Christmas wishes and thanks...

As Christmas fast approaches and the end of another year appears on the horizon I sit here quietly reflecting on the year that was whilst the rest of the house sleeps.

It has been a good year, an interesting year and a humbling year.

2010 saw the launch of Bug-Bond the first tack-free UV cure resin that was designed for fly tying. The launch followed 12 months of research and has seen two versions of the material launched this year with further products in the wings for 2011.

As a result of Bug-Bond I have had the honour of being invited into a great circle of fly tyers and have tied alongside the some of the world’s greats at the Spring Fly Fair in Newark, the Dutch Fly Fair, the British Fly Fair International and then the International Fly Tying Symposium in New Jersey… it has been a blast and I have made some good and true friends along the way.

The time of reflection is a time to thank a cast of thousands scattered across the globe for making this year such a great year. That cast includes every user, reviewer and supporter of Bug-Bond… there are really too many to name and perhaps to single out a few would be unfair.

My heartfelt thanks to all my family and friends who have made this year possible, a journey they have been on with me for almost 2 years. Thanks to those who have become good friends during the year, the Bug-Bond Pro-Tying Team and the retailers both here and overseas.

The biggest “thank you” is to every person who has emailed an enquiry, stopped by at a show to say “hello” and of course to those who took the plunge and decided to invest in Bug-Bond.

Users of Bug-Bond are scattered across the world and are to be found in over 30 countries across 5 continents.

Wherever you are I hope that you and yours have a peaceful and restful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Tight Lines for 2011…

Midlands Fly Fishing....

Steve Yeomans from Midlands Fly Fishing contacted me recently with details of two killer patterns he has for targeting trout... both patterns that include Bug-Bond look like they get to the fish quick. Steve through his business Midlands Fly Fishing provides tuition and guided fly fishing in the heart of England for trout, pike, grayling and carp. Sounds like a plan coming on!!!

Click the photos to see the relevant blog entries for the patterns...

Steve, thanks for sharing these Bug-Bond patterns... I look forward to seeing some photos of fish that have follen to these flies.

Davie McPhail joins the team...

I have great pleasure in announcing that Davie McPhail has joined the Bug-Bond Pro-Tying team... Davie is well known for tying at the Glasgow Angling Centre but probably more famous for his Youtube channel... since starting to use Bug-Bond in October this year he's done a number of ties using Bug-Bond... welcome to the team Davie!

Become a follower!

Finney's Flies & Operation Mark

I blogged Lawrence Finney back in March or April I think after he'd used Bug-Bond on some of his woven nymph bodies. I met Lawrence for the first time at the Spring Fly Fair in Newark, Notts and was aware by the end of the weekend that his son had had a major accident in 2009... but I wasn't aware of the extent of his injuries from the motorcycle accident that has left him paralysed from the waist down nor the impact I suspect that it has had on the Finney family.

It is probably best left to Lawrence to explain...

"As some of you know my son Mark had a bad accident just over a year ago where he sustained massive injuries,

He damaged his lungs broke all his ribs and shoulder blades and tore open his Aorta, this alone left us with little hope of survival, when we were told that he had broken his back we realised his newly gained qualification as a lifeguard could not be put into practice again.

He has made a remarkable recovery and has returned to training at the gym to try his best to see if he can make some challenge towards a qualification in physical education as this has been his ambition."

Lawrence is selling fly tying materials to help provide for Mark's present and the future needs...

"All proceeds from these sales go directly to my son's fund, it is hoped to raise enough funds to enable us to finish building an extension onto our house so Mark can start to live a more normal life with space to exercise and to enable him to have some reasonable privacy that he so dearly lacks at the moment.

As a fly dresser myself I am deeply humbled with the generous response from friends and colleagues worldwide, the following is a list of what I have to offer . Once again thank you so much for your support"

The list Lawrence refers to is a materials list that can be found on Facebook... you can always contact Lawrence through his website... click the photos above and they'll go to Lawrence's site...

Now to the photos... these are framed flies that Lawrence and many tying friends have set up and will be auctioned through Facebook as well... a possible collector's items of the future or fly fishing ephemera that you might have bought anyway? Bid and win... enjoy it and know that you helped someone in the process.

Blasphemy Baitfish - Capt Chris Newsome

This is perhaps the most appropriate day, it being a Sunday, to post photos received from Capt Chris Newsome of Bay Fly Fishing (Virginia USA) of his new fly he's called the Blasphemy Baitfish... I'm sure that this Bug-Bond creation will do well and I think you will agree these look really smart!

World Tuscany Open Fly Tying Comp 2010

Barry Ord Clarke sent me these fantastic images of the ties he submitted for the recent World Tuscany Open Fly Tying Competition.

With places of 3rd, 8th & 9th in class Barry is to be congratulated on these great results with Bug-Bond built flies...