Box of Chocolates Swap!

[Lonnie]

You never know what your going to get.

Ok here's the deal, there hasn't been a swap in a while so here goes. 12 swappers. You can tie ANY fly you want. Drys, Wets, Streamers, Buggers, emergers, terrestrials, whatever. ANYTHING GOES, but I'm looking for creativity! Flies will be due Dec 31st.

Here's the other twist, if you want in just post it. DON'T TELL US WHAT YOU ARE TYING. Nobody (but me!) will know what they are going to get until they open their swapbox. That's the cool part.

So jump in on this one, it's going to be cool !!!

1). Lonnie

[FlySmyth]

I'm in, I'll tie ooops I cant say that.

FlySmyth.

[steelie]

Sounds fun, sign me up Lonnie.

[Lonnie]

Ok, been up less than 2 hours, 25% full.

So far it's

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie

You know if we have these done sooner, we could have them to open on x-mas day. You guys up for an earlier date ?

L

[Flyin' Brian]

for another swap...count me in.

[steelie]

You guys up for an earlier date ?



I'd rather not. I've got a several week hiatus from work around the holidays, and I'll need the extra time to do something "creative", so you probably won't be getting mine until near the deadline.

[Jason]

Lonnie, count me in. I've got a couple new patterns I can choose from.

[FlySmyth]

I can tie twelve in an evening so I can send them in anytime.

FlySmyth.

[Lonnie]

1/2 way home already !?! Cool !

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic

Upon Steelies request, that original date stands. Flies are due Dec 31st.

[Norm]

I'm in.

Norm

[CycleFish]

Hey that sounds like fun. sign me up please.

[Lonnie]

You guys are in. Only 4 spots left ! Better act fast!

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish

[Caddfly]

I'm in. I've recovered from T4X's insanity swap.

[THeBLender]

Just read an article in Fly Fishing and Tying Magazine - inspirational! I'm in.

[Lonnie]

Only 2 spots left ! Time is running out !

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly
10) THeBLender

[stef]

Chocolate? I want in!!!

[Lonnie]

Stef, you're in. Who wants the last spot??

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly
10) THeBLender
11) Stef

[Fishin' Junkie]

Count me in if there is still the last spot open!

FJ

[Lonnie]

SWAP IS CLOSED !!!

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly
10) THeBLender
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

Ok Everyone, time to hit the vise !!! Good luck. When you're done with your flies let me know. This should be a good one!

[fish-hunter]

Missed a good one. I guess it pays to log on once in a while! Looks like a good one Lonnie. Let me know if you end up allowing a few more.

<'((F.H.((~<

[Lonnie]

First Flies are in. And Yummmm, they look tasty, you folks are going to love them. Good work Caddfly.

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[dblbuny84]

let me know if theres more room. I have a killer pattern for the weber

[Lonnie]

FH and DBLBunny,

Sorry but since I've gotten flies already I don't think I can add any. If I have anybody drop out, I'll let you guys know (ie you guys are alternates).

L

[THeBLender]

Will ship Thurs AM after one more session when I re-tie some of them since THeBLender sux.

[dblbuny84]

i am in like flynn or maybe not

[Lonnie]

i am in like flynn or maybe not

Yeah, sorry but this one's full. Maybe next time.

L

[CycleFish]

oh crap!
Just got through reading the article on RAW's creative flies. Damn he's good, at least he's not in this swap. That said I have the growing feeling of impending ridicule. Feels like I'm showing up to Dodge with only a Derringer in ma' pocket.

Oh the pressure, the pressure - little man stepping from the safety of his keyboard. Momma!

[Lonnie]

Feels like I'm showing up to Dodge with only a Derringer in ma' pocket.

Better than showing up with a pocket knife !!

You'll be fine.

L

[Lonnie]

More flies at my house today. Good Job Fanatic !!!! If the rest of the flies are as good as the first two sets, it's going to be an EPIC swap !

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[Lonnie]

I thought they were all sweet !!

L

[THeBLender]

Lonnie~
I know I've seen your address somewhere, but I've checked my mail and scanned this thread 5 times and can't find it now... please email me or (gently) point out where it is...

[Lonnie]

Blender,

You've got mail...

[THeBLender]

And you've got mail as well. Mine will just take a little longer to get there.

I promise I tried hard to do a good job, but THeBLender just plain sux. Please pick throught the best ones to send on and keep the rest for yourself.

[Lonnie]

Got THeBLenders today. Two weeks from Friday is the due date. Are you going to make it ? All the flies I've gotten so far are quality.

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[THeBLender]

I'm kind of self conscious, swappin with all these old pros...

[THeBLender]

Thats a classic. Send on the good ones and keep the crappy ones for yourself.. Damn dude, you kill me.


That way I figure only one person will feel like they got gyped, plus, Lonnie gets to practice the altruism he is famous for :)

[Lonnie]

I got flysmith's today. He dropped them off at my house when he cleaned my carpet. He did a great job (with both the flies and the carpet). We've got a new (7 month old) puppy at our house and he was able to "correct" all of the accident spots. Great service. I left him with a few flies in return.

L

[FlySmyth]

Another satisfied customer! Lonnie, I enjoyed meeting your dogs/kids. Great looking flies too thanks again.

FlySmyth.

PS Lonnies was an unpaid endorsement. I really am that good.

[Norm]

Send me an email with your address so I can get these flys to ya.

Norm

[Lonnie]

Norm, got your e-mail, I sent you a reply.

I got flies from Cyclefish over the weekend. What a great tie, man they had me cracking up. When you see them you'll understand. I don't know of another swap where those would have worked. Great Job Mike! I'm chuckling now just thinking about them.....

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em!
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[CycleFish]

Great. That was mighty fast - good on ya' postie!

[Lonnie]

Speaking of posties, maybe with the X-mas rush they had Zabriskie make the delivery to speed things up....

[Norm]

got back from the post office, you should see the flys in a day or so. To all you tiers, keep in mind I am very, very new to tying and I hope you like the pattern. It's probably a simple pattern for most but I found it very challenging and learned a lot in the 2 hrs it took me to make this dozen, its a pattern I used up on the madison in the summer and had very good success with. I'd tell you the name butt for the fact that I don't know the name. I'd make up a name but that wouldn't be fair. So if someone can tell me what the name of the pattern is I would appreiciate it:>) Now I nend to spend a few more hours and make some for myself.

Peace

Norm

[Lonnie]

Norm,

I got your flies. I don't know what your talking about, they looked good to me.

The due date is Dec 31st. Is anybody going to need more time? I look ad the due date as more of a guide line than a rule, but if anybody's going to be late I'd rather know early....

1) Lonnie
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em!
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em!
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[steelie]

Haven't started yet - no worries though, I'll make the deadline.

[Lonnie]

I finished mine last night. I'm going to tie up some more, because I REALLY like this pattern. I'll try to pic through the best ones and send them out.

1) Lonnie ----> Done!
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em!
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em!
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie

[THeBLender]

I finished mine last night. I'm going to tie up some more, because I REALLY like this pattern. I'll try to pic through the best ones and send them out.

Dude, I was just giving you a hard time. You can keep the one good one I tied - if you can find it :)

If I emailed you a recipe could you print it out and attach? I forgot...

[Flyin' Brian]

I will be able to have mine in on time.

[Lonnie]

Two packages in two days. Coming down to the end...

1) Lonnie ----> Done!
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em!
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em!
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em!
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

[Jason]

I'll get mine over to you this weekend.

[steelie]

Lonnie,

I'll be done tomorrow - send me an addresss please.

[Lonnie]

Jason,

If you want to do lunch early next week, you could drop them off then...

L

[stef]

Mine must be lost in the mail. But how lost could they be when I just sent them today ;) And to top it off I didn't label them.

[steelie]

Mine are mailed - I think they are still in the outgoing box down on the corner though, as I didn't get them mailed by the pick up time, so mine will probably be a day late. Come to think of it, I hope the USPS is workin tomorrow....or they will even be later. Damn slacker.

In keeping with the theme of the swap, I tied a fly that many of you will have no use for. Much like that last chocolate in the box, that nobody is gonna eat. The one with the finger hole poked in the bottom to reveal that nasty ass white cream crap.........

[Lonnie]

I've got all the flies but one set. Stef's came last week and I got Steelie's today. Steelie, Dude. I mean, seriously, WTF? They're tied great, but I'm just sitting here scratching my head. Great job, yours deserve some sort of (twisted) award, but I don't know what. I'm gonna have to ship your fly and Cyclefish's in a seperate boxes. I wouldn't want any mongral flies running around.... :-)

Jason, I'll give you a call in the AM...

1) Lonnie ----> Done!
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie ----> Got 'em!
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em!
5) Jason
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em!
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em!
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em!
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em!
11) Stef ----> Got 'em!
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

[steelie]

laugh if you will (that was kind of the point) - but make no mistake, that fly has put A LOT of fish in the net over the years.......the best part is, when somebody sees you knocking em' dead, and they ask what your using......you say "XXXXXX's"....you get some great looks.

[Jason]

I know, I'm slacking. Been too busy with work and other stuff. Being in Hawaii for a week didn't help either. I'll get my flies cranked out in the next day or two. I'll get with you soon Lonnie.

[Lonnie]

Jason,

I'll give you to the end of the week (is that enough time?). I can sympathize, I'm behind for 2 swaps on other sites....

L

[Lonnie]

Ok, I picked up Jason's flies on Friday and packed every thing up tonight. Baring some of unforeseen incident the flies will be in the mail tomorrow around lunch time.

Now here's the deal. I'll need everyone to report in when they get their flies (the swap isn't over until I hear from everyone!) In keeping with the spirt of this swap, please don't discuss the flies on here until we hear from everyone !!!

Over and Out,
Lonnie

[THeBLender]

Apparently, only the worst ones that he isn't passing on :)

[Lonnie]

OK, you boy and girls should have them in a few days. Stef, I'm going to send you a PM....

L

[Lonnie]

Oh,

1 more thing. Flysmith, I still have yours at my house. As soon as I can find a box for them I'll drop them at orvis (I mailed out all of my extra swap boxes!!). On second thought, you could send me your address and I could mail them to you. (It might be cheaper than a trip to Orvis....)

Which brings me to a general point about fly swaps. When shipping flies in a box, always send a box that's fairly big (fanatic has this down). Some folks tied larger flies than others and I couldn't fit all the flies into some of the boxes....

L

[Lonnie]

FF,

Did you do the art work on your box?

L

[CycleFish]

Awesome!,
Every one of em'. I have lots of questions so hurry up postie!

[Norm]

Verrrry Impressive!!! Downright humbling for me. I was so impressed with all the patterns, someday with a little practice I hope to be a good tier. I can see where it is addictive, kinda like rod building. Sorry I didn't attach a card with the name and recipe so here it is.

PMD Parachute adams.

#16 barbless dry fly hook
Thread- PMD 8/0
Hackle- Grizzly and Furnace
Tail - grizzly and furnace hackle fibers
Body Dubbing - 2 parts Fine PMD dubbing w/sparkle + 1 part rust sparkle antron dubbing.
Post- Antron yarn

Actually I don't know the real name of it, I'm not very observitive in these matters, I bought it from a place on the madison in MT, worked like a charm on those hot august nights, lost a half a dozen in a couple nights up there but came home with a chewed up one and tryed to copy it. I'm sure they sell em around here but I havn't ran into any. Anyhow spectacular flys all, thanks for the ideas and thanks to lonnie for hosting it. I learned a lot.

Norm

[Lonnie]

NORM! Your letting secrets out !!! :-)

L

[Flyin' Brian]

Got them. Thanks for hosting!

[THeBLender]

THis swap roxed!

I'm still laughing (though my wife is not) about the one, and plan to display another here at work - how did you do the feet on that thing?

Thanx again Lonnie. My only question is that you sent me one of my own back - OEM reject?

[Lonnie]

This swap roxed!

I'm still laughing (though my wife is not) about the one...

Let me guess Cyclefish's?

Hey, I tried to send everyone back a complete set. Thanks for the extras, but all I really need is 1 set too (except for Fanatics).

[Lonnie]

No the opposite. I need all the extra's of those I can get my hands on....

Fanatic, I'm guessing you'll get your flies today. Hope you like them.

L

[Caddfly]

Got mine yesterday!!!

[Lonnie]

1) Lonnie ----> Done! ----> Delivered.
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie ----> Got 'em!
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
5) Jason ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
11) Stef ----> Got 'em!
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

For folks with files still in the mail, please let me know when you get them.

L

[Spanks]

I'd like to see some pics of the flies y'all are swapping- Any chance of this?

[stef]

SWEET Cyclefish!!

My very own WILLY!!!!!

[Lonnie]

I'd like to see some pics of the flies y'all are swapping- Any chance of this?

Jason assured me that he'll take some photos. You folks gotta see some of these....

1) Lonnie ----> Done! ----> Delivered.
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie ----> Got 'em!
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
5) Jason ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em!
7) Norm ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
11) Stef ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

[Lonnie]

Hey FF,

I threw an extra one in just for you. Did you find it? (Sorry, but it's nothing special...)

1) Lonnie ----> Done! ----> Delivered.
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em!
3) Steelie ----> Got 'em!
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
5) Jason ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
7) Norm ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
11) Stef ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

[Lonnie]

Hey man,

Don't worry about it (I would hate to trouble you.) Those will last me for months (I most likely won't be out fishing for months!!!). When I run low, I'll let you know. I'm really looking forward to fishing the at the berry next fall (if I don't loose them in the provo before that...) That's just a pattern I have a hard time tying (I know it's simple but I still struggle with it.)

L

[Jason]

Cycle, I've got to ask, are those double D's?

[Lonnie]

Sounds like a job for Stoney!! ;)

http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/showpost.php?p=94475&postcount=74

[Lonnie]

1) Lonnie ----> Done! ----> Delivered.
2) Flysmith ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
3) Steelie ----> Got 'em!
4) Flyin' Brian ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
5) Jason ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
6) F.Fanatic ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
7) Norm ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
8) Cyclefish ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
9) Caddfly ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
10) THeBLender ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
11) Stef ----> Got 'em! ----> Delivered.
12) Fishin' Junkie ----> Got 'em!

I just got an e-mail from Flysmith, and he has his (not bad since I mailed them after 6:00 pm last night.) I've sent FJ and Steelie an e-mail and haven't heard from them. (They haven't checked in in a few days) Since FF has his and he was the farthest way, I'm going to assume everybody has theirs.

SO, with that in mind, I'm going to bend my own rules and open the floor to discussion. I think the cat (or the dog) is out of the bag by now anyway.

OK swapers, Have at it. When I get home I'll type a list of what everybody sent. The highlights were as mentioned by stef "the willy" tied by cyclefish and "the Poodle" tied by steelie. (It's exactly what it sounds like...). These 2 were REALLY creative, but honesly all the flies were super.

Here's mine. Sorry I didn't include the cards. I had them printed and lost them. Was in too much of a hurry to reprint them.

Lonnie's Quill Wing Biot Beatis Emerger
Hook: Mustad C49S 16-22 (the swap flies were 18's)
Tail/shuck: Olive Mallad dyed woodduck
Body: Dark Olive Goose Biot
Wing: Dark Dun or Grey Quill
Hackle: Dun
Thread: 8/0 olive

[Lonnie]

Here's a few.

1).Blender
2).caddfly
3).Fanatic
4).FlyinBrian
5).Flysmith

[Lonnie]

1).Jason
2). Lonnie
3). PMD Adams
4). Steelie "the poodle"
5). Stef

[Lonnie]

1). Cyclefish "The Willy"

I just realized I'm missing one. Red midge larve...

As everyone can see, the swap totally ROCKED!!! Great job to all my tiers!!!

L

PS A dozen astro midges to the first person that catches a fish on "the poodle"!!! J/K

[steelie]

I'm tellin' ya - this fly kicks ass! Here is a couple caught on the poodle...

Great flies everyone!

[CycleFish]

Thanks everyone for the great flies. This was my first swap so I really had no clue of what to expect. I'm very impressed! And I'm covered for rivers & lakes from this one swap. That's great.

Blender - looks like the perfect fly for the price river. where'd you get that dubbing?

Caddfly - First thing my wife said when she saw your fly "wow, why don't yours look like that?" Thanks dear!

Fanatic - Most impressive fly of the swap (for me). Looks like a stone cold killer!

Brian - Beautiful work of art. I want to use it but I'm scared it will be lost & my fly box will no longer be pretty.

Flysmith - Great material. Your fly has Green river written all over it.

Jason - 14/0 thread are you insane! That's like spiders silk isn't it?

Lonnie - This fly would be my nemesis of the group. You will have to teach me.

Norm - "Some day with a little practice I hope to be a good tier." Your words - what an understatement. That's one of the finest quality flies I've seen tied.

Steelie - If I keep it in my box too long will it crap everywhere & hump all the other flies!? Excellent job.

Steff - Wow, the detail of your fly under the magnifying glass is wonderful. Thank you so much.

Junkie - Disco midge? I plan to tie some of these myself. Thanks for the idea.

Cyclefish - You idiot!! My mother always said I lower the tone wherever I go.



Here's the story behind the "willy." My father came over from the UK this last thanksgiving & I took him for his first fly fishing outing. He just wanted to watch, but enjoyed it non the less. A couple of weeks after his return home a UK fly fishing magazine arrives in the mail along with some other items. It was an interesting read, all the different terminology & techniques. Different to me at least. As I read each article I noticed that be it small or large, each one had a reference to a fly called a "booby" with various terms & references along with it. "Revolutionary", "Devastating" "without equal." I was impressed as it looked like the goofiest thing I'd ever seen.

The "Willy" came about because I couldn't find the right material for the booby. Tried to do a modified version with the pom-poms, took one look at it off the vise & thought It's no booby but sure looks like a penis! So I went with it. To date I have not fished it, but have tested it's buoyancy - It's a cork. I plan to fish it as described by the Brit's for the booby. It's a Stillwater pattern fished roughly 12" off the bottom. Weight @ point with the fly on a short tag end, "bounce" method I guess? Slow "roly-poly" or "figure 8" retrieve?? The buoyancy of the fly supposedly gives it action when retrieved. I suck at Stillwater fishing so maybe this method will help.

Mike

[Lonnie]

Swap Photos have been moved to the Fly Swap gallery.

http://www.utahonthefly.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=20