FLY TYING FRIDAY - Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers

Texas Hill Country Fly Fishers "Fly Night"
All Skill Level Fly Tiers Invited

Meet in the Warring VFD building
11 Waring Rd., Waring TX 1407
(DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF FIRE STATION) 

• Casting Practice begins at 5:30.  Bring your casting rig.
• Fly tying begins at 6:30-7:00.  Bring your own vice and materials, a limited number of loaners are available. We have a large "stash" of donated materials as well. 

Fly tying: "Ball Peen Craw" 

The fly of the night will be the Ball Peen Craw, a personal favorite of mine. It is a simple, medium-weight crawfish imitation that sinks quickly yet is light enough to cast on a 4-weight rod.

It works great for Hill Country bass and has good potential for carp. While simple to tie, it offers a great opportunity to freshen up your skills and practice making dubbing loops.

The BALL PEEN CRAW isan impressionistic, medium-weight crayfish pattern created by designer Jay Zimmerman. It features double chain eyes that can be trimmed to adjust sink rate, and it is widely used for targeting picky fish like carp, smallmouth bass, and trout.  This fly utilizes layered dubbing, crystal flash, and rubber silly legs for lifelike movement and antenna simulation.

Event Details:

- Location: Waring VFD, 11 Waring Rd. We will be tying in this location once a month for the foreseeable future.

- Schedule:
      - 5:30 PM: Casting practice (front lot, bring your fly rig)
      - 6:30 PM: Doors open
      - 7:00 PM: Tying begins

We are excited to return to the Waring Volunteer Fire Dept, VFD, the original location for our fly tying nights and the group favorite!  We have a great tying room, a great casting lot, and Guadalupe River fishing an easy walk away. 

Suggested Tying Materials for this fly:

  - Hook: Gamakatsu B10s (size 6-4)
  - Eyes: Bead chain, medium/large (black)
  - Body: Whitlock SLF dub near nuff crayfish (or similar)
  - Tail: Rubber legs (orange with flake)
  - Flash: Krystal flash

A dubbing spinner will also be helpful, though it is not required.

Best regards, Jack Bartell - THCFF Tying Coordinator
Instagram: @JackBartell66

Side note:

We also ask (if you have one) to being a small dust buster style vacuum or
dust pan and brush.  We want to keep our meeting space clean as we are very
thankful for the First Baptist Church allowing the use of this location.

Tiers are encouraged to bring their own tools and materials
if available. But material, tools, and vises for loan are
available and to be used to tiers of all skill levels and
experience. 

You are welcome to tie no matter skill level or experience.
If you want to tie flies we will make sure you learn how to tie flies!
Experienced tiers will be available to assist new and learning tiers if needed. 

GOODFLY INC. NEEDS YOUR SPARE FLIES

The GoodFly Organization is in needs your spare bass and panfish flies to for their Spring and Summer Fly Workshops.  At the end of each teaching session attendees are given a small filled flybox to begin their fly fishing journey. 

At least 150 flies per workshop are used so they easily giveaway more than 1000 flies  per season. A good place to begin is to go through your own fly box and donate any flies you know you will never fish. Or you may ties a couple of dozen flies just for this project. 

All fly donations are greatly appreciated. Your contribution may be dropped off at any THCFF fly tying session or mail them to:

Alan King,
551 William D. Finch Dr.  suite 120
College Station, TX 77845

VOLUNTEERS: Any fly tier who wishes to assist or teach - please contact Jack Bartel directly.  Email Jack

Vises and tools  are available for students but I encourage any instructors or students who have vises and tools to please bring them along as our current stock of vises and tools is limited. 

Additionally, if any of you have a fly you would like to share please know that you’re more than welcome to do so. 

Please know that we always have extra material in the club tying materials box, and that you should feel free to use them. 

- Jack Bartel  

Meeting Format:

Experienced tiers will be present to teach new and more experienced tiers, or answer with any fly tying questions you may have to the best of our abilities. 

• Bring spare flies for the "Club's Fly Library". 
• Simple snacks and drinks will be provided at tying night. Attendees are also welcome to bring hot or cold food or drink to share. 
• (Space will be provided, weather and light permitting, to practice or demonstrate casting. Experienced casters will gladly present to help.)
• Material, vises, tools, and material will be provided for new tiers. 

Notes from Jack Bartell, THCFF fly-tying leader 

"I'm an avid fly angler and fly tier. I especially enjoy tying flies designed for our Hill Country waters by local friends and fly fishers. And even more, enjoy fishing these flies for native fish. Our Club sponsors the "3rd Thursday" fly-tying night in Waring, TX (only a few hundred yards from the Guadalupe River). I hope to see you there.  

More info, meeting suggestions, or donations contact  
Jack Bartell; Jack53wb@gmail.com; text 830-446-9071