With my Squimpish Flies TFFS booth performance anxiety starting to ramp up I figured I'd better sit down at the vice and practice. I'm not really nervous because I've come to some realizations in my life. I'm not built like nor look like a porn star when it's go time. And, I'm not one of those elite tiers out there who can create art and magic at the vice. I tie flies, for me, that catch fish, or not.
I don't try to instruct or act like I know anything more than any other average tier out there. So with that I sat down, found what I needed, and gave those "Four Turn Brush Flies" a go. My goal wasn't to tie them pretty, or even correctly, but to recapture that tying muscle memory you get when you're in a fly tying zone. I would think commercial tyers have that, similar to a baseball pitcher or golfer.
My first fly was a "Four Turn" that really tuned into five because I added a turn of another color on the head. I did put some eyes on it but those are more for me than the fish, and usually, they're off within the first couple of casts. These are so easy and don't take long. The fly on top, which is below as well, took 12 minutes and came in at around 10 inches. Easy. Peasy. Done.
In addition to the Squimpish Brushes, which you can buy at a discount if you click over to the right, you'll need the following stuff to get it done. I tied the those on the Popovics AHREX SA290 in 6/0. Some fine mono thread, glue, scissors, pliers to cut the wire in the bushes, a comb, and some eyes if you choose. There's a little learning curve, but it's pretty easy.
I then tied a second fly. A "Two Turn", yep two turns and done in 7 minutes. This one comes in really at around 8 inches, perfect for a peanut bunker or small herring. You can add flash and eyes and I put some peacock herl down the spine. It's all you.
If I sit down and get all particular these could be really nice, but I don't do nice. I lose more than I can count, on the bottom, on the backcast, and on the big fish. I'm contemplating adding some hackles out the back but why? It would probably only get in the way. Now that I know I still have it, like in my head and with some ability, next time I'll slow it down to get some that I wouldn't be embarrassed by setting them out for others to see. I do miss tying and need to restock the ammunition locker soon.
