Not DIY but, it's cheap and easy.

Unlike my ex this cheap and easy product is actually super useful and worth the money you spend on it. It is called Tenacious Tape made by Gear Aid. Its listed as a tent repair tape but, can really be used to fix just about anything made from synthetic fabrics, tents, raincoats, waders. etc. Best part is its waterproof! It comes in an easy to use and carry tube about the size of 2 C batteries end to end. I carry one in my sling pack all the time. This stuff isn't a quick duct tape style fix either it can really be used as a permanent fix.

I ripped my waders last October when I slipped on some volcanic rock and ripped a quarter sized hole in the butt of my waders. I took them off cleaned the dirt off the best I could and with my knife cut a square of the Tenacious Tape a bit bigger then the hole. I then made sure to press very hard all around the repair to really seat the glue into the fabric. Within 10 minutes I had a water proof permanent fix to my waders. The repair is still holding strong almost 6 months later. For 5$ this very versatile tape can't be beat. I have had this roll for about 4 years and it hasn't lost any strength and I still haven't used it all up.

I love small streams

I have found a video of my perfect fishing scenario. A beautiful stream no one thinks to fish while backpacking. I LOVE SMALL STREAMS!

Bobbin holder

Recently I have been frustrated that all my tying materials are just spread out on a table. Being organized when trying to actually get things done is very important to me. So I'll post some of the things I have been putting together to keep things neat and tidy. First is an easy to make bobbin holder.

I just used some scrap wood I had that turned out to be just the right size. Next I drilled some small holes just about the size of some bbq skewers I had in a drawer. Then globbed on some wood glue on the skewers and put them in the holes. Wood glue is best but I'm sure any glue would do. Finely I sanded up the ends of the skewers just to clean the ends up a bit. Works quite well. Only thing I would change would be to actually measure the size of the bobbins before drilling the holes. I over estimated and could have put 1-3 more bobbins per racks.

Cheap easy dubbing

I wanted to tie up some stimulators last week but, realized I didn't have any kind of yellow or orange dubbing. I then remembered buying some orange yarn in hopes of using it for an indicator for slower water. I figured if I pieced apart the yarn I could use it to dub a fly.

First step is to get some yarn. I bought this at a thrift store for 1.50$ and have more orange yarn than I could use in a life time. I recommend cutting some from a friend/wife/mother's stash. Or do as I do when you need things and don't want to spend money post a message on Facebook asking if anyone wants to get rid of some things.

Next step is to cut a manageable piece of yarn. Using more than a foot or two at a time will get a little unwieldy.

 Yarn is just a series of twisted fibers and easy to to unwind. Separate the 3-5 different twisted strands.

 You should end up with 3-5 bundles of small fibers.

Next step is to collect the strings and cut them as short as you can. You should end up with a bunch of little 1/8 tufts of fibers. I left one of the strings I pulled apart to the side so I can just use it as yarn and tie with it later.

 Next put all the little tufts together and begin to pull them apart from each other. There should be some tension as you fluff and separate the fibers. You want to continue this until all the little tufts are gone and you end up with a little fluff pile.

All fluffed up and ready to dubb.

Here is the stimulator I tied with my DIY dub.

So you might be saying dubbing is cheap?!? Only 3$ a tiny little pack?!?! Ya well this was cheaper/free and it works quite well. A lot of people use a coffee grinder to speed up this process but, again that costs money and/or pisses off the wife.

Dryer lint is also a good dubbing material that is ready to go right out off the lint trap. A word of advise here is to use a garment that you just bought. I have three dogs which means every time I wash anything the lint trap is full of hair. A new sweatshirt or fleece jacket with help minimize the hair and you will get WAY more fuzz as well as, allowing you to be picky about the color you end up with.

Welcome!!

Welcome to my DIY Fly Fishing blog. This will be a blog for the budget minded angler as well as, the DIY enthusiast. I don't plan on listing how to fish the salt flats on your own or plan your own trip to Patagonia. These posts will be about small projects to save some money, recycle/reuse/re-purpose items and enjoy creating useful things. So why did I start doing things DIY? Well I am broke!! I am out of work like so many other people in this country but, that doesn't mean I don't want to fly fish every minute of every day. This sport has (and will probably always) been a rich mans sport. I would love to see that change and this is my step towards that goal.


I'll leave you with a little video I put together. This video was shot on a creek about a 10 minute drive, 30 minute bike ride from my house. I LOVE TO TROUT FISH however, I will take any kind of fishing I can get and that is what I get on my local creek. It's full of bass, blue gill and lots of pike minnows. While its not entirely DIY the rod I am using in most of the film is my grandpa's old rod (he is 85 btw) so this rod has to be about 50 years old. We found it in his garage; the tip was broke, missing a guide and the wraps need to be touched up. It's and old Conolon Fanwing FW7103-710. So with a little work and about 20$ I fixed what needed to be done and took it for a spin. I LOVE THIS ROD, it is perfect for small streams since it loads so well; I can cast the leader alone. Just goes to show you don't HAVE to spend a ton to really enjoy what you do. Thanks!!

This video was shot with a Waterproof Kodak Play>Sport attached to a Gorilla Pod attached to my chest pack.