I began tying in 1974. In 1993 I retired to a life of fishing,
traveling, and tying. A sacrifice to younger folks in the job market I
was willing to make ( I was only 46). The secret to early retirement?
Marry a woman who will work.
My preference is tying old (traditional, classic, obscure -- choose your
adjective) flies, though not for fishing. The Scarlet Ibis and Double
Matador are traditional patterns. Henrys Lake Caddis is based on an old
French mayfly pattern, the Andelle. The two steelhead patterns were shown
to me by a friend, John Alevras. Mist is just another soft hackle
streamer.