Fly Swap Interest At Saltwater Edge

[BillyD]

BillyD here,
I used the search funtion and got nada. So I'll ask.
Do fly swaps get any tyer support here on the forums?
I've been in one, and organized another. It's a great way to have some fun and gets the juices flowing till we can start working on our boats, or the Stripers get here etc... I'd appriciate some feedback/comments, and if there's enough intrest I can get one going here if you wish.
Sincerely,
BillyD

[Pete_G]

The forums are young still, so it might be tough to gather enough people.

But we certainly encourage you to give it a try!

It would be a nice way to spark some additional life into the tying forum.

[Joe Cordeiro]

How does it work ?

[Striper134]

Come on Labla Man! You know how they work. One guy who loves to tie RLS style flies offers to tie lets say "12". He then swaps one of each with everyone elses who has made flies. I'm in so far its Joe C, myself and I hope the guy who started the thread. I think thats how it goes. Get Lyle in on it he knows how they go.

[BillyD]

I had to check to see what a RLS fly was I don't tie them...well I did 1 or 2 last spring at an instructional tying get together. Anyway, it was a mauve color in a squid pattern. I hooked a 31" Striper up in the Sheepscot River, ME. last July with it.
Getting back to the FlySwap idea. I copied these guide lines from another site. Hope they don't get pissed.

1. A dozen tyers is about the perfect size.
2. A swap should be proposed by someone willing to act as the Swapmaster.
3. The Swapmaster should keep track of all tyers who commit to participating and when 12 are signed up, "close" the swap to new participants.
4. The Swapmaster should then post a list of who's in, what they've committed to tie, and what the deadline is.
5. Swaps are supposed to be fun, so deadlines should be realistic -- at least a month away from the time the swap is closed in most cases.
6. Flies should be mailed in large, rigid envelopes. The perfect way to ship flies into the Swapmaster is to put them in a plastic, inexpensive flybox with the tyer's Reel-Time name and real name printed on it. Include a return envelope in the package, with your return address on it, and the same amount of postage as was required to ship your flies to the swapmaster. (shipping fly boxes is a great idea, mainly because it insures that no hooks will poke through the paper envelopes and impale some poor postal worker, be sure to write your name on the box though!)
7. Make sure the return envelope is big enough to accomodate large flies! It's a shame for the swapmaster to have cram other tyers' work into a small envelope. Some flies are quite long, have delicate tails, and need lots of room.
8. It's a nice gesture to include some information about the pattern you've tied, a receipe, etc.
9. Some tyers put each fly into its own plastic sleeve.
10. Include an extra fly for the swapmaster as a courtesy, not mandatory, but a nice touch.
11. Try to make the deadline.
12. Put your screen name on the outside of the envelope when you ship it to the swapmaster.
13. Make an effort to show off your best work. Don't rush. Tying a dozen of the same pattern can be tedious, so don't do it all at once unless you're really determined or an efficient tyer. Try to tie something unique. Swaps are a great way to receive patterns you might never consider. That's not to say that a Deceiver/Clouser/common pattern isn't appreciated.

For the Swapmaster
1. Keep the swap informed by posting a thread with the subject line "SWAP [whatever title] Update." Spell out who's in, what they are tying, and any news.
2. Post a reminder a week before the deadline.
3. Post a list of what flies you've received as they arrive.
4. Keep the flies in their original envelopes in a safe place. I would recommend not opening any envelopes until they have all arrived.
5. When all the flies have arrived, find a big open space -- like a clear kitchen or dining room table and put down 12 pieces of 8.5x11 paper.
6. Write each tyers Reel-Time name and real name on the bottom of each piece of paper.
7. Open the envelopes and carefully put each tyers contribution on their sheet of paper.
8. Keep the return envelopes in a stack.
9. Distribute the flies, one set at a time, between the 12 sheets of paper.
10. When they are all distributed. Carefully collect the flies and place them in the receipient's fly box, sheet of foam, cardboard or whatever. Place that in the return envelope. DO NOT SEAL YET.
11. When all the return envelopes (11, the 12th being you, the swapmaster) are filled, check to see if there are any flies remaining to be sorted. If not, and if you think everything is good to go: seal the envelopes.
12. Take the bundle to the post office, mail it, and post a message saying the swap is in the mail. A photo of the set with a key to who tied what is a nice touch.

I'm all for hosting one if we can get a min. of 8 reliable players involved.
BillyD

[zimmjas]

Well, considering some shop manager FINALLY got some white bucktail in, I'd be game to tie some favorite flats flies and a mushy or two.

[BillyD]

Lets see if this thing snowballs a little
BillyD

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by zimmjas

Well, considering some shop manager FINALLY got some white bucktail in, I'd be game to tie some favorite flats flies and a mushy or two.

I came real close to admitting defeat and ordering some normal length, greasy, stinky, bucktail this year. Probably should have.

For the moment though, the good stuff is back.

[Striper134]

I'm more than happy to get in on this one BillyD. Lets see if we can get some people/tiers/members like maybe Rabiner, Jenks, maybe even Swanny or Earl to jump on board. I'm sure some people will get involved once they see it taking shape here. In the mean time I'll think of what to tie I guess or will you have a set scheme. Some swapmasters will have a sceme say Clousers or weighted flies, or even Flatwings or early season bass or tuna you know what I mean. Let's go guys jump on board before we all have no time and are fishing or in my case working. If it doesn't take off maybe we should check with the SWE and see if we can use the store to have an open tying night once a month. Maybe we can help get the fly fishing back in there Hey at best a few beers mixed with flies and a laugh or two never hurts. Just a thought.

[BillyD]

My thoughts were to form this as a Saltwater fly swap. If we get some talent that's great! I also like the thought of getting the less experienced involved too. What ever you can do, or do well There's a lot of appeal, to me anyway in recieving an assortment in exchange for the 1 style that each tier submits. Lastly, If we not bill this as a beauty contest, we'll have a better chance to see it through.
Let's get some ideas, and see how this plays out.
BillyD