I remember getting my first fly tying kit, and even though it wasn't anything fancy, it was enough to get me started. I knew nothing about tying flies, and needless to say, I was a little intimidated. I have seen flies in the shops that were tied so beautifully, and flies so small I dare not to even try, unless attempted under a microscope.
I remember my first fly, but because I had nothing to turn to as in books, or video's, and until four years ago, I never owned a computer either, I had nothing but my imagination. Yes, I was, and basically still am behind the times, and I like it that way.
Looking at my flies today, and realizing that I have gotten better at tying, my memory kicked in and I remember the very first fly I tied. I used a #14 hook and I made, developed, conjured, haphazardly tied some form of a something that somewhat resembled a bug. It was an odd ball fly I tied from my imagination. And let me be clear on this, I have no imagination when it comes to art, decor, or apparently tying flies. My first fly was some Frankenstein-ish thing that was brown and had somewhat what resembled wings. Just an ugly tangled mess of thread and feathers. But in some way, I was proud of it.
I put it in my box with my store bought flies, anxiously waiting for the next day to arrive with the rising of the sun. And it came soon enough. I drove to the St. Vrain and tied my brand spanking new shiny ( not so shiny ) fly onto my tippet and began casting. It looked so good flying through the air as if it was a bug that naturally flew. Then came the moment of truth. I aimed it at a long seam coming from around a boulder, not knowing what would happen, but hoping for something. "Just give me a rise of a fish" is what I remember thinking, "and then I'll know I did ok."
My prayer was answered. As my fly floated naturally down the seam, I watched with a pounding heart waiting for any sign of a fish. Half way to me there came that little splash out of nowhere. No reason for a splash to happen like that, except if it's a fish. I took a quick breath and lifted my rod tip hoping to feel and see the tip of my rod bend. And to my surprise, it did.
I remember the fish as well as I remember the fly. It was a brown trout, nothing big, but a modest 10 inch trout with my fly stuck to it's face. I was so excited. The fish on the other hand I'm sure was not. But I made up for it thanking the fish for participating and kissing it's boo-boo where the hook was and released it for another day.
There wasn't a pattern for the fly I made, or with as many flies that are out there in the world today, who knows, maybe there is such a pattern for what I tied. But to me it was, and chances are, still an original. I never did name it, and for some reason never tied any more of them. Guess I figured I was ready to get to the next fly, and the next, and so on.
For those of you who tie your flies, what was your first fly? Was it a proper pattern true and tried, or was it some nightmarish monster just thrown together from feathers and fur?
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