There comes a time every year when I declare my tying bench a disaster area. I’ve been busy churning out flies for clients and myself all summer, and there’s never any time to put things back where they belong — let alone sweep up that mountain of shaved deer hair. OK, if you’re one of those few who keeps things neat and tidy, I humbly bow before your uncluttered presence. For me, a clean tying area is going to have to be a winter project.
Live and in the studio. No edits!
~
Oscar Madison bench, Felix Unger results. Some bugs for the Farmington this week.
currentseams.com 
Eric Leiser once told me years ago that an
organized tying table is the sign of an organized mind…..
Clearly this tying table indicates high idea flow…
There hope for me yet!
We can all dream and aspire to new heights, John. 🙂
I used to have a sign in my office that read “Those who keep a neat desk never experience the thrill of discovery”. You’re in good company. LOL!
Organized messes seem to suit me.
I’d really love to see Marie Kondo apply her methods to any fly tyer’s tools and materials. 😉
I don’t know who that is but I’ll bet she likes to have a place for everything and everything in its place.
Your bench looks pretty neat to my standards! Every year I try to take out material only for one pattern at a time. Lasts about one week!
It was cleaned at one point…recently…I think about 18 months ago…
I have 3 vises on my desk and some tying material from Eric Leiser’s Rivergate!
So you’re saying that vises are a vice?…. 🙂
Im glad im not the only one with a messy area this time of the year. Im sure you know right were everything is! My winter fly tying season always starts with a big clean up.
I have a system…even if it’s not the prettiest!
Now you know what rainy days are useful for….
Yes, but I still fish on those days….
I for one think this photo is a orchestrated ruse, or some attempt at subliminal messaging. The smattering of used wine bottle corks caused me to raise a eyebrow, but the “Little Things” like what appears to be a 2 ounce split shot next to a cork puts this over the top. I’m on to your shenanigans. This kind of funny business is right up there with the time Buzz Aldrin pretended to be Neil Armstrong so Neil could sneak onto the dark side of the moon with his fly rod, fish for brook trout and not give up the location of a quality spot.
Expect a call from Jesse “the body” Ventura for a little conspiracy snooping.
“Jose Chung From Outer Space” is one of my favorite X-Files episodes…
Touché Lord Kinbote. If I run into you and you’re wearing your waders inside out I’ll know there’s some truth to the web that you so expertly weave…….
You saw the planet Venus!
I’ve ate enough sweet potatoe pie to realize where this is going, your the one that posted the pic of your bench knowing full well that it would lead to a ticking time bomb of insanity. In the face of certain unfortunate consequences, yes I did in fact see the planet Venus, and with that said, I’m departing for California to join the “Little Things” cult. Now, just when I thought it was safe to wade back into the pool, you light up another conflagration with a Guy Fawkes metaphor.
I’ll see you at “up Helly aa”, dress accordingly!