Do you tye under a light & magnifier?

[Pritts Apprentice]

I have had one of those daylight lights/ magnifier for 9/10 years now and never use to use the magnifier, only the lamp. However in the last few months I have found myself using the magnifier at every sitting and I am tying so much better flies than I was 5 years ago. Looking back to the flies I tied 20 years ago, quality seems about the same as what I am producing now under the magnifier, just reiterates how much your eyes deteriorate. I had started using the magnifier for just small dry flies, size 16 and down, but now use it for everything, it's so much easier.

Just wondered how many others out their found it easier with a little help from the lens. I don't wear glasses yet , but a few more years and I will need them to tye on a fly, noticed it was a bit more of struggle this season to thread the eyes, particulary in reduced light conditions.

[A. Fluker]

Use a desk lamp and have a small hand magnifyer close by.

Laser surgeons are queueing up at the door these days!

[christy27]

I have a magnifier on a flexable arm attatched to the vice. Rarely use it unless I have a tricky head to tie, usually caused by me not leaving enough room in the first place .

I would like to use it more though, just find that hand to eye co-ordination becomes strange. Feel like a surgeon. Consequently takes an age to tie a fly. As you say it does come out better though.

Guess if I practiced more I'd get used to it. Definately a much clearer picture of everything. I only wear specs for reading and tying.

Must try harder!!!

Chris.

[horses50]

I have tried useing the light and magnifier but cannot seem to get on with it so i just use the light and a pair of cheapo reading glasses 3 x magnification.

[Eddie O'Neill]

I use a lamp and 2x reading glasses, for the moment. I'm sure I'll need 3x very soon, sign of age and failing eye sight..

[Watersplatter]

Originally Posted by Pritts Apprentice

I have had one of those daylight lights/ magnifier for 9/10 years now and never use to use the magnifier, only the lamp. However in the last few months I have found myself using the magnifier at every sitting and I am tying so much better flies than I was 5 years ago. Looking back to the flies I tied 20 years ago, quality seems about the same as what I am producing now under the magnifier, just reiterates how much your eyes deteriorate. I had started using the magnifier for just small dry flies, size 16 and down, but now use it for everything, it's so much easier.

Just wondered how many others out their found it easier with a little help from the lens. I don't wear glasses yet , but a few more years and I will need them to tye on a fly, noticed it was a bit more of struggle this season to thread the eyes, particulary in reduced light conditions.

I'm exactly the same, I wouldn't tie without it now its become a habit, you do become fussier tho placing each and every thread wrap.

[Pritts Apprentice]

Originally Posted by christy27

I have a magnifier on a flexable arm attatched to the vice. Rarely use it unless I have a tricky head to tie, usually caused by me not leaving enough room in the first place .

I would like to use it more though, just find that hand to eye co-ordination becomes strange. Feel like a surgeon. Consequently takes an age to tie a fly. As you say it does come out better though.

Guess if I practiced more I'd get used to it. Definately a much clearer picture of everything. I only wear specs for reading and tying.

Must try harder!!!

Chris.

Agreed - it does take a bit of getting use to, but when you have mastered it and looking between the fly and also whats on the bench (means pushing the light to one side) I think it's a better way to tye. Ditto feeling like a surgeon.

[wobbly face]

I have a lamp and a magnifier on flexible arms. Have yet to use the magnifier though I do wear correction glasses when tying. I am suppose to wear reading glasses but rarely use them. The magnifier also has a white cover and can be used as sight board at the back of the vice.

[Cap'n Fishy]

Aye, age does not come itself. Always used a lamp, but didn't need any optical aids until I hit 40. Then it was 2x readers, then 3x, and these days 4x for tying flies. I wear varifocals for everything else, but I still find it easier to tie flies or change a fly at the waterside using the 4x readers, and my optician said there was no issues doing it that way.

The readers cost about £3 out a supermarket (though they are maybe a couple of quid more these days). Their focal plane is bang on the fly, sitting at normal distance from it. I have never tried the magnifying glass thing, but I can't see how it wouldn't be much more faff and hassle and more awkward than simply wearing specs.

Col

[mattybhoy]

i bought a light /magnifier a few weeks ago - although i don`t use the magnifier yet it has helped my tying tremendously.
lamp is on offer at maplin for £25 - a bargain.
22W Fluorescent Daylight Magnifier Lamp : Magnifier Lamps : Maplin Electronics