Like it or not winter will officially arrive Monday. That is the date of the winter solstice and it will be the longest night and shortest day of 2020.
In some cultures the winter solstice signals earth’s rebirth and it is recommended that you eat food related to earth such as nuts berries, potatoes and hunted game like goose and venison. It sure sounds like a healthful diet especially, if you took advantage of Ohio’s goose and deer season.
This year the winter solstice comes to us at a time when a long night does not make many of us happy. With the virus many of us have been forced to self quarantine and after too many months of sitting indoors cabin fever must be running rampant in many households.
I know it is in the Harding home. Heck, I cannot even watch Ohio State football, and there are not enough TV fishing shows to fill my day. I need something to do with my time, and I’ll bet I am not alone in my frustration.
I guess I could make another million jigs, but writing about that process could be a little too technical for some of my readers. It might come as a surprise that I have heard from more than a few readers who are ladies and not all of them are anglers. Still I like to keep this outdoor oriented. After all it is called Outdoor Journal, so what would interest a wide range of readers including the ladies?
It was a quandary, but then it came to me. Would ladies who never fish enjoy tying flies? I know a few ladies who enjoy craft projects so why not consider fly tying as a craft?
Tying flies takes skill, dexterity and a lot of patience, and viewing the results can be very satisfying. So where does the novice fly tier begin? To start I suggest finding a source of materials. I use Netcraft for much of what I use.
Netcraft also lists beginner’s kits, books and DVDs. To begin you will need a fly tying vise and a good one will cost less that $15. I still use the same vise after many years of tying. Of course over the years I have added additional tools such as a bodkin, scissors and a bobbin for thread.
You can find fly tying materials on the internet, but you might be surprised how much you can find at local craft stores, or stores featuring sewing supplies. I’m sure serious crafters are familiar with chenille and yarn in many colors.
You could buy special fly head cement to finish off your creation, but clear Sally Hansen Hard as Nails fingernail polish will work as well. That should be one for the ladies as none of the guys I know paint their fingernails. But I have thought about trying the colored nail polishes to paint my jigs. They come in a wide variety of colors, some of which are quite exotic and might tempt a fish to at least check it out. We can learn a lot from lady anglers.
While you are going through the Netcraft catalog check out the balsawood crankbait kits that you can assemble and paint. And when it comes to painting these you can pick normal colors or give freedom to your creative spirit, go crazy with your paintbrush and produce a work of art. Any paint that will not wash off in the water is OK, but I recommend vinyl paint.
Whether you choose to tie flies, or assemble one of the balsawood crankbait kits, you will find this a fun way to pass the time until the virus has been licked. The good news is that a vaccine has been developed and we soon will be able to get outdoors more and meet with our friends. When that happens you will have learned a lot and might even take up fishing to try out your new flies.
The other good news is that after having the longest night of the year, the days will slowly begin to get longer. That is the bright side we can look forward to.
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