--- Deborah Duran <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I would be interested in hearing some of your > stories. > Deb
The instrospection surrounding this question is something I have been pondering for a while now...you had to ask didn't you? Fly tying, not fishing, is where it's at for me. I started fishing first with the idea that anyone who would waste time tying flies was ok with me because there'd be more room on the water. After the second tying class in Joe Roope's little shop I knew I would have to change that philosophy. Since then the materials inventory has increased exponentially and the rod/reel selection has been whittled down from 23 rods to just 5 cane rods, a handful of Hardy reels, a Robichaud and a Baby Ballan that I can't live without. If it came down to it though and I had to decide between them and the Nor-Vise and materials, I'd choose the vise. Tying for me isn't just something I do, it has become a way of life. I try to tie every day and am mostly successful in doing that. I still tie because it is relaxing and a good way to shed the stress of a day, but lately there has been a sense that something else is a driver of the passion as well. I am what I refer to as a part-time, professional tyer and tie for Dave Steinbaugh, owner of Waters West fly shop in Port Angeles, Washington. Being stateside and tying commercially, it is tough to compete with offshore prices. If I was looking at my fly tying as THE source of income for the family I would concern myself with that sort of stuff. However, since I have a really nice regular day job, my basic perception of what I am doing is offering Dave some custom-tied flies at decent prices and I, in return, am having my obsession subsidized. In the current economic climate, little shops and businesses need all the help they can get and I like to think that what I am providing helps his shop to a small degree. This year, if the demand is as high as it has been over the last two months (which might happen), I should top about 450 dozen flies. I really like tying that much but I don't have the outlet to peddle that many flies personally nor do I need (or could I afford) to tie that many just for myself. Even if I lose a bit of cash in dealing with the shop it still allows me to enjoy the hobby at the desired level that would be otherwise unobtainable and it allows Dave to offer some unique flies to his clients that are not available from off-shore companies. I'm not the only one he employs in such a manner, he has a guy tying Spey flies for him...$3.00 a pop and man, are they nice! I have to believe that gentleman probably has a similar philosophy. The articles (both in mags and on salmonfly.net) and now the website (see the sig line and be warned, it's still under construction) are the real hobby part of my tying obsession. I, like most tyers I know, really enjoy disseminating information be it in the form of classes, seminars, books, videos, etc. For me it's writing, although the seminars and demos are really fun too (once the stagefright goes away). I could go on but that's probably enough. Have a nice weekend everyone and those of you going to the Flyfishing Show in Bellevue, I'll see you there!. Don Johnson Shelton Vise Squad ===== New and still under construction: http://www.geocities.com/salmn8r/northwestcountryflies.html Please e-mail direct for scheduling and pricing information of fly tying presentations and seminars for your club or group. __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/
