Norm Norlander Tying at Mountain Home, AR
Many years ago, Norm Norlander, came to the fly tying show in Mountain Home, Arkansas. At that time, he brought a truck load of his Novice System with him. He sold them all. I bought one and have use it ever since. There are a number of things I like about his fly tying system.
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Mercury Midge
I have been tying flies since the 1980’s. Generally, I avoid tying small files (size 18 or smaller) because initially I thought they would be hard to tie, now because I can’t see well enough to tie them onto my tippet. After talking with Cecil Woodman at the Branson Fly Fest, I became encouraged to try tying a few small flies (size 18 to 22). Read More
32John McKim wrote Fly Tying – Adventures in Fur, Feathers and Fun in 1982. It was one of the first fly tying books I bought while trying to learn how to tie flies. John is an author, former directory of the Federation of Fly Fishers (before the name change) and an artist. In this book he illustrates the flies and tying technique with his own black and white drawings.His drawings explain things better than a photograph would.
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The Fly Fishing Expo in Branson, MO occurred this last weekend. Sponsored by the White River Fly Fishers and spear headed by Dennis Stead and other volunteers, it was a big success. It seemed to me to be bigger than last year. As usual I got to see a lot of old friends and make new ones. Read More
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Registration Area
As I said in my previous Post, I like going to Fly Fishing shows. Michael Ames and I just returned from FlyFest 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This show was billed as a gathering of fly fishers and was a big success. The first in person gathering since covid. Although it was not as big as some pre covid shows, it was well attended. As usual I saw a lot of old friends and made new ones.
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Finished Woven Body Damselfly
I like going to fly fishing shows. Recently I attended the Annual Sowbug Roundup in Mountain Home, Arkansas. The show usually occurs in late May. I have demonstrated fly tying at this show for years. It’s a chance to see old friends, make new friends, and invariably I learn something new. This year was no exception.
Bruce Whittle was there demonstrating a Woven Body Damselfly Nymph. Bruce is a Veterinarian from Trenton, Missouri. He has been tying for years but he hasn’t been to the Sowbug for a while. He specializes in tying woven body flies.He showed me a technique for imparting a swimming motion to the Damselfly Nymph.
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Triangle Bug
The Triangle Bug is a foam panfish fly that is quick and east to tie. The shape of the fly also makes it harder for the fish to swallow, provided the fishes mouth is not too large
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