Filling Customer Fly Orders

I’ve been at the fly tying desk lately working hard filling customer fly orders as well as the provider box. I thought this week’s post would highlight a few flies that have been coming off my vise. Some of the popular requests lately have been Clark’s Lady Stone, Improved Sparkle Dun – PMD, Hemingway Caddis, and IOBO Humpy. I’m happy to tie these flies, because they are highly effective flies and most are a staple in my fly box. In addition to these flies, I’ve received several requests to tie a fly pattern I’ve never heard of.

The image above shows two dozen flies called the Heindl. I’d never heard of this fly, but a customer sent a picture from his phone and I was able to replicate the fly fairly well. They are in transit now. Perhaps I’ll get a fishing report in the future.

Here is a closer look.

These flies will be fished in the state of Virginia. That’s all the way across the country from where I live in Oregon.

It’s interesting to me how people find me. Sometimes it’s word of mouth. Other times, they have located me through the results of a Google search with “custom flies” as the topic. I work with them to determine if I think I can tie the fly they are after. I’m willing to try most flies, although I have said “no” on occasion.

I attribute my fly tying skills from repetition and tying so many flies in recent years. This might be a banner year as I’ve tied over 1,200 flies since the first of the year. The number keeps growing each week.

Recently, I’ve had some positive comments about my photography skills. Since we’ve decided to comply with the stay home and stay safe directive, I’ve been trying a few new techniques. Here is a series of step-by-step images for the Hemingway Caddis.

Body with hackle and counter-wrap rib in place.

Positioning Wood Duck underwing over body.

Selecting Mallard quill wings.

Aligning wings and positioning over body.

Ready for soft thread wraps around quill wings. Holding firmly very close to fly.

Wing secured on hook.

Checking wings are aligned directly on top of fly.

Attaching hackle.

Wrapping peacock herl for thorax.

Wrapping hackle through peacock herl.

Finished fly.

Finished fly – top view.

I better update my Hemingway Caddis fly pattern sheet with these images.

I thought these images turned out pretty well. I learned to pay attention to the background. I didn’t realize the Daiichi hook package was there. I could have retaken the photos but decided to move on. As I said earlier, I was practicing a new-to-me technique.

Enjoy…stay home, stay safe!