Flies for free

I love to tie flies, but given the my lack of interest in fishing for steelies, I have a problem.  What to do with the flies I tie.  I would be willing to tie flies for people who want to fish for steelies.  I will send 10 flies to anyone who wants them.  The only requirement is that you tell me if the flies actually catches fish.

To receive 10 free flies send me a PM.

That might be true, but I am a bit crazy. 

OK guys, I have already had 10 folks who want flies.  I will do my best to get the flies out by the end of the week or early next week.  I will have to limit the offer to only two more takers.  I am sorry to have to put a limit on this offer, but in order to get the flies out in a timely fashion I will have to.   Once I get the first 120 flies tied and sent, I will see about sending out another 120 flies.

Thanks to all who have sent me a PM.  I will get to my tying desk ASAP.

btw, to any of those who are about to get some of bug's hand ties, i have a box here, from him, that are downright beautiful. though he will contest this, i will put his flies up against any. you guys are lucky.

bug, do not reply, thank you .

I'll take a dozen Silver Doctors, or Grey ghosts! They only take about 2 hours each to tie. LOL

OK here is the deal.  I have 16 people so far.  I think in order to get the flies tied and out in a timely fashion, I will try to send out the first batch to the first 10 names by the weekend and the rest by next week.

Please know that I am including some of my interpretations of a couple of fairly classic patterns, but with a few interesting twists.  I am trying to come up with easier and simpler ways to tie up the flies, but at the same time have flies that will catch fish. 

Also, I am going to have to set a limit on the total number of people I will be able to send flies to.  At this point I am going to set the limit at 20, so there are still 4 more slots to fill.  After that I am sorry I will not be able to take any more orders at this time. 

I was quite surprised at the response I have gotten and actually only a few people would respond.  Thanks for the nice comments.  Off to the tying desk.

Bug: I've often wondered if it would be possible to get tail feathers from Macaw's, Parrots, etc from a zoo. Or the Pittsburgh Aviary...hmmmmmm

They must molt and lose tail feathers too right? Time to visit the aviary again! Maybe I'll be posting pics of flies with "an underwing of Japanese Red Crowned Crane coverlet" and "Topping of Steller's Sea Eagle" lol

Lions mane? Thats crazy!

OK Folks the 20th person just pm'ed so I will not be able to take anymore requests at this time.  I want to thank all of you guys who have responded and I hope to have the flies in the mail real soon.
 
Just to give you a heads up as to what to expect, I have 5 patterns I am going to send out, 2 flies of each.  The goal of this exercise for me is come up with simple, easy and quick to tie flies that are inexpensive.  At this point there will be two nymphs - a black pheasant tail and jazzed up caddis, an updated polar shrimp, an emerald shiner and a little egg with a flashy collar.  They are my interpretation of a few classics using things like polar dubbing, hackle chenille, finn coon, etc...  Please note I am not a professional tier nor do I think I am a very good tier, but I am about average.  The flies I am sending should be pretty easy for most anyone to tie, so if they work out for you, you should be able to come up with your own versions.
 
If I get a chance, I will see about posting pictures and recipes.
 
Off to lunch and then back to the salt mines....

ORIGINAL: doubletaper

ORIGINAL: SonofZ3

Bug: I've often wondered if it would be possible to get tail feathers from Macaw's, Parrots, etc from a zoo. Or the Pittsburgh Aviary...hmmmmmm

i have a friend that sends me dropped parrot feathers from her pet. they are a nice olive/green color and make a great tree hopper pattern.
(i can't wait for the bird to die to get all the feathers sooner. i hope she doesn't read this)

Sweet dude, thats a good source. have you ever looked at what it costs to buy macaw or parrot feathers? Its insane.

some of bug's creations. sorry for the poor picture quality.

His flies really do work!!!

OK guys, I finally got the last of the flies done.  Since a good number of you said you were new to fly fishing, I decided that having you try experimental flies only would not be such a good idea so I decided to send out one each of the experimental flies and 5 flies that are likely to catch fish.

Here a couple of pictures of the flies"






The formula for the experimental flies are:

Bughawk Special:

#12 Mustad 3399 hook
Ice Dub UV Shrimp Pink
Palmer Chenille small pearl
UNI tread 6/0 red

Steelhead Pheasant Tail - notice the exaggerated thorax and extra long hook

#14 Mustad 79580 hook
Black Pheasant tail
Lead free 0.015 round wire 10 wraps
Copper ultrawire Br
Ice Dub Peacock
Black Ultra thread 70

Steelhead Caddis

#12 Daiichi 1150
Lifecycle dubbing Nymph med. olive
Copper Ultra wire Br
SLF Prism dubbing Black
Black Ultra thread 70

Emerald Shiner

#6 Mustad 79580
Shad gray marabou
Ice Dub silver
Silver Hackle Flash
Olive Finn coon
Black Ultra thread 70

Polar Shrimp

#6 Mustad 36890 Salmon hook
Red marabou
Ice Dub Orange
Finn coon white
Black Ultra thread 70


I hope to get the flies in the mail tomorrow and no later than Tuesday. 

Nice ties there Bughawk ... Glad to see your back ... Cheers bud .... 

Very nice flies, Bughawk!

I am!