Private Tying Lesson

 Welcome to the "Irish Flies" blog. This is my first Blog post from my new site and I hope you all enjoy it. I will do my best to keep up with the Blog, putting up new content regularly. There is nothing worse than a blog that never gets updated or, when updated,the post is a smattering of poorly taken pictures just thrown up in no particular order with no content. You would have a better time getting your teeth drilled than reading some of the posts that are out there. I am hopeful that you will find the blog posts both entertaining and informative. Comments are always welcome and I would encourage your input. 


This past Tuesday I was in a familiar spot as it was time for my bi-weekly private tying lesson with a former customer turned good friend. We have been doing this for quite some time now and I have really come to look forward to this particular Tuesday night. Our focus has been on articulated flies. Some nights we will do one of my patterns, other nights I will demo a pattern from one of the great tyers that are pushing the envelope of fly design. For this lesson I chose to teach a pattern from one of my favorite Tyers, Rich Strolis. Rich owns Catching Shadows, a great Blog with tons of videos showcasing his great patterns. For this lesson we tied the Masked Avenger, a great pattern that I have had some success with this past year. Marabou and Arctic Fox...you cant go wrong. 

---

Set up and ready to go. I still love tying on that old Regal. It has been my travel vise for a long time now, it is kinda like an old friend.

The rear section of the fly complete. I wish I had a better picture of the Marabou tail. If you aren't palmering  your marabou make a point to learn how. It really doesn't take much longer than  tying a "bugger" style tail. It looks much better and moves like crazy! The reverse tied Arctic fox gives this fly a great profile without adding much weight. 

Here is the tail section connected to the front hook. Thar Polar Chenille really lights up against the Marabou. 

Over the shoulder pic as the front half of the fly comes together. 

 Here is the finished fly. I would say the lesson was a success, wouldn't you? To top it all off when we were done tying they had me stay for dinner and we talked fishing, fly tying, and about my new venture "Irish Flies" over some of the best Mussels Marinara I have ever tasted. It is nice to come into someone's home and feel welcomed, that is just the way I feel every other Tuesday night...welcomed.


For more information about the private tying lessons click here. If you would like to schedule a lesson or two please use the links at the bottom of the page to contact me. Until next time.


                                                                                                               Tight lines...