I need a gift for the fly fisherman dad who has everything (including a lot of “serious” flies I’ve tied), so now I’m looking for gag gift patterns. I’m thinking of stuff like an Adam’s with a San Juan worm tail, gurglers shaped like genitals, etc. Does anyone have any other funny ideas?

Long story short I haven’t tied in quite a few years and in my time mostly used cheap/cheap-ish fly tying kits and I have not forgotten what I did and did not like about them. Now that I’m an adult I’m more than happy to spend the money on something that is going to take away some of my past pain.

Ultimately looking for the best vice that will hold the hook the best and NOT have to clamp to the table. As for a bobbin I’m generally just looking for recommendations that may be better than “just something to get me by”

Any and all help is greatly appreciated

Tried to immitate an orvis "irresistible" pattern. Close enough and happier with how this one turned out.

Size 8, 3x hook. Deer hair, pheasant tail, grizzly hackel, and a fringe feather from a rooster apron patch on top.

Lead base to build up a shape, White Antron yarn body and brown marker, Loon UV clear

I found a copy of "How to Take Trout on Wet Flies and Nymphs" by Ray Ovington (1974) at a used book store. Reading through it I was delighted to see a mention of my local streams here in the Croton Watershed and Ovington mentioned a fly he used there. I want to tie some.

Time and again I have marveled at the "luck" that has come my way when using my sparsely dressed No. 16's. One of my favorites for New York's Westchester streams is a pattern I've dubbed the Commuter Special, for it is effective within fifty miles of New York City, especially on the many watershed streams. These waters yield fabulous fish to the few metropolitan anglers who work them with persistent care and caution. These fish live in better-than-average circumstances. They have clear cold water throughout the season, an advantage not always found in "natural" streams. Most of this water is in the form of connecting links between the huge reservoirs, and it is constantly full of feed. The fly life is mostly small caddis flies, stone flies and mayflies, and during the months of April and May the shady conditions affect the dark-brown and black colorations on the insects. My "Commuter" is so designed, tied sparse. The two tail fibers are black-brown and stiff. The body is of black-brown quill over black tying thread with grizzly hackle and mallard wings, and it is a combination that has consistently outfished many of the "standards."

Unfortunately no image or later mention, and I'm not finding anything about it online.

Tail: I was thinking pheasant tail for the tail fibers and peacock quill for the quill body.

Wings: Do you think mallard flank or mallard quills for the wings?

Hackle: Wrapped grizzly hackle, or stripped hackle barbs tied in at the throat? I'm thinking throat because it is a wet fly.

Thanks for your help!

got these from my dad- he tried flying ties back in the 80s but it never stuck and he gave these to me recently. I think the two on the right are deer fur, but not sure about the different colors. didn’t know why there were so much longer but feel similar to the deer fur. wanted to hear what others think

What’s up tying family, a while back End of June beginning of August Firehole ran a presale sale, I ordered about $150-175 worth of stuff. I have yet to have an update, originally they said it would ship the Middle to end of October, I know the hurricane set them back. Just wondering if any of you took part in this also or if you had heard any updates if you did. I sent an email about a week ago with no response. Thanks yall

Do you have a go to color for streamers? Does that change when fishing in the winter? Mark this under things I think about while tying flies 🤣

Anyone know of hooks that have big hook eyes. Those size 22 midges are getting harder and harder to tie on with cold hands and bad eyes when out on the stream

Size 8, 3X nymph hook. Alternated deer and slightly darker elk to give it subtle banding. Used a gold sharpie to add "eyes" and a horizontal stripe down the body. Wasn't prepared for the mess shaping the body makes.

Hook: curved dry Body wrap: pearl flashibou Thread: black 132D Wing: 2mm tan foam/ white trigger point/ natural elk hair Hackle: rust brown

Don't know if I can mention YouTube names or not. It's not my channel, so I'm not advertising. I guess dm me if you want a link.

I tie for a few people but I’m at the point now where I kinda want to expand and sell some premade boxes and patterns that I specialize in. I tie most of my flies at work, so why not make money while I’m already making money. I’m wondering about reaching out to companies to try and get discount or wholesale prices on things like bulk hooks and beads. Do I need to have an llc or be affiliated with a fly shop?