TIE 1 ON

I had a great time at the fishing show in Atlanta last weekend. Anytime you can attend fishing classes presented by folks like Kelly Galloup, Jimmy Harris and David Hulsey it is well worth your time. After hearing their presentations, I walked away asking myself "why haven't I thought of doing that?" I will from now on.

I really enjoyed watching all the fly tyers that were present. It was worth the trip just to see how easy that tyers like Kyle Burrell and some of the others could look magical at the vise--they tied some great looking flies. Maybe, next year some of the tyers from our "Tie 1 On" session will be sitting at the show's fly tying table--that would be great.

I really enjoyed talking to everyone at the show who shares the same passion for fishing as I do.

Also, on Sat. & Sun we had some fly tyers from Foothills TU and the other Ga. TU's at Bass Pro showing customers how to "tie 1 on". Thanks to Cole, Robert, and Sid for giving of their time to take part in this--it is appreciated.

Our March "Tie 1 ON" session will meet Tues. March 1st at the Unicoi shop in Helen at 6:00 PM. This will be a special session because we'll be decorating a "Tie 1 On" hat with a lot of the flies we have tied. This hat will be for the silent auction at our TU's "Hoot on the Hooch" banquet March 12th in Helen. If you've ever attended any of the sessions in the past, I hope you come to this one and bring some flies to help us out. Also, beginners are invited--this is a great time and place to start tying your own flies--we tie basic flies that catch fish and we have plenty of equipment and supplies to get your started. Come join us--learn how to tie or show us how to tie some of your special patterns.

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

The fishing is great right now--the recent rain has really turned them on. The last few trips I have guided have been gang busters. The fish are aggressive, my customers have been family trips which I really enjoy, and the fall colors and weather are unbelievable--what a blessing.

So it's time to crank up the vise and "tie 1 on". Our fly tying session will meet this Tues (Nov.2)--tomorrow--at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen at 6:00 PM. Come and show us how to tie your favorite fly or come and learn how to tie the flies you like to fish . We tie simple flies that catch fish--guaranteed. Don't have the equipment or supplies to get started--that's OK--we'll supply everything for you. Everyone is invited, hope to see you there.

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

As you can see from the illustration, our fly tying sessions are pretty simple--but we have fun and we tie basic flies that catch fish. You missed out if you didn't attend the Sept. session--Tim Ivey showed us how to tie 2 of his smallmouth patterns--thanks Tim, you did a great job and we enjoyed it. We will meet Tues., Oct. 5th at 6:00 PM at the shop in Helen. Everyone is invited.

This is a great time to learn to tie flies for the upcoming fishing season. Experienced tyers are welcome too--you can always learn something new and you can help those who are just beginning. Supplies will be provided--thanks Unicoi.

I just returned from a trip to the Southwest U.S.  I attended a Bible study/fly fishing retreat in Glorietta, N.M. and had a great time doing both thanks to Jason Cruise and all the other folks at the event. I fished the Pecos, Rio Grande, and San Juan rivers in N.M. and the Animas river in southern Col. I can't believe I fly fished the Rio Grande river--I only thought it was in Texas --it was truly a beautiful place to fish. We enjoyed floating the tail waters of the San Juan thanks to Joshua and the folks at Durangler's Outfitters.

We hooked plenty of really nice fish on the big fly shown in the picture.  We are truly blessed with a beautiful country--hope we can keep it that way.

Don't forget to "Tie 1 On'' Tue (Oct 5).

Thanks,

Ron

Coffee and Flies

We'll be at the shop in Helen tying flies on Saturday the 21st around 9:00 AM. If you are interested, come by and check us out while you're having a cup of coffee. Hope to tie some "bubble" midges, some natural drift stone flies, and maybe even a few trigger nymphs. Drop in if you can--"tie flies when you're having fun".

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

Too hot to fish--just about, too hot to tie flies--not at all. That's what we'll be doing this 1st Tues of August (3rd) at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen at 6:00 PM. Thanks to Robert Sullivan and Robert Rivers for volunteering to show us how to "tie 1 on" this time--can't wait to see what flies they will tie.

If you're wanting to learn, are just starting, or if you're experienced at tying flies, come join us--we have a good time. We'll even supply all the equipment and supplies that you need--hope to see you there.

It is really hot to fish for trout right now, but I did guide a trip at Nacoochee Bend last Wed.

Tom Skinner from Pensacola with his sons Tom and Sam wanted to give fly fishing a shot.

They wanted to learn the basics and then we tried to catch a fish. We caught shiners, bass, bream, h-heads, and even a catfish.

Sam needed to catch a trout on a fly rod to earn his scout merit badge--oh yea, we caught a few rainbows too. What a great family to fish with--thanks to you Tom and your 2 boys--hope to see you on the water again.

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

I'm looking forward to our fly tying session this Tue, June 1 at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.

J. R., Sid, and Robert can't wait to show us how to tie their favorite fly.

Everyone is welcome, from 1st timers to old pros. Bring vises if you have them--if not, we will supply them. Let's meet at 6:00 PM instead of 6:30, so we can tie outside and see what we're doing.

We always have fun, so come to the session if you are interested in tying your own flies.

Thanks and hope to see you there,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

Just like to say thanks to all those who attended our fly tying session in April--it was great.

We had about a dozen folks at the vise which was a good turn out. Thanks to Robert for bringing some of his guests and to first timers Robert and Julie Rivers--they all tied good looking flies.

A special thanks goes to Joel for leading us in tying one of his favorite flies and to Scott Abernathy for dazzling us with his fly tying magic--thanks for all the tips, Scott.

We will meet in May on the 1st Tues as we normally do--that date will be May 4th at 6:30 PM.

This month Robert and Cole will show us how to tie one of their favorites--sure fish magnets--I can't wait. If either of you need supplies for your flies, let me know, and I will bring them.

Remember, this session is open to all--from beginners to old pros, and we always have fun at the vise--hope to see you at the shop.

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

What great weather to fish some of those flies we've been tying.

I'll be out of town next week and so will some of the other tyers I've talked to--thought we would change our "Tie 1 On" session to the 3rd Tues for April--hope that will be alright.

The date will be April 20.

If you are interested in learning to tie your own flies or tying flies that get better results, come join us at 6:30 PM at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.

Hope to see a lot of you this Sat. at Kid's Fishing Day at the shop in Helen--it will be great.

Thanks,

Ron

Tie 1 On

I want to wish everyone a great new year and I believe 2010 is definitely the year to "tie 1 on". So we're meeting Tues Jan 5th at the Unicoi shop in Helen to start the year out right. We will start at 6:30 PM and tie only patterns that catch fish--big ones. I hope to see all the regulars and anyone else who likes to tie and fish with their own flies. If you already tie, but want to tie better flies--this is a good place to improve your skills. Everyone is invited, from beginners to experts--it's a great place to learn, and we're always hunting teachers. Bring your vise and tools if you have them and any material for a special fly that you may want to tie. If you're just beginning, we can supply all the equipment for you.

We have a great time at our session--hope to see you there.

Thanks

TIE 1 ON

What a great time of the year in north Georgia. We can enjoy this wonderful holiday season in such a beautiful setting and fish too. God has blessed me in so many ways that I could never return thanks enough. I guided a trip at NCF yesterday and the scenery and weather just amazed me as it does each time I'm on the water. Yea, and it wasn't too bad either when we landed some of those beautiful NCF bows (on dries). It was a great day.

Well, since all that will be left of the turkey are the feathers - let's use some of those this Tuesday, Dec. 1, when we attempt to tie a "20iincher" stonefly. We'll also tie an X-Caddis as our dry fly and any other fly you request as long as we have the right supplies. The tying session will be at 6:30 PM at the Unicoi shop in Helen. Everyone is welcome and invited, even if you've never tied before. Bring a vise and tools if you have them, but if you don't we'll supply them for you.

Thanks,

Ron

TIE 1 ON

Does your job have you stressed out? Is your better half (husband or wife) on your case?

Are you bummed out about the "Dawgs"? - let's not go there. Does all this make you feel like "tying 1 on"? That's what we'll be doing Tuesday, November 3, at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen.

Come join us at 6:30 PM for our monthly fly tying session - everyone is welcome. If you're just wanting to learn to tie flies or you already tie, you're invited. Bring equipment if you have it - if not, we'll supply it.

We have a pretty good time at each session and occasionally we even tie a fly that might catch a fish. Hope to see you Tuesday.

Thanks,

Ron

Tie 1 On

Just wanted to say a word of thanks to everyone that showed up for our tying session last week--especially the 1st timers Kenny and young Jackson--hope you enjoyed it and we look forward to seeing you again next month. Thanks to all the others that were there--our flies are looking much better and we're still having fun tying them. Remember, we meet the 1st Tuesday of each month at Unicoi Fly Shop in Helen at 6:30 PM. If you just want to learn to tie flies, or learn to tie better flies, or teach us to tie better flies, you are invited and everyone is welcome. Bring a vise and equipment if you have them, if not, we have plenty.


Oh yeah, did I say that our flies catch fish? Just ask Jake!



Jake Darling with a beautiful fall-colored brown trout from Noontootla Creek Farms.

TIE 1 ON

Our monthly fly tying session at the Unicoi shop in Helen will be Oct. 6 at 6:30 PM. Everyone is invited--no experience necessary. If you enjoy catching fish on a fly, we encourage you to attend. We're not fancy or fast--we tie simple patterns that catch fish. It's a great opportunity for learning, sharing and just having a good time. There are always Unicoi guides present that share their secrets with us--thanks Joel and Jake. We would also like to thank Jimmy, David, and John for allowing us to use their facility and equipment.

So, if you want to learn how to tie flies or tie better flies, come to the session-I think you'll enjoy it. Bring equipment and supplies if you have them--if not, we'll supply them.

Hope to see you Tuesday--have a great week on the water and at the vise.

Tie 1 On with Frog Hollow & Toccoa River Fishing Reports

To all fly tyers and want-to-be fly tyers. Our monthly fly tying session will be Tues. Sept 1 at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen at 6:30. Everyone is welcome and hey, its free. If you have a vise, bring it and any materials you have for a fly you want to learn how to tie or demonstrate how to tie. If you don't have any equipment, that's OK--we'll supply it. We tie simple fish catching flies that won't take you an hour to tie. The session is always fun and its a great time to talk with other fishermen who share the same interest. Hope to see you there.

And while I'm posting, I would like to mention a couple of trips I recently guided. Today I had a trip at Frog Hollow on the Chestatee and it fished good. My customer had 3 or 4 fish that broke us off and landed a 24" rainbow on a Brahma sparkle soft hackle.

Also, last Saturday I guided a trip on the Toccoa tailwater and it was the best trip I've had over there in a while. We brought over 2 dozen fish to the net--including at least a dozen tagged fish and we hooked several more. We hooked most of these fish on a Holy Grail and another fly I'd rather not mention.

Being able to fish and have good results like these during July and August is definitely a big change from this same time last year. By the way, the Holy Grail and Brahma soft hackle, along with the Evil Weevil are just a few of the flies we tie at our Tie 1 On sessions....hope to see you there!

Tie 1 On

Ron

Tie 1 On

Hey Everybody...

Just a quick note to let you know that Ron Thomas will be holding a "Tie 1 On" fly-tying session this Tuesday, August 4th at 6:30pm at our Helen shop. As always, everyone is welcome to attend this free event. Ron will have material and tools available, or bring your own.

Tie 1 On

Can it get too hot to "tie 1 on"? I guess it can. After talking to a couple of fly tyers that normally attend our monthly fly tying session, who told me they wouldn't be able to attend this month, we decided to schedule the next session in August. What about Tuesday Aug 4 at 6:30 pm? Hopefully we can get this thing cranked back up then. Remember that its open to everyone, its free, and its a great way to share your interest and learn. See you at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen in August.

TIE 1 ON

"Tie Flies When You're Having Fun"

We hope that's what will happen Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 PM at Unicoi Outfitters. We will meet on this date for our monthly fly tying session-I hope this date will be OK for everyone. I was out of town for our May fly tying session and from what I hear about the attendance, I guess most everyone else was too. I hope any one that is interested (beginner or pro) will show up. Tying with others is a great way to learn and to teach-to help those that are just starting. Again, we will be tying a woolly bugger and an elk hair caddis-so bring materials for these if you have them-if not, that's OK. Refer to our last Tie 1 On post for recipes and instructions.

If the above date is not good for you, let me know at rbtgofish@yahoo.com.

Tie 1 On

We had a good turn out for our April fly tying session at Unicoi Outfitters in Helen and I think everyone enjoyed taking part. Thanks again to all the folks who were involved and to everyone who showed up. May's session will be Thursday May 7 at 6:30 PM and will last approximately 2 hours. (Note this is a date change from the date listed in the Liars Club newsletter) Again, this is an open invitation to anyone who has an interest in tying flies or wants to learn how to tie flies. I promise it will add more to your fly fishing enjoyment and I believe it will make you a better fisherman.

We will be tying the infamous Wooly Bugger and the unsinkable Elk Hair Caddis during this session. If you need the recipe for material and instructions you can find those at www.charliesflyboxinc.com. Some of the tyers will be tying 1 on somewhere else this week (out of town) so bring a friend with you Thursday night.

TIE 1 ON

That's what we'll be doing on Thursday April 9 at 6:30 pm at the Unicoi shop in Helen. Thanks to Jimmy, David, and John for the use of the building and supplies for our first fly tying meeting.

There is no charge here so this is a great opportunity to learn and also teach and have some fun.

This is for beginners, pros, and tyers like me that just want to learn more about tying. The session is open to TU members and any one else who has an interest in fly tying and fly fishing.

They are already doing this at the Blue Ridge shop and they tell me it is going well. We hope for this to be a regular monthly meeting and we can select the day and time best for everyone at the first meeting. Bring your vise and other supplies if you have them--if not, that's OK.

We'll be serving pheasant tail under vise--from rare to well done--hope to see you there.

Ron Thomas