Tying TIMES October 2016 Volume 1 Edition 14 Fly Tying Group of the International Federation of Fly Fishers In this edition: Message from the Chairman ......2 Fly tying memories .....................3 Building Fly Plates - Part 4 .........4 Live Video Demos ......................8 Fly of the Month .........................9 The Western Coachman ..........10 Silkworm Gut ............................14 Threads - Part 3 .......................17 A Call for Articles ......................18 Calendar of events ...................19 Thanks to Bobby Clay ............. 19 Spotlight on Youth Fly Tier .......20 2016 IFFF Fly Tying Awards ....20 The Fly Tying Group of the International Federation of Fly Fishers is dedicated to the preservation, enhancement and support of the art of fly tying as a historic element of the fly fishing experience. Archiving of historic documents, development of educational and instruc- tional materials, teaching, and demonstrations are fundamental to perpetuating the art of fly tying for anglers who fish with the artificial fly. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please join us today.Please Note: You must be a member of the International Federation Fly Fishers to join the Fly Tying Group. Click here to join the Fly Tying Group Fly Tying Group Facebook Page http://www.fedflyfishers.org/#Si9EDE95 https://www.facebook.com/ifff.ftg 2 Tying TIMES Tying Times Editorial Southern Council where he has served as that Council’s Chairman – Tom H. Logan, FTG-BOG Communication Director and Newsletter Editor for many October 2016 years. I think it will be obvious when you read this issue that Larry brings impressive skills to the responsibility and will only take the standard set by Bob Clay to a higher level. Please note that while Tying Times is an important tool for sharing fly tying and teaching information with our members, we also are dependent upon you for the content and information we share. Larry has already begun send- ing messages and posts asking for articles from you. So, please do consider writing even a brief article regarding flies, materials and other fly tying subjects of interest to you. Suggestions of topics for which articles may be solicited are also helpful. Some of us are just now returning to normal from our sum- mer travels and attendance of the Fly Fair in Livingston, but fact is that plans are already underway for the next Fair that will be held again next summer in Livingston, Montana. The dates have not yet been firmed; however, some major changes are being undertaking in the Fair to increase atten- dance and provide a time when better fishing opportunities are available. It is anticipated that dates will be confirmed by mid-November. One of the major roles the FTG plays in planning the Fair is our invitation of skilled fly tiers to serve as Demonstration Fly Tiers at the center of the Fair. We have a Protocol for You may notice a subtle difference in the presentation of Management of Demonstration Fly Tier Invitations (Proto- this issue of Tying Times. Certainly no change in its quali- col) that we use for maintaining and managing a dynamic ty, but the fact is that our Editor of the past two years, Bob list for preparing those invitations. An important step in Clay, has turned the responsibility over to another set of how we add new fly tiers to the list as candidates for in- very capable hands. Bob, as you may recall, became our vitations is to invite Council Presidents each October to Editor when we upgraded our Fly Tying Group (FTG) recommend up to 5 fly tiers from their respective Councils Newsletter to a greatly improved format, committed to a as candidates for invitation to attend the next Fair. Addi- quarterly publication and gave the newsletter its name of tions to the list are by Council recommendation and that Tying Times. We extend a sincere “Thanks!” to you, Bob invitation has been extended to the Presidents. We asked for setting a high bar for our newsletter and most of all for that they provide their recommendations by October 28, as the quality of information on fly tying and teaching you’ve invitations are mailed no later than December 1, each year. made available to our members through this publication the The only criteria that must be met by tiers for invitation past two years. is that they must be a member of the International Fed- That said…I am delighted to welcome Larry Murphy as our eration of Fly Fishers in good standing and they must, in new Editor of Tying Times. He comes to us from the the opinion of peers, be a skilled and experienced fly tier, Tying TIMES 3 teacher and communicator who would represent a high ourselves as tiers and perhaps teachers of the art form and level of fly tying skill as a demonstrator at the Fair. The therefore play more of an educational role towards achieve- Protocol is also provided with each invitation to explain ment of the Mission. But, we also bend the barbs down on that assignments to tie at the Fair are based upon timely our hooks in order to safely release the fish we catch in good response to the invitation and until available times for tying health and we use only those natural materials that are legal are filled. to possess from birds and mammals to tie our flies. So, do we not also practice conservation of the fish and wild ani- I hope most of you are aware that leaders within Headquar- mals that are of fundamental importance to our continuing ters, the Board of Directors and our Councils are working enjoyment of fly fishing? Think about who we are and what on a new Strategic Plan that, for the most part, is already we do. Share this with a young person and invite them to in its first steps of implementation. That Plan is based in become a fly fisher, a member of the Federation and a con- a Mission Statement, which is “to support, enhance and servationist of tomorrow. Lee Wulff proposed this would preserve fly fishing opportunities”, and we propose to ac- happen decades ago, and it is even more important today complish this through our practice and advocacy of “envi- that we embrace this message! v ronmental stewardship and education.” Most of us think of Fly tying memories by Larry Murphy, Editor Sitting in front of a skilled fly tier is the first order of business. Strike up a friendly conversation, listen as the fly tier informs (or ask) what the fly pattern is and how it is constructed. Next discuss helpful tips on reasons some of the materials are used over others. I always ask permission to photograph the step-by-step procedures. And I will sketch a quick illus- tration of the fly pattern adding important notes. Lastly, I ask the fly tier to “The Morning After” tied by Marc Pinsel, named by Chris Helm. sign my illustration. Marc Pinsel, Hammond LA, is a very skilled fly tier. v 4 Tying TIMES DESIGN STRATEGY AND CONSTRUCTION TIPS FOR BUILDING FLY PLATES Part 4 of a Series Prepared by Steve Jensen Chair, Legends of Fly Tying Fly Plate Series The Fly Tying Group, International Federation of Fly Fishers Photography by Ralph Eichholz INTRODUCTION I begin by cutting the rod into 1½ inch lengths. This is In the previous article of this series, we looked at the steps easily accomplished by laying the rod on a flat surface next in building the boxes (hereafter referred to as “fly boxes”) to a ruler. Placing a single edge razor blade at the point of that will contain the flies mounted in the fly plate. One the desired length, the rod is rolled back and forth sever- concept that I really want to stress here: It is important that al times, scoring the rod with the razor blade. Once it is you design and cut the fly boxes, and then mount the flies in scored, the rod can be easily broken and it generally results those boxes prior to cutting the main mats. It is much bet- in a very clean break (see figure 1). ter to make adjustments in sizes of the boxes and then cut the main mats accordingly, than it is to cut the main mats first with the possibility that they may have to be discarded because the size of the fly boxes change. PREPARATION OF THE DOWELS I have seen a variety of materials used to mount the flies: pieces of cork, heavy cardboard, glass tubing, steel tub- ing, and wooden dowels. I use extruded acrylic rod for at least three reasons. First, it is transparent so it doesn’t detract significantly from the fly; second, it is rigid enough to support the largest flies but flexible enough that it can Figure 1. All that is needed to prepare the acrylic rods to their desired withstand sudden shock such as accidentally dropping length of 1½ inches: a ruler, sharp, single edge razor blade, and a supply of acrylic rod. the finished fly plate; and third, it can be easily drilled and shaped to better hold the fly. The next step is to drill a hole near one end of the rod Extruded acrylic rod is readily available from most plastics (approximately 1/8 inch from the end) to accommodate the stores or it may be purchased on the internet. The problem spear of the hook. I use a drill bit mounted in a pin vise with ordering from the internet is that it is generally avail- that is held by a rotary tool (I use a Dremel).