Old School Wet Fly Swap

[Lonnie]

"Old School Wet Fly Swap"

I really don't expect there to be too much interest in this one, but what they heck. I think this is going to be an "elitest" swap. ;-)

Here's the deal 1 dozen tiers. In the spirit of UTOF fishing challenge, only wet flies tied in a traditional style. The functional definition of "wet flies" for this swap is flies tied with a "down" quill (or other feather) wing. NO (MAJOR) MATERIAL SUBSTITUTIONS !!! ie. No "artificial" materials like antron, etc., used for wings or hackle. This includes my favorite wet fly wing material kip tail :-(. I'll be a little more lenient about dubbing, but I don't wan to see any sparkley bodies! ;-). I understand if your tying something like the Ibis and can't get "real" ibis feathers, I'll work with you on that one. The whole idea here is to make the flies as close to the original as we can (I'm not going to make you tie with cotton thread....)

Due Date 5 March 2004.

I'd like to get at least 6 folks before we call this one a "go", so hold off tying until we get that many. If we get at least 6 tiers and less than 12, I'll split the flies up evenly between the folks who are in (as best I can). Alternatively, if we don't get 12 folks, we could each tie two patterns and get back of two each, so put down a back up too in case we decide to do this. I'll let you guys know in a day or two, how we'll proceed (based on interest and input.)

Any questions ? Post or shoot me an e-mail. shullln@comcast.net When we're done, send your flies to me in a crush proof container, with return postage (if you wan't to get them back....) Good luck and have fun tying.

I'm tying "Cow Dung" in a #14.

1. Lonnie.......Cow Dung (backup #14 Coachman)

[Jason]

I'm in. Not sure what I'll tie though.

[cheech]

I'm in. Only if Jason ties something with a married wing though. I don't know what I'll tie yet.

[Fred]

Is a Hare's Ear wet fly old school enough?

I don't really have anything else to offer.

[Lonnie]

Thanks for jumping in guys ! How did I know when I posted this this am, that you guys would be the first takers? I'm with cheech, I think Jason needs to do a married wing thing (I would love to learn the technique!) I was going to go buy some new quill material to tie mine, but I found the PERFECT feather, in my office, from my "natural history museum" (but I'm not sure I should use it.) You've got to see my cube to understand (skulls, rocks, bones, shells, fossils, misc junk, etc......)

If this swap takes a while to fill up, I'll push back the finish date. I've also posted it at Flyanglersonline but not bites over there yet.

Lonnie

PS Fred your in. You posted after I started my reply...

[Jason]

If I do a married wing wet fly, we gotta keep the total swappers to 12 or less. I've got a couple in mind. I've got the Green River trip I need to start tying for so my tying time will be limited.

[Lonnie]

Jason,

I'll keep a hard cap at 12 folks (or 10 if you think 12 is too much work). But, with that said, I don't think this swap is going to fill up. Also, if we need to push the date back for folks that works too. That's the one rule I'll be flexible with. I'd be happy with a two color wing. Your's will be a lot more work to tie than mine so I won't be picky ;-) Maybe instead of hooking up the swapmeister, we can hook up the J-man....

Lonnie


Pretty Damn elitist company so far...:-)
1 Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason ........................Married wing of some type ;-)
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .......................... Hairs Ear Wet Fly

[Utah DaveII]

I'll tie up a partridge and orange

[Jason]

Dave, that's not a wet fly, that's a soft hackle? Come on bro.

BTW, I think I'll be tying the Silver Doctor- variant, married wing and all. I might change.

[Utah DaveII]

OK, I missed the traditional style. I have wet fly, but it's not traditional so I guess I'm out

[Jason]

OK, I missed the traditional style. I have wet fly, but it's not traditional so I guess I'm out

Alright Dave, the P&O is somewhat a classic fly. It catches a lot of fish too.

We need to get Walks to join this one.

[Lonnie]

I already sent him an e-mail inviting him to join.

Lonnie

[Utah DaveII]

I'll go with the Shakey beiley that was tied up by blue ribbon a few years ago.

[Lonnie]

OK after 1 day we've got 5 folks in.

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason ........................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .......................... Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .......................... Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one).

Jason if you want to do something less ambitious, we'll understand. I might get in twice, I'm tied of tying midges, I want to tie something I can see.....

Anyone seen JayMor, this one seems right up his alley???

[walksinwater]

Thanks for the notice Lonnie, I think I will join all you all. Just quill style? That leaves out some nice olde wets. I will be undecided at this point of time as to what I will tye up.

[JayMorr]

I am in! I will be tying a "Beamis Stream"


JayMorr

[Lonnie]

Just quill style? That leaves out some nice olde wets.

I dunno. If you've got something good, talk to me (us.) I just didn't want a bunch of soft hackles (Sorry, Dave!)since JayMorr Just ran that swap a few months ago. If it's a "traditional" wet, I say you could do it....

Lonnie

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream

[spotter]

I would like to join this one but I'm not sure I can get the materials in time and still learn to tie the fly. I saw an interesting article on the "Major Pitcher" in Fly Tier last year this would be my selection. Does Dennis have the materials in stock for this one? I'm located outside of Utah and don't know of any local fly shops. How long until you need to know on this one Lonnie?

SP

[Lonnie]

If you let us know by the middle on next week, that's cool. I may cap this swap at 10 (instead of 12). What stuff do you need to tie this one up ? I'm not familiar with that pattern, so I can't really offer much help. I try and work with you, it's not that critical.....;-)

Lonnie

Just got 1 more...

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle

[Lonnie]

Swap is closed at 10.

EDIT --> After I closed this, I saw one more guy from FAOL wanted to join. If it's cool with everyone I say we let him join, and let Jason off the hook with 10. I'll skip the silver doc, cause I'm such a nice guy. Jason is this cool with you ?

Lonnie

Start tying boys !!



1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... TBD

1st Alt. Feenom (FAOL).... Leadwing Coachman.

[Lonnie]

Hey JayMorr,

Could you post the link that you showed us at your place on friday. When this is all done, I'd like to have a photo or dwg of the original and what we send in to "match" it. I think that would be cool and a lot of fun.

GO PANTHERS !

Lonnie

[JayMorr]

Sure no problem. Thanks for coming out the other night. I had a good time.

JayMorr

[Lonnie]

Hey man, thanks for having me.

I was working on a few of mine after my panthers choked (Oh, well). Anyway, I was experimenting with techniques. I found that adding one wing at a time is MUCH easier than 2 at a time. I've also had to sub in Pheasant tail for the optington cock in the collar, if you guys can think of another material I'm open to suggestions. BTW, These guys are pretty sparsely dressed. I'll bring a few to lunch this week for critiques. I think this will be a great drowned caddis imitation.

I think we'll go with 11 the tiers that have signed up, so everyone should tie up 11 (except for Jason...).



1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... TBD
11. Alt. Feenom (FAOL).... Leadwing Coachman.

[Capn' Bob]

Hi All!
I'll be tying some "Greenwell's Glory" in a size 16. That fly has performed well for me on my home waters.
Bob

[Lonnie]

Hi Bob,

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................TBD.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory
11. Alt. Feenom (FAOL).... Leadwing Coachman.

[cheech]

I think I have decided on a quill gordon wet.

[Lonnie]

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory
11. Alt. Feenom (FAOL).... Leadwing Coachman.

Fred sent me an e-mail saying he's aready done (I'm looking for them today). Speaking with some guys (DUII, Jason, Cheech, JayMorr) I think I'm gonna wrap the hackle on my rather than tie it in as a beard. I just can't get the beard to look right. I've tried hen hackle and PT fibers. Any suggestion ? On the plus side the wrapped ones look a lot more like a caddis (the clipped hackles support the wings just right). I have seen 1 dwg where they were tied that way. Am I breaking the spirt of the swap???

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley (I haven't heard of this one)
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory
11. Alt. Feenom (FAOL).... Leadwing Coachman.

Hey Fred,
Umm, umm Good !
Lonnie
PS, Thanks 4 tha' hook up...

[Lonnie]

You gotta tie this one. It's called the "morrison". From FAOL. Too cool...
http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/morrison.jpg

Compiled by Deanna Birkholm
Ray Bergman Tier



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This fly, dating about 1866, was first tied by Charles Orvis to specifications furnished him by L.M. Morrison, 1830-1898, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Morrison was a civil engineer engaged in railroad work. He participated in the construction of numerous railroads in Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York State. His work took him into many remote parts, where trout fishing was available and he took advantage of the opportunities offered.

He was often referred to as Colonel Morrison, which was a courtesy title, given him because of his courteous, gentlemanly and companionable character.

The Morrison is a dark fly. Except for a claret wool body, the ribbing, tail, hackle and wings were all black.

Serious consideration to dark flies should be given in cold early spring weather and in far northern waters. Few flies are found at such times or in such waters that are not dark. Hewitt Wheatly pointed out in his Rod & Line, 1849, that dark colors attract warmth in a greater degree than light colors. Thus dark flies might live by attracting more light and heat in an atmosphere which might destroy paler kinds. Many such flies are called black whereas they are dark claret. The dark Montreal is just such a fly.

Ray Bergman gives the recipe for this fly as follows:

Tail: Black.
Body: Claret wool.

Rib: Black silk.

Hackle: Black.

Wing: Black.


Credits: from Fly Patterns and Their Origins by Harold Hinsdill Smedley 1942. Photo from Forgotten Flies published by the Complete Sportsman.

[Lonnie]

Spotter,

I got you flies today and was truly impressed. They are beautiful. I really don't
want to fish with mine. Great work !!

Everyone, you better bring your "A" game, as spotter has set the bar high !!!

Lonnie

[JayMorr]

Ok I am switching my flie to the "Morrison".....thanks Lonnie. Cant wait to tie this one up and give it a few strips!!!



JayMorr

[spotter]

I had a good time tying them. It has piqued an interest in the classics. I am excited to see everyone else's work! Thanks again for being the swapmeister.

Spotter

[Lonnie]

Hey Bob,

I GOT EM !! Thanks for the info and the hookup. When the flies go out, could you post the history/recipe here ? (Too long for me to retype.:-)

They look really good ! I think they will work well (as the man himself says) as a drowned BWO.

1 more thing. When you address your envelopes, put your own address on both the address and return address. That way if there are any postage issues, the USPS will deliver the package to you and not return them to me. I know JayMorr ran into this in one of his swaps....

Keep 'em coming boys !

17 Days left......
Lonnie

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung ---> Done. (Still tweaking...;-)
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley
6. Walksinwater..............TBD.
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher ---> Got 'em!
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory ---> Got 'em!
11. Feenom (FAOL)......... Leadwing Coachman.

[Lonnie]

How many of you will be handing your flies to me personally ? (Jaymorr, Jason, UDII, Cheech)

Just curious....

Lonnie

[JayMorr]

Same place same time.....I will have them with me.

JayMorr

[cheech]

lonnie- I will give them to you. I'll let you know when they are ready.

[Lonnie]

Walks dropped had his off at my house when I got home from working/skiing yesterday. He tie the "red ant" which is very similar to a royal coachman except with dark wings. He used some really cool hooks, size #13. Go figure. I didn't even know they made em in that size. They were really cool. I think fenom might need an extra day or two. I never confirmed with him that he was officially "in". He's working on them and hopes to have the in the mail on time. Andy e-mailed to let me know he mailed his last week. They should be here in a day or two (coming from the east coast).

Cheech, if you want to drop them at Orvis that works for me.

Jay, I'm sure I'll see you at lunch one day this week.



1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung ---> Done. (Added a surprise fly to boot !)
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley
6. Walksinwater..............Red Ant ----> Got 'em!
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream ...Switched to the Morrison.
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher ---> Got 'em!
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle ---> Mailed
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory ---> Got 'em!
11. Feenom (FAOL)......... Leadwing Coachman.

[cheech]

Lonnie-
I'm going to Atlanta for work this week, so I'll finally have some time to tie. I'll drop them off at Orvis this weekend.

Cheech

[Lonnie]

Cheech,

That works for me. I'll pick them up first thing next week (or on the way home Sat night). Check your e-mail....

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

I got Andy's today. Man, you guys can tie! I'll bring what I have to lunch one day soon. This is turning into an awesome swap. I'm really out of my league....

Lonnie

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung ---> Done. (Added a surprise fly to boot !)
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley
6. Walksinwater..............Red Ant ----> Got 'em!
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream ...Switched to the Morrison.
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher ---> Got 'em!
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle ---> Got 'em!
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory ---> Got 'em!
11. Feenom (FAOL)......... Leadwing Coachman.

[Lonnie]

We'll with Andy's advice still in my mind, I reworked mine last night and this AM. I used larger hooks and things turned out MUCH better (I still need to paint the heads, that's on tap for tonight....) I think the smaller hooks I was using (#14's), were smushing the quills a little too much. I'll still send out some of the "cripples" you guys can see how far I've come. I think the little ones will fish really well, as dead or diving caddis...

I bet I've tied 50 flies (or more) to get my flies to where I feel comfortable sending them out. If I had to do them over 1 more time, I'd tie the wings in a little higher on the body. For a tie that seems to so simple on the surface, this has been a lot of work for me (but that's a good thing.....)

I ran by ORVIS Saturday with the hopes of picking up a few flies, but none were there. For those that are delivering there's to me, I would like to pick them up tomorrow at lunch.

Lonnie

1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung ---> Done (again!)
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley
6. Walksinwater..............Red Ant ----> Got 'em!
7. JayMorr......................Beamis Stream ...Switched to the Morrison.
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher ---> Got 'em!
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle ---> Got 'em!
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory ---> Got 'em!
11. Feenom (FAOL)......... Leadwing Coachman.

[Lonnie]

I got Feenom's today. Excellent tie. I've gotten all the ones from out of state, so that leaves the local boys. I also got an e-mail from Cheech, his are done too. I think some folks are going to need an extra day are two (re-tying), but I should have them in the mail by the end of the week. The local crowd is meeting for lunch tomorrow, and we're going to snap some pics. I'm going to bring everything that's been sent to me so far (even the extras I've tied and other's have sent.) This has been a great swap. I would like to pass on to everyone what Walks said in his note to me, "Thanks for sparking an interest in olde flyes", this swap has done this for me. I now look at flies as something more that a tool to catch wary trout.


1. Lonnie ......................Cow Dung ---> Done (again!)
2. Jason .......................Silver Dr. variant
3. Cheech .....................Quill Gordon ---> Done to be picked up.
4. Fred .........................Hairs Ear Wet Fly ---> Got 'em!
5. UDII .........................Shakey beiley
6. Walksinwater..............Red Ant ----> Got 'em!
7. JayMorr......................Morrison ---> Done, to be picked up.
8. Spotter......................Major Pitcher ---> Got 'em!
9. Andy B (FAOL)............ Blue Bottle ---> Got 'em!
10. Capt. Bob (FAOL)...... Greenwell's Glory ---> Got 'em!
11. Feenom (FAOL)......... Leadwing Coachman ---> Got 'em!

Some of the extras I've gotten/tied are
Califfornia Coachman
Quill Gordon (Dry)
Royal Trude
March Brown
Dark cahill
Black gnat
Mormon girl
Catskill (varriant)

Andy has sent a few more, they should be here soon.

[Lonnie]

I'm sure everyone got my e-mail this AM. I heard back from Dave and he's going to have to drop out. :-( Never fear, I'm gonna cover him. I hope to get 10 tied tonight. It will be a surprise, but since time is an issue, they will be a quick tie. I'll try to get them out by tomorrow afternoon.

Sorry for the delay. It happens sometimes.
Lonnie

[Lonnie]

I managed to do a quick 9 while watching Patton on AMC. I just got the flies packaged up. I'll get them in the mail in the AM. Everyone should have at least 12 flies. Cheech, I'll drop your's at Orivs at Lunch.

Thanks for playing !

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

Just got back from the post office....FLIES ARE IN THE MAIL !

To the guys that pre-stamped their envelopes, You guys were awesome. All of the postage was dead on! Sweet.

Local folks should have the tomorrow. Everyone else should have them in a few days. Please check in when you get them. Since Dave dropped out and I tied up some extras I do have a second set if something crazy were to happen....

This has been a great one. I hope everyone enjoy's the flies when they get them....

Lonnie

[Feenom]

I just wanted to stop in and thank you all for a great swap! First class flies by everyone and a great job of hosting by Lonnie. The pics were a nice surprise and well shot. Now it's time to get out and catch some fish! Thanks and you folks have a great site here....Jason

[Lonnie]

I'm glad you got them/liked them. That makes me feel better (you were the farthest away from good 'ole Utah!). What are your home waters (since you live in NYC)?

Lonnie

[Fred]

Great Swap, Lonnie.

These are probably the highest quality flies I've seen in any swap. And, I have seen some good ones lately.

Great stuff.

THANKS!

[Feenom]

I'm glad you got them/liked them. That makes me feel better (you were the farthest away from good 'ole Utah!). What are your home waters (since you live in NYC)?

Lonnie

To thank you for supplying an envelope for the return trip.....I always send a SASE but, ran out and didnt want to delay sending them to you.
Home waters?....for "daytrips" I take a train from Grand Central to one of the small tailwaters in the Croton R. watershed. They have the classic NE hatches as well as midges and scuds.
I make 3 or 4 weekend trips to the Catskills during the season. Still learning my way around the area but it's fun fishing waters with so much flyfishing history. The flies from this swap are gonna fit right in!...Jason

[Lonnie]

To thank you for supplying an envelope for the return trip.....

You can thank the engineering firm I work for...;-)

Lonnie