I remember your first tying adventures, Clint. I hosted a fly swap and you participated to no one's complaint. That was before the big detonation and this place blew up with physical threats and insane behavior. Several wanted to fight me on the river and said they'd drown me. All I did was side with those I thought of as friends. I'd just laugh at it, now. Time is the best teacher. By the way, I stayed dry. I also never contacted the mods, but got blamed for that. That's OK, I know who did, will never tell and it doesn't matter a bit. All the opposite side appear to have permanently left. Hilarious, really.
I tied for a fly shop, mostly dries and nymphs, 10 dozen at a time. I also had a few "secret" flies people bought from me by the dozen that worked on the Battenkill well. 20 for private sale, 11 from the shop. I guaranteed them to not fall apart, ride right and work. It wasn't much of a money maker, as nimble hands of women in Sri Lanka and India do a much quicker job of it. I'm just not production oriented enough. I have enough trout flies for years to come, steelhead flies filling about 6 boxes, just enough flies to start the salt/ striper season next Spring, way too few smallmouth flies. That brings me to suggesting a new fishery for you, Clint. I know the SR gets plenty of good size bronze. They are a blast on a fly rod. I've been after them for 50 years. They readily whack crayfish and minnow patterns, fight like they're pants are on fire and jump as well as steelies. Tying for them is a little different, requiring flies that will swim and move while being retrieved with twitches and pulls rather than the dead drift thing. Think swinging flies, but add some movement. I had a good year in the upper Hudson, landing 5 over 20" . You could likely do better in the SR. Jesus, I fished on the way home from chemo sessions in April and early May sick and weak, but waded in heavy current, anyway. To say I appreciated the fish I caught is a vast understatement. Too bad our former board members couldn't have got me then ; I might have volunteered to go under. Fun stuff.
I bike to cure neuropathy and electrolyte imbalances and because bicycling is considered great for battling cancer. Just so happens I also love it, and always have. I have bought and built up fat tire bikes and am about to put on studded tires. I just discovered Winona State Park just north of the SR, it has extensive trails actually groomed for fat tire bikes by a mountain biking club, and holds one of the largest races in the east every winter. I won't travel right now, but my wife will get the vaccine early, and I should be second round. This may mean fish first light and the morning while it's good, go have fun on the bikes, then maybe return to the river, especially if the sun has warmed it up a bit. I hope it works out. Winona has designated primitive camping sites along a forest road, they might be something for the future for us, or even now if the snow isn't belt buckle deep. We've already done some bike camping trips. Fun stuff if you like that sort of thing. I also have a sled hauling hook I've put on for an ice fishing sled. I found a park with 6 lakes that's gorgeous and not that heavily trafficked. I guess bring on full blown winter, we're ready!