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Greetings to One and All,
Here it is December already and if you're like me you're wondering
where
the time has flown. Can that be snow falling outside my window and where
did
the leaves on the trees go? Yesterday was all green and light and today
nothing
but gray or white with patches of brown here and a little slop there. And
there's
more to come where that came from and so I will spend my winter hours
tying flies
and dreaming of warmer days to come as I have now for the past forty-five
years.
Fifteen I was when I started tying and on Sunday, December 7, I will be
sixty.
How time flies when you're tying flies!
Last week I attended the Fly Tyer's Symposium In Somerset, NJ, where
I
demonstrated flytying,taught a tying class, put on a couple of slide
shows,
met with fellow tyers from here and abroad, and all in all had a really
fine
time, despite having come down with a heavy cold the night before the
show opened.
If you ever get the chance to attend one of these gatherings, I recommend
it
wholeheartedly; it's a great chance to watch up-close some of the most
talented
and innovative tyers in the world and to come away with lots of exciting
tying
ideas. One of the more interesting tyers I had a chance to see was Paul
Whillock,
a young tyer from England who often spends hundreds of hours to create a
single
super-realistic insect imitation, each of which sells for a thousand
dollars or
more (wouldn't recommend casually tying one of THESE onto the end of your
tippet).
After the show, I stayed in New Jersey for a day's fishing and with
my
friend, Dave Skok, drove on down to Seaside Park to fish an afternoon with
Bob Popovics at Island Beach. The afternoon was warm for November and the
water was much warmer than it was back in Boston where only the hardiest
stripers
will remain through the winter. The wind was down and the surf relatively
light
and it was a treat for me to wander the white and sandy beach to look for
signs
of feeding fish. There were none, no fish feeding anyway--I should have
been
here yesterday, Bob said, when there was a good flurry of action towards
sunset--
but blindcasting into a wash close to a sand bar I did have one hit, a
brief
tap, while both Dave and Bob picked up one small striper apiece during
the
five minutes or so that the fish chose to appear. But it was all a lot of
fun
anyway; good friends doing good things in a good place. What more could
you
ask from a late November day?
Upcoming Shows
Speaking of shows, here's my schedule so far for the Flyfishing
Shows,
which I hope you'll attend if you're in the area:
January 16,17, 18 Marlborough, MA
January 23, 24, 25 Somerset, NJ
February 20, 21, 22 Seattle, WA
March 6, 7 Ontario, CA
March 13, 14 Wilmington, MA
I'll be demonstrating tying and putting on slide shows at all of
these so
stop by and say hi.
If you're in the Boston area, I'll be putting on a program this
Thursday,
December 4, called Adventures in Trout Fishing at the United Fly Tyers,
at their new
location at the Sons of Italy Hall in Woburn, MA, starting around 8 pm.
Hope to see you there.
Fly Tying Classes (something new for the New Year)
I've been thinking of doing this for some time and have decided that
now is
the time, so beginning in January I'll be conducting flytying classes at
my
new digs in Winthrop, MA. These classes will be limited to only four
students per
class, the number that can be seated comfortably around my dining room
table).
These classes are not suitable for beginners but will be open to
intermediate and
advanced tyers only. The emphasis will be on innovative and imaginative
tying
techniques and patterns, both fresh and salt water, with a concentration
on
patterns that I myself have originated (no Wooly Buggers here).
Suggestions
from students will be welcome, however, and some flexibility can be
worked
into the classes to accommodate individual class interests.
To start with, I've set aside three Tuesday nights in January and two
Saturdays. The Tuesday classes will be held from 6.30 pm-9.30 pm and the
Saturday courses from 10 am-4.30 pm, with a break for lunch (not provided
in cost). The cost for the Tuesday class will be $60.00 per person and
the cost for the Saturday classes $100.00 per person. I will provide most
of the materials needed for the class but it is expected that each student
will bring along his own tools, threads, and a tying lamp.
The program for each Tuesday and Saturday class will be roughly the
same
so there is no need to sign up for all of the Tuesday classes or all of
the
Saturday classes. As time goes on, I'll be adding other classes, perhaps
with
more specific themes, say "Striper Flies for Boston Harbor" or "Innovative
Trout Flies" or classes that will continue the work begun in a first
class
but in the meantime, I'd like to keep the classes more general,
concentrating
on solid and innovative tying techniques and imaginative ways of looking
at
and working with materials--and, of course, tying some "killer" flies.
Should be a lot of fun.
If these classes are of interest to you, please let me know as soon
as possible since they're sure to fill up quickly. Email me or send me
$20.00 to reserve your space.
Holidays Coming Up
Christmas is a-coming and the goose is getting fat. But I'm not.
Getting fat, that is. I've been working my fingers to the bone tying
flies, preparing framed items, packaging, and trying to have everything
ready for the holiday rush. Flies and books and framed items are very
popular for gift-giving at this time of year, so if you're interested in
ordering anything from me in time for the holidays, now is the time to do
it--before I'm swamped. Remember, I'm only one person. I have no staff.
I do all the tying, framing, packaging, and everything else myself. Right
now, I have lots of fly selections, books, and other stuff on hand but if
you wait until the day before Christmas to order, I may not.
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE
Stuck when it comes to a gift? I offer gift certificates available
in
$50.00, $100.00, and $150.00 denominations. Good for everything I
offer--and
good forever.
New Selections
I've added some new selections this month, so new they're not even
up on the website
(www.jackgartside.com) yet. You might want to give one of them a try. I
think you'll be
well pleased.
New Wave Soft Hackle Streamer Selections
In response to many readers, I've put together two dandy selections
of
New Wave Soft Hackle Streamers (see website for photos). These are similar
to my original Soft Hackle Streamer but feature a much softer collar which
allows for more freedom of movement and a slightly larger profile. A
deadly
small streamer for all game fish.
Fresh Water New Wave Soft Hackle Streamer
Contains 6 New Wave Soft Hackle Streamers in a variety of colors
and sizes to entice all fresh water species. Colors include: Red/Yellow,
Black/Red, White/Grizzly, Tan/Brown, Chartreuse/Grizzly, and Olive.
Price: $20.00 per selection
Salt Water New Wave Soft Hackle Streamer Selection
Contains 6 New Wave Soft Hackle Streamers in a variety of colors
and sizes to entice all salt water species. Colors include: Red/Yellow,
Black/Red, White/Grizzly, White/Red, Chartreuse/Grizzly, and Olive.
Price: $20.00 per selection
Salt Water New Wave Soft Hackle Deceiver Selection
The New Wave Soft Hackle Deceiver is similar to the smaller New Wave
SH
Streamer but with a longer Deceiver-like tailwing to imitate or suggest
longer
and larger baitfish. This selection contains 5 flies and includes the
following
colors: Black, White/Grizzly, White/Red, Chartreuse/Grizzly, and Olive. In
sizes 1 and 1/0. Effective on all species of fish.
Price: $25.00 per selection
Super Selection for Larger Trout
Going to Patagonia or Alaska this year? New Zealand? Montana?
Mongolia?
Or any other place noted for or reputed to hold large trout? Then this
selection
of somewhat larger-than-usual flies is for you. Each selection contains:
1 Freshwater BeastMaster, 1 Freshwater BeastMaster General (tied on
either a Stinger or Salmon hook,
with a deer hair head for ultra-versatility),1 Soft Hackle Flatwing
Streamer (which
has an unbelievable side-to-side wing action sure to tempt those
hard-to-get behemoths),
1 Large Special Olive/Black “Secret” Wooly Bugger (tied with a body of
dubbed and
picked-out Peacock-hued “Secret Stuff” to blend with the palmered
hackle), and 1 medium-
sized Trout Gurgler (if you’ve never tried one of these for large trout,
you’re in for an exciting surprise).
Price: $25.00
Nymph & Wet Fly Selection (First Time Offered !)
This selection contains ten of my favorite nymphs and wet flies, chosen
for their effectiveness in waters all over the world. Included are two
Gartside Sparrows, 2 Philo Caddis Emergers, 2 Philo Mayfly Emergers, 1
Partridge & Olive Soft Hackle Wet Fly, 1 Peacock & Olive Soft Hackle Wet
Fly, 1 Red Squirrel Trout Bug, and 1 Black/Olive “Secret”
Wooly Bugger. Tied in a most effective mix of sizes and colors to appeal
to the pickiest fish. Price: $30.00
Everywhere Bonefish Fly Selection New Selection
Whether you fish the Keys, the Bahamas, Mexico, or Christmas Island,
here’s a wide variety of effective and unusual bonefish flies designed
to fool even the wariest bonefish. Each selection contains mostly
original patterns, including the Peacock Angel, Boner, Bonefish Bug,
Annelid Worm Fly, Sand Flea, Secret Shrimp, Veiled Glimmer Fly, and an
Airedale, recently featured in Fly Rod & Reel Magazine. Ten flies in
all.
Here are large flies and small , bright flies and dark, fast-sinking
flies
and those that sink more slowly. They’re all here in one handy
assortment
of original and traditional bonefish fly patterns.
Price per Selection: $35.00
Tarpon Fly Selection New Selection !
This selection is for the tarpon fisherman who appreciates an unusual
design and
approach to fishing--and wants to catch a lot of fish. Each selection
includes 1 original Tarpon Spey ( a real “killer”), 1 Marabou Tarpon Fly,
1 original Gartside “Secret” Tarpon Minnow, 1 Tarpon Bugger (this unusual
variation is unbelievably effective when tarpon are feeding on shrimp or
small crabs), plus 1 Foxy Cockroach, Tarpon Bunny, or Chinchilla
& Grizzly Tarpon Fly. Five tarpon flies in each selection.
Price Per Selection: $24.00
Tarpon "Bunny" Selection
The Tarpon Bunny is not one of my original patterns but it's very
popular
with many tarpon fishermen and so I've tied up a selection of tarpon
flies in the
so-called "bunny" style, modified somewhat by my own individual approach
to the
design, and inspired by a recent abundance of interesting material sent
to me by
a friend in Norway, Barry Ord Clarke, who markets a most amazing array of
Zonker
strips made from an unusual assortment of animals. Not only rabbit but
mink,
beaver and coypu and I forget what else. And I've enjoyed playing around
with
the stuff. They tie up into absolutely lovely flies. Bound to please any
fish that
eyes them. So, for a limited time only, I'm offering a selection of these
flies--to see if others are as interested in them as I am. All are tied on
hook sizes from 2-2/0 and in an assortment of lengths, colors (and
animals).
Each selection contains five flies.
Price: $25.00 per selection.
(Note: The shipping and handling is only $3.50, whether you order
one selection
or ten--US only; other countries more.)
WWW.JACKGARTSIDE.COM
Be sure to check out my website: www.jackgartside.com for a full range of
flies,
fly selections, books, and other items that you might want to consider
for a
holiday gift--or for yourself. Or forward this newsletter on to a friend
who might
also be interested (maybe even as a "hint").
Discounts for E-listers
Since Sunday, December 7th, is my birthday, I'd like to give YOU a
present.
Take 10% off all fly and framed item orders and 20% off all book orders
(except
the Fly Fisherman's Guide to Boston Harbor, which I'm almost out of) if
you order
between now and December 7th. Not much time, granted, but you can reserve
your
discount by simply hitting the "reply" button now and letting me know
what you
want. And you can wish me "Happy Birthday" at the same time. And then, of
course,
send off your check, which will make me even happier.
My fingers are getting tired now from typing so let me end this
newsletter with a
thought from Mark Twain and an anecdote about him. Maybe they're related,
maybe not--but they're still worth sharing.
“Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may exist but
you have ceased to live.” Mark Twain
Anecdote
Like Hemingway, Mark Twain loved to boast of his hunting and fishing
exploits.
Returning to New York by train one day after a three week fishing trip
deep in the
heart of Maine (long after the state's fishing season had closed), Twain
retired
to the lounge car in search of a suitable stranger to whom he might
relate his fishing adventures.
Having struck up a friendly conversation with a prospective admirer,
Twain soon
found to his dismay that his boasts of a great catch elicited a grim
reaction.
Still Twain pressed on...
"By the way, who are you, sir?" he finally inquired.
"I'm the state game warden," the stranger growled. "Who are you?"
Twain nearly swallowed his cigar. "Well, to be perfectly truthful,
warden,"
he answered, thinking of his catch, iced down in the baggage car, "I'm
the biggest
liar in the whole United States!"
This newsletter comes to you directly from Jack Gartside, 14 Beach Road,
Winthrop, MA 02152
Tel: 617-846-5984
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http://www.jackgartside.com
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