Monday, June 7, 2010

I'm BLIND, thanks midge




OK,
Now I know its been a few years since I tied with any "regularity", but this is ridiculous. I put on my first pair of "cheater glasses" today after struggling to put beads and tie on size 22 midges of  various styles and colors. I have always been a huge fan of the zebra midge ties in black and silver, but after a little bit of experimentation trying the BLOOD MIDGE this Spring, I am also a believer.
So back to grind of whipping out a few of these guys. I have to be pretty proud of myself, I only managed to have 5 small plastic beads shoot across the room  at Remington speed during this tying session, three lost hooks, and three "gorilla breaks" of 8/0 thread. For those of you that don't know, my fingers are the size of small Bratwursts, and combined with my "spunky" attitude, each break of thread  is called a a "gorilla break."
The good news is I've decided to tie NOTHING smaller than a size 22 for the remainder of my life on this planet, the bad news? I KNOW there is some Elk hair that needs to be stacked!

Good fishing!

7 comments:

  1. Ya man! I haven't tried to tie a midge yet, but when I do I may just have to trade my 1 1/2x walmart magnifier glasses in for some 3x walmart magnifier glasses.
    I don't know what I'd do without them while standing in a stream with water trying push me over while messing with flies and tippet.
    They have made a huge difference for me. Those and the wonderful Davey knot.
    Go Gorilla!

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  2. good to know, I'm far from teh only one who needs them, EVEN at 35! hahaha

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  3. My eyes really started let me down for close work at about 45--now in my 55th year, it can be downright frustrating.
    The x glasses are awesome!

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  4. For tying little patterns AND for threading tippet past all the overglue and through those tiny eyes, I've been thinking about one of those flip-magnifier things that clips onto your hat. Or is that what you're calling "x" glasses?

    Jeff

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  5. great suggestion Jeff, I might have to buy the bullet

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  6. Same result as the flip down clip on type.
    I use the inexpensive throw-away reading glasses from Wally World.
    They have good solid plastic frames and hold up well, but are so cheap that if u lose them, its not a big deal.

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  7. When I weasled (lied) my way in at the Trout Shop for two years of work on the Bighorn, I was shocked to see these little things actually caught fish..?!

    They soon asked me if I'd "ever fly fished before..?"

    I hadn't of course, but they were cool and kept me on (good guys down there; Steve and Hale). I learned to not only tie a few, but also fish with those little bastards;...even caught a few ..?

    ..Almost miss the REZ, but not those tiny flies..

    Moe

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