The craft of fly-tying
(Page 4 of 5)
PATTERNS AND PATTERNS
RELATED CONTENT
As a learner you'll be tying the most simple patterns, but
in a very short period your skill will progress to the
point at which you'll be able to construct practically all
the known flies. You'll probably start creating your own
varieties, too, but I'd advise you to master the
traditional designs first because fishermen usually prefer
to buy flies that have established a name for themselves
over the years.
Although the great majority of these lures are tied for the
purpose of catching trout and salmon, some patterns are
used almost exclusively for bass. Saltwater fishermen, too,
have favorites of their own. Inquire locally to find out
what flies sportsmen are using in your waters.
HOW TO SELL YOUR WORK
Some fishermen, of course, tie their own flies, but many
don't . . . they don't want to take the time, or just don't
feel competent to do the job, or believe that a device they
purchase is better at catching fish than one they could
make themselves. At any rate, you should be able to locate
buyers for your products without much trouble.
To find a market, go to a sporting goods store or other
business that sells fishing tackle and study the
workmanship and prices of the flies offered for sale.
You'll probably find cheap Japanese import monstrosities at
20¢ each, some finely tied works of art that sell for
$1.00 . . . and other lures that fall somewhere in between.
When you have an idea of the going rates, approach the
shop's proprietor and ask him if he'd be interested in b
uying flies from you outright...or you might work out a
consignment arrangement with him. You may wish to package
your work attractively for sale through the store, or you
may leave the flies loose in small containers. (I've even
wrapped my products in cellophane envelopes and stapled the
packets to a piece of cardboard, which then placed in a
restaurant frequented by fishermen.)
Instead of dealing with a business, some craftsmen hang up
signs and sell their products direct from home. You might
even try showing samples at sportsmen's meeting places such
as boat rental docks and landings. Then if the flies you
tie are beautifully handcrafted—as they should
be-—you'll probably get some custom orders from
fishermen who want favorite patterns tied to their own
particular specifications. You might also place ads for
custom work in Outdoor Life, SportsAfield,
Field and Stream or Fly Fisherman.
Another selling possibility is to prepare custom-tied flies
for decorative purposes. You can make tiepins of the lures,
for instance, or embed them in clear molded plastic for tie
clasps, cuff links, paperweights or whatever. You can also
create handsome wall plaques (by mounting 12 different
landlocked salmon flies in an interesting pattern, to cite
just one example). Fine stores such as Orvis, in Vermont,
or Abercrombie and Fitch—in New York, Ver mont and
other locations—might be interested in carrying these
ornaments . . but only if your work is absolutely top
quality.
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