Health & Sports

Item Description

What you have purchased:

(1)    A simple fly box, suitable for a day’s worth of fishing.  The logo on the front is from my favorite fly shop here in St. Louis -> Tom Hargrove’s.  If you are ever in St. Louis and need anything for fly fishing, Tom Hargrove’s is the place to go.  Tom is a character and a lot of fun.  Craig works there too and is a great guy and very helpful.  Tom is the one who taught me how to tie flies.

(2)    2 thingamabobs (strike indicators).  Several of the flies I have tied suggest use of a strike indicator.  I find the thingamabobs one of the simplest indicators as they are easy to put on the line and remove without having to re-tie anything.  Just loop through the hole and around the body and pin w/ the attached plastic pin.   You can easily move it up and down the line.  Simple.

(3)    2 hildebrandt in-line spinners (gold).  I have specifically added these because of the Wooly worms I have included.  Sometimes you end up fishing (guiding) for non-fly-fisher-people and a wooly worm on a spinner with a weight about 18 inches above is perfect for ultra-light rods.  This set-up was my introduction to trout fishing and I have started all four of my children the same way.  It works.

(4)    A dozen (12) hand tied flies (I am not a professional tier, so these are not professional grade).  Two each of my favorite flies.  I believe in simplicity and these are simple to tie flies and simple to use.  And they get results - at least they do for me in the waters I fish in Missouri.  Included are two each of:

                                                            i.  Wooly  Worm
                                                            ii. Chamois Worm
                                                            iii.Nymph (cream)
                                                            iv.Griz & Grey
                                                            v. Mini Jig (aka Alley’s fly)
                                                           vi. Devil Bug

• (5)    Plus one more fly – An Awareness fly.  This is a Devil Bug, tied in the colors for throat cancer awareness (burgundy and ivory).  In late 2013 I was diagnosed with throat cancer (HPV type 16) and have undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery to address.  I wanted to do something to make others aware of this cancer (which is seen increasing in men who have never smoked and are in their mid-years, 40 – 55) so I decided to tie these flies, for your contribution to a worthy cause, and include this Awareness fly to remind people to get an annual physical, because there are no tests that detect this type of cancer in men.  My primary care physician was first to notice I had swollen lymph nodes on my right neck at my annual physical and because of that we caught my cancer early and prognosis for cure is very good.  Please, be good to yourself and get an annual physical.

I have included this booklet that has descriptions and pictures of each fly and my suggestions on how to fish them.  For those of you who tie, this helps with the material selections.  I haven’t included step-by-step tying instructions but would be happy to discuss if you really want to know.  The ENLARGED hook size in each recipe is the size that I have tied for your flies.  The other hook sizes are alternatives that I use.  These are simple flies, simple to tie, and simple to fish.  For me, that is what makes them effective and special.

Item Special Note

6 inches X 3 inches X 1 inch