Fly Tying Perfection

Interestingly enough, the header pic displays a number of flies I've tied-a majority with imperfections. Most if not all "perfectionist" fly tyers will be quick to tell you, "An imperfect fly will (catch) fish." More amusing is they'll complete instruction on tying the perfect fly, and often qualify that the first step to make the fly catch more fish is to catch some fish on it...and mess it up a little.

I can look at a picture, hold a fly, look at a video, all for just a couple of minutes and then tie that fly. Usually, the first one goes in the "seconds" box but I'll nail it on the second tie. Maybe a first time for several months, here's a new tie of a dry fly ant that I nailed on the first and the second tie. So, I've made it pretty clear that "perfection" isn't really desired for the fish. Fish don't count legs. They don't look for wings spread as artfully and symmetrical as an angel. In fact, they're more apt to snatch a grasshopper laying on it's side and kicking it's legs pathetically, than a specimen that looks like it belongs in an advanced entomology and science class. Why then...perfection?

For the fisherman. Usually the next one that's buying the flies you tie. Especially important when buying them in quantities-there's just something about each one looking like it was factory produced by automation. And to those that can and have to do that, the consistency is remarkable. That's great that I nailed the ant with both ties. Have me tie eight more-you'll have the opportunity to use a different fishing strategy. "Let's try THIS ONE that looks different than the one tied on...of the same fly. Yeh, I don't sell flies. So all the my imperfections do is periodically drive me crazy on a day that I have a few hours of obsession craziness.

I'll pick Amy Grigg, from Colorado, for a great example of consistency. Not so much because she's at the top of the fly tying world with her ties. Rather, she began tying not that long ago for a personal reason not related to fishing. Scroll through her social media and you'll come to it. A brief celebration of a few words that translated simply say, "Fly tying and fishing cures anything." But she sells 'em, too. That thumbnail pic? Those are Amy's, too.