Starting a new Fly Swap -- Midges

[Teewinot]

Anyone interested in joining in on this swap let me know.

The theme will be Midges since winter fishing is upon us.

I plan on limiting this swap to about 10 - 15 people so sign up now if you are interested.

As soon as enough people get signed up let's plan on two weeks to tie up our patterns.

If you are interested please post your name and pattern, then send me an e-mail at justclimbit2@hotmail.com so I can keep you informed through e-mail as to the status of the swap.

[bcsort]

I was wondering what happened to the swapin.

Midges, huh, I know my favorite pattern from last winter was the Yong Special but I think I am going to tie up something different. I will get back to you on a particular pattern but count me in.

[Jason]

I'm in.

[flyfshr8]

Yeah, I'm in too. I'll tie a little glass bead number I think ya'll will like.

We need Mike (Admin) to tie us up some of those lil' black fellers he uses on the Green. The ones he showed at my first (and only ;-( ) tying meeting.

[LBM]

Count me in. I'll tie my favorite San Juan pattern, the Johnny Flash.




Larry

[icthys]

I just need to decide what I'll tie. I'll get back to you.

[bner]

I will join, let me get back with you on a fly

[dryfly]

Count me in, I will decide what to tie in the next couple days.

[THeBLender]

as I've never been part of a "swap" but don't know if you will be too pleased with the supremely inferior flies I tie (just ask Jason).

[Mike]

I'll bite... I'll even tie the Gorge Burger Midge *if* someone else ties some small midge dries or emergers. I can tie at least 3 or 4 midge pupae in the time it takes me to make a non-crappy looking GBM. I don't like submitting ugly flies... even if they work! =)

[Teewinot]

It looks like so far we have:

bscort -- I wouldn't mind seeing the yong special
Jason -- Death Midge
flyfshr8 -- Glass Bead Midge
LBM -- Johnny Flash San Juan pattern
icthys -- ?
bner -- cased caddis pattern
dryfly -- ?
THeBlender -- ?
Mike -- Gorge Burger Midge (I'd like to see you tie this one)
Teewinot

This is a great response. Let's cap it at 15. We have 10 for now so everyone start tying up their flies.

5 more spots for the next quick ones to sign up.

[Junge]

Ok, I'll bite, count me in...now to decide what to tie.

Scott

[Cary]

I must be crazy, dont know where I'll find the time...

But, I'll tie a dry - kind of a variation of the Kaufmann Hatching Midge. Mike, your're on.

[jdubya]

I'll do the improved buzz ball. one of my fav's in the winter..

[Justin Q.]

I didn't count the number of tyers, but if there is still room, count me in. I don't know what I will tie yet, but the old standby with will be the BH YS Zebra.

[THeBLender]

Peacock Midge Emerger from the Fly Tying section (?)

[Mike]

It's on then! I'll tie the simple, but pain-in-the-arse to make look neat and float right, Gorge Burger Midge.

[icthys]

a midge emerger, I'll call it the--- "mooseknuckle"---

[Teewinot]

Teewinot -- Fall Midge Emerger & Griffith's Gnat
bscort -- ? (I wouldn't mind seeing the yong special)
Jason -- Death Midge
flyfshr8 -- Glass Bead Midge
LBM -- Johnny Flash San Juan pattern
icthys -- Mooseknuckle
bner -- cased caddis pattern
dryfly -- ?
THeBlender -- Peacock Midge Emerger
Mike -- Gorge Burger Midge
Junge -- Vinyl Midge Emerger
Cary -- Kaufmann Hatching Midge
jdubya -- Improved Buzz Ball
Justin Q. -- BH YS Zebra (for now)
fanatic -- Trout Crack

Ok this swap is now capped off. No More Entrants

If your name is on this list you are in. If you have a ? by your name you need to decide what you're going to tie.

I'm going to be tying two of my favorite patterns so we have 16 entrants which means we tie 15 flies each to send in.

Total Flies to Tie: 15 each (or 16 if you want one for yourself)
Ship all Flies by: Wednesday, December 4th
Everyone please e-mail me your name, username, and fly you are tying justclimbit2@hotmail.com

Happy Tying!!

[fanatic]

I've never done a fly swap but it sounds like fun. Is there still room for me? I can tie some trout crack. It's a great simple midge pattern that works on the green or provo all year.

[fanatic]

I must have been composing my message at the same time you were. I can get in on the next one. Happy tying.

[Teewinot]

Fanatic -- Once this swap is over we can get another one going. Watch for a new one starting aroung the second or third week of December.

It's getting colder and so there should be plenty of swaps starting.

If you like email me and if anyone drops out I'll add you in.

[Jason]

TEE, you might as well up the max number to an even 15 and let baby Fanatic in. Heck, up it to 25. Well, maybe not. Mike might commit suicide trying to tie 25 GBM's in two weeks. ;-) 15 is a good number to stop on.

[Teewinot]

That's fine with me if everyone doesn't mind tying 15 flies.

fanatic -- You're in if you like -- Looks like you were planning on tying a trout crack. E-mail me your name, username, and pattern so I can keep everyone straight.

Everyone tie 15 flies (or 16 if you want one for yourself) and please e-mail me your name, username, and pattern then I will respond with the information as to where to send your flies. If you don't add your username it's hard to keep everyone straight. Thanks

Sorry Mike if we're killing you with additional flies, but I'm looking forward to seeing your pattern.

I edited the above post to show the changes with fanatic added on.

[Mike]

It probably wouldn't be a big deal if I:

a) were a faster tier

b) didn't care so much that my flies look fairly good

Some patterns I just can't crank out quickly no matter how many I've tied. The GBM is just one of those flies. It's really a very simple fly... I just can't tie it quickly without it looking ugly.

I've found that trout eagerly inhale the GBM when they're looking at midges -- hopefully everyone else will have as much luck with it as I have!

[Johnny]

Where might we see a recipe/picture of the Gorge Burger? Is it a homegrown pattern? A Google search turned up nothing. A search of older threads had some references but the thread with the recipe was inaccessible.

[Teewinot]

Mike -- I'm really looking forward to seeing this fly as I'm sure several of those in the swap are. Will the set timeline work for you? We could possibly adjust it if you need. I'm sure everyone else shouldn't have too much of a problem since midges aren't typically the most difficult patterns to tie several of.

[Junge]

Keep the deadline short so we can all watch Mike crack under the pressure.

[Mike]

They don't take like an hour a piece or anything! Not to worry. It's just thread, foam and some zelon. I just hate seeing much foam poking out the bottom of the fly. It's difficult to conceal it without being very deliberate with each wrap of thread -- or having a fly that sinks.

Johnny, the GBM was definitely a home grown pattern that started as a joke on one of the UtahOTF trips to the Green. It caught a lot of fish at the time and I've since refined the design a little bit. The basic recipe is like this:

- size 22 - 30 scud hook (24 or 26 seems to be the best size to me)

- wrap a single layer of thread from hook eye to bend in color of choice

- tie in a sparse and short tail of antron / zelon / darlon

- wrap thread back to hook eye

- cut a 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch or so (you'll know what size is workable) wide strip of thin packing foam about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches long

- double the foam over the long way and tie in parallel with the hook shank

- secure the foam and then proceed to lay the wings kind of flat and to the side like you would on a spinner pattern

- pull the wings vertical and wrap the thread around the base of the wings like you were making a post -- only 3 wraps should do it -- this will stand the wings up

- take another securing wrap or two around the shank with the thread

- whip finish

- cut the wings in any desired manner making sure that the height of the wing is slightly less than the hook gap or so -- how tall the wing stands is totally dependent upon the size of the hook in my experience

This pattern works *extremely* well. Pop this pattern into a pool of risers and hold on. It suspends in the water perfectly and will float for a long, long time! The downside is you almost have to drop it beneath another fly that you can see more easily. With good eyes, at more than 15 feet, it's almost impossible to see. If you wanted to you might be able to tie in a post. I haven't tried, but suspect that it might ruin the effectiveness of the fly.

Experiment with the amount and height of the foam wing by chucking your fly into a glass of water. When tied properly the fly will rise back to the surface of the water even after being pinned on the bottom of the glass. If this doesn't work, you don't have enough wing. Jason recently tied up a variation that uses hackle. He hasn't had a chance to use it as yet, so I don't know how well it works!

[Fred]

Looks like you're in Fanatic.

But, trout crack = zebra midge from what I remember. black with fine gold wire and peacock herl for the head?

And, who let the guy in with the cased caddis for a midge swap, LOL?

[bcsort]

OK I will tie up some of "my" Yong Specials just as long as you don't hold mine up to one that Kim tied.

[Teewinot]

Teewinot -- Fall Midge Emerger & Griffith's Gnat
bscort -- Yong Special
Jason -- Death Midge
flyfshr8 -- Glass Bead Midge
LBM -- Johnny Flash San Juan pattern
icthys -- Mooseknuckle
bner -- cased caddis pattern
dryfly -- glass bead biot midge or a frostbite
THeBlender -- Peacock Midge Emerger
Mike -- Gorge Burger Midge
Junge -- Vinyl Midge Emerger
Cary -- Kaufmann Hatching Midge
jdubya -- Improved Buzz Ball
Justin Q. -- BH YS Zebra
fanatic -- Trout Crack

I'm waiting for e-mails with your name and username from:
fanatic
If your name isn't on this list and you haven't received an e-mail from me, then e-mail me again and let me know.

Please e-mail me so I can send you the details of the swap -- justclimbit2@hotmail.com

Thanks

Reminder: Flys need to be sent by Wed. December 4

[dryfly]

I am in for sure. I emailed you last night. Let Me know if you did not get it. I will send another email right now.

[Teewinot]

Here is most updated and final information on the swap:
Teewinot -- Fall Midge Emerger
Teewinot -- Griffith's Gnat
bscort -- Yong Special
Jason -- Death Midge
flyfshr8 -- Glass Bead Midge
LBM -- Johnny Flash San Juan
icthys -- Mooseknuckle
bner -- Cased Caddis
dryfly -- GB Biot Midge or a Frostbite
THeBlender -- Peacock Midge Emerger
Mike -- Gorge Burger Midge
Junge -- Vinyl Midge Emerger
Cary -- Kaufmann Hatching Midge
jdubya -- Improved Buzz Ball
Justin Q. -- BH YS Zebra
fanatic -- Trout Crack
trouty -- Variegated Midge

17 entries -- Everyone tie 16 flies
Put them in the mail by: Wed. December 4
Prepare your fly information (pattern, instructions, tips, etc.)

[Teewinot]

Alright! Flies are starting to get finished up and sent in. This is great.

If everyone gets their flies sent off by the 4th I will be able to send them back out to you by the second week of December, so everyone get finished and get them sent in on time.

Flies don't get sent back out until they all get sent in so be sure to be on time.

Currently I know of three patterns that are done and on their way. Keep on tying!

If anyone has any more questions or anything let me know.

Don't forget to compile your info such as pattern, instructions, tips, etc. and get it e-mailed to me

[Junge]

Mine are tied, but I forgot to grab them this morning to post. Look for them later this week.

Scott

[Teewinot]

Great!!
That makes four patterns that are done and on their way. That means we only have thirteen more and a little over a week left to finish them up.

Those that are already done go ahead and send me your fly information so I can begin compiling it.

[Trouty]

Make that five.... still need to mail them out though. Try to get that done today or tomorrow.

[dryfly]

My flies are done. I will put them in the mail tonight or tomorrow.

[THeBLender]

Will be mailing soon. I'll be looking for feedback from all of you pros. I've only been tying for a few months and could use any pointers.

[Teewinot]

Alright!! The first package of flies arrived today from flyfshr8. They looked great. I'm excited to see some more.

Thanks for getting flies sent off already!! Those not done yet don't worry you've got until next Wednesday to have them in the mail.

flyfshr8 -- Thanks for the extra's I always like those!!

[flyfshr8]

My pleasure. I'll send tying/fishing info to justclimbit. The X-tras are in my X-mas color themes. ;-)

[Teewinot]

Alright!!

I've received four sets of flies.

So far I have flies from:

Teewinots two sets
flyfshr8
Junge
trouty
bscort

That makes 6 sets of flies already in a week early -- wow -- overachievers ;)

Also I guess THeBlender and dryfly are done and ready to send.

Keep on tying and have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

[Teewinot]

By the way....The flies I've got already I have to say look great!! This swap has so far turned out some great midge patterns.

Thanks again.

[Trouty]

Why don't you take out the flies as you get them and try them out. That way you can send us a fishing report along with the bugs!!!

I thought it was mandatory that the point man test all the flies before distributing 'em! Get your butt out on the water!!!

If you end up in IF let me know. I grew up in that area and might consider letting you in on a couple of little know places. There are lots of those up there (more so than Utah I think) - more water, fewer people means.

[Teewinot]

Trouty -- Well I wasn't going to say anything about fishing with everyone's flies, I just figured everyone would think they were just tied up a little rough. ;)

I wish I could get my butt out on the water. I'm trying to finish up the last week of my degree and I've got a lot to do. Also I'm trying to gear up for my elk hunt that starts this weekend. My only sanity lately has been staying up late tying flies and being on UOTF while I'm bored at work.

[gambler1621]

I would like in on this fly swap. I can tie up some zebra midges. I have never done a fly swap before, so please give me detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Thanks

[Trout4x]

That swap is closed, I think there is a Bass Swap still open if that appeals to you. If not we will have more in the next while.

[Teewinot]

gambler1621

Trout4X is right. This swap is actually almost over.

[Teewinot]

I've recieved 8 of the 17 sets of flies. Keep em coming.

Remember to label each fly, and if you can put your screenname on your package.

[Teewinot]

So far I've received flies from:
Teewinot's two sets
flyfshr8
Junge
trouty
bscort
jdubya
THeBlender

[icthys]

Mine are in the mail as of Sat. By the way thanks for the CD's, I hope I sent enough flies to equal the CD's you sent, if not let me know.

[Jason]

Oh crap, I better get tying.

[dryfly]

I mailed my flies this morning they should be in soon,

[Teewinot]

Alright the deadline is one day away!

Please try to have all of your flies in the mail tomorrow. This will allow me to have them sent back out by the weekend and everyone can go try them next week.

Don't forget your return postage, return packaging, e-mail fly patterns, and all the other good stuff.

My wife told me another one came today, but I haven't been home to see who it's from.

[Teewinot]

Mike -- Your flies were the ones that came yesterday. They look great, I'm excited to go fish with it.


TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO MAIL YOUR FLIES IN -- GET THEM IN THE MAIL TODAY!

[Trouty]

Don't forget Tee - I'm expecting a fishing report on ALL of the flies. Better put some time on the water the next few days!!! :>)

[Teewinot]

I started to, but I was losing a bunch so you probably won't get back as many as you thought you would ;)

I sure wish I could get some time out right now. I'm in the midst of finals. Hopefully in about two weeks I'll be out on the water.

[Mike]

Originally posted by Teewinot
Mike -- Your flies were the ones that came yesterday. They look great, I'm excited to go fish with it.

It can be a really, really effective pattern as long as you can see it! May you catch many midge emerger snatching trout with it.

[Trouty]

Originally posted by Teewinot
I started to, but I was losing a bunch so you probably won't get back as many as you thought you would ;)


As long as they were lost in the mouth of a fish and not to a "shrubbery."

[Jason]

My flies are in the mail. Enjoy.

[Teewinot]

Woohoo!!!

The last set of flies came in today during lunch and I sat down and got them all put together and sent out.

Everyone should get their flies by the first of the week.

I must say there were some neat patterns, and all of them were great. I even went yesterday and bought me a new small midge box from Jim to put them all in.

Mike I'd like some pointers on how you tied that fly. I'd really like to tie some more of them up.

I am now in the process of compiling all of the patterns and fly information. If you haven't sent that in yet please do so now. Also jdubya is going to compile a photo album of all of the flies in the swap.

Thanks to everyone who joined this swap and I hope you all enjoyed it

[Mike]

Teewi -- If you have a specific question that isn't answered by my instructions that I emailed off, let me know!

[Jason]

Wow, I already got my flies today. They all look great. Tee, you were a great swapmeister. Thanks for running such a smooth swap.

Cary, I'm really excited about your E-C Midge. Looks like a great fly. I bet it will work great this spring on the Green. Is that CDC for the pullover wingcase? Who originated this fly?

[Trouty]

Got the flies today!! Thanks all - they look great. Just gotta tie up a few of each of them before I go out and lose them. I'm feeling the pull on my 4wt already!

[jdubya]

damn,they're small. you guys must have younger eyes than me. all look good! tee, i'll see what i can do with the photos (i'll email the jpgs' from work; faster trunk line).

[Teewinot]

jdubya -- That would be great! Remember to tie up another one of yours for a photo since I didn't send one of your's back in the package. Let me know when you get them finished.

Thanks


Also Thanks to everyone who participated!! This was a great swap and I've now filled up another midge box. Thanks everyone

[Cary]

The E-C midge is a perfect representation of a mutt-fly. That is, its a pattern that used "borrowed" techniques from other effective patterns.

ie: 1) I stole the name from Ralph Cutter (E-C = Emergent / Cripple)

2) The wingcase idea was lifted from Kaufmann

3) Using the cdc ends as leggs, antennae or just simply a stabilizer, was taken from who know's how many tyers, but I'll just say Troth, because I originally learned this technique with his version of the PT.

4) The idea for the furled pupae case stuck to the behind was inspired by Martin.

Of course, I think the use of any antron (Zelon, Darlon ect) has to credited to the late , great Lafontaine.

Now, does it work better than a Griffiths knat? not sure, but I get a kick out of combnining all these techniques (tyers) into one bug, and catching fish.

Thanks for the interest.

-Cary

[Teewinot]

Just an update here -- jdubya got photos of all the flies taken and sent to me. I'm in the process of compiling the patterns and will then send out photos and patterns all together. This may be somewhat of a hefty e-mail so if your system can't handle big e-mails then let me know and I can probably just send you the patterns w/o the photos.

Jason/Mike -- Would you like a copy sent for the website?

[THeBLender]

Tee rox!

[flyfshr8]

What a bunch of nice looking flies! Some real tying talent out there!

Ditto Jason on a cool swap Teewinot! Thanks to Mike for slaving over yet another Gorge Burger. I know I and some others kind of volunteered ya. Must've gave you migrains!!!!!!

[Mike]

I must say, great swap Teewinot! You got everyone to deliver nice looking flies on time. That's no small task. You guys tie some great looking flies! I'll definitnely be attempting some pattern duplication this winter. I hope that you guys liked the GBM! I don't think I got a buzz ball BTW! I'll have to steal one from jdubya at a future date.

(send me that email please Teewinot)

Excellent swap. Thanks to all.

[bsmith]

Jason/Mike--take Teewinot up on his suggestion-I'd enjoy seeing the ties these guys did!

[icthys]

got mine too, I had fun with this swap, it was my first and I'm very new to tying. I'm almost ready for another one!

[dryfly]

I got my flies last night. They were awesome. I cant wait to try them out.

[THeBLender]

what can I do to improve my tying? As I'm just learning to tie, I'm still in a capable of accepting feedback - after next season, I'm sure I'll be so full of myself that I won't ask :)

blender135@hotmail.com

[Teewinot]

THeBlender -- Seeing all 16 of your flies you tied I'd have to honestly say they all looked great. There was a nice consistency among each fly, which I don't think I can say for all of mine, and they all looked well tied. No Complaints here -- I'm sure they will catch fish!

[Junge]

Tee,

Thanks for all the work. I received mine yesterday and they all look great.

Scott

[Jason]

Paul, I've taught you well my son. Nice job. :-)

[THeBLender]

I do appreciate what you taught me Jason. I found that I'm still struggling with the patience to make the lose loop work but didn't have much choice after a few dozen attempts at putting on the Antron failed miserably.

http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3310

[Tightlinez]

I think all those of you who participated in the swap need to have a fish-off now and use each of those flies swapped. I would be curious to know which patterns worked best and who tied them.
Then again, as I didnt participate (havent yet made the leap from fishing to tying) I'm not in a position to suggest anything.