Remnant Fly #18 - Freestyle Wet Fly (again) - Dressed Irons

[@cowdoc123]

Great set of lessons inspired by a beautiful fly. Not only do I learn best from my mistakes, they offer the most teachable moments. I think it was Patton that I am misquoting who said he judged a person not by how well they did everything, rather by how they made mistakes and then corrected them.

[@DressedIrons]

Thank you for the compliment and feedback. I have enjoyed the Remnant fly series as it allows for being creative at the vise. They don't always turn out the same as I see in my mind but then that leads to "correcting" them to make then better. - Ian Anderson

[@ruthcoates9587]

Good to see you back! Thanks Ian. I’ll tie some of these this weekend at my Flygirls of Michigan meeting! Cheers!

[@DressedIrons]

Thank you Ruth. It has been a very busy year with other "life" things pulling me away from tying. I will be posting an update video soon. Be Well, - Ian Anderson

[@jamesvatter5729]

Looks like a winning combination, Ian.

[@DressedIrons]

Agreed, I think this one is a winner! - Ian Anderson

[@timothymcdougald21]

Nice looking pattern!

[@DressedIrons]

Thank you, I agree. It looks nice in the vise but I think it will look even better in the water. - Ian Anderson

[@cowdoc123]

A second post with a question. I noted that you use an FNF vice. I, like many, missed the window to get a LAW vice. The two best options I see now are HMH and FNF, unless you know of another (excepting the ludicrous prices on EBAY for a LAW 🙄). Have you seen and/or used the HMH? Do you have an opinion regarding the differences in functionality and manufacturing quality between them, if any? I’ve only seen the two on the respective websites and on KZbin, but the fit and finish of the HMH seem lacking. The difference in design of the ‘spinner’ is less of a concern to me. I would learn to use either. Thank you. If the question puts you on ‘the spot’ just ignore it.

[@DressedIrons]

I too wish I had picked up a Laws vise back in the '90s. I like the FNF vise and have enjoyed tying on it. I do not have any experience with the HMH vise. For whatever reason, I have never been drawn to HMH vises. I think it is a personal preference thing as for years they did not have any "true rotary" vise and paying a couple hundred dollars for a "stationary" vise does not appeal to me. That said, I have not tied on any HMH vises and I know a number of tiers who do and love them. Maybe I am missing somethings? The only criticism of the FNF Talon vise I would have is that it takes a number of turns of the "spinner" to really clamp down on the hook to where it does not move in the vise. This too could be a function of my personal tying habits at the vise versus an inherent issue with the vise. If you are looking for a good vise (one that you will be tying on for many years) and have the money I can easily recommend the FNF Talon vise. Keep in mind though, if you tie many different types and sizes of flies you will end up with a number of vises. One or two will be your main work horse but some will be just for certain flies or sizes. - Ian Anderson