Just looking for a discussion about realistic vs plain flies. I don’t really run in circles where I can have this conversation. I like tying and appreciating good looking flies. I enjoy opening my box and thinking “wow! Looks good”. I also tie a lot of simple flies, if I tie one, I’m tying a dozen. I also like to tie flies I no regrets over when the first cast catches a rock or submerged log.
I see so many hopper patterns with hot spots for visibility. I have nothing against them, but, are they necessary? Can’t imagine spending a day searching with a big hopper that needs a hot spot while waiting to drift small dries during a hatch that are 1/3 or 1/4 the size.
I just spent the last few hours trying to bring order out of chaos. So far, only some progress. My problem is a combination of geography and my wiring(not electrical, but, my internal). I have so much stuff. I tie bass flies, trout flies, pike flies, carp flies, bonefish flies, and anything else by the dozen (in two or three colors and sizes).
Looking for wading boot insight. My old Simms have given up the ghost after many wet miles. As of this writing, there is not a lot of hiking to the river. I need a pair of sturdy, supportive boots that can take studs in the soles. The studs aren’t always necessary, but come winter steelhead season, I’m taking every advantage I can to stay dry. Looking to stay at $200 or less.
Years ago I started tying flies. Started tying trout flies, mainly because all the how to guides consisted of directions for classic trout flies and wooly buggers, with the occasional bass bug. I persevered and became a proficient tier. Eventually, due to geography, I became a tier of bass, pike, and Spey (classic and contemporary) flies. After years of tying bigger flies, I now have a reason to tie trout flies again. My son is working the summer in Montana, so I need to send him a bunch of flies. After all the years of tying the big stuff, breezing through these trout flies is easy and relaxing. Nothing complicated, a bunch of nymphs and some dries.
I’ve been a bourbon and rye fan for many years. I’ve also enjoyed rum and I have decided to go down the rabbit hole. I have been enjoying Four Square products for a while, neat, on the rocks, or with club soda sometimes. I am however, struggling with the Jamaican “funk”. Even tried a daiquiri, splitting the rum between Smith and Cross and 3 year Havana Club. The funk was still too much. Perhaps it is not for me. Or maybe I need to acquire the taste over time with baby steps and start getting into tiki cocktails using the Jamaican rums.
I’ve shot irons my whole life, from my air pistols to my current inventory. I’m at the point in life that I can’t focus on the front sight without wearing my cheaters. I have one pistol that is factory ready for a dot. I usually carry a revolver, but, sometimes rotate to one of the semis. Anywho, if I put a dot on the one gun, practice, and become proficient with it, is there a deficiency that develops going back to irons? I’m comfortable with close up point and shoot, which I expect a sd to be. I understand anything can happen anywhere at anytime, but, after 53 years, still can’t think of a scenario I’ve encountered when I thought “wish I had my gun”