Llama Creations Swap

[nightfish]

Hey everybody,
Welcome to my first swap as the Meister!

Kent Govett, owner of The Canadian Llama Company has supplied me with the makings of this fly swap, and as his representative, I am introducing it to you free of charge.

For background, llama fibre is a long, hollow hair that is shorn from live animals. The lineal fibre is cleaned, dyed (or left in natural shades), and combed into hanks with all the fibres aligned. It is very durable, and has nice movement when wet. It allows for a bulky pattern with minimal material. You can use it in a variety of tying methods. You can chop it up and use it as dubbing (works best as a buggy/shaggy dubbing) keep it long for streamer wings, use in dubbing loops or wire core brushes, and a tightly wrapped dubbing loop or dubbing brush can be sculpted for a durable profile on minnow patterns and sculpin/muddler heads.

No charge to get it to you, just the normal swap rules for the fly exchange postage will apply.

Swap limited to 12 tyers, plus myself.

You must be able to work creatively with a new material, in a limited timeframe.

Each participant will receive three packets, three colors, of lineal combed llama fibre (you may not all be receiving the same colors).

Pattern is tyers choice.

Deadline will be set for 30 days after everyone has received their material.

Swappers:
1. nightfish
2. JayMorr
3. Jason
4. Cheech?

[JayMorr]

This swap is definitly gonna be a good one. Thanks for hosting this one Nick.
I am not sure what I will be tying yet.


JayMorr

[stout_trout]

This sounds really interesting! As JayMorr said, Thanks for doing this.

Please count me in.


....P.S. Jason, this will keep me out of the craft store for a while.

[Teewinot]

Nick -- I've somewhat sworn off swaps, but this sounds interesting; count me in.

Are you going to the Green? I can just pick it up from you there, or pass it along to Stef. Do you have some colors we can choose from? If possible I'd like some natural, olive, and tan.

[spotter]

Any suggestions on where I might find some LLama patterns? Cheech?

SPotter

[Flyin' Brian]

I think I would like to try, sent you a PM Nick.

[Slayer]

I'll tie some tungsten leaches I think.
I would prefer darker colors (canadian blood, firery brown) and dark olive if I had a choice.

This should be a good swap.

[Lonnie]

And I've got some ideas, but I need to see the material to see if they'll work. Where can I go look at some before I give the final OK???

Lonnie

If I can pick colors I'd pick olive,pink/red and white or brown,yellow and white. Or just olive and white or brown and white. (Rainbow trout and Brown trout colors......:-) )

[nightfish]

3 spots left!!

Swappers:
1. nightfish
2. JayMorr
3. Jason
4. Cheech?
5. stout trout
6. Teewinot
7. spotter
8. Flyin' Brian
9. Slayer
10. Lonnie ?

I'll do my best to meet color requests. There's a ton of patterns you could do, but there's really not a lot of patterns (yet) that call specifically for llama. The point of the swap is to introduce a relatively new material, and to stir up some creativity.

Teewinot, We are going, but probably won't get there until sat am. I'll get yours to Stef, but she's been really busy, so you'll have to go to her to pick it up.

Lonnie, I can probably answer your application question. Just shoot me an email. Addy is in the profile.

[Lonnie]

Nick,

I got your PM. Put me in.

Lonnie

[cheech]

I'm in! I'm in! depending on what color of llama I get, I'll tie a minnow of some sort. (if I get olive, I'll tie a baby bluegill hint, hint) This swap is going to be awesome.

Cheech

[nightfish]

Still 3 spots left!!

Swappers:
1. nightfish
2. JayMorr
3. Jason
4. Cheech
5. stout trout
6. Teewinot
7. spotter
8. Flyin' Brian
9. Slayer
10. Lonnie

I've got Spotter's mailing addy. If you're on the list please e-mail me at dbnightfish@hotmail.com with your address. If this fills up soon I can get the material out by monday.

[nightfish]

Llamas and their relatives are no strangers to our land. Llamas are members of the camelid family, which at one time thrived on the plains of North America. With the Ice Age, llamas became extinct in North America. Llamas migrated to South America and took up residence in the land of the Andean Mountains.

In the highlands of Peru, some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, llamas were domesticated, placing them among the oldest domestic animals in the world. The llama was the lifeline of the Inca Indians of South America. Called their "silent brother" by the Incas, the llama was worshipped and highly regarded. The llama was their beast of burden, the source of clothing and a source of food as well as fuel.

Llama sounds:Orgling
Males will make a very strange sound while they are breeding which is called an “orgle”. They will sometimes make this sound if there is an open female on the other side of the fence. A breeding will typically last twenty minutes and will often go longer, with the male orgling continuously. All of the other females will gather by the fence to see what is going on as soon as they hear an orgle. Often the male is quite attentive to the female during the breeding process, nibbling lightly on her ears and rubbing her neck with his front feet. The female, on the other hand, usually looks completely bored and will sometimes eat grass, occasionally looking around at the male, as if to say “Aren’t you done yet?”

[spotter]

Llama sounds:Orgling
Males will make a very strange sound while they are breeding which is called an “orgle”. They will sometimes make this sound if there is an open female on the other side of the fence. A breeding will typically last twenty minutes and will often go longer, with the male orgling continuously. All of the other females will gather by the fence to see what is going on as soon as they hear an orgle. Often the male is quite attentive to the female during the breeding process, nibbling lightly on her ears and rubbing her neck with his front feet. The female, on the other hand, usually looks completely bored and will sometimes eat grass, occasionally looking around at the male, as if to say “Aren’t you done yet?”

Remove the "r" from orgling and I think there's a little Llama in all of us. ;)

[nightfish]

Construction must contain at least one of the three colors of llama fibre. You can use other materials, but you MUST use some llama!

[hookem_cookem]

can I still get in?

[Drake]

I'll give it a go if there is still room. I have no idea what I am going to tie.

[Slayer]

I started with mohair then leach yarn and now use mainly the different seal substitutes and goat blends. How is Llama different from other imitation seal dubbing? more or less course? more or less fluid?

[Rockstar Caddis]

I am in if there is room. I think that there was still two spots left open. If so count me in as well

Clinton

[nightfish]

Swappers:
1. nightfish
2. JayMorr
3. Jason
4. Cheech
5. stout trout
6. Teewinot
7. spotter
8. Flyin' Brian
9. Slayer
10. Lonnie
11. Hookem Cookem
12. Drake
13. Clinton Goodman

Get me your addy's ASAP!

Slayer, llama is near to Marabou for fluidity, and as tough as a synthetic(It was/is used by the Inca people for rope). I haven't tried the simi-seal, but coarseness is less than mohair and leech yarn. The fibre also has a nice, subtle color variation that imitates naturals very well.

[nightfish]

Jason & JayMorr, I need your addys. You slackers are the only ones missing.

[Dennis]

Hey Nightfish, If anyone drops out of this swap I'd love to fill in with some Llama Head Sculpins. This swap filled fast. I spent all day yesterday at the ISE show and just got on the site this morning so was just able to see this thread. Great Idea for a swap. Good Luck!!!

[JayMorr]

Sending you my addy now! Sorry Nick


JayMorr

[nightfish]

JayMorr, got it. Thanks.
Jason, I found your addy, so you're covered.
And, you're not the slackers. My bad...the one I'm missing is Clinton(sent ya a PM)

Dennis, you're in reserve. Did you get my last email?


Packaging the stuff today!

[Jason]

Nick, do we have an estimated completion date?

[Lonnie]

Why don't we say April 15th. It's Tax day and my birthday !!! Yes, the whole nation hates my birthday. It's given me a complex. It's why I am this way....

Lonnie

[nightfish]

Tax day should be about right, but let's still call it an estimate. With mailing out tomorrow or monday, and the furthest shipment to SPotter in Indiana, that's about 30 days working time.

Lonnie, I guess it could be worse. You could be an accountant. Then you'd have to work on your b-day too.

[Dennis]

NIghtfish, I did get your last message, thanks. He came by to get it and some thread. When he left your packet was still on the counter. You can pick it up any time. It's nice to be a reserve.

[nightfish]

Ok, everyone should be getting their samples today! SPotter, you should see yours by thursday.

Let me know what you think, and post any questions you have!

[Crosby]

Big black llama stone nymph- would not be with out one b4 the hatch.

[spotter]

Ok, everyone should be getting their samples today! SPotter, you should see yours by thursday.

Let me know what you think, and post any questions you have!

I'll keep my eye out for the mail truck.

Spotter

[nightfish]

Oh YEAH! Black stones Rock!

Hey Crosby,
Have you ever seen this with the big stone nymphs? You pick them off a rock, and they do a kind of potato bug imitation, curling up & guarding their belly with their antennae? Then, when you toss 'em back, they drift like that for a while, before unfolding & grabbing a rock.

I've got a pic of a stone on the Henry's doing this. I'll see if I can dig it up. I know I sent it to Jason. Maybe he's still got it? Jason?

[stout_trout]

Got the goods and now are crowding my head like fly fishers on the Green River this weekend. (little plug from someone who doesn't get to go)

Thanks Nightfish!

[stout_trout]

Got the goods and now are crowding my head like fly fishers on the Green River this weekend. (little plug from someone who doesn't get to go)

Thanks Nightfish!

Geez! I hate it when my posts make no sense! (which is happening a lot lately)

Translation... I really excited, have lots of ideas...can't wait to get started on something.

Thank you for your time.
P.S. I'm bitter about not going on the Green River trip.

[Crosby]

Nightfish- I used to take my son up an show him that on the blacksmith- took me awhile to get him to believe that they weren't like a hellgramite and would not pinch you- then he would sit there dutring that hatch and smack them with a wiffle ball bat. But I used to do a lot seining when I came to college here- started out in Fishery Biology and my room mate was as close to an aboriginy as you can get- really knew his stuff though- once saw him squirt bow eggs into his mouth- ended my rooming with him.

[nightfish]

Crosby, thanks. I've been thinking a pattern that imitated that might come in handy.

Originally Posted by stout_trout
"Got the goods and now are crowding my head like fly fishers on the Green River this weekend. (little plug from someone who doesn't get to go)"

Stout, should I have given you some psychedelic colors???

[Rockstar Caddis]

I got the goods yestarday and am finished tying. I tied up conehead nipple leeches. I really like how easy it is to tie with on this pattern. Can't wait to see the rest of yours....

Clinton

[nightfish]

Holy crap! Done already? WTG!

I'd like to hear your thoughts on working with it, how you built it, and anything else you do with the other colors.

If everybody else is as fast as Clint, I'll end up being the slacker!

[Drake]

is Lonnie's B-day going to be the due date (April 15)? Just wondering how long I can slack off.

[spotter]

I'll get to work. Thanks Nightfish.

Spotter

[nightfish]

Due date is April 19. That should give Drake a last minute weekend tying frenzy, and spotter a full 30 days to work with the material (and time for me to do my taxes. yikes!).

[nightfish]

Llama History

The llama is in the camelid family, and originated in North America approximately 20 million years ago. With a receding ice age, the ancestral llama migrated across the Bering land bridge (evolving to the modern camel), and to South America, where they further evolved into 4 different species, llama, alpaca, guanaco and vicunas, about 2 million years ago. Fossil footprints have been found in California's LaBrea Tarpits, and fossil skeletons found in Florida date back 9 million years.

Llamas are the oldest known domesticated pack animal, used by the Andean peoples for approximately 5,000 years. The fibre was used for clothing and rope, they were used for meat, and their droppings for fuel, but there has been no discovery so far that they used them for fly tying.


So, how's everybody coming along? I'm nearly 1/2 way done, and Clinton is sitting pretty as the first to finish (bonus coming to him). Most creative will get a lil sumthin, as will best overall, judged by a party to be named later (and don't try to schmooze Stef...could be her judging, could be my nieces & nephews, could be our friend Kent at Canadian Llama, or a combination).

[stout_trout]

II struggled to know what to tie. The material is really fun to goof around with! It does have some unique properties to it and I wanted to try to be true to those properties. The hard part I found is that I haven't been able to fish any of my Llama bugs yet...But they are all bathroom sink tested....

To Clinton's credit, this stuff does make a very nice leech. Unfortunately I was about half way through the stillwater pattern that I'm tying (which is very similar to a leech), so it looks like there will be two "leechy" patterns. Unless I find time, inspiration, and materials to change...

I was curious about the guys swapping... Are stillwater bugs going to get used? Streamers? Crustacean? Emerger? Does anyone care?

While I've never personally fished the pattern I'm currently tying, I understand it can be a good strawberry Ice-off imitation.

[Slayer]

Had a chance it fish some open water at the inlet to a popular reservoir yesterday. Caught a dozen or so trout and a big Utah Sucker on this pattern minus the conehead Clint tied for me. The thing got so much action and didn't show it one bit at the end of the day.

I too had planned to share one of my favorite leach patterns for the swap but sounds like this may turn into another leach/bugger swap. Now I'm not sure what to tie especially after seeing what Nightfish is tieing.

CLINT - your email didn't work and I need to get my tieing stuff. Shoot me an email.

[Lonnie]

I would be stoked to get a few more.....

Lonnie

[spotter]

both of which are nymphs. I'm trying to decide which one to send. The material is fun to work with and I really like the amber color of one of the samples. I'll make a decision in the next week as to which one to send.

SPotter

[nightfish]

Yep, the stuff is da BOMB for leeches! But, it's really versatile, and makes great nymphs too. I don't want people to get stuck on just leeches, but like I said at the start of the swap, pattern is tyers choice. Nobody will be docked for tying a leech. But here's a few ideas...dubbing for dries & nymphs...(stimmies, stones), making your own extended bodies with the bodkin method, damsels(a really swimmy nymph!), sculpting (like my sculpin) using a wire-core brush or dubbing loop, trailing shucks, hopper bodies, underwings, bugger tails (bugger hackle too with a dubbing loop) streamer patterns (try it with the Aztec method or like stacking woolheads). This fibre is only limited by your imagination. And with it's ease of use, it's great for newbies too!

But, like Slayer said, the fly you tie will be very durable, no matter the pattern. And no matter what you tie, I doubt anyone will be dissapointed with the results.

[Slayer]

can you explain this:
"stainless steel wire and twisted into dubbing brush, wrapped full shank."

I have some of my own methods but am interested in yours.

I have tied a bunch of bugger/leach/crawfish/minnow type patterns with the llama and have caught a bunch of fish. The material is very versitile. Tonite i'm going to decide what ya'll get.

Where do I send the flies?

[nightfish]

Slayer, got you covered on the other thread for the brush construction, but I forgot the fly construction part.

Once you have the brush made, you simply tie it on the shank (add a bead or cone first if you wish, a tail is also optional). Wrap it like you would chenille or leech yarn. I use a brass paint clean-up brush(toothbrush size) to keep from overwrapping the fibres. Then just tie it off, & clip with wire cutters.

[nightfish]

Rick,
Can't find your email. Drop me a line?

[nightfish]

First flies in! Kudos to Spotter, for the woven Bitch Creek nymphs, in Black & Salmonfly Orange. Very Sweet!

[spotter]

Hope they are enjoyed by all.

SPotter

[Flyin' Brian]

Got my bugs done, I am not going to be able to make it up to IF, so I will get them to Stef this week.
Thanks for hosting and for providing the llama fiber!

[JayMorr]

I got mine done tonight. Nick I will bring them up to IF with me. This swap was fun. I had a lot of ideas but I wanted to create my own version of Emitt's "Cotton Candy".


JayMorr

[nightfish]

Sweet! You can find Stef & I tying at the mid-session on friday, or wandering around saturday, then we'll be at the banquet. You mentioned fishing sunday. Let us know on that!

[Lonnie]

I've got about 1/3 of mine done. I've gotta finish up a few for my own swap, DOH! (I keep fishing with the ones I tie....) I should have them done by Friday. Can I drop them off somewhere ?

Lonnie

[nightfish]

Regular mail would be best with my schedule. If you'll be at the IF show you can drop them there, or if you'll bump into someone going to the show you could send 'em with them.

[Lonnie]

Finished my own swapers up and cranked out about 1/2 of the others. I should be done on time if nothing comes up.

Hey Nick, can you shoot me your address again....
shullln@comcast.net

Thanks,
Lonnie

[cheech]

I did mine last night. I was going to do baby bluegill patterns, but I had a hard time with the material. I ended up doing a Gammarus Scud. I call it the Phi Slamma Gamma. Nick, I'll give them to you in IF.

Cheech

[nightfish]

Another set in! Slayers awesome leeches arrived today! These should kick butt on the big lake this spring!

Cheech, np. I'll look for you. When are you tying?

[cheech]

Another set in! Slayers awesome leeches arrived today! These should kick butt on the big lake this spring!

Cheech, np. I'll look for you. When are you tying?

I'm going to be at the Wrightway Sports booth (foam stuff). We will be located right next to Jack Dennis' booth I think. I'm not scheduled to tie. I'm just helping Kip out at his booth.

[nightfish]

Both days?

[cheech]

Just Saturday

[Slayer]

Sorry ya'll got a leach pattern from me but its all I've been fishing for the past month and the fly with the most time in the water for me for the past year and a half. In the right places it has been very affective. Lots of color combos work but the biggest thing I've found is that the Blood Black colors (although they work well) are no longer my favorite with Moss Green (sorry no one got this color as I've been ripping too many fish with the ones I tied and tried) is my new favorite. I ran out of beads so some don't have any weight but for the weighted ones fish them upstream and get jiggy with it allowing for some good drop time and WAMMO. Watch for your line to straighten out as you'll see the take before you feel it many times. These flies were the first I used bunny for the tail instead of marabou and like them better. I tied some with tails of llama the same color as the body and they work well also.

[nightfish]

Don't worry about it. They're nice!

[nightfish]

I received Cheech's flies at the show, and picked up Flyin Brian's tonight, so we still have a few to go. Teewinot, I missed hooking up with you at the show. Let me know what you want to do.

[Lonnie]

If I can find the box that I took to show Jason/Jaymorr then I've got 1 left to tie. I'll swing home at lunch and finish it, and get them in mail today. If not, I've got my work cut out for me tonight, and I'll get them in the mail tomorrow.

It sucks when you lose 7 flies for your swap.

Lonnie

[Lonnie]

So I'm good to go. I'm only going to ship 12, so don't send me one back. I'm going to include some extra goodies for you Nick...

[nightfish]

Much appreciated Lonnie, I'll keep my eye out for them!

[stout_trout]

So as to not worry you... I've had my flies done for a couple weeks... it's getting them to you that is taking me more time than I planned.

I am getting them in the mail tomorrow...the 19th. Sorry for the delay...I was planning to give them to you in ID, but I didn't make it up there.

Brent

[nightfish]

I'll try not to harrass my mailman, but I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Here's the current status of flies received:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech...you'll understand when you see it...nice cones Clint!

[nightfish]

More flies in!

Update:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
5. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
6. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster

Halfway there!

[nightfish]

My apologies to Flyin Brian...he was the 4th to deliver with a tasty brown/orange flashback nymph. So here's the corrected update, and we're over the hump!

Flies in:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster

[nightfish]

Lonnie just dropped of his flies...baby Rainbow Clousers!

Flies in:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster
8. Lonnie-baby rainbow Clouser Minnow

[RAW]

I haven't got my flies in yet. I know this is a bad excuse but I couldn't find any good llama and so I was going to spin something up with T4X's goat chin hair and hope you guys didn't notice it wasn't real llama but he's been just as hard to find so I guess the bottom line is I'm out!

[nightfish]

Aww, RAW
Sorry we'll miss those T4X patterns. I was hoping to see a Chinny-chin-chin Chironimid!

Another set for the list...Teewinot with a damsel nymph in olive!

Flies in:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster
8. Lonnie-baby rainbow Clouser Minnow
9. Teewinot- olive Damsel Nymph

[Rockstar Caddis]

I have reason to believe that people around here need a kick in the ass to get them going and it is starting to worry me. Second swap in a row.... man, what is the hold up. Are not deadlines just that....you die if you don't make the date.......

Hey Nick, let me know when you get them all in and I will roll out and pick them up man. For everyone else, if you know me call me, we can talk. Otherwise send in your flies to Nick right now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clinton

[Jason]

I'll be giving my Willard Shad flies to Nick at the cleanup on Saturday. Who else are we missing?

[JayMorr]

Mine are done. Nick is gonna pick them up today at Orvis.


JayMorr

PS. "You see the size of that chicken?"

[nightfish]

I got JayMorr's flies on friday, his Cotton Candy, tied wet fly style...Tasty skills!
I'll get Jason's tomorrow with Arby's sauce, and that leaves only Drake, who's flies got lost in the mail. Keep your eyes out for a mailman fishing a dozen nice damsels! I've given Drake the option of resubmitting or dropping, but since this wasn't his fault, I've extended for him until monday, and I'm going to send a set of received flies to him regardless. So here's where we're at:

Flies in:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster
8. Lonnie-baby rainbow Clouser Minnow
9. Teewinot-olive Damsel Nymph
10.JayMorr-Jay's Cotton Candy
11.Jason-5 for 5.95
12.Drake-Postal Blues

JayMorr...you been munchin some Peyote? LOL

[nightfish]

Got Jason's flies to add on...an awesome shad pattern!

Flies in:

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster
8. Lonnie-baby rainbow Clouser Minnow
9. Teewinot-olive Damsel Nymph
10.JayMorr-Jay's Cotton Candy
11.Jason-Willard Shad
12.Drake-Postal Blues

Drake, let me know where you stand?

[nightfish]

ALL FLIES IN!!!

Drake was gracious enough to tie a second set, so we've got a full swap still!
He turned out a nice little damsel nymph.

So, here's the list, but I'll leave mine unnamed so you can have a little extra sumthin to check the mailbox for. I should be able to drop them tomorrow or the day after.

1. spotter-Bitch Creek
2. Slayer-Llama leech olive
3. Cheech-Gammarus scud
4. Flyin' Brian-brown/orange flashback nymph
5. Clinton Goodman-Missing Leech, aka Nipple Leech
6. Hookem Cookem-unnamed streamer
7. Stout Trout- unnamed daphnia cluster
8. Lonnie-baby rainbow Clouser Minnow
9. Teewinot-olive Damsel Nymph
10.JayMorr-Jay's Cotton Candy
11.Jason-Willard Shad
12.Drake rocks!-Damsel Nymph

[nightfish]

Ok, I've had a couple of requests for bringing swap flies to the Pelican outing. For those of you who didn't do return shipping or had alternate arrangements, and will be there this weekend, let me know if I should pack yours. Several patterns would come in handy on the warmwater!

[JayMorr]

Bring mine. Thanks Nick.

JayMorr

[stout_trout]

I'll be at Pelican too. Thanks Nick.

And thanks for the swap! I've been enjoying the material.

See ya there.

[Slayer]

Bring mine to the pond! Thanks Nick!

[cheech]

me too. me too. me too.

[nightfish]

All the flies have been dispensed, most at pelican, but the rest were mailed or sent with Stef to CV (Teewinot & Flyin' Brian).

Flies were judged by Byron Gunderson of Fish Tech. Winner was Drake's damsel, with Jason's Wiper Killer in 2nd. My favorite was Spotters Bitch Creek, because of the patience needed to weave the fibre, but ALL of the flies were excellent! Jason/JayMorr will be posting photos as they have time.

My thanks to everybody who participated, and all received a pack of my dubbing blend...try it for leeches or Green Drake nymphs.

Great swap!

[spotter]

They're beauties. My favorite was the olive and white saltwater style minnow. They all look great. Thanks to all who participated I've got some new ideas to put to work at the bench. Thanks to Nightfish for hosting and for the materials.

Spotter

[Lonnie]

They look awesome. Thanks for hosting Nick ! (You should'a kept the extra dollar....)

Lonnie

[nightfish]

Wow, Spotter! I can't believe you got them so quickly! Must've been the USPS making up for Drake's lost flies.

Lonnie, just think of what you could do with the extra buck at the fly shop!

[Teewinot]

Flies look great everyone. Thanks for hosting the swap Nick, nice job. By the way I didn't see your Llama Muddler. Did you tie something different?

[nightfish]

yep, I switched to a minnow. I can show you a sculpin when we hook up next though.

[nightfish]

Hey, has anybody got pictures of the flies yet? I'd love to see them posted!

[Flyin' Brian]

this last week. They are some nice flies! Looking forward to trying them out.

[Jason]

Great flies guys, thanks.

I'm really liking the Bitch Creek nymph, well done Spotter.

[Jason]

A few more...

[Jason]

And the last of them...

Thanks again Nick.

[Lonnie]

I don' t know what you did, but thanks Jason for making my fly look better than it was....

:-)

L

[spotter]

Thanks for the kind words and for shooting and posting the pictures. It was a fun swap (and a great idea Nick)!

SPotter

[Jason]

My pleasure. The flies turned out great. And yes, Nick's idea rocked. I need to get some more white llama Nick. Hook me up!

So, who's claiming the Damsel Nymph fly - third set of pics? I know Teewinot tied one, but there's one with the black dumbell eyes with no owner. Who tied it?

And Lonnie, no trick photography here. You've just got mad skills. Your fly will definitely be good for trout, bass, and even wipers. I actually tried a different lighting setup than i usually do and I like the results.

[Lonnie]

Jason,

I've got a pack of white I could split with you. Let me know...

L

[Drake]

I tied a damsel. It is the very last pic posted.

[nightfish]

Thanks Jason! Excellent pics! And again, thanks to everyone who participated.

[nightfish]

Kent Govett of The Canadian Llama Company finally got a look at the swap pictures, and he was very pleased! Nic job!

He's wondering if any of the swappers, and of course the photographer, would mind his using the pics on his website?

Comments?

Jason, they're your pics, so you've got the first & ultimate call.

[spotter]

I'd like to take a look at their website sometime. What is the link?

SPotter

[nightfish]

http://www.canadianllama.com/catalog.htm

Thanks Spotter!

[spotter]

Thanks for the link and the swap. I'll have to order some provisions from them when I've got some extra time.

Spotter

[Flyin' Brian]

You are also welcome to use mine...let's go fishing one of these days!