HOWEVER, SPFF’S FLY TYING CONTINUES IN THE AGE OF CORONAVIRUS

 

March 11, 2020 ~ The Beginning Fly Tying graduates received their diplomas.

     Typically, our graduates would join our regular Wednesday night fly tying sessions to learn additional tying techniques and create more complex flies.

March 20, 2020 ~ Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Californians to shelter-in-place.

     Now, with the  shelter-in-place order, in-person fly tying was out of the question. I was concerned that without having a continuing instruction experience our graduates would soon lose interest in fly tying. So, what to do?

April 16, 2020 ~ First attempt using Zoom

     I contacted the grads & told them I’d try starting some tying sessions, teaching simple patterns using the limited materials they were issued in the class. Initially there were some major challenges with the camera, the lighting and the Zoom app. After few weeks of stumbling, everything began to fall into place. 

The highlights……….

• The Camera & Lighting issues were resolved.
• The students and I got much better at using Zoom. (Thanks Cat White)
• Some PHW Vets and a few of the regular Wednesday night tiers got wind of what we were doing and joined the group.
• Cece Rubin notified all the SWC Clubs about our meetings, and Cat White put out the word on SPFF’s Fly Tying Group Facebook page. Even more folks joined in. 
• In May all participants began receiving a schedule of the flies we’d be tying and their material lists. This allowed everyone to choose which flies they wanted to tie, get their materials, and join in for tying on the appropriate dates.

     So, what started as an experiment with a small group has now grown to 100 participants, with 20-30 usually attending our meetings. A few of our tiers are in the process of setting up cameras so they too can host meetings and teach some flies. This is wonderful news for me!

     It appears that Zoom is how we’ll continue to meet for the foreseeable future. Contact me at education2@spff.org if you’d like to join the group. We meet from 6:45 to about 9:00 every Wednesday. 

    Many thanks to all the participants & helpers. I long for the day we can get back to in-person Dinner & Fly Tying sessions.

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SPFF Zoom Fly Tying Schedule for October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4, 11, 18

***** This schedule is subject to change *****
When you search YouTube or look through books, you’ll find many versions for most of the flies we tie.
If you don’t have a suggested material, SUBSTITUTE with something you do have & learn the tying process.

HOOK: TMC 2457 or similar, #12 - #16
THREAD: UTC 140 denier, color to match the body 
DUBBING: Super Fine Dubbing, color to match the body
BODY: Sili Worm, Color of your choice

10-14

MOLE FLY

MATERIALS
HOOK: TMC 2487 or equiv. #10 - #24
THREAD: Grey UTC 70 denier or UNI 8/0
BODY: Brown Beaver Dubbing (Don’t substitute for this)
WING: 3 strands of White Fluoro Fibre or similar & 2 Natural CDC feathers

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Xo3oxHBLz4c&list=PLgrWTCSM4ueoglUU7YFkOlhh2aFNZtL56&index=10

10-21

WD-40 PLUS

MATERIALS
HOOK: , TMC 2488 or similar, #16 - #22
THREAD: UTC 70 denier, Yellow Olive
TAIL & SPLIT WING CASE: Mallard Flank fibers, dyed Wood Duck 
BODY: Tying Thread
WING: CDC Puff, Light dun
THORAX: Super Fine dubbing, Brown

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDX8tnAKVU&t=20s

10-28

BALANCED LEECH

Updated 10-23-20

MATERIALS
HOOK: Daiichi 4647 or similar, #10
THREAD: UTC 140 denier, White 
BEAD: Tungsten 1/8” or 5/32”, color of your choice
EXTENSION ##: Size 20 - 1¼" long Dressmaker Pin, cut off to 1/2" long back from the head
TAIL: Black Rabbit Fur or Black Marabou Fibers + a few strands of UV Pearl Krystal Flash 
BODY: Arizona Simi Seal, #21 Black/Blue or #49 Black Magic

ALSO NEEDED: Super Glue, Red Sharpie (optional), 3⁄4” wide Scotch tape (optional)

## - Available at Joann Fabrics ~ Also FREE at Fishermen’s Spot (Dave Shaffer has them, just ask).

 

NOVEMBER

11-4

BIRD’S NEST

MATERIALS

HOOK: TMC 5262 or similar, #8 - #20

THREAD: Tan 8/0 (70 denier) or 6/0 (140 denier)

WEIGHT: (Optional) Lead /lead-free wire or tungsten/brass bead - sized to hook

TAIL: Wood duck or mallard flank

RIB: Small copper wire

BODY: Hare’s ear dubbing

THORAX: Hare’s ear dubbing

HACKLE: Wood duck or mallard flank

11-11

PEACOCK CADDIS

MATERIALS

HOOK: TMC 100 or similar, #12 - #20

THREAD: UTC 70 or similar, olive or tan

BODY: Peacock Herl

WING: Fine Deer or Elk Hair, natural

HACKLE: Grizzly rooster neck or saddle

11-18

WALLY WING MAYFLY (Rich Ress teaching)

MATERIALS

HOOK: TMC 100 or similar, #14

THREAD: 8/0 or 6/0 (70 or 140 denier), light gray, tan, olive, blue dun, etc.

TAIL: Coq de Leon or microfibbits or paint brush bristles

BODY: Superfine dubbing, color to match thread

WINGS: Mallard Flank, natural

HACKLE: Color of choice (just about gape size & shorter than wings)

     

11-25

TOMORROW’S THANKSGIVING ~ thaw your turkey - bake your pies ~ NO FLY TYING TONIGHT