Bringing Sexy Back?

Bringing Sexy Back Baetis Nymph

Last evening was the Autumn Splendor Fly Tying event at Anglers Covey.  It was a great time and although the crowd was somewhat light, I think it was because they were still out fishing or on the couch watching college football.  There was a nice little fly tying contest going which had three prizes for the winners.  For the first hour or so, there were only two of us entered, so my chances of placing were really good.  I was pretty sure I had at least 2nd locked up.  My fly I entered was my Baetis nymph that I think I have shown on here.  I needed a catchy name for it other than Juan's Baetis Nymph.  All week I tried thinking of a name but nothing came to mind.  Driving to the event, I tried and nothing.  So at the time of submission, I asked a few people for ideas.  Here is what I came out with:  Bringing Sexy Back Baetis.  Yea, that's what I went with.   The fly is tied with a cream belly and a dark hen back, hence the idea of having "back" somewhere in the title.  The top 3 winners would have their fly taken back to Umpqua headquarters by Riley Cotter, one of the fly managers at Umpqua.  I wasn't really interested in having my pattern sent to Umpqua, since I already have a contract with MFC.  Here were the prizes:
First Place Prize: SAGE TCX 590-4 Fly Rod ($795 value)
Second Place Prize: Assortment of Temico Tying Tools (+$100 value)
Third Place Prize : Umpqua Pro Fly Box Assortment ($100 value)

I ended up in 2nd place behind the powerful Shea Gunkel and his new Trico Splatte .  I think there may have been some cheating on his part though since he had his whole Familia in the house.  I bet he paid them to vote or something.  Even his kids.  Oh, well, it's not like I need a new rod or anything, I only have two arms I can use at the same time.  But what I did score was the Metz tying Tools.  Remember in my earlier post of the new products for 2011 that I really liked the new hair stacker that they offered?  Well, I have one now.  Along with a good score of tools, I think I may have gotten the better deal.  Sorry G-Love! I have already used most of the tools and can say they are top notch.  Umpqua/Metz makes some really good stuff.   I'll post more later on the individual tools.  Thanks to Anglers Covey and to Umpqua for sponsoring this event and for the tools and the fly boxes that were donated for prizes.  Thanks to the tiers who traveled from out of town to tie for this event.  Shea Gunkel, Larry Kingrey, Taylor Edrington, Carl Pennington, Al Ritt, Frank Smethurst, and Ed Engle.  

All of the winnings! 

Big Ben Tying  a Woolly Bugger 

Jackson tying something.

Ed Engle reaching for a snack?  No, he was looking for some material.  

Jamie tying a hot, new fly. 

 Good stuff here.

A Peacock Caddis tied with some of the new tools.