Fly Tying - The Only Guide You Need

If you've been fishing for a while, then perhaps you've been tempted to to tie your own flies, or at least, learn a bit more about it.

Here's what you need to know.

1. A bad knot can mean you lose the fish as you're trying to catch it. It's much better and easier to tie your flies at home rather than when you're actually out fishing.

2. It's advisable to lubricate the knot to make it slide into place better. This will help it from working loose, and so the knot will last longer.

3. Once you've finishes, you'll need to seal the knot with a long pull. This will ensure that the knot it as tight as you can get it, and so it won't work loose. The longer the ends, the more leverage you'll have.

4. Don't forget to cut the ends off the knot. This helps to make the fly look more authentic, and so will be more attractive to the fish you're trying to catch.

5. You don't need to spend a fortune or a long time creating your perfect flies, in order to have something effective. You might find that some of the more rushed, or ragged flies actually attract the most fish.

6. Many household items that you might throw away, such as foil or anything reflective and colourful can be used for creating your own flies. What about using the foil and cellophane from sweet wrappers, for example?

7. There are even some rather unlikely materials that can be tied to create flies. You might never have thought of using dog hair, feathers, foam packaging or beads, but some anglers swear by them. Why not see what you can come up with?

8. Don't forget to save suitable things in a box, so that you'll always know where they are, and what you've got. You don't want to find the perfect fly material, only to lose it.

9. It's likely to be a matter of trial and error to find which the most effective flies are. You might speak to friends and other anglers to see what sort of things they're using, or find out more about what the fish normally eat in order to try and mimic them.

10. Don't forget to be creative, and think for yourself. You might have different ideas to your friends, or read something that shouldn't work but does. You can try very colourful or reflective materials, or different textures to see what works for you.

Now you know more about some of the things to be aware of, why not have a go at fly tying yourself?

Discover a wide range of Fly Tying and other Fly Fishing Flies and accessories, at JohnNorris.co.uk today. If you're a keen angler then you'll want to make sure that you've got all the fishing tackle you need.

Obama: A Grimm Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there was a very handsome young man with a winning complexion and uncertain origin.

One day this young man appeared at the edge of a very unhappy village which recently had suffered through a terrible storm which had devastated many homes and livelihoods.

The young man promptly surveyed the situation and asked to be taken to the village elders.

The village elders took a liking to the young man immediately and their affection for him grew all the stronger after he said: "O village elders ask not where I come from or what I am, but where would you all like to go--and your wish will be granted!"

Despite their age and wisdom the elders were delighted at this response and so desperate to keep the villagers from perhaps slitting their throats in the night that they immediately decided to withdraw from their positions of power and elect this bright young man temporary King of the Village.

Once all had seen and heard the young man, a giant tumult of approval went through the entire village. And he was made King.

After a short while the young man now made King would appear at strange times doing strange, uncommon things in the village. In the beginning the villagers thought that this was a part of the young man's 'special powers' of healing and that all would be well if they just let well enough alone. And so they did.

However after a time people began to take notice that many new laws had been passed by they knew not who and they knew not when and that new folk had come to settle in the village to enforce them.

Rumors began. Some villagers said that the new folk had forced them to do things that seemed strange but was for the future good of their village and other villages, most of whom they had never heard of before.

As strangeness began to pile upon weirdness and began to form an atmosphere of unease over the village, people began to ask "Where is our King and what has he done?"

Yet no one had seen the young man turned King up close for some time.

And when they searched they no longer could find him, but only a picture of him as he was when he first came to the village.

People started to be afraid.

The ravages of the storm had not been fixed and there was a warning of even greater storms ahead. One, very distant village, was rumored to be preparing for the greatest storm of all: an abrupt and devastating war.

Yet most people chose for a time to ignore all this chicken talk: after all the elders had trusted this young man to get rid of all their past accumulated problems and wasted efforts.

So, for a time, the houses continued to lay barren and the mills were silent and the people spoke in ever hushed whispers as more laws and more enforcers of laws came from they knew not when and they knew not from whence.

Generations passed and the elders were all dead and even the villagers who had first welcomed the young man, even the tiniest, had all long since died.

Now, the village looked much poorer and neglected than it had in the past: at least as it was depicted by pictures that were ever harder to come by---but all present woe and doubt was soon to be forgotten because tomorrow as it had been celebrated ever since would be the King's day--or more precisely the Coming of the King--the most important and most celebrated day in village history.

http://mrlobots.blogspot.com

The General's Star (Part II, WWI, a Short Story)

(WWI, 1917-18)

The General watched from his guarded post, the battalion, was to charge over the top of the trenches, day two in his war with the Germans, after three years watching nothing happen, and wanting his second star, the general was desperate. He had put in Corporal Abernathy for the Distinguish Service Medal, and there was much talk about it, everyone now wanting a medal to bring home, and he General wanting the second star, and everyone's blood was like hot vinegar, hoping to empress him the general, and so he ordered another attack, he was reinforced with a new company, a new 172-troops, soldiers, untested under fire, and these new troops knew, the General lost 125- soldiers a day ago, the day before, and they had just arrived, to be told there was a second suicide mission, and they heard about what happened to the to that 125-soldiers, and they didn't like what they heard, and they were causing trouble with the other three companies, over 600-soldiers.

Corporal Abernathy being the only one that survived the slaughter yesterday, some soldiers had made it to the first trenches, the ones five-hundred feet away, and took them, but the Germans that were 900-feet away from them, took it back an hour later, supported by those other Germans, 1500-Germans 3000-feet away, but the General figured if one company could reach the 500-level, six-hundred might make it to the 3000-level, and that was his new star, his second star.

Forenoon, the fields were quiet, empty, no firing of artillery or of any kind of ammo, the Germans just waiting as always eating their sour cabbage, and bratwursts eating lunch one after the other, bored, and perhaps wanting the General to send some more troops their way so they could practice shooting them down like pigeons, as usual.

Corporal Abernathy figured it was hard to beat the Germans without air support, that is really what they needed, but he, the general didn't want to wait, he wanted that star now, before he was sent back to Paris to discus the rest of the war with Pershing and the other generals, he didn't want to be standing in the last line of generals.

When they call the six-hundred to get ready for the advance, the offensive, they sat around where the officers were, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, just like the officers.

"What's the problem?" asked the General to Major Sharp.

Major Sharp, said somewhat tongue-tied, but spitting out the words though, "The troops heard what happened yesterday, the new ones and they see the officers safe in their dugouts, and they see the sergeants not too willing to go over the top with them, and they want everyone to go, if they're going die for a worthless cause, everyone should die with them, everyone but you, they said."

"So the soldiers are on strike, is what you are saying, and that is not possible, that is treason, and I'll have them shot." Said the General, but ordered the Major to remain where he was while he thought this out clearer, then remarked:

"Well, Major, the only thing left is for everyone to go over the top, and you too!" said the General.

"Perhaps we can get some air support," asked the Major.

"Major," said the General, "if you do not go over that top with you troops, you'll be a Second Lieutenant tomorrow; where is the devotion in this war, you are like a vegetable tree, fate has me in for a second star and you are in my way Major," and he pulled out his silver plated revolver, ivory handle, and aimed it at Major Sharp's forehead, as he dropped his baton at the same time, and when he went to pick it up, the Major jumped on him, and in the struggle, the General was shot in the heart-dead.

In the investigation, they could not find the weapon the German insurgent used to kill the General with, the Major being the only one to escape the fatal disarray that took place in the General's shelter, and the only eyewitness. The German, the report read was hiding in the General's closet, and when the Major came in he had the General's gun in his hands, and escaped right past the Major, knocking him down. The inquiry asked how this could be possible; it all sounded so far fetched, kind of fishy, like a cover-up. The Major said it was as possible as sending 126-soldiers out to commit suicide, and only one returning, and there was no questions asked about that, that wasn't fishy or abnormal, to Headquarters, matter-of-fact, a Distinguish Service Metal was handed out to the one and only survivor of the suicide mission, and after the fact, not a word from Headquarters was said, and no investigation for the 125-privates now dead as a door nail.

Thus, the Major, received a Distinguish Service Metal, for his bravery, like Corporal Abernathy, and the war went on for another year as normal.

See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

How to Make a Fishing Pole Dog Toy For Cheap

Does your dog have a lot of energy & is making you crazy? Do you not feel like tiring yourself out while trying to tire out your dog? You can make this fun toy for your dog without spending the 20 or 30 dollars that the pet stores charge for it.

Why do dogs like this toy? Most dogs, especially dogs with high prey drives like border collies & German shepherd dogs, have an inborn desire to chase things that run away from them. When you drag the end of this toy in front of your dog, it simulates an small animal running away from your dog & it wants to chase and catch it. You get to stay in one place and not get tired while your dog gets a great work out. Also, the squirrels in your yard will thank you!

Supplies

An old broomstick with the broom part cut off,
6 feet of rope,
2 old socks or long scraps fabric,
Duct tape

Instructions

STEP 1-Take your rope and tie a knot in one end, then make a knot 2 inches below the first knot.
take about 2 feet of duct tape and tape the rope to one end of the broomstick, between the knots.

STEP 2 - Bundle the two socks together and tie the remaining end of the rope around them securely.

TADA, you're done!! Now you have a 'fishing pole' toy for your dog! You made it by yourself & made it from materials that you had around your home!!

To play with the new toy that you have made, just have your dog chase it in a circle around you. You can also make your dog jump for it by suspending the 'sock' end in the air.

Karen Friesecke is the owner of www.doggiestylish.com She spends her time making hand crafted dog collars & writing about all things dog!

10 Fly Tying Tips You Can't Live Without

If you're keen on fly fishing, then perhaps you're an expert at fly tying already. If you're new to fishing, or have never thought about before tying your own flies before, here's what you need to know to get it right, every time.

1. Fly tying doesn't have to cost a lot, and depending on where you fish and what you fish for, you might find that cheap flies are just as good as expensive ones.

2. You can save even more money by using household objects and items that you might have thrown away. Sweet wrappers and beads and other reflective or sparkly things can be very effective.

3. You can try unusual items such as dog hair or feathers, or perhaps even packing foam and see how many fish you can catch.

4. Why not get organised and keep a box of fly tying bits handy at all times? That way when you find something suitable, you won't lose it.

5. It's important to tie a good knot. You won't want to have to retie it whilst you're trying to land a fish, or have it come undone in your fishing bag.

6. Your knots will slide into place better if they are wet, and they are also much more likely to stay tied too.

7. Don't cut the ends until you've completely finished, as a long pull to finish the knot will make it tighter and more secure, which means that it will be more likely to last.

8. Remember that a better looking fly will be more appealing to the fish. If your fly is untidy, you probably won't catch much.

9. When you're learning about fly tying, you'll want to try lots of different sorts, and methods, in order to see which is the most effective. You might be surprised if your the flies you made from a sweet wrapper are more successful than your traditional fishing bait.

10. When you're fly tying, you can be as creative, and imaginative as you like. It should be a fun thing to do, and can help you learn more about what attracts certain fish. In addition, you can save money for the new fishing tackle you want!

Now you know more about how it can help you catch more fish, will you start fly tying?

Discover everything you need to start Fly Tying, including starter packs, tinsel, thread, eyes, beads and much more at JohnNorris.co.uk today. Whether you're looking for a new fishing rod, or Fishing Bags, you'll find all the fishing tackle you need at John Norris.

Ladies T Shirt Apparel and the Dead Wrong Way to Wear Them

I have listed the top ten ladies T violations that I have personally observed; and honestly have been in violation of myself in the past. We are all guilty of breaking some fashion rules from time to time, so if you think you are alone, your not. Sometimes we just don't know any better and other times we pray that we don't see anyone we know and make a mad dash to our destination only to see the very person we did not want to see. Or we see someone we wish we could get to know, but now we can't even get a second look because we look a Hot Mess in our Tee!

Therefore,

1. Do not under any circumstances allow excess mid drift to be visible while rocking tees. If we have love handles, we must only purchase t shirt apparel that completely covers them. When I am personally feeling bloated in that area, I wear a good girdle and this helps a lot to hide my bulges.

2. Also, never allow excess tummies to peak out of our T's. The same above advice to overcome this applies here. I also suck my belly in all day everyday. I may be perpetrating a six pack for now, but this really works to actually flatten your stomach.

3. Be sure that your T shirt sleeves are not squeeeeeezing the life out of your arms. If the tee is too small give it away. Just let it go.

4. Ladies, just as too little does not work, neither is it sexy to wear oversized tees in public. Arms drowning in sleeves and slumpy necklines do not work for us. Now feel free to lounge in the privacy of your home wearing your man' tee, but just keep that between the two of you.

5. Colorful and patterned bras are pretty, but not if they are clearly visible through your white tee. That's simply not cute.

6. For those who tie the tees, the front knot tie is over. It may come back, but it's gone for now. I've seen some who can still get away with tying them in the back though, as long as the tee is not tied too tight.

7. Spaghetti strap tees are some of our favorites, but a red tee showing green bra straps or any like combination of off colors should be avoided at all costs.

8. Also, spaghetti strap T's deserve the best; Clean shaven underarms coated with clear deodorant.

9. Wrinkle Free T's only. Steaming them works best, but an iron will work.

10. Last, but certainly not least. Everyone loves unique apparel shirts, especially the one's with crafty slogans. When wearing one, ask yourself, "Is this saying truly representing me, what I stand for, what I believe in?"

One time I saw this girl at a baseball game wearing a white tee with a big red kiss and big red letters that said, "Kiss This" and it had an arrow pointing in a very foul direction. I almost gagged on my hot dog and thought to myself, "Now she lacks DigniTee"!

Flaire' Scott is a fashion apparel stylist and consultant working with women and teens for the past ten years. She is currently launching The TeeParTee Collection which specializes in designer t shirt apparel. For more information on selecting your perfect ladies t shirt size and style visit http://tshirtwomensapparel.blogspot.com

History of Silk Knots and the Silk Knot Cufflink

Silk knot cufflinks are a relative latecomer to the history of shirt sleeve fasteners. The earliest fasteners were pins and draw strings. Buttons emerged first as a purely ornamental device, but by the 1300s were being used to fasten garments in Europe, the idea being brought by returning crusaders. Cufflinks came next in the 1600s, but only became significant in the 1840s upon the growth in popularity of the French cuffed shirt. Cufflinks popularity soared as the stamping process made them more affordable than the highly bejeweled early models. 

But the popularity of the French Cuffed  shirt created somewhat of a dilemma for mid-1800s tailors. To properly display the shirt, the sleeves needed to be held together. But the hand-made highly ornamental cufflinks of the time were too expensive to place on every pair of sleeves in their store. Further these hard cufflinks distracted attention from the finery of the shirt the tailor was trying to showcase. The solution was a single stitch to hold the shirt sleeves together. This eventually gave was to single loop of thread, and finally the silk knot.
 
The silk knot is essentially two monkey's fist knots, tied around a bead to give it shape and thickness. This simple design allowed the tailor to create a clean fastener that is in keeping with the fine construction of a shirt but does not distract. 
 
In the early 1900s as the excessive ornamentation of the past began to be regarded as gauche, the silk knot began to appear on the streets as a simple elegant alternative to the hard cufflink. Variants such as the silk barrel cufflink began to appear and the silk knot cufflink became cemented in men's fashions.
 
Today's silk knot cufflink is largely similar to those of the last century.  Although today silk is rarely used due to it's lack of elasticity and today many cheaper silk knots are no longer made by hand.

Silk-knot-cufflinks.com are the experts on silk knots. We sell hundreds of styles of silk knot cufflinks all handmade with complete satisfaction guaranteed. Visit us on the web at http://www.silk-knot-cufflinks.com!

All About Celtic Engagement Rings

Among engagement rings, the Celtic engagement rings are the ones laced with so much meaning.

Publicly, a Celtic engagement ring declares the couple's promise to make a new life together and privately the design of Celtic engagement ring can contain many intimate elements meaningful to the couple's lives through the intricate metalwork, engravings or gemstones.

Many individuals are attracted to the Celtic engagement ring art due to its elaborately knotted designs where the knots do not have any beginning as well as no end.

The Celtic engagement ring gives meaning literal to the famous phrase "tie the knot" as the rings are representations of infinity as well as eternal love when crafted unto a Celtic engagement diamond.

Types of Celtic engagement rings:

1. The lover's knot. This consists of two interconnected symbols of infinity and is known to symbolize two people united as one.

Many Celtic wedding bands and rings incorporate the "lover's knot" in their pattern of design. The traditional Celtic design engagement rings usually illustrate the Heron and Creyr, on each side.

Animals, for the Celts were the gods' messengers. Every animal was associated to the earth's natural cycle. Creyr is their creator of "life" and the carrier of babes, as the stork is to the Americans.

2. The Celtic cross. Versions of the Celtic cross differ depending upon the legend, although a common version is founded on the efforts of the Celtic monks' to include Christianity to pagan beliefs.

The cross symbolizes God's eternal love, revealed through the sacrifice of Christ on the "cross".
Celtic crosses possess a circular sign, whereby the cross part of the "crucifix" is enclosed. The halo, as it called, is believed to represent of God's angelic quality thru His endless love for His people.

3. Celtic bands. These vary in intricacy and thickness. A simple Celtic band actually may craft a "metal knot" from thin gold strands, while elaborate Celtic designs are etched or engraved onto wider bands.

Celtic bands can include gemstones, specifically emeralds or diamonds inset unto the metal, although elevated settings are rare.

4. Claddagh rings. These are the most well known and popular Celtic ring types and are a sign of love and friendship.

Because every Celtic ring design possesses a distinct meaning, jewelers often will customize the engagement ring so to include the Celtic symbols and knots that you desire.

The preferences of particular knots hold special importance to the couple, like an heirloom design or family pattern or the designs can simply be matching aesthetic favorites.

Because the Celtic rings' intricacy a made to order engagement ring are more expensive compared to readily available rings, especially if it entails entirely unique knots and patterns.

Jewelers usually choose to create Celtic engagement rings from titanium metal lined with silver or gold. Traditionally, these rings are made from silver or gold only, however, due to their intricate designs and delicate nature of silver and gold, titanium is used today as the base for durability.

Purchase your Celtic engagement ring early

When shopping for your Celtic engagement ring, it is significant to start looking as early as possible, so that if you can not find one that you desire, you can have one custom made which takes a longer time to do.

Furthermore, having your Celtic engagement ring properly sized as well as engraving with your names will take time.
Caring for your Celtic ring

Any engagement ring should be cared for meticulously, however Celtic engagement rings needs special handling and care to guarantee that they remain dazzling for years.

Before selecting a cleansing solution, evaluate first what type of metal is your ring and which choices are best for different types of metals as well as gemstones, because the solution that cleans easily one metal can mistakenly damage another.

Celtic engagement rings necessitate more frequent cleansing because of its design. Use a very soft "bristle brush" for keeping grime and dirt from building up in its tiny scrollwork pattern.

As highly symbolic and detailed rings, Celtic engagement rings are a great choice for couples to announce their engagement as well as the knots in the ring will linger on to be a tangible remembrance of how your love and lives are intertwined all through the years and for years to come.

Lee Dobbins writes for [http://engagement.relationship-webzone.com] where you can learn more about engagement rings [http://engagement.relationship-webzone.com], engagement parties, and making your engagment perfect.