Swap Season is Upon Us

[David Churbuck]

Well, it is November. Sure there are still fish to be caught and I intend to get some value for my freshwater fishing license before I have to buy a new one in seven weeks.

Thought I'd start the discussion going about fly swaps to see who's interested, what themes we might explore this winter, and what our capacity is in terms of numbers of swaps.

Last year I wrote a FAQ for swapmasters. Let me dig it out and post it here.

Let's not start a swap here. Just get the discussion rolling about when to start them, how strict the deadline should be, themes, etc.

As for my preferences, I like two-month spans or deadlines for swaps. That keeps things from getting too stressful, and we certainly can run multiple swaps if there is enough interest and if the really hardcore tyers want to tie a lot.

For themes: I'd like to see some classic swaps. A Deceiver swap, a Clouser swap. Crustaceans. Flatwings. Bonefish. Tarpon. Redfish. Bonito and Ablies. Offshore. Original patterns.

I'd also like to see, in this day and age of digital cameras, an effort be made to document your patterns and submit them into the library using the fly pattern tool that Mark Cahill developed last spring. It's a great thing to be able to see what went into a fly after it arrives in the mail! We could even bundle them up and try to print a booklet of patterns at the end of the season.

So, thoughts?

[David Churbuck]

Here's the link (http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=29878&highlight=swapmaster) to the fly swap FAQ I wrote last season. Any suggestions would be appreciated as it is a work in progress.

[Sentience]

it is indeed the start of swap season. my vote is to start one that has a deadline for mid-december. the first of the year seems really far away.

since i don't fish for tarpon etc. i like the idea of a classic deceiver swap. but we should definitely do a favorite fly swap sometime too just for guys to show off.

swaps are great because i don't have to feel guilty for tying so many flies that i know i won't ever use. i still have a bunch left over from this season and i am considering another give away to some lucky newbies.

[mdrew9]

I would be interested in doing a swap with you guys, I have never been to one before. I am pretty new to tying I have taken a freshwater class. And plan to get a vise in the next couple weeks. Can I still play with the big boys?
Mike

[Quicksilver]

for sure dude!

[Squidly]

I woud love to get involved. I too am new to fly tying this year, but it sounds like fun.

[Quicksilver]

A deceiver swap is a great idea! Count me in.

[FLYRODER]

I've been involved in lots of fly swaps every year. But I have yet to see a big bunker or blue back herring fly swap yet. You know flies that are between 10-16inches long. If you have 1 count me in.

[mizt]

LOL, I just started a swap on the Florida Sportsman Forums and was about to post here to see if anyone was interested in joining. This iwll be the first time im the swapmaster and I was glad to see the rules typed up by the Moderator. It will help me alot. I wouldn't mine joining a swap here to. Expand my fly collection for seasons to come =). For those interested in the swap there are 4 slots left and they are going quick (has been open for 2 days) http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum.com/zeropost?cmd=reply&id=1451451

[AlderBrookFarm]

How about a "swap of the month" starting with Mid-December with a different theme for each month through say March?

[rockfisherman]

Swap of the month is a great idea. I like that. Count me in on that one.

[David Churbuck]

Swap of the month is an excellent idea. Let's tentatively schedule four to get us through the winter months and try to organize the first so it opens on 11/15 and comes to a deadline on 12/15.

The two themes that have attracted interest so far are Deceivers and Big Bait (herring and bunker).

We'll need swapmasters to volunteer before we can open either one.

DC

[Sentience]

i'll volunteer for the deceiver swapmaster.

[PeteV]

here are some ideas:
Go fly specific.
a popper swap or a big black eel swap. or a spun deer hair swap...or favorite "go to" fly swap (without the clousers).

Or go fish specific.
Shore bound striper fly swap.
Boaters striper fly swap
Bluefish fly swap
Tuna fly swap
Bonito!!! ....


Or weird stuff....
Like Cpy your favorite lure fly swap.
Rapalas, rebels, Sluggos....

[Craignev]

Haven't participated in a swap for a few years, but was swapmaster for a number of swap here on reeltime in the past.

Can volunteer to swapmaster again and would prefer to do a favorite fly (anything is fair game) and have it run maybe 2/15 to 3/15.

Actually if we set deadlines for each swap that are a month apart, why couldn't we just list the swap as ending say 3/15 and that gives everyone just over 4 months from today to finish the flies for that swap. Do you think everyone will remember what they committed to?

Would also suggest, if possible, that anyone signing up for a particular swap, post a photo of the fly they are going to provide when they sign up. That way everyone gets an idea what eachother are doing for that round.

Craig.......

[Mark Cahill]

to put together some kits for deserving newbies in the spring.

[PeteV]

you could always have a call for flies so you could put kits together to sell or auction for Reel-Time fundraising purposes ...if the site is in need of a little $$....it might be to your advantage to get started soon if you want to take advantage of the upcoming XMASS gift giving season.

[Mark Cahill]

Just thinking it'd be a nice way to help out some of the newbies. More like charity.

[PeteV]

Thats a good idea ...I'll start tying up some basic workhorse patterns now...I'll just need an address to mail them to