Feb 2, 2012

Big Steamer Ideas Lacking on the Web

I spent most of tonight surfing the web for some inspiration. Honestly there's not much on the web for a guy throwing big fluff. Granted, Mcfluff, Simon and Mr. Capsey are tying big stuff, but lets be honest. I can surf for hours on new and unique small flies. But there's only so much you can do when tying half a chicken to a 10/0 hook. I am very proud of my flies, but I get tired of doing them. I am the only guy at the shows with anything over 1/0. I feel kind of alone lately when at the vise.

Probably cabin fever more than anything, maybe I am getting old, maybe I need another beer. Looking so forward to throwing some line with buddies.

Maybe I need to buy myself some new cigars.

7 comments:

dave lindsay said...

james what you need to do is look for inspiration search the web for flies and look at a pattern and say mmmmmmm i could big that up for preds add this or that, remember think outside the box when it comes to big flies get into that zen mode and youll come up with loads buddy .....

keep up the good work

mike williams said...

I know what your'e saying. I run face first into a creative wall more than I would like to admit. To help myself stir up the creativity I check out what the hardware guys are doing in magazines or web sites such as Bass Pro shops, Cabela's, Musky Hunter Magazine etc.. Google similar things to these there are a lot of crazy ideas in the hardware world that I borrow from. When it rains it pours brother, one idea will turn into many, if you think it the flies will come.

John said...

Hey James - I picked up that Pike yesterday on a version of Barry's Pike fly. there's a link & photo on my blog post. The rabbit strip tail has so much movement. I'm gonna whip up a few like it. It's not nearly as big as your pike flies but it's always good to throw something different when plan A isn't getting hit. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

BTW - the water was clear. Not muddy like it was on Tuesday.

Phantom Santa said...

not to toot my horn but check out
guidedflies.wordpress.com bigger flies then most in MT , maybe not as big as yours but big. love you bugs and keep up the great work
zc

ps what do you use for the punch to create the foam heads ( the half heart ) ???

James O Durbin II said...

The foam heads are punched with w guitar pick maker from thinkgeek.com

ajlaf7 said...

Think about articulated ties and maybe re-watch Zero to Hero. Andy

the lonsome piker said...

Hello James. I must admit that I often thought: “how does this guy keep enjoying tying the same fly over and over again”. So I’m kind of pleased that you started to ask this question.
Just experiment man! Take a known pattern, change the material, the length of the material, the hook, the hook size, add some weight, loose some weight, make a different head, combine two or three patterns, change the materials of all three patterns,… and go test them, and learn from it. Sure, you will have some disappointments while doing so, but you will learn from it each time. Oh, maybe a little more of this and a little less of that, and maybe I can ad this or loose that… actually, for me that is the most exiting and most enjoyable reason to tie flies in the first place, to always be looking out for new materials, new combinations, and other actions of my flies. Just keep on experimenting, so that people with no imagination can look your flies up on the internet!!!