Tiny Baetis mayflies are perhaps the most commonly encountered and imitated by anglers on all American trout streams due to their great abundance, widespread distribution, and trout-friendly emergence habits.
OldHasBeen on Aug 10, 2017August 10th, 2017, 4:59 am EDT
Hello.. OldHasBeen here.
New to the forum, thought I'd say hello.
I'm looking at picking up a Peak Rotary this weekend as an upgrade from my old AA. May I ask your thoughts on this vice & are the "Midge" jaws a necessary option I should pickup as I only tie as small as 18s anymore (Eye's are not what they used to be ;-) )
Martinlf on Aug 19, 2017August 19th, 2017, 4:17 am EDT
Hi, and welcome. I don't have any experience with the Peak, but I'd think the "Midge" jaws wouldn't be necessary for 18 and up. Anyone else? Check with the manufacturer?
"He spread them a yard and a half. 'And every one that got away is this big.'"
--Fred Chappell
RleeP
NW PA - Pennsylvania's Glacial Pothole Wonderland
Posts: 398
RleeP on Aug 21, 2017August 21st, 2017, 2:59 am EDT
Welcome... I too have no experience with Peak vises, but I'd agree with Louis that generally, midge jaws would not be necessary to tie size #18 flies.
Generally, that is..
The other side of this of course is that as the years clip by, anything that helps us see what the &%$# we are doing becomes more and more welcome. I don't have midge jaws for my Griffin vise, but I do use 5X magnification and about 450 watts (incandescent equiv..) of illumination...:)
So, it may be that the Peak midge jaws, while not being a necessity for you, may well be a convenience you'll come to appreciate.
OldHasBeen on Aug 22, 2017August 22nd, 2017, 3:33 am EDT
Thank you for the welcome & the advise.....
I'm going to hold off on the "Midge Jaws" & put the vise through It's rounds over the coming winter to see if I might need them. I normally tie over the winter as the local Steelhead run will keep me from my bench till Christmas.
Like you RleeP, I to have my bench fully flooded with light & a goose-neck magnifier to aid my weary eyes. I just may be able to tie a fly or two smaller than an #18 at home, but getting them on a tippet riverside is an other matter...... ;-)