Fly Tying: Light Cahill with Uncle John

[@ghart91]

I have to admire Uncle John with his belief in using natural feathers and furs not synthetics. With all the materials available out there using just basic materials matching size, shape and color of the fly is the key. We buy and use way to much. Im sure Uncle John can show us the true fish catchers with just a hand full of materials. My hat off to Uncle John who did not have youtube to learn by.

[@joeduca8582]

What a pleasure to meet uncle John. It reminded me of my dad telling us stories, especially when we were in the doctor's office, he told more stories than the doctor did examining - all good medicine! How old is John now? My father was my "consigliere" for all things except hunting and fishing, he did neither. I had highschool friends for hunting but fishing I blazed my own trails. From a 10 year old with a tree branch, string and safety pin at Old Forge NY (luckily a fellow camper set me up with some mono and a hook, I think I used some steak fat trimmings for bait, I caught my first "trophy" perch) to a room filled with rods, reels, lures, vices, flies and materials, lines, etc etc. A lot of fur, hair and feathers came from my hunting. John's bag of wood duck reminded me of the bags of wood duck and wood cock a dear departed friend gave me, along with some real tinsel and silk buttonhole thread that he used, and the coolest simple streamside vice that's got to be an antique. Books and mostly fly fishing magazines​ I guess we're my mentors. I learned most from Eric Leiser's complete book of tying and Joe Brooks Trout. Also Fran Betters book of flies. My wife and I fished the Ausable every year for a while (our first visit I told her was our honeymoon, she loved it). When I asked Betters how to tie flies he said "Joe, just make 'em look buggy". So I did, and caught my first "trout on a fly" with a March brown nymph that I tyed (Carl Coleman's version) So I've been "hooked" on fishing for almost 55 years, with fly fishing and tying the last 30 years of that. Thanks Tim and your Uncle John, men like him are a treasure. I saw in yours eyes, Tim, the love and admiration you have for your Uncle. God bless you both... By the way, tomorrow is May 21, the 8th anniversary of my father's passing...

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the incredible thoughts and stories, Joe, and my Uncle John is in his 80's (though you'd never guess it by how busy he keeps himself!). He is absolutely an incredible mentor and helped to guide me into the person I am today. Thanks for taking the time to watch this video, and I'll be sure to pass your kind words onto my Uncle. I hope all is well with you, Joe, and appreciate you taking the time, as always. Tim

[@reserrvoirman]

That guys a man after my own heart.Too many flytiers today strive for perfection.The older flytiers tie buggier looking flies.Great job uncle John I would put my money on that fly any day.

[@TimCammisa]

I absolutely agree with you, Stan! Thanks for taking a moment to comment, and I hope you enjoy the other video that features Uncle John. Tim

[@TheWeeklyFly]

Like the interview segment. Especially the conversational style.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comment, The Weekly Fly . I know that my uncle has lots of experience, thus I want to take advantage of that and capture it on video to share with others. TC

[@kellybarnes7242]

WOW. Thanks for sharing this. Great instruction and insight but an even better gift for your posterity. Good stuff Tim and Tight Lines Uncle John. KB

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words, Kelly Barnes ; it was a lot of fun making this video and sharing it with everyone. Tim

[@richardmacintosh3006]

Hey Tim I am just getting into Fly tying and Learning how to tie fly's watching you with your uncle John was like sitting a coffee shop chatting about fly tying after a good day fishing. look forward to more of your videos.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Richard Macintosh ; that's exactly what I was going for. It's tough to get that "fishing talk chat" on camera (similar to a round table discussion), but I plan on a few more like this in the future. BTW, sitting around with Uncle John while talking fly fishing and drinking coffee is absolutely a blast! Tim

[@eacantwell]

As always very well explained;thanks Earl

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the kind words, Earl Cantwell ; it's always great tying with my Uncle John. Tim

[@frankwilliams5475]

Excellent video.

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks, Frank Williams ; I appreciate the comment. TC

[@grigri077]

very interesting interview with your uncle a great tyer they are Bravo et longue vie Pierre

[@TimCammisa]

grigri077 Thank you Pierre; I appreciate your kind words, and hope your year is off to a great start! TC

[@seanmooney3907]

Uncle John, Don't forget about Lefty Creh for fly casting. He is wonderful. I have missed seeing you and I am one of the people that have repeatedly asked to see you on the show with Tim. I really like to watch you tie. Fantastic fly. I do tie Catskill style but I never leave enough room at the head like most catskill tiers! All the best to you, God Bless. Sean Mooney

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the comments, Sean, and Lefty was who I referenced during the video. From my uncle's perspective, Mel did a better job of explaining everything, thus is his favorite by far. Tim

[@seanmooney3907]

Must have missed that comment. Sorry Tim, but I was concentrating on Uncle John this time. I will surely watch again.

[@TimCammisa]

Sean Mooney Ha ha...I never said Lefty, but tried to get my uncle to say him right before he mentioned Joan! It's an inside joke between the two of us.

[@seanmooney3907]

Oh, okay,I didn't think I heard it. Take care and keep that Uncle of yours going he is an invaluable resource. Thanks and God Bless both yourself and your wife and Uncle John too. Sean

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks for the suggestions, George Semel , and I'll pass them to my uncle. I haven't heard from you in awhile, and hope all is going well. Tim

[@GeorgeSemel]

I would suggest Gary Lafontaine's Caddis Flies, its a monumental work on the subject! he did a lot of the research on the Salmon River, in Colchester,CT - I live near by these days! I myself started in the early 1960's and it was tough going compared to today, we got it really good now! Jack Gartside it also a go to must!

[@tomh4504]

I'd rather watch fly tyers of Uncle John's era rather than the new modern tyers.

[@robertandersson331]

watched again great watching would be nice to see some nymphs he is talking about

[@TimCammisa]

Thanks, Robert...and we're trying to set one more recording. He's an inspirational person to me and I'm happy to share his knowledge and insight with others. Tim

[@robertandersson331]

thank you too you both looking forward