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What
is a Fly Swap?
 How do I join in one of the current Fly
Swaps?
How many flies will I have to tie?
Where do I send my Flies?
What's the best way to package my Flies?
How do I start my own Fly Swap?
Some Fly Swap tips.
What
is a Fly Swap?
A Fly Swap, basically, is when a number of Fly Tiers exchange flies
& tying techniques with one another. The specific Fly Swap theme can
be based on fly type, location or intended target fish species. One of
the Tiers acts as the swap host or swapmaster and coordinates the gathering
and the distribution of all the flies for the rest of the swappers. Swaps
are open to everyone and your level of tying skill is not a prerequisite.
How
do I join in one of the current Fly Swaps?
The easiest way to get involved in a Fly Swap is to take a look at
the available Fly Swaps announced at the Australian Virtual Fly Tier current
Swaps web page. New swaps are announced on this web page
and all you have to do to join is send an e-mail to the swapmaster requesting
to be included. The swapmaster will send you the particular swap instructions,
letting you know what type flies to tie, how many, where to send them,
deadline dates, etc. Please try to follow these instructions carefully.
The Australian Fly Tying Chat
Board is a bulletin board service where current Fly Swaps can be announced
or used to introduce an expression of interest for a new Fly Swap by a
swapmaster.
How many flies will I have to tie?
This really depends upon how many people have signed up for a particular
swap. An average size swap is usually about 15 to 20 tiers, although can
be as little as 4 and up to 50 participants. Most swaps require that you
tie up one fly for each participant. In turn, you will receive one fly
from all the other tiers, for your efforts. On some of the larger swaps
the swapmeister may ask that everyone tie 12 flies each and in this case
you would receive 12 different flies in return.
Where do I send my flies?
The swapmaster will provide an address to which your completed flies should
be mailed. Please make sure you supply a return envelope with adequate
return postage.
What's the best way to package my flies?
On each of your flies you should attach a small tag which is written
- the pattern name, your name & e-mail address. This ensures all flies
can be identified by their recipients. The tag could be a tiny piece of
paper to which you can impale the fly hook through. Do not attach tags
with strings or wire.
Place your flies in an appropriately sized crush-proof container. This
container will be returned to you filled with all flies from the other
swappers participating within the Fly Swap. Keep in mind that some of
the other tiers may be tying flies that are larger than yours, so make
sure that your container is large enough. Your swapmaster's preference
(for ease of distribution) is a container that is flat and lacks compartments.
Small to medium plastic flyboxes are perfect, other types that work well
include floppy disk, camcorder cassette and VCR tape boxes. Travel soap
holders also work well or small compartmented Planos. Things to avoid
are film canisters, cardboard boxes or any hard breakable plastic boxes.
Some swappers like to package their flies, especially unhackled types,
in individual ziplocks or paper envelopes. That's great, but you have
to remember to still include a box for the return of flies that are not
packaged in the same manner.
Place your filled box of flies in a self-addressed padded return envelope
along with the tying instructions for your pattern. Make sure that you
include adequate return postage. (sometimes it costs more for the return
mail due to larger flies or extra materials). It is best to NOT afix the
postage but to include it inside the padded envelope. Now place your return
package in a larger envelope, address it to your swapmaster and mail it
out before the deadline date. It's always a nice gesture to include an
extra fly or two for your hard working swapmaster & web site manager...they
will appreciate it!
Any International
tiers must be aware of local and Australian import/export regulations.
For further information on Australian legislation, Australian Customs Service & Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service.
How do I start my own Fly Swap?
All you need is a theme, species, location or prey to give the swap some
direction. Follow the Start Your
Own Fly Swap links found throughout the Australian Virtual Fly Tier
site then complete the application form providing details of the theme
you wish the Fly Swap to follow, number of participants & close off
date. The list of themes is endless, it all depends on your interests
& angling focus and for example could be: flies for a particular river
or lake, flies made from a particular material, small flies, large flies,
flies of a particular color, flies for a particular fish species - carp,
redfin, bream or flathead, flies that represent an intended prey - prawns,
worms, yabbies or dragonlies, generalisations, imitative, attractors or
trigger flies, baetis flies, midge flies, duns, spinner or nymph flies,
etc. The flies tied for any Fly Swap will become part of the Australian
Virtual Fly Tier Fly Box of Australian
flies, there for beginners & experienced tiers/anglers alike to use
as a reference. Expand your horizons, the participants of your swap will
become new friends & new fishing partners linked by the internet.
The shared knowledge available at the Australian Virtual Fly Tier site
due to your own Fly Swap will benefit the sport immeasurably. Start
Your Own Fly Swap now, send the details to the Fly Swap manager, he
will then contact you with all the information you need to start &
manage your very own Fly Swap.
A
few other swap tips.
Please read and follow your swapmasters instructions carefully. It is
a good idea to print out his rules and save them, as they will contain
important information like deadline dates and shipping instructions.
If you get
overwhelmed and feel you cannot complete the swap, don't feel bad, we
all know unexpected commitments arise that prevent us from completing
certain tasks. But, please let your swapmaster know as early as you possible
can. It is very possible that he can find a replacement tier for you and
you won't be delaying the completion of the swap.
Mail out
your flies well before the deadline date. You don't want to be the last
tier to finish and make everyone else wait while you frantically try to
finish up!
An efficient
swapmaster will keep everyone up-to-date as to the status of his swap.
Expect to receive frequent updates and please let him know how you are
coming along if he asks. It is useful to keep an eye on the Australian
Fly Tying Chat
Board for any news & last minute changes about the Swap your participating
in.
If you have
a question, don't be afraid to ask your swapmaster. He's there to help
and answer any queries you may have.
Last, but
most important is to HAVE FUN tying!
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