They never said fly tying was easy....

[wingman]

Come on own up wev'e all had them, those little blighters that we just can't get the hang of whatever we do and finally give up trying, wether we can't get the wings the required shape needed or it just doesn't look anything like it does in the book. Either its a certain fly we have problems with or a certain technique we just can't get to grips with.
For me it's wing rolling or folding and I can get through a good packet of bronze mallard in the time it takes for you to put the kettle on and make a cup of tea then sit down and watch coronation street (including the adverts).
Another close favourite would be trying to dub seals fur, i'm sure a subject that has had much discussion on here and the cause of many mental breakdowns (I am currently in remission). So don't suffer in silence be a man and face the world and expose your weaknesses, you'll feel better for it.... I hope anyway.

[christy27]

Every new fly I try is like that. Every new style takes for ever to get anywhere near something that looks as it should. Each and every stage of tying I find difficult. Not so much now because there are a few things I'm ok with but just around the corner is something new waiting to do my head in. I never quit though. I find fly swaps help because I have to tie lots of the same and they have to look the same.

Pet hate? Lightweight/small hackle feathers that snap just as you are about to tie off, for the third time, same fly .

[dabhoy]

Ok I will admit it I cant use that sticky backed lead it always end up being thrown in the bin . Boy do I feel good now Im ready to tackle the world now without the glasses and false beard.

Seals fur toughen up man open the wallet and get some real stuff instead of that old wirey stuff

[gelert]

ive been tying half a dozen dabblers every night for the last month and the starting to take shape.
i was lucky in that a friend showed me a few techniques and that has made a hell of a difference.
i think its like casting,theres only so much you can take from books,mags dvd etc,but having someone actually show you how to do it properly breakes the boundary.
paired wings and rolled wings are starting to take shape now as well.
so now i have a shed load of dabblers and wets of various dressings mainly concoctionswhich i will definetly use next season.
do i get frustrated,yes,do i swear and cursey,es but will i loose interest,never.

[oakham orange]

One thing about fly tying. Practise makes perfect

Ive been tying for over thirty years and im still practising.

[dabhoy]

Originally Posted by oakham orange

One thing about fly tying. Practise makes perfect

Ive been tying for over thirty years and im still practising.

Bloody hell OO and always thought you were a youngster funny how you get impressions of people on forums. Not that it happens on FFF very often

[articwolf]

Mark...the key to fly tying is as it has been said..'practice'..no matter how bad you may think the end result is, the next one is always better!

..the best way is as Chris has said...'fly swaps'..not only do you have to make a series of them, which gets better each time ..but..you are giving them away to others who may be just as good as you are or way better, which mentally puts you into a different frame of mind.

..when frustration sets in and it does to the best of us..take a break , leave it alone for now..watch the tube or go for a brisk walk..just to clear your mind, to chill out in other words..then you see it will turn out fine when u sit down to tackle it again...........AW

[wingman]

Yes thats funny isn't it, alot of people on here think i'm only about 25 but in fact I'm 46 but must admit I do look 25. I thought mrtrout was about 85 (first impressions) but having met him in person he's quite a youngish looking debonair sort of chap, I think its the name, it kind of conjures up an image of this old timer sitting casting his wise old flies by an old trout stream (sorry steven but its no worse than mine which has nothing to do with aeroplanes, more about wingin it thru life, which is what I do quite admirably.

I agree AW, better than bulldozing your house.

[nl123]

some good advice here,just bought all the gear,an have no idea:

[wingman]

Originally Posted by dabhoy

Ok I will admit it I cant use that sticky backed lead it always end up being thrown in the bin . Boy do I feel good now Im ready to tackle the world now without the glasses and false beard.

Seals fur toughen up man open the wallet and get some real stuff instead of that old wirey stuff

Open my wallet dabhoy? I'll need a crowbar for that. Are you referring to that seals fur sub stuff by any chance?