Home Forums Fishing Flyfishing 2010 24 HOUR CAMPFIRE Fly Swat

Sitka deer's Woolhead Polar Spuddler

So here's the Rogues Gallery from our 2010 Fly Swap-





Though sgt218 sent along an additional Squirrel Tail Grizzly King for the SwapMaster-



The mailman will have a load soon.

Northern neighbors-- how's about I send all five of you in one package?
You can have a little party at the Sitka deer shack to play with your toys.
(That is, unless we daren't risk such an august group all in one location in the event of a terrorist attack.)

Sounds like a great idea to me, although those darned Sitka Deer people are on a mighty sea voyage and lord knows when they'll be back in the shack. I expect some lolly-gagging between ports of call for fishing and shooting stuff.

Perhaps you could hold off shipping for a few days to save SD a trip to the Post Office? Or send 'em to me or Ms.Keeto. We promise to be good and not open 'til all are present. Your call.

Yeah, right-- them on a "mighty sea voyage"-




You're the destination, then.

Man good swap here. I'd swing those. Too bad I didn't get in on this. I gotta check in more often. When I saw the SD folks tying for the swat I figured I was too late.

See what you miss when you have a life?

(Talk to your postman. He might be able to snitch the Swap flies out of the mail room. I've heard that it's not a Federal offense, you being non-contiguous. I've heard.)

Nice work Mac, thanks for taking the time to coordinate, take pictures and send all the flies out. Many thanks.

You're a tad premature-- you don't have the promised flies in your grubby mitts yet.

But, you're welcome.
This has been an absolute blast.
You folks will get more flies out of this than I will, but I got all the fun. No contest that I come out ahead.


Now if only the USPS site would come back up, I could finalize my shipping options!

Looking forward to seeing the goods! Thanks for an extra fine effort!

M

It's all in the mail, folks.

I'm not only not a professional photographer- I'm not a professional mailroom boy.
I hope to heck I put the right flies in the right boxes, put the right addresses on the right packages, gave the right fly boxes back to the right owners, and otherwise got the right right. Right.
Knowing this crowd, I'll hear about any mix-ups.

And as a reminder, HERE'S the Success Pics thread.

SwapMaster's Official Report

All 12 tiers & 143 flies accounted for.
Average return postage- $4.08
Net gain/<loss> to SwapMaster- 2 flies + $7.20 + 2 small gifts + $8.08 saved by not having to mail my own flies to myself - <several small cardboard boxes, foam to fit, rubber cement that fails, a few paper towels (clean) as packing> - <a bunch of bonus Aztecs> - <a trip to the PO>.

Some suggested guidelines for Swaps-
(These aren't complaints from this Swap, just general musings now that I know what the SwapMaster job entails. I'm ready to do it again.)
(please chime in)


Include something reasonable for return postage. $5 or less should do.
. No volunteer SwapMaster should have to shoulder the entire cost.
. But don't be over-generous. That could put an additional sense of obligation, with no way to fulfill it, on the SM.

Send your own fly box or other reusable container.
. Anything but nymphs requires more than a flat envelope, and putting together a dozen suitable boxes entails quite a bit of effort. As best you can anticipate, use a box large enough to fit the return flies (your engagement ring box might fit your dozen #22 midges, but will it fit the shark flies the others tie?).

Make up, if not install (not always packagingly convenient), your own 'toe tags', with fly name and tier handle. And avoid too large a tag.
. Another SM-saving chore.

Tie enough flies for all participants, including yourself.
. Keeps the SM's job simple, not having to track different fly sets.

Keep the SM informed.
. Being a little late is no big deal, but silence leaves the SM in anxious, and helpless, limbo.

Have fun with it all.
. That's an easy one. Should be first on the list.

Now I'm trying to figure out which infraction I committed... and how many....

Now, come on!



You've been SwapMistress. Any thoughts?

I think it confused the heck out of me.

I agree with all your comments, especially the one about tying as many flies as there are participants, including one's self, as trying to keep it straight as to who would get what would be insane. Or at least drive one to drink. Hmmm... might not be a bad thing for some...

Swampmistress, once upon a time...

BTW, troutfly,
I hope the folks at Canadian Customs have senses of humour...

Some do, some don't. lol Typical govt types. It usually is easier to send flies/materials to Canada than for me to send to US due to the materials we can legally use here that are veboten in the States ie Seal fur dubbing, Polar Bear etc.
I usually don't have problems with flies being sent back and forth.
Seriously, the only issue I could foresee would involve CITES stuff but I don't send anything tied with "controlled" materials. Looking at the rogues gallery you posted earlier I don't think there are issues. Looking forward to trying out some new patterns.

I want to express my thanks to Macrabbit for setting this up. I just returned from my trip from Ontario for pike, walleye and brookies.The pike really tore up Macrabitt's flies up there. ( Did you soak them in meth or crack cocaine?) Will post pics. I received some really good innovative flies from the guys on here.

Next week trip to Montana will try the sculpin patterns on browns and other patterns on the trout on the Blackfoot reservation.
Cheers!

Yippee!
Glad it went well.

We've a thread already started for Success Stories & Pics- HERE

"The pike really tore up macrabitt's flies up there."
I sure hope you mean that in only one sense! Durability should be better than average.

And I have one more fly to send to you, skunkedagain's (ed's note- I rushed out ribka's share because of the Ontario trip). I was holding off in case you wanted some additionals. If you do, make a quick request so I can get hers to you for MT.

And I don't know but what some of us might be willing to replace any Swap flies that won one too many battles with pike teeth.