International Guide To Fly Tying Materials

What is the International Guide to Fly Tying Materials? It is going to be a guide to different products I use in my flies from different manufactures from around the world. If you are interested in any of the products you see. Please comment and I can point you into the right direction.

Magic Shrimp Foil By Siman Ltd. from the Czech Republic is one of my favorite materials to work with. I use it on my Czech nymphs,scuds, wing cases, and bodies. It is a soft and very flexible material with a dull side and a shinny side. Added bonus is it takes well to coloring it. But it comes in 27 different colors. Standard size of 3/16" strips and fine strips 2/16".

Also by Siman is another version of the Magic Shrimp Foil that comes in 20 pearl translucent colors that is great for wing cases, czech nymph & scud backings, and midge bodies. It also takes a permanent marker, but loses the translucency.

The Magic Shrimp Foil comes in little baggies with enough material to tie anywhere from 100 to 125 flies. It also comes in a box of mixed colors with enough foil to tie about a 1,000 flies.


Magic Shrimp Foil Original


Magic Shrimp Foil Pearl


Magic Shrimp Foil Asst Box


Magic Shrimp Foil used on the wing case.


Pearl Magic Shrimp Foil as the Czech Nymph backing, notice the Jungle Cock showing through.


Another view of the magic shrimp foil used in the wing case. Here I colored the Magic Shrimp Foil to give it another dimension.


Tight wraps!
Chad

Greys Streamflex Rod for Czech Nymphing!

I wish I would have seen the rod at the Fly Fishing Retailer show! This rod sounds like the bomb! Please read the review below from Flytying Specialties, I am quite sure you will enjoy. Cheers.

After trying as many rods as possible for Czech Nymphing, one rod stood above all the rest. The Streamflex series of ten foot rods simply outperformed all the others in the areas we considered. Performance on the water left us with no doubt as the choice for all serious anglers who utilize the Czech Nymph fishing method. We needed a lightweight rod that had the extra lenght required to reach out and fish those areas that a shorter rod could not handle. The sensitivity is excellent, allowing the connection between the flies and the streambed to be easily transferred into the handle.

We were also very impressed with all the details this rod offers that rods costing twice as much do not. The beautiful reel seet is matched with double locking nuts the bottom one incorporating an o-ring for added security. The rich olive bronze finish is very pleasing to the eye without being overly fancy. Even the rod tube is different with it's unique triangular shape. A very nice rod sock is also included.

"The Streamflex 10 #4 is the ultimate rod for modern river tactics, dries, wets, duo, trio, Czech style, French style-it handles them all with equal ease"

Scott Nellins, three time youth World and National flyfishing team leader.

We matched this rod with GREYS Streamlite reel to help balance the outfit and minimize weight. At only 3.4oz for the #2/3 model, it significantly reduces fatigue on the arm and shoulder. Many reels costing three times as much cannot compete with that weight and quality. The wide ranging click-check system gives faultless control, protecting even the lightest tippets. The raised and bolted reel foot provides superior strength, important when fishing along difficult terrain. The gold and silver finish and soft touch handle complete the classic look of a performance reel. Easily converts for either left or right hand retrieve.

Fly Fishing Retailer

This past week in Denver at the convention center, was the annual Fly Fishing Retailer show. This is where all the fly fishing manufactures come to show off their new stuff. This year the show was moved to a smaller hall in the convention center. Why? Was it due to the economy, the lack in manufacture support, retailer attendance, or just the fact that the fly fishing industry is shrinking. Last year Cloudveil was a show sponsor, but failed to attend, this year they were back, was that due to bad economy and lost sales for not exhibiting last year.. Hmmm... This year missing was a whole slew of manufactures. Orvis, Wapsi, Spirit River, Hareline, Hatches, Biodz, Nature's Spirit, ect... I was SO surprised that all the major flytying supplier manufactures were not in attendance. Was it a conspiracy not to show up for the only major flyfishing show. Is AFFTA loosing its grip on the Fly Fishing Retailer show. Every year that I have gone, the show seems to be shrinking and loosing ground. I received a letter from AFFTA president, stating the following... "The 2009 FlyFishing Retailer Expo (FFR) wrapped up just two days ago. Although this year's show floor was smaller in size than previous years, the excitement and intensity of the show was just as strong as ever - maybe even more so given our current economy. Everyone that I and numerous others spoke with commented that the show far exceeded their expectations." Hmmm... I wonder if he was at the same show I was. Most of the exhibitors I talked too were very disappointed in the lack of retailers at the show. You think having the show in Denver would bring shops in from all over the country even for a few extra days to fish some great water. Next year no dates or place has been set for the show. It appears Denver has seen it's last Flyfishing Retailer show... It is almost certain to take on a new location. Some of the locations being tossed out is Disney in Orlando, Las Vegas, or even combining the show with the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. I think the latter makes the most sense. Keep the show in a mountain vicinity with near by fishing for some of us who will be traveling to the show.

It will interesting to see what happens.

As for great new products that are hitting the market place, hmmm, this is a hard one for me to figure out, because I really didn't see anything super new or great that I would need to go and get. Alot of the older products have been revamped or repackaged, or stayed the same. Nothing really jumps out at me.

The highlight of the show would be Modern Midges book signing by Tak and Jerry. They had a great turnout at the Stackpole Book booth. Met a few of the other tyers that submitted patterns to the book.

I also got to meet Mark and Sharon Lance! Super Nice folks that are doing alot for Trout Unlimited and our States waterways. Hopefully I will hear from Sharon soon!!!

Otherwise my opinion of the show was it was a weak show in need of a huge makeover!!!

Just an FYI... I am starting to get booked up for the fall/winter flytying demos around the state. I will be traveling to Ft. Collins and Co Springs this year for Demos as well as a few local shops as well. Stay Tuned for more details...

Tight Threads>>>>>

Chad