I suck tremendously at fly tying. That said, my creations do catch fish from time to time.

trealtree, it says your mailbox is full.

Hey Eddie, I realize that cheap ain't always the deal, doing it is a big part of the fun, but you can buy some good stuff on ebay, I believe cheaper than you can tie them. Some purist will take a shot at me, but just sayin'.

Not sure what a purist is? I tie a lot of flies every year, probably more than most tyers in a decade. I tie with synthetic materials, with tools made in a third world country on a vice made in PA, while drinking beer brewed in america.... My patterns are marketed by a company out of Washington State but they are mass produced in the phillipines. So I can safely say I would not be a "purist". In fact in a lifetime of fly fishing I don't reckon I have ever actually met one. Buying flies off ebay has nothing to do with being a purist or not. If that's what floats your boat hell man knock yourself out no matter what anyone says. Tying isn't about saving money, in fact its a darn good way to spend money. Tying is about creating something that will catch a fish. More of a satisfaction thing.