Winter Slump

[Uplander]

Winter fishing isn’t my bag, baby, so once partridge hunting season is over I typically find myself sitting down and tying a bunch of flies to replace the ones I lost over the previous Summer. But not this year.

For whatever reason, I’m having a wicked hard time getting into the swing of things when it comes to fly tying this Winter. I don’t know why, but my heart just isn’t in it. Part of it is the fact that we are still unpacking and getting settled in the new house we bought last year. I just dug my vice and materials out of the mountain of boxes still to be unpacked, but that’s as far as I took it.

I know what’s going to happen. Next thing I know it will be May, and I’ll only have a handful of flies left over from last year, and I’ll be forced to sit and tie a bunch. But, the necessity of the whole situation will make it a chore rather than a pleasure, and I’ll begrudge the time spent at the tying desk when I really want to be outside working in the garden.

I’ve gotta do something to break out of this slump and start tying!

Anyone else having a hard time getting motivated?

[dragonma15]

You know, I have been in a rut as well. I don't really know what it is either. But I joined the fly swap, and that gave me the push to sit down last night and get them done. I should drop them off at the post office after work.

Now that I have started tying again, I think I might get to the vise more often.

I wouldn't push it if I were you. If you don't get to the vise till May, then at least you can tie what ever is working on the water. Or maybe thats just the procrastinator in me ;D

Gregg

[Mark Patenaude]

I go trough a "slump" as you call it now and again.

The way that I typically break it is to sit down and tie one very detailed fly like a full dress salmon or spey fly. Knowing that I have only one fly to tie and not having to get into the "production" mode helps me enjoy it more and also refines my skills.

Also, I am posting the recipe in this area for a pattern that I have kept to myself for now. The Brookies love it and knowing that a number of you frequent some small streams, this would be an excellent pattern for "dapping" of pockets and small runs.

Mark

[JoeOverlock]

I do the same as Mark by tossing it up with a new pattern. Just have a seat behind your vice, light your pipe, and grab a cold bottle of BBC Steal Rail.