fisher, said to use your dominant hand because of this. You'll tire faster otherwise. When fighting large fish using a fly-reel or a casting reel, your dominant hand will be more coordinated and have more stamina. Note that left-hand spinning reels are fine (and preferable to me) because they have a very large turning radius handle and so do not present a problem. But anyway, as stated, it all comes down to personal preference...

I'm glad that you like them

Hi David,

I'm glad that you like them. I had a few nice perch on the red ones. A big carp took out completely my intermediate line ( I had a bad knot between line and backing ).These works excellent also on trout and chub. Probably barbell will take them, I'm not sure but these days I will try in a river where these ladies are swimming .
cheers,
Lucian

I will enjoy

looks like I will enjoy this site

Very nice and simple

Very nice and simple. I can see the perch going for those too.
Thanks for posting

NICE PRESENTATION !!

NICE PRESENTATION !! Very informative too. I like the fact that you still tie on Mustad hooks.(dosen't make me feel as old as I am)

Lovely!

Lovely! I would like to order a few.

You are very talente

You are very talented, your flies look so real, they even look like deer ticks. 10/10

Intend to use this i

Intend to use this in the marsh along the NC coast. Hope it's as productive as I hope. Easy tie and looks good on a #6.

Hi, Micro suede chen

Hi, Micro suede chenille is this widely available as I have chenille but it didn't look as stiff as the micro black suede chenille used on the Hawthorn Gnat which looked almost stick like

Would like info for

Would like info for the 2009 fly fishing (for bass w/poppers) vid in Montana. Is that location open to the public? If so, could you send the specifics to my email? Thank you.

Too many fish storie

Too many fish stories to tell about Hickman flats,back when you could not fish there unless you are in the Military or work for the Goverment.I was very fortunate to be able to fish there wading or Kayaking.Great place to fish...they are there you just have to have what my dad would say to us fish eyes.And you have to be Stealth no noise no sudden movement like most tourist.I am truly sorry you had no luck but like Dad would say to me and my brothers if it was easy everyone would do it......Ask me later I'll tell you how to catch at Hickam....Hana Paa Aloha.the lost Hawaiian

Quite true

Barry,

That's quite true. You should always select the hackle to fit the fly. It's the tips that do the magic - whether it's a soft hackle or a dry fly hackle.

A few patterns call for a clipped hackle, but that's to obtain the look that's provided by the clipped off hackle barbs.

Martin

I wrote the review

J,

I wrote the review, and as I write this I sit with my back turned to a bookshelf with many hundred books on fly-fishing and fly-tying, and compared to most of them this book holds a very high standard.

Coming from a scientific background I know that demands on research can be high and that a given article, paper or book must have "scholastic rigour" and of course be free of errors.
Luckily the world of fly-fishing and fly-tying does not require quite the same standard. A book shouldn't contain errors, but apart from that I'm personally interested in great writing, good presentation, personal views and a writer's ability to entertain, enthuse and educate me.
This book delivers.

My previous knowledge of soft hackles comes from other books and articles, and the few facts I have present do not collide with anything I read in this book. People with more profound knowledge (yourself maybe?) might see errors, missing facts, misleading content and bad research, but gullible as I am, I was impressed and both learned something and was well entertained underway, and no matter what, the amount of work put into this book is enough to impress me, and I'm sure many others would agree. I have seen a few other reviews online, and most seem to be in line with mine.

The book gave me an urge to start tying soft hackles and left me with a very good impression. I stand by my rating.

Martin

Never clip hackle if it is too long

I have read that one should never clip hackle if it is too long. Trimmed barbels will not float as well -- will break the surface tension of the water. Only use the correct length hackle. Is this true??

Far too enthusiastic

This review is far too enthusiastic. Although the book is well presented the it nowhere near deserves Global Class rating that your reviewer suggests nor is it "a modern landmark in the history of the soft hackles". It gives an overall impression of serious research but this is misleading. The historical section lacks scholastic rigour and contains far too many errors and assumptions.

Knut,

Those two i

Knut,

Those two in the picture is the closest you will come to Skull Head Sunrays on this site. We're a magazine. We sell nothing. We buy nothing.

But Jon who supplied the image sells them. Check his site for more info.

Martin