A passion for fishing developed from watching my father fly fish for trout on the banks of the River Strule in Co Tyrone near my mum's family home and for brook brownies at Tal-y-Bont not far from the site of my great-grandfather's smithy.
I'm tying for a trip to Norway next month... it'll be a bit of a first for me on many fronts and I'm looking forward to it... eager anticipation but not wanting to get my hopes up at the same time... after all fishing is about catching as well... otherwise we wouldn't go fishing. So to the fly box... Thunder Creeks, Gammarus and... hold on a moment what is that bog eyed critter that is holding centre stage?
Over the almost 4 years BUG-BOND has been in the public eye it has gained recognition from all corners of the globe and that is down to the fly-tyer trusting the material to do the job... the head of one fly tying distribution business said of BUG-BOND back in April 2010 "It does what it says on the tin!"
Grant Bench from Orem in Utah is one of the fly-tyers that trusts BUG-BOND to do the job... Grant, however, needs materials to perform flawlessly as he is a professional guide... not just any old guide but an Orvis endorsed guide... and he guides at Falcon's Ledge (Orvis Fly Fishing Lodge of the Year 2012). Add to that he's an Orvis contracted fly tying designer with 11 patterns in the catalogue sets Grant's stall out as one of the best. In short he knows how to tie a fly well... not just for show but as food for fish that paying guests want to catch. As always the proof of the pudding is in the eating... hence the Orvis endorsement.
I've been corresponding with Grant for a while now. Based on his work and the constant desire to learn and to share what he knows I invited him to join the BUG-BOND Pro-Tying Team...
I've included photos of Grant and one of his chironomids (which he had taken by Douglas Barnes who I am grateful to for allowing us to reproduce here)
I having written a little about the man I asked Grant to do a bio here... So in his words...
"I've been tying flies for half my life and feel
fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from a plethora of great tyers. Some
you have probably heard of, and some you haven't. Having a constantly learning
mindset has helped my tying but also my fishing, casting and
others aspects of the sport.
I learned to fly fish on small farm ponds in
rural Missouri but credit my Uncle David Lloyd for
igniting a passion in me that will last a lifetime. Fly fishing and tying has
now become a lifestyle and it wouldn't be possible without the unfailing,
loving support of others including my amazing wife Holly. I've had the
chance to guide at Falcon's Ledge in Altamont, UT for the last 7
seasons. It's there that I have learned from and come in contact with
incredible fishermen and tyers such as Phil Rowley.
I've recently joined up with a few organizations to help
others to see and understand that fly fishing is more than just a sport.
Wearepals.org is a non-profit group dedicated to providing underprivileged,
at-risk youth with ways of using fly-fishing as a vehicle toward healing,
therapy and direction in life.
I speak three languages because of time spent
in Ukraine for my church. Learning Russian and Ukrainian has
helped me to overcome cultural and language barriers and I've grown a
deep appreciation for the people of that part of the world.
A father of a 5 year old keeps me on my toes and has
helped me to develop more patience than Mother Theresa and I would say that as
a guide, patience would be my best character trait. I've also
recently joined the Loop Army and am really excited to learn from those greats
around me including many from Europe.
Handling the fly tying side of the popular blog www.outsmartingfish.com,
participating as a contract fly designer for the Orvis Company,
and tying at shows throughout the Intermountain West has helped me to share my
passion with others." - Grant Bench
Grant, thanks for sharing your talents and welcome to the team!
All fly tyers should read this... don't skip the page!
Do you know someone new to fly tying OR are you the new fly tyer looking for information? Well, if the answer is "Yes" to both of those then help is to hand... It isn't always possible to go to a night class/club or see a pal tying first hand... both of which are ideal ways to learn. The internet provides some of the best open resources BUT you have to search them out... well not now... it's here!!!
Barry Ord Clarke has set himself the task of helping to educate the tyro fly tyer... there will be a few tutorials a week... well written and well illustrated, this easy to follow guide will help the beginner and it will be a resource that the advanced tyer can introduce someone to who is interested in starting out.
It's a win, win situation... so please use it and do please share it... our pastime depends on new young blood tying flies and going fishing! The first two tutorials are there... hook placement and an explanation of threads and whip finishing...
Now this is the important bit... this is the link...
Many of you will know Barry, for those that don't, Barry is an internationally renowned photographer with images in the National Portrait Gallery, London, UK... he's also an excellent flytyer (probably one of the finest), fisherman and hunter. He has written and co-written many titles on the subject of fly tying and regularly contributes to fly tying magazines of note. Barry is also a member of the BUG-BOND Pro-Tying Team.
