Recommendations for Filling a Box to Practice Tying

[tjm]

I've never ever caught a fish on an egg fly nor a San Juan Worm. Picked up a hundred or so of each in the park, as new and lost by others,  and almost always give them a some casting time, but to me they are useless. (or I don't have a clue how to use them)

Midges are useful flies but not much practice for fly tying. Tie you up a hundred #16 & #14 parachute Adams. You have not started to practice until the second dozen of the same  pattern in one sitting.

[Flysmallie]

6 minutes ago, tjm said:

I've never ever caught a fish on an egg fly nor a San Juan Worm. Picked up a hundred or so of each in the park, as new and lost by others,  and almost always give them a some casting time, but to me they are useless.

Midges are useful flies but not much practice for fly tying. Tie you up a hundred #16 & #14 parachute Adams. You have not started to practice until the second dozen of the same  pattern in one sitting.

I used to do well in the park with a chamois worm but I don’t think I have ever fished a true San Juan. 
 

99.999999999% of the time I fish Roaring River I’m starting with a pine squirrel leech and usually never change. You aren’t going to stand in a spot all day and catch fish. But if you want to cover some water it’s a super fun fly to fish. 
 

If that doesn’t work then it’s a Griffith’s Gnat. If that doesn’t work I either try a soft hackle or go home. 

[tjm]

1 hour ago, fshndoug said:

Most students have trouble tying larger flies let alone small flies.

I have tied flies for about 46 years and still have much more trouble with large flies than with small ones of the same pattern, particularly dries,  but I think midsize may be easiest to get materials to match the fly proportions, which is the hardest part for beginners,  many materials are too small for #6 and too large for #20.

9 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

try a soft hackle

I've sat on my stool in one place at RR  and caught fish for two-three  hours many times with soft hackles. Although with the dredging and canal building the fishing is getting poorer for flies and better for spin casting.

 

11 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

But if you want to cover some water

If I'm in a hurry, I will just drive by. There are so many stupid trout in those pools that I can never train them all.

[Nick Adams]

55 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

99.999999999% of the time I fish Roaring River I’m starting with a pine squirrel leech

Which version do I use? I tried tying up the Charlie Craven version but I suck at dubbing loops, so I just palmered the collar.

 

 

[Nick Adams]

Scuds a good for practicing dubbing, since that's about all they are (plus a rib and an optional back).

I think if you went to RR or Taney with the list provided, you'll catch fish.

I like a san juan on a 1/80 or 1/00 oz jig head at RR in red. I wrap the shank with the chenille. It's easy to tie, gives good practice and is productive.

[andrew141]

2 hours ago, fshndoug said:

I have taught fly tying classes for over 30 years. Most students have trouble tying larger flies let alone small flies. Get on You Tube and learn some basic thread and material handling videos. Like any craft you need to practice. Don't let what someone else likes to fish influence you. Good luck.

I took a class from our local fly fishing group, MAKO, last summer/fall and really learned a lot.  I feel pretty comfortable tying buggers and other streamers like Clousers and Galloup's Lazer Legal, as I am primarily a bass fisherman (warm water), so that's what I started off tying for.  I am wanting to start tying more small flies and do some more trout fishing.

1 hour ago, fshndoug said:

Andrew141 , question have you ever fly fished before. Like Wrench said any fly will catch fish. I really like to sight fish but you need good eyesight, polaroid glasses and practice. Get on You Tube and watch video presentations of different types of flies. What city do you live in. I am sure their is some local sources of info like a fly shop.

I have been to RR a few times and received some recommendations from Tim's for those days.  I live in Joplin, MO and there is a tackle store there called Bud's Bait.  They have been expanding their fly tying selection a lot recently, and have a guy that helps run the MAKO group that works there and he has been really helpful.  I was just wanting to see what people on here have been using.

Here is what I have been working on so far.  Some sz14 - sz18 Pheasant Tails and sz16 - sz20 Three Dollar Dips by Nick Nicklas.  I chose the Pheasant Tails to try and work on being consistent with my sizing and proportions, and the Three Dollar Dip to work on thread control - making the taper smooth and to have enough tension to hold the little bit of deer hair tightly without it rolling, but not breaking the 8/0 thread.

[tjm]

At RR use Tim's suggested flies, buy a couple of each and use his as patterns for your ties. Tim has fished that stream all his life and sold flies for it for over thirty years, he knows those fish. 

I like Pheasant Tails, Gold Rib Hare's Ear,  palmered dry flies like Crackleback, Woolly Worm, Griffiths Gnat and any kind or color of soft hackle in that park. I never use any flies smaller than #16 there and often go #12 in dry flies. Those aren't wild west trout that need a mythical pattern and 80' cast. I don't personally like bead heads, but if you fish under a suspension device they work, I never learned how to use them well.

  In Shoal Creek I'd go with Tap's Bug,  Gartside's Gurgler, Calcasieu Pig Boat, Zonker, Seaducer, Deciever, etc. and 1/32oz white or yellow marabou crappie jig. 

Your Mentor is doing you fine, your flies are pretty darn good for a beginner, imo.

Oh, one thing you might change, I'd never use that 8/0 thread either, unless I was tying all #20 and smaller, it just takes a lot more of it to do the same thing. I use 6/0 a lot, 3/0 some  and for the bigger flies like the #4 and up may go to much larger thread. I've been using some upholstery thread from the sewing department. 

[tjm]

For dubbing techniques, this is about the best tutorial I've seen- download and save if you can- https://web.archive.org/web/20140404211644/http://thelimpcobra.com/2013/01/08/fly-tying-a-complete-dubbing-techniques-tutorial/

[andrew141]

22 minutes ago, tjm said:

At RR use Tim's suggested flies, buy a couple of each and use his as patterns for your ties. Tim has fished that stream all his life and sold flies for it for over thirty years, he knows those fish. 

I like Pheasant Tails, Gold Rib Hare's Ear,  palmered dry flies like Crackleback, Woolly Worm, Griffiths Gnat and any kind or color of soft hackle in that park. I never use any flies smaller than #16 there and often go #12 in dry flies. Those aren't wild west trout that need a mythical pattern and 80' cast. I don't personally like bead heads, but if you fish under a suspension device they work, I never learned how to use them well.

  In Shoal Creek I'd go with Tap's Bug,  Gartside's Gurgler, Calcasieu Pig Boat, Zonker, Seaducer, Deciever, etc. and 1/32oz white or yellow marabou crappie jig. 

Your Mentor is doing you fine, your flies are pretty darn good for a beginner, imo.

Oh, one thing you might change, I'd never use that 8/0 thread either, unless I was tying all #20 and smaller, it just takes a lot more of it to do the same thing. I use 6/0 a lot, 3/0 some  and for the bigger flies like the #4 and up may go to much larger thread. I've been using some upholstery thread from the sewing department. 

Thanks so much for the info and the tips! I really appreciate it!

[snagged in outlet 3]

10 minutes ago, andrew141 said:

Thanks so much for the info and the tips! I really appreciate it!

Your flies look great.  You're good to go!  Post up some pictures when you report back.  @Johnsfolly loves them.