Who wants to get a fly swap started? My buddy just made an account on here (Bow92) and he wants to do a fly swap. He just started tying flys but he has gotten quite good.

Ok, repost this with your name and what fly you want to tie.

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker


Thanks,
Riley

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special

Brad

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast- Still deciding...

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast- Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug-I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast- Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug-I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer-BWO thorax

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. macrabbit, alternate swapper or BonusBoy - TBA

Count me in for an AuSable Wulff.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Im in, streamer prolly in a sz 6.

I spoke to HG last night, she wanted to be added to the list and we got Ned in, too.
M

I know this flags me as new, but how exactly does this work?

Tie up 12 of a pattern send them to AKGrayling (in this case) and in return he sends you one of each of the patterns listed.

I'll tie some Bow River Buggers.

I'm in, if there's still a spot open. I'll tie some V-Rib Golden Stonefly nymphs. What's the deadline to have the flies to AKGrayling by?

Leftybolt

I was leaning towards a bugger pattern myself. Conehead blk/olv sparkle, does anyone have a problem with 2 buggers. I can choose something else if so...

Think Grayling's list is starting to fill up..can't wait to see the new batch of flies

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - undecided
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. Leftybolt - V-rib Golden Stonefly Nymph
13. macrabbit, alternate swapper or BonusBoy - TBA

Steelhead must still be burned out after tying all those perfect Royal Wulffs for the last swap....

Fishkilla-
Can't have too many buggers for me, I'm always looking for a new idea there because they work.

I'd be up for a bugger-only swap sometime to see what pops up.

Good, I like the way you think!

I see no reason to chop this off at 13... If more want to play that should be just fine...

Will have Grayling post the rules and dates...
art

Well I think I will set the fly-in date sometime in early April.

Does that sound good?

Also will you label all of your flies with the name and the fly type. That would make it much easier for me.

Thanks,
Riley

I'm in if there is room. Ain't sure, was thinking Ausable but that has been taken. Perhaps another Wulff (White), foam Hopper (assuming I can get the stuff in this town), or my own creation I call the Patriot.

I agree with Sitka, there's no reason to quit at 13.

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - DeLong Lake Special
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. Leftybolt - V-rib Golden Stonefly Nymph
13. Steelhead - undecided

xx. macrabbit, alternate swapper or BonusBoy - TBA

I was assuming the cut-off, for ease of management, was the same as HG's dozen. Looks like we'll not need me as an alternate; but, AKG- call on me if needed.
Don't include me in the recipient list, as I only tie, don't fish, so cannot make use of your efforts. But I'll try to tie a BonusFly for y'all.
How about a bonefish fly (I have good reports during the CA shad runs, too)?

Im cool with more fly tiers.

Mac - I wouldn't object to any bonus fly should you feel like tyin' one up. Bonefish yes. Someday I will cast to one.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE doing saltwater flies....

Fishkilla, I think Steelhead just volunteered to whip up a few dozen tarpon flies for you.

I gotta a couple of drop dead saltwater patterns. No tarpon patterns, so to speak, them big minnows never turned my crank. I do like the juvenile tarpon though.........

When do these flies have to be done by?

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Tomorrow..............grin

I'll continue to be undecided right up to the time I start tying. It's all about what "moves" me that particular day..

I actually have the sparkle buggers done, alevins are moving me at the moment.....fishing tomorrow.

I changed my mind I'm going to tie a "Griffith's Gnat"


1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. Leftybolt - V-rib Golden Stonefly Nymph
13. Steelhead - undecided

xx. macrabbit, alternate swapper or BonusBoy - TBA

If you forgiving folks don't mind, I'd like to switch myself to a full swapper. I have a friend not long in the flyfishing game (but who has become a deft tier) who might appreciate getting the swap's assortment passed along to her.
(I won't push my luck by asking for my old number back )

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. Leftybolt - V-rib Golden Stonefly Nymph
13. Steelhead - undecided
14. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer

I also queried a trusted fisher about the performance of the BK. Besides being a killer sight-cast on the bonefish flats, the fly has succeeded as an attractor/streamer thingy for surf perch and for shad; and he tells me that it is of a type with some other sparse flies he takes to Alaska for salmon and that the BK will go along next trip. So I feel more comfortable tying it for the swap, knowing that it will be a usable fly.

macrabbit
It is real easy here to change your number and there is no reason why you cannot get fully into the swap, especially after your initial offer.

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. Leftybolt - V-rib Golden Stonefly Nymph
13. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer
14. Steelhead - undecided

SInce 18 isn't available I am sure steelie would still like to have a bigger number... And this number is guaranteed to you right up until someone else decides to change the order!
art

I think a good due date for the flys is mid April. How does that sound to you guys?

Riley

Sounds good to me!

Brad

Cool with me, are we still taking on tiers? Should maybe set a cap or date to close it too.

Well I think that we can take on tiers untill like a week or 2 before the due date for the flys.

Riley

Works for me. I'm going to need an address to send them to. I'd like to get mine out to account for extra mailing time from Canada. I'm shootin for end March/early April in the mail to ya.

Hey AkGrayling can I just give u the flies or do I have to send them to u in the mail?

Brad

How about no new tiers after April 1. Do you think that sounds good?

Riley

I just sent out my address to everyone involved in the fly swap that I thought didn't have my address. If you did not recive one then shoot me a PM and I will send it to you right away!

Riley

In the package that you send me could you enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope large enough for the flies? Also, please label each of your flies with your 24hr name and the name of the fly. That would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Riley

I'm tying BWO stuff for Saturday but I'll get working on mine next week. Shouldn't take me long.

I tied a batch of Polly Rosborough dark stoneflies yesterday because nymphs just were not moving me when I sat down... Used a mix of the dark stripe on dyed bucktails from a yellow and an orange. The darker colors are a tiny bit muted and mixed they look VERY right to me for the golden stone flies...

But I still might go back to the nymphs as I really like the idea of tying some using materials gleaned from posters here... notably some emu and Mearn's quail feathers...
art

Sounds like both Sitka and Hunterbug are getting a head start on a future swap.

Sorry everyone,

Looks like I'm gonna need to back out of the swap this time around. Was just informed that a business trip is going to require me to be gone for the rest of March up through the 2nd week in April. I'll be on board next time though. Also, I PM'd AKGrayling to inform him of my situation.

Good luck and good fishing, Leftybolt

Sorry to hear that. Safe travels to you!

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - undecided
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer
13. Steelhead - undecided

"Wet flies, what's the point?"
This question has remained unanswered far too long! Come down this summer and find the answer!!!!!!

Better yet go north! You must get to the bottom to dig out mr big.
Too bad we lost leftybolt, I was looking forward to another stone nymph. Nextime.

Been perusing the flyfishing archives abit and it turns out AKG knows a wet fly well, some nice fish back there.

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Still deciding...
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - foam ants
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer
13. Steelhead - undecided

Or at least I am gonna try to do it....wanna try something I haven't done yet, giggles....NO promises on whether or not they'll look/perform decently...LOL...

HoundGirl

The line was intended for grayling fishing. Last time I was on the Dechutes i did great with beadhead prince nymphs but on the other hand I did just as well with tan elk hair caddises. I love using droppers on my fishing also but that uses a dry .

This summer I'll try to go down and go fishing with you for a day or something.

Riley

As long as you'all don't require perfection, I've got mine ready. Here are most of them-

And a close-up.

The hook is a substitution (the usual is too few and rare for the likes of you) - longer than the regular - and I would have liked to have used the next size up in eyes but I didn't have any shiny enough (the likes of you are worth that much, at least).

AKG, any reason I can't send them in a fly box, safe & sound, and get my swaps back in same? (I'll send sufficient postage, of course.)

Yeah theres no problem with sending them in a flybox.

Riley

Excellent!

When I typed that quote I was thinking of some of the lakes around here where you could sit and watch a dry fly all day and never get a take, while a feeding frenzy is happening at the tops of the weedbeds on chironomid pupae.

I'd much rather watch the take, (so I think I'd love grayling!), but it seems the biggest fish in the lakes rarely come up. A strong wind blowing hoppers or ants onto the lake can sometimes make it happen.....

Vurtualy everything in Ak takes a dryfly! Its purdy fun.

Riley

Cool Mac, It will be some time before I cast to bones so I will cast it to salmon and it looks like it will work. I cant wait to see all the flies. Im done pending participants, i'll post a pic soon.
AKGrayling, I too am in Anch and when the time comes to get flies in I could drop them off or meet you somewhere like a local flyshop or something if it works for you. I really dislike standing in line at the post office.

Don't you guys get twice/day home mailbox service?






neither do I

That should be cool.

Riley

I wouldn't mind delivering the flies in person have a coffee or brewski but, the road trip is a bit much right now with the time of year and it is a loooong way from Southern Alberta. I've got the flies ready to send, will probably send on Monday.

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Beadhead Chironomid Pupa
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - foam ants
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer
13. Steelhead - undecided

I'm gonna do the Goddard Caddis, if it kills me...

If we don't see you online for a couple weeks, we'll know why!

Are you saving the full-dress Jock Scott for the next swap?

Goddard Caddis's arn't that hard.

Any time the recipe calls for spinning and packing and trimming, the time factor jumps up alot.
I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your labors Steelie!

I don't spin my deer hair i just tie it in in clumps. It takes less time, it makes a lot thicker flys and its just easier for me.

Riley

Got pics?

He's just being cocky...............grin

Saw where you mentioned on another thread it's still winter there. Sorry!!!! Makes more sense why you're going for the Goddard knowing that. We have open water and hungry fish here so there will be no tying during daylight hours!!!

Quit teasing us!

There will be no more tiers accepted so it looks like everyone will tie 13 flys. They will be due in sometime in the middle of this month sometime around the 15th

Riley

1. AKGrayling - Lewis Lunker
2. Bow92 - Griffith's Gnat
3. Castandblast - Beadhead Chironomid Pupa
4. Hunterbug - I'm thinking but probably a soft hackle peacock
5. Couesdeer - BWO thorax
6. Qtip - AuSable Wulff
7. Sitkadeer - stone fly nymph, exact tie to be determined
8. Fishkilla - conehead sparkle bugger
9. Houndgirl - foam ants
10. Ned - Undecided
11. Troutfly - Bow River Buggers
12. macrabbit - Bonefish Killer
13. Steelhead - undecided

Actually everyone ties 12 unless they want one of their own back.

Thank Christ, I'm thinking a dozen Goddard Caddis will kill me.

It might be a tad easier on the SwapMaster if all of the packages he makes up are the same, without having to keep track of which goes to whom.

Nice vise Q, here's the bugger I tied for everyone.

What's the tail on that, Fishkilla?

Black marabou with a couple strand krystal flash.

Oh. Looked a little too stiff and non-fluffy for the traditional marabou. My bad.

That a Regal vise? If so I have one of those too!

Riley

Yes indeed.

Hey, you guys are using my vise!!!!! Wish I could post pics but I'm not that technically advanced. Flies are in the mail though.

My flies will go out tomorrow.

Ok cool. I can't wait to get my line wet. I just got a new rod and it needs to catch something soon!

Riley

What did you get, AK?

Well Steelhead sent me and 8wt rod I think a Siera Custom and at the 'Great Alaska Sportsmans Show' I got a really great deal on a St Croix 4wt. It is for my Hardy Flyweight reel I got a while ago.

Riley

I bought a new reel

Well it turns out that the creek I was looking at going to recently had a body pulled out of it. I am still hoping to go but well away from that area.

Riley

Sweet deal, I had a 7wt handed down to me bout ten years ago that i still fish, in fact it's my go to Kenai trout rod, broken twice and replaced by the manufacture twice. Probably the best gift i've ever received. Good on ya Steelhead.
There is open water down south AKG. Been fishing all winter besides December.

Oh cool! What rivers? My go to Kenai rod is a 10wt fenwick. I do a lot of hawling in fast water on the Kenai.

Riley

Pm'd ya.

I'll use a 9wt on the sockeyes when they show up just to get them out of the water and back to trout fishin.

Sounds like me except I dont try to get the sockeyes out of the water

I'll have my flies in the mail on the 13th.

Out of the water and into my freezer.

Thats S.D.'s job!

The First set of flies got here, this one is from Qtip.

S.D. just got his flys done. He decided on a Green Drake Nymph.

Is that the "emu-butt drake"?

I think so

Trout fly's flys just got here. Here is a pic of on of them.

Bow River Bugger:


Riley

Glad they got there ok.

All these pics are dang purty.
But remember folks - they're for fishing, not admiring!

I'm almost done with mine. I'll get them out in the next couple of days.

Mine should be in the mail by the end of the week.

Mine are done. They'll be in Monday's mail. Here's a pic of what I tied. The soft hacle is willow ptarmigan that I got from Sitka Deer.

Nicely mottled feather.
Will global warming send those birds here to California?

Okay....I am all over getting her done this weekend! How many, total, do I tie????

Foam ants, here I come!!!

HoundGirl

macrabbit,

I ain't fishin' with mine. I think I may put them up in some sort of frame like one a friend gave to me. I'd rather have them on display with pattern/tyer's name listed too. I can always copy the tie and fish with that, but when it comes from someone else's vise they won't see water.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

Nice tie hunterbug! I like those simple "buggy" looking flies that catch fish. Peacock herl is great.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

No, but it will send flamingos to Anchorage!

I mailed the flies out on Friday. I gave up the the Goddard Caddis and just did some Skeeters.

I don't blame you. I don't spin deer hair. If I have to have a pattern that calls for spun hair I just break down and buy it.

I think that we're at 12 flies. At least I hope so because that's how many I tied.

I about threw my vice out the window. Can do it if I have the RIGHT hair, but I didn't.

What were ya using?

I have a stack of muledeer, whitetail, blacktail and elk. Body, hocks, etc, but none if it was working quite right. I have a patch that works VERY well for me, but it is getting trimmed down, so I use it only every so often.

Have you ever tried caribou body hair? I like it much better for spinning, when I do have to spin......

Yep, caribou actually works pretty good for the smaller spun flies. I HAD a truckload of it, and thought I still did, but I didn't.

Moving across country every 3 years makes it tough to keep up on 'things'....

I bet!
Have you found times when the Goddard was the ticket and simpler caddis patterns like the "X" wouldn't compete, (Or weren't bouyant enough maybe?)

It's more a bouyant thing methinks. You gotta remember that 98% of all my trout fishing has been for 'dumb' trout in Alaska. They hit most anything....

Most of mine has been on lakes, (which I recently learned are really called "Stillwaters"), so bouyancy hasn't been a big deal.

Steelhead, put your name on the list for the traveling box. There was a pretty nice piece of deer in it when last I saw it.

Just got 'em done, woooot! Mine will be on the way...tomorrow. Ned still has a few to tie....but he'll have his end wrapped up tonight...and I'll send both..

My ants SUCK....wish I had chosen another pattern....ugh.

HoundGirl

Qtip, I booby-trapped my fly - if water doesn't soak in at least every three months it will fall apart. That wouldn't look very good in your collection, so I guess you might as well fish with it!

AKG, I got to get my flies to you this week. I dont want to be last in but been busy.

I just got back from my bear hunt. (Unsuccessful :() But HG's, Ned's, Cast&Blast's and Steelhead's flies came.

Going out this week, sorry for the delay.

I just got cousdeer's and Bow92's flys.

Im out! Of town that is, for 10-14days min. My apologies, nobody at home to ship'em.

If you're not hunting, that's no excuse!

Mine are on the way. I gave them to my wife to ship before going out of town and when I got home they were still in her car! Sorry for the delay.

Did you get mine yet?

Yes I did.

You'll have to carry on without me. Sorry guys and gals.

Dang,
What do you guys want me to do with the extra flys?

I'm not in too big of a rush to get them. If you want to wait for Fishkilla to get home and get the buggers to you I'm great with that. He said he had them tied already.

I'm with castandblast (although I would have been more politic than to say "I'm not in too big of a rush to get them").

ya, that doesn't bother me either.

No problem here either. Life happens.

I'd have a fake obituary made if it gets me out of the next Fly Swap.......

They are tied and ready to go. They'll be off soon.

Cool....can't wait to see everyone's work, wooot!!

HoundGirl

My flies are in! Dropped them off with Art this evening and only a month or two after our date. Thanks for being patient, I doubt you'll be dissapointed. Good Luck.

Rumor has it the flies are in the mail... Rumor also has it a certain pair of cheaters may be using them a lot before others see theirs! Grayling and Bow are headed to Squarebanks to test drive some grayling and took some rods and flies...

Got em' today! Nice job tyers! Hats off to AKgrayling for putting it all together!

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!

The mailman cameth

Thanks, AKG

But did you get the flies?

You ar ecloser than anyone else... It has to take longer for you!

Great, I can't wait to see them. Hopefully they'll be in today's mail.

They came, and they are all very nice ties. Thanks all!

Got mine yesterday. Very impressive!

Got mine today....LOVE 'em!! Nice work, everyone!! Thanks, Riley, for putting the swap together....

HoundGirl

Bingo, just picked mine up this evening. Might try one on some kings tomorrow.....grin

Thanks Riley!

I got mine today. I work this weekend but I'll get then out next weekend. Great looking flies guys.

Mine came in todays mail. Very nice collection. Thanks all and to the Swap Meister: Well done.

Canada Post can be slow!!! Bought a few reels from Canada and have had one that arrived in two days and another that took three weeks...

I think they coined the term "snail mail", not the computer folks lol.
I've ordered stuff from the US that got to me quicker than stuff ordered in Canada at the same time and in stock at both locations.