$ 12 Steelhead Fly

[Hal Eckert]

thrives at The Fly Shop, Redding, CA, got my annual catalog and there are two $12 prawn type flys again this year. You can see them on their web site also.

May have to get them just to say I have them, god knows none of my steelhead flys are worth that much, and if they were, they would never see the water.

:beer2: :beer1:

BG

[Jerry Daschofsky]

I do believe they are tied with some expensive feathers (Fred can spread some light on this I believe). I know I've been tempted myself to buy one just to say the same thing. LOL.

[Hal Eckert]

Freds probably their main customer along with all of those other CA wealthy retired folks in the Rogue valley. iagree :beer2:

I need to meet some fellows that fish these flys with those expensive feathers in it to see if it makes any difference at all in overall results, some how I doubt it. :) ;)

:beer2:

BG

[Jon Williams]

Just curious...if you fish with these expensive flies, are you gauranteed to catch big, steelhead with DD implants, cologen injected lips and attitudes??

I'm just asking!!! After all, it IS California!!

:eek:

[Willie Bodger]

You know, looking at the recipe, it really doesn't look like the feathers are that expensive aside from the Super Spey. Actually, can't figure out why that prawn is $12.. Charging for R&D time? Oh, and what is Mirage? The recipe called for two strands of Mirage...

[davidstrout]

This thread was beat to death last year on another board But as I have discussed this with PAul Miler I will chime in...

He ties these flies....not someone in ghana or china or thailand or anywhere else in our world that most of the tying is outsourced to...

What is your time worth?

I for one cannot get my drain snaked or my car fixed for less than $60/hr

As stated he ties all of these flies....

Lets say for even #'s that the mark-up is 30 % (a ridiculosly low % but its theoretical) and that paul recieves a round 9$ a fly from the shop.

I am a professional tyer and I have tied these flies...they are labor intensive and I @ best can do 1 in 20 minutes/3 in an hr=$27

Subtract materials cost and what is he making?

He is not doing this for the $

If you think ther are too expensive dont buy them however we should all try to stay away from relating an expensive fishing fly with tyer's character

What does a sage rod cost vs a TFO ?

or reels for that matter or a decent bottle of USA made wine?

IN this country we all want the best for cheap..... (however for quality products made in the USA one will pay top $ for LAbor)

just my 2 cents as PAul is an awful nice guy as well as a talented tyer and would not anyone drawing any conclusions as to his chracter from the $ THE FLY SHOP charges for his flies...

I for one charge a ridiculous price for the flies I sell to N.E. and other traveling anglers. I dont tie clousers or decievers or gotchas as I wouldn't even try to compete with those outsourced flies...

I charge for my time as well as for the best and most exotic materials $ can buy....There are many tiers who would shudder @ this but there are more anglers who do not tie and want the best flies to fish with for whatever their reasons are (I am not saying that my flies are the best but there are more to them and paul's and other more talented tyers than your standard commercially produced product so one cant reasonably expect to pay standard prices)

If you do not like it dont buy it, tie your own, fish your own and enjoy your life.

I always tell my customers that I think that their $ would be better spent on angling books , good materials or whatever but.....

If they want my flies tied by me they pay a premium.

This why I manage a restaurant for a real job to finance my family life and leave the tying to finance my fishing jones

All the best

david

[Jon Williams]

David...very well said. I agree with you 100%. If you want QUALITY you have to pay for it. If you want cheap....go get the 5 pack of flies at Wal-Mart for $9.99.

I personally tie my own (recently) because of this very reason. I laugh at people that bitch and moan about gas prices while they're standing in line for 15 to buy a $4.85 coffee. You wanna talk about profit margian???? 8 cents worth of coffee for $4.85....

Keep up the good work....

Jon

[Mark Bové]

I just bought a couple and they are super cool, but not that hard to tie. i will tie up my own versions but I think they were worth the 12 bones. I think you just may get good karma for purchasing flies made my Paul, Hes a super guy.
Tight lines
Mark T Bove

[Jason Decker]

http://www.theflyshop.com/images/pfly21/563f.jpg

http://www.theflyshop.com/images/pfly21/550f.jpg


http://www.theflyshop.com/fly21.htm

[Davy]

Ok , I was, then I wasn't, then I was gonna put something up--tonight I guess I had enough gin , or maybe it's the olives........

anyway;

I haven't even looked at the fly in question. However.

There are some patterns I tye for others that I know cost me 12.00 before the hook is in the vise. Dyed and prepped peahen, old stashes of other certain materials not available anymore, two or three or four spey hackles of real spey hackle, add a $1-6.00 hook, custom dyed bronze mallard , ditto seal, toucan, parrot,, redwing. jeez. Shipping costs for materials from really wierd zipcodes to say the least.
Yeah, some of these flies cost $$$ just in material. I think it is worth it though. Will yarn on a hook catch steelhead? yes. So will a 9 buck flyrod and a danielson reel. Hey? The new 9Buck Chuck fly outfit!!!!! But for me, and you all know me, that I will tye a full dress Highlander on my leader at any time , just because. If some will and want to pay for these flys- great!. Others not? --thats great too. It's why this is recreation, do so at your chosen level of happiness , not someone else's. These fly designers all put tons and tons of thought and work into these flys. If one is successful and sells it's because others have found it works. Eventually if it does not work, the pattern will become another "forgotten fly". Some merchants certainly offer flys that may be crude or discount facsimiles of proven winners for sure. My guess is, this fly and at the price mentioned- and I assure you, I will see them and may buy a few, has the materials and track record behind it. Would a reknowned shop such as The Flyshop purvey something not authentic? I would guess not .

[Hal Eckert]

I might buy a couple for the classic collection, not for fishing, cannot tell what kind of hackle is used, catalogue says "the absolute best hooks made, hard to find hackle" any body know ?

Speykid what do you think ?

:) :beer2:

BG

[Willie Bodger]

Per his recipe, I think it is his own Super Spey Hackle available at Siskiyou Aviary. Well, at least on the Super Spey Prawn anyway...

http://www.siskiyouaviary.com/seminars.html

[Randy Diefert]

The super spey hackle looks like dyed Peacock. Love that electric blue color. kind of looks like the same color as the neck feathers. I'll bet that there is a nice irridescence to it . I've used dyed peacock herl before but, you have to watch who did the dying. Some get the bath to hot and the quills get very brittle

[Hywel]

Flyshop's retail price is $12.00 - which means, even if the pattern is not being tied offshore the tyer is probably making about $6.00 a copy.

I'm personally thrilled to see the $12.00 price tag - and if the tyer/designer is seeing the Lion's share of that, I'm doubly thrilled.

Hywel

[SuperDave]

It's mind over matter; if you don't MIND paying 12 skins for a fly, it doesn't MATTER! :confused:

SuperDave

[Davy]

Flyshop's retail price is $12.00 - which means, even if the pattern is not being tied offshore the tyer is probably making about $6.00 a copy.

I'm personally thrilled to see the $12.00 price tag - and if the tyer/designer is seeing the Lion's share of that, I'm doubly thrilled.

Hywel
iagree :beer2:

[Big Tuna]

For you pro tyers,
If you design and name a fly, do you get any money if a company has the flies tied by someone else? For instance, in virtually any catalog you will find Copper Johns. Does John Barr get any kick back or royalties for the flies they sell? Just curious. I've only tried production tying once and it was for my brother. Not being a fast tyer, I probably made a buck 380 an hour. That's a tough way to make a living.

[Hywel]

Tuna,

"...do you get any money if a company has the flies tied by someone else?"

Yes.

A good number of the flies at your local flyfishing shop (or displayed in Mail Order catalogs by larger angling-related companies) are usually the result of a 'royalty' contract between the pattern designer and the 'manufacturer'. Most major companies pay the designer between 8% and 10% based on gross (wholesale) sales of a particular.

I have four patterns with the Solitude Fly Company (and four pending for 2007) and while I don't make alot of money, it's good money. *g*

Hywel

[Porter]

Tuna,


..... and while I don't make alot of money, it's good money. *g*

Hywel

please qualify good money? because I think I rather take a lot of money (if it buys me the same sh*t ...... :p :p :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[Hywel]

My definition of 'good' money is that it gives me a certain sense of satisfaction in the way I earned it.

You're certainly not going to be sending your kids to Harvard or vacationing in Switzerland if your a contract/royalty tyer - that's for sure!

Hywel

[Philster]

For you pro tyers,
If you design and name a fly, do you get any money if a company has the flies tied by someone else? For instance, in virtually any catalog you will find Copper Johns. Does John Barr get any kick back or royalties for the flies they sell? Just curious. I've only tried production tying once and it was for my brother. Not being a fast tyer, I probably made a buck 380 an hour. That's a tough way to make a living.

Last time I was cranking heavily with commercial tying was 6 or so years ago, and Umpqua was trying to pay force folks to take payment in goods, not cash. That was for tying AND for royalties. There were alot of pissed people. I don't know where that fight went, as I left the biz at that point.

[Hywel]

Last time I was cranking heavily with commercial tying was 6 or so years ago, and Umpqua was trying to pay force folks to take payment in goods, not cash. That was for tying AND for royalties. There were alot of pissed people. I don't know where that fight went, as I left the biz at that point.

Makes you wonder what Umpqua was using to pay the actual offshore tyers.

Hywel

[Hal Eckert]

God not been back to this site in a week and a half due to work mainly, hope you fellows left some of those $ 12 flys for me, got to get my order in but looking to buy some other items from them also. Will take a look at the catalogue today as we prepare for the SB party today.

Hey if any body else finds some more expensive steelhead flys than these let me know ? :)

:beer2: :)

Bear Down, Go Bears ! As you can see the city is ready

BG

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/alternatethumbnails/blurb/2007-02/27687337.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-01/27508897.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-02/27707945.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-02/27707097.jpg

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-01/27629583.jpg

[sheetfly]

When a fish takes one of my flies and fearing its fate hauls balls for the salt it must be highly embarrassed having been caught eating a bit of roadkill.

I imagine a fish with a $12 fly in its lip, especially in Cali, would just stick its nose in the air and allow itself to be safely towed to the hand of the undoubtedly sophisticated gentleman gracious enough to present such a treat.


But on the serious side, Davy you tie like that and fish Highlanders and admit to drinking Gin at the bench? Convoluted individual you are.

For me its expensive Scotch and cheap flies.

[Davy]

But on the serious side, Davy you tie like that and fish Highlanders and admit to drinking Gin at the bench? Convoluted individual you are.

For me its expensive Scotch and cheap flies.

I misqouted myself, I drink gin everywhere

[Hywel]

[QUOTE=black ghost]God not been back to this site in a week and a half due to work mainly, hope you fellows left some of those $ 12 flys for me, got to get my order in but looking to buy some other items from them also. Will take a look at the catalogue today as we prepare for the SB party today.

Hey if any body else finds some more expensive steelhead flys than these let me know ? :)

:beer2: :)

Bear Down, Go Bears ! As you can see the city is ready

BG

black ghost,

If you're hell-bent on spending more than $12 a fly, I'd be thrilled to sell you a few of mine! *g*

Oh, and on an aside...

Bear down, Chicago Bears, make every play clear the way to victory;
Bear down, Chicago Bears, put up a fight with a might so fearlessly.
We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation with your T-formation.
Bear down, Chicago Bears, and let them know why you're wearing the crown.
You're the pride and joy of Illinois, Chicago Bears, bear down.

Hywel

[Big Tuna]

Bear down? Sounds like a song about having a baby...or a bowel movement:rofl:

[Hywel]

Not meaning to hijack this thread - but I have to say that Rex Grossman certainly had a bowel movement all over himself yeaterday.

Hywel

[riseform]

I misqouted myself, I drink gin everywhere
I find it odd that my first post is about alcohol rather than fishing, but good advice on any subject should always be shared.... If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend Hendrick's gin to toast that fly purchase.