I liked AT's idea of letting y'all know what the thoughts are on your flies. So here I go.
CCB- Loved this fly. The color combo lends it to many situations. I haven't used a lot of flies tied on that hook, but know that you kill it on em. I look forward to using it.
SoutherStrain- I dug this pattern as well. It could even double as an odd mouse pattern.
BearsFan- Cool lookin' fly. If it were smaller, I would go stick it into a carp, but I think there is a sw MI smallie that has its name on it. Thanks for the feathers as well. I use flank quite a bit and will look forward to using some quality feathers.
Thalweg- I LOVE THE SWIMMIN' JIMMY! Ever since I first saw this pattern I thought they were cool. I have so many ideas on where to use them its retarded. Thanks for the goodies too. I wore the hat during the playoffs though, and it certianly didnt bring our squad any luck. It was also very cool of you to take request on color pattern, I am sure everyone really appreciated that.
Nich- Another pattern that I will have trouble choosing where to fish. I can think of too many options where this fly should kill it. I know I will be bringing it with my on my steelhead trip, so I might leave the trailer and try to get something on the swing!
NeedsMoreDEET- This fly is going to push some serious water. Thanks for the extras too! I can tell that you are a very talented tyer and appreciate the effort you put in. It shows in the quality of your ties.
Mark- Cool pattern that I am looking forward to seeing in the water. The carp toads you threw in are awesome. For a guy that doesnt fish carp (yet), you certiantly can tie a mean carp toad. Thanks again.
Rhyacophila- I do agree with AT that these were a lil bit on the small side, but awesome none the less. I tie up this exact bug myself and do very well on it. It works on a lot of different species and conditions and I appreciate that you tied it in a some different color schemes. The salt guys got the saltier ones and I am sure you will see one of these in the fish pics to follow.
Woolbug- I hope that the salt dudes can find a use for my fly. Its intended for being stripped on heavy sinktips to trout, but I am sure some retarded snook might grab on. The original pattern (Boogeyman) calls for the eyes to be tied under the hook like that, so you are going to have to trust me. Put em in a bath tub to see what I mean. I hope they work for somebody.
Ricky Bobby- Your sri lanken hands must be tired. Cool fly that I will certianly be sticking into a brown shortly! Thanks for the stickers too. My tying table looks a lot cooler now.
Lenny - The white and orange combo actually has worked pretty well for me on smallies and pike. I like the pattern and will probably use it on the latter. The extras you sent were especially cool. I will be swingin those for steel here in a couple weeks.
SLSS- I tried not to pick favorites, but I cant. This is my favorite fly of the bunch. With steelhead season here, this was a welcome addition to my arsenal. I found the tube length to be fine, but even if it were to be too long, it can be cut down to size. Better to be too long than too short. I sent the extra (everybody had an extra because of Speyducer dropping out, thats why there is a pattern that you have two of.) I sent to Jerome, so he might get into his first steel with it. I hope I did good by paying it forward.
Articulated Trico-first of all, your use of explanation points is flawless! I also think that it was cool of you to tie a pattern for each person individually. I can tell you took your time on your flies and they look great. A simple, yet classic pattern that is bound to work anywhere. Another fly that I am sure we will see in the pictures that everyone will post once they start sticking these in some fish (right? [que broken record])
Overall, I am real happy how this turned out. There are no flies that came in thise swap that will go unused. So as a final grade, I think this swap was the tits!

"All mountain hippies are as young as they day they were born, smarter than Einstein, better looking than Tom Selleck and could outfish an army of pinners." - foureyedgeek
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