I have been learning some things

[skiptomylu]

As many of you know I have that Rope Dub DVD and also have become friends with Don. Over time he offered to tie some jigs for me so give me some go by patterns which I have been studying and learning from. I have not tied many yet, but have shown a few like the one the was in my Sig for a while. I find it so very interesting how on some things I have been not seeing what fly tiers really do. I mean when you look at most flies and how they tie different materials is pretty set, but with this Rope Dub and how Don ties so different that others it is making me rethink a lot of things. I am getting to the point that there are no real rules for tying, there are things that are better tied a particular way, but most if not all of these if done right don't matter.

One thing I am talking about to give a very good example is marabou. I hardly even include the stem when tying a marabou tail, but Don since his methods are so different will many times will leave a stem in because the pattern and the way he ties makes it necessary to leave that stem in even if it is usually a thin one. I know taking the barbules off the stem for a tail makes it have better action, but he's sometimes not just tying it in a just a tail so it's way different.

Anyway I just thought I would share my thoughts and what I am seeing and will add more later. I have a lot of jigs and Roadrunners he tied for me and what a really nice thing he has done for me. It is also opening my eyes to a new thinking process that will make a difference in my tying to achieve different looks. Stay Tuned!

I just got a whole new load back from him so it will take me a while to take the pics plus I have to tie some jigs for orders. All the ones he tied I painted the heads and sent them to him and also gave him a good many hooks for flies and he also tied a good many flies. So far just took pictures of a few flies and will post one here to show a Florescent material one taken under a black light.

Skip

[MuskyGary]

Super nice skip, as you know I also got the DVD and after a few weeks Don e-mailed me to see how I was coming and if I had any questions! Super nice guy. Im not tying much right now but I do like his DVD and hope he comes out with a couple more.

[STUMP HUNTER]

That is a very nice fly. Great to hear you are digging into the fly tying. It's a different world in tying but I am enjoying it too. You can spend hours working on those little hooks Thumbs Up. Look forward to seeing some of your work.

[skiptomylu]

I have been tying flies almost since I started tying jig and even have some on my web site, but this rope dub has really got me going as it's just so different and exciting as no limits kind of tying. I learned to tie jig on FAOL site mainly, but learned a little other places too, but 100% on line. Don't remember any You Tube either.

Skip

[skeetbum]

We're the lucky ones. You keep prompting us with the ideas and new techniques you show us from time to time. The no rules idea is kind of my personality. Now my techniques just need to catch up. I tie lots of stuff I don't show anyone, but it's a step along the way. I say it all the time, but thanks Skip. Keeping us posted keeps us coming back to see what's new.

[skiptomylu]

You are very welcome!

Thank you Skeet I appreciate that you see why I do some of this stuff. It is a challenge to keep pushing my self and giving something for other so see if they want to do something different. There are a lot of rules in fly tying you know, how big the hackle is compared to the hook size and all that kind of stuff and usually for goo reason and they work. However there are always exceptions and that is where we can do something new and exciting. Then catch fish with it, what a high that is.

I will keep trying,

Skip

[Micropterus salmoides]

Thank you, Don.