Author: Jimmy

Today at Jimmy’s 03-07-2009

After 17 consecutive weeks beginning in November today was our last Fly Tying Demo until next Fall. Boots Allen from Jackson, Wy was our featured tyer and showed us some great patterns that he uses both in Wyoming and Idaho.

We’ll have Boots back later this year for a book signing of his upcoming book about the Snake River being published by Amato Publishing.  He has another book being published by Pruett Publishing, also later this year, about regional fly patterns that have been developed for this region.

I want to thank Bruce Staples of our shop staff for scheduling and coordinating this winters great lineup of demonstrations. It was the most well attended schedule ever.  Thanks Bruce!

Two new materials have arrived this week. We now have ribbed tungsten scud/shrimp bodies in 4 sizes. You can tie the bodies onto either the shank or bend of the hook for different effects. We also brough in a new body materail for small nymphs and midges called mini sparkle braid. There are 12 different colors. It makes a great tag on steelhead and salmon flies too.

Today at Jimmy’s 1-26-09

We a had another good tying demo on Saturday with Tracy Mobley from Rigby as the tier. Tracy tied a variety of stuff that he uses on the Henry’s Fork and othr Spring Creeks.

In addition to two great back to back snow storms this weekend here in Eastern Idaho( more water for this summer) we received several  new fly tying materials from Nature Spirit. We have carried their hides, dubbings and feathers for over 12 years and I think they are the highest quality you can find.  Some of new items include 8 colors of Spey Hackle for Spey flies. This is goose shoulder and is different than Schlappen. It looks and ties more like a Heron feather.

Six colors of Select Ozark Barred Turkey Quills that can be used for nymph casings and hopper wings. Nature Spirit has put together their Super Spinning Combo that has 8 colors of spinning hair. The final items are large white bucktails they call Big Bucktails. They will tie the longest saltwater fly you that you want.

Today at Jimmy’s 1-22-09

As promised we have some of our special topic classes scheduled. To look at the list go to our classes page on the web site. Also if you have an idea for a class that you would like to take let us know.  Many of our best class ideas have come from folks interested in a specific topic or group of fly patterns.

This week we received two new spey rods from Echo Rods. Both are designed by Dec Hogan.  Both are designed to fish longer lines on bigger rivers. The new models are a 14′ 6″ for a #7 and 15′ for a #8.

We also received the new Tibor Spey Reel. Its one of the prettiest reels I’ve ever seen.

Today at Jimmy’s 1-19-09

We have scheduled the first of several special topics flytying classes beginning with a Fly Patterns of Yellowstone Park with Bruce Staples on February 7th. In the weeks following there will be classes on Tube Flies, Steelhead patterns and also Spring Creek Patterns.

In March we have two dates set for Rod Building. The first class is March 14 and the second class begins on the 28th. On March 21st we have a full day Spey casting class slated.

For more details and a complete list go to the classes page on our web site.

New items into the shop today include two items to help organize your tying table. One is the “Rib Runner” that stores and dispenses tinsels and ribbing material. The other item is a Thread Storage Rack that holds 24 spools. It looks like you can even stack two spools per dowl and double the capacity.

We also received four new Zap adhesives. All four have a specific uses that range from flytying, to on stream repairs or simply coating knots for added strength.

Finally the last item is a table top magnifier from Daylight. If you already have a tying lap this is magnifier that comes with its own pedestal so you can place it wherever you need on the table.

Today at Jimmy’s 1-3-09

Saturday has been a very typical mid winter day  here in the shop. First thing this morning a lot of folks came to see Randy Randolph tie some of his favorite flies at the Saturday demo.  By the mid afternoon quite a few tiers had dropped by to pick up materials to continue their winter tying projects.

This week we will begin receiving winter material orders that will keep the hook and material pegs stocked. You’ll also begin seeing some of the new materials that we have ordered.  Of course we will make sure we get the new arrivals mentioned  here on the web site.

Today at Jimmy’s 1-2-09

Over the next few days we’ll be closing the books on ’08 and begin making plans for the new year. We’ll have a updated schedule of our regular tying classes and also some of the special topic courses that we’ll offer through mid-March. Watch the web site or stop by the shop for these updates.

On your next trip to the shop if you notice that things look brighter and easier to see its because we replaced the ballasts and bulbs in our light fixtures.  Its part of an energy efficiency program offered by Idaho Falls Power. The new retro-fit will cut our energy use significantly and at the same time has made the shop much brighter.

Tomorrow’s tying demo features Randy Randolph. Randy will be tying a variety of patterns including some of his great looking balsa patterns. The demo starts at 10 am.

Today at Jimmy’s 12-27-08

This morning’s tying demo featured Gary Barnes from Ririe. Gary tied a variety of flies beginning with a simple San Juan worm and then progressed through  several types of streamers, nymphs and dries.  Gary is one of those tiers that can tie most anything and he was alot of fun to watch and learn from.

If you have not been to one of our Saturday tying demos they are a great opportunity to see and learn the large variety of tying techniques.  They start at 10 a.m. and are free. They will continue through March 1st.

Several people have called to ask about hours holiday store hours. We will be open Monday through Wednesday next week before  New Years Day on Thursday.  Although we will be doing the year end inventory everyone will still be available to answer questions and help you out in any way.

Today at Jimmy’s 12-26-2008

Idaho Falls and Eastern Idaho got pounded by great winter storm that left 12 new inches in the valley and more in the surrounding mountains. Thats good news for our winter snow pack and for water next year. My back is a little sore from shoveling and moving snow for several hours on Christmas day.  There is more snow in the forecast too. It would be great to have back to back years of good water.

Several new tying materials arrived today. Two new colors of furry foam came. The new colors are crawdad orange and crab tan. Some of the uses for furry foam include bodies for nymphs and saltwater patterns.

We have a new dubbing from Hairline called Rainbow Scud Dub. It a mixture of 4 colors of Ice Dub. It will make great looking scud bodies or use it on the adomen of beadhead flies. It comes in two shades: light and dark.

For tiers that build foam flies two new adhesives arrived. One is a from 3M named Super 77 and it comes in a spray can. The other is ZAP-O. Its thicker than regular Zap a Gap. When both of these adhesives dry they don’t cause the foam to shrink and crack like some adhesives do.

Today at Jimmys 12-16-08

Four new items have come to the shop this week. Two are books and two items you can tie flies with.

Local author and Trout Unlimited Staffer  Chris Hunt has written a book called “Shin Deep“. Its a compilation of essays from his frequent visits to some of his favorite waters.

The other new book is the “The Norman Maclean Reader” It is a collection of essays, letters and other writings by the author of “A River Runs Through It”

Mike Andreasen of Bountiful, Utah was here a couple of weeks ago for a tying demonstration.  He tied several of his stillwater patterns with a dubbing from Hareline called Krystal Dub. It is a mixture of rabbit fur and krystal flash.  It comes in 12 colors

The last item is the Wasatch Tools Bobbin Whirler. It is a combination bobbin and dubbing tool. An instructional DVD is included.