My fly tying kit has gone untouched for several years, and I have wondered what to do with it. My wife's niece last week started badgering me to teach her son how to tie. This kid, big as a moose, is a Cal Tech student who went there with the idea of becoming an astrophysicist, but as freshman year wound down decided he is going to be a neurosurgeon. I truly believe that trom the neck up he is mentally equipped to master any profession he chooses. He is also a top notch baseball player. But from the wrists outward I am sometimes in wonder that he can tie his shoelaces. So he is in dire need of developing greater manual dexteriity before he starts probing around in people's brains. Today I am going to present that kit to him, even including part opf a jungle fowl cape I bought in 1948. He can go home to Reno and start flexing his fingers.
But, BUT, how to find him a good text for learning? Sure, I can teach him the very basics, how to keep tension on the thread, how to tie half hitches and whip finishes,etc. but today I tie such a lousy fly that I wouldn't want him picking up my bad habits. Obviously hands on teaching is the best, but failing that, can anyone recommend a good book (or books) to help him? Or is there anyone in the Reno area who might help? Any thoughts/recommndations gratefully received!
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