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Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...PANIC time...
Hi swappers...
We're heading into the final week...only ONE more weekend to finish up your
flies before the deadline...
36 packages crowding my living room...containing 1800 flies and other
assorted paraphernalia...
Some of you are still clutching tightly to your finished caddis
critters...ship them out please...especially you folks from afar!!
OK...now for those closed-lipped final six who have NOT reported the
completion of their chore...let's get busy...only eight more days. I don't
think you will want to miss out on this batch of caddis...everyone has done
an exceptional job on these...the FINEST bunch of swap flies that I have
EVER seen.
Anyone out there gettin' anxious to get a hold of these babies!!!!...
Keep tyin'...byard
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...the home stretch...
Hey Favorite Swappers of Mine...
We're gettin' real close...it rained caddis all week here in Connecticut!!
1400 cutesy caddi strewn about the house with another 15 packages waiting
to make the migration. Only 235 bugs remain unaccounted for...let's get
back to those vises...
Even Sister Sue reports her chore complete...and if SHE can do it...must
have wanted to go fishing this weekend instead of tying...huh Sue...(vbg)...
The swap pages are progressing nicely...will get the 3 that arrived here
yesterday up and on later this morning...if you haven't visited the site
yet...you are missing out on a big part of this swap! Stop by...poke
around...and enjoy.
To those few rmaining who haven't finished up yet...how 'bout a special
effort to try to finish up this weekend so we can end this swap on a major
high note! And to those that haven't sent out the goodies...let's get 'em
in the mail...especially those across the big pond and the others up in the
cold north woods...
Only two weeks left...keep tyin'...byard
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998
From: Dennis Perkinson
Subject: They're IN THE MAIL! and a puzzle
With the sound of much weeping and wail,
The Henryvilles are all in the mail.
Just hope that the Service
Is one to deserve us.
Else, I coulda just strapped on a snail.
Yep, they're on their way! Included is a little bit of PA for everyone.
You can figure out what it is by deciphering the following limerick. Two
hints - it's a picture, and not of the Liberty Bell. It's actually pretty
easy, and with a little research you could easily put exact dates to it.
The men knew they'd soon face the Horde.
The site was, well, less than a gorge.
The Marquis took his slumbers,
And George counted his numbers.
At this spot on their way to The Forge.
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998
From: Andrew Somerset
Subject: Caddis Swap...
A Swapper's Elegy
Thí infernal Byard, his reminders flashing
like the teeth of hounds at harried heels,
his weekend whip o'er straining backs lashing,
binds his tyers to sedge-hook steel.
This trailing shuck, a lifeless husk
tied to the mortal hook by fingers weary,
holds memories remote of summer's dusk
and fish beheld by eyes less bleary.
I close my eyes, and see the whirls
of spinners sparkling in the fading sun,
of straining salmon gasping at the falls,
of tyer's fingers nearing Marathon.
Please forgive both my poem and my puns;
I and my caddisflies are finally done.
A. J. Somerset
London, Ontario, Canada
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 15:30:59
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...keep tyin'...
Welcome to another caddis tying weekend...
Only a few more of those left!! You folks are doing an outstanding
job...all the flies (700 of 'em) received to date are gorgeous. And the
little local somethings just add that extra touch.
Two thousand forty six flies are DONE...that leaves a mere 504 to completion!!!
Looks like a bunch of you are unwilling to part with your little gems...21
packages are still sittin' on the tyin' bench...let's get 'em in the mail
so I don't get swamped with Web duties of mass proportions during the
deadline week! (it's NOT true...that rumor about me keepin' all 2500 for my
newly purchased, VERY large flybox...really guys)
All flies that have arrived are up and online (except Joyce's which just
got here 15 minutes ago) so go have a look-see. Nice job Joyce...yours will
be online later today.
**NEWS FLASH** Sister Sue finishes her first dozen...and I was just waiting
for that call from Miss Sue beggin' and whinin' and tryin' to bow on out.
Do we believe her??? Keep goin' Sue...your almost there...you can do it...
For you (16) who are not quite finished...turn on the Olympics (I hear them
skaters are pretty exotic...er...erotic...er...never mind) ...pop a
brewski...and get to stuffin' them feathers on those hooks. Everyone else
can just kick back...relax...and wait for that incredible caddis pack to
arrive (that is...AFTER you get those boxes in the mail).
Keep shipping me those progress reports (yeah and those poems too!)...and
thanks so much for those kind words of praise for the Swap Site...they mean
a lot...it IS wearin' me down...;^))
Everyone have a wonderful weekend and...
keep tyin'...byard
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 19:42:16
From: Duke Jones
Subject: Caddis
Sonnet #50
What mess on yonder table lies,
dubbing green, thread, peacock and hooks.
Dream soon that it be fifty flies,
Though, never quite like in the books.
FF@ and telivised wrestling becon,
cars must be restored, damned diversions.
My mate sighs and now reckons,
this be part of the mykiss perversions.
By Byard I am thus employed,
to tie until tired hands colapse.
Had I known of this awful hemeroid,
I'd opted kidney stones to pass.
Now with blurry eyes look at this tabled mess,
And help me find Byards Address.
Twenty down.
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...another week is history...
Hey guys (and gals)...
Heading for another marathon tying weekend...only 845 caddis remain to be
created!!!! The latest stats indicate 1655 are done...150 are zipping along
in the postal system and an incredible 450 are already in my hot little
mitts...;^))
Keep it up folks...we're almost there...
All the flies that are here are already on the website so make sure to
visit and see those beauties...yeah...yeah...yeah...I'll get mine up there
soon. Maybe on Sunday...I'm up in New Hampshire right now for a few
days...will fire up the scanner when I get back to Ledyard.
For those who are still hard at work at the tying bench...don't forget to
let me know how you're doing...send in those progress reports...
Everyone have a fun Valentine's Day Weekend...won't pester you again 'till
Monday...
keep tyin'...byard
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 19:14:45
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...the latest...
Wow...
Busy weekend...since we last chatted, six new caddis packages have arrived
here in New England...you are all in for a mega-treat...these bugs are
great!
It's been reported that many more finished up over the weekend and others
made major headway...we be cookin'!!
You're gonna love all the little local extras that have been included
too...maps...postcards...brochures...pins...(where's my lobsters!) this is
turning out to be the swap of the decade...keep those goodies comin'...
Take a gander at the submissions to date...yup...there all up and
online...follow the links from the status page...
Sad news...;-(...Claude seems to have had a run in with the vacuum cleaner
from Hell...if you missed his note describing his misfortunes go to The
Dialog page on the website...boo...hoo (anybody wanna buy a bridge?)
Poetry submissions remain second-to-none or maybe that's none-to-none...;^))
You'se guys all be doin' a wuuunderful job...keep those cards and letters
a-comin'...it wouldn't be a swap without you swappers...
keep tyin'...byard
Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 08:27:06
From: Claude Freaner
Subject: Caddis Swap Update
The fifty-one are done at last,
It took all of the weekend past.
They're sitting on my table,
Waiting for me to label.
Soon I'll mail them for you to cast!
They're all done, Byard! I finally finishing last night but left the
basement before I labeled them because my wife was running amok with the
vacuum cleaner and it was pretty noisy. Since it was late, I went right to
bed. You know, maybe I can get her to label the flies and mail them today
- after all, the labels are already made and sitting there on the tying
table next to the flies and all the feather and fur scraps I've been saving
for dubbing...I'll call.
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!
I ask her to put the labels on the flies - she goes downstairs and looks
and tells me there aren't any labels! I say they're right next to the
flys. She says there aren't any flies! I say right next to the pile of
fur and feather scraps. She says there isn't any pile of fur and feather
scraps - she vacuumed it up last night because I was nice enough to pick it
all up off the floor for her!!! Ok, I said, I'll empty out the vacuum when
I get home. She says it's too late - she already took the old bag out and
put it in the trash, and the trash was collected 15 minutes ago!!
I'll start again tonight, Byard - I think the catalog folks can express
ship me some more hooks in just a couple of days...
Claude
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 19:12:30
From: Duke Jones
Subject: Starting Over
Caddi whirlers,
I just returned from the fly shop. I just ditched my flies. I'm
starting over. Mr. Mercer liked my idea (Barr back, Lafontaine wing), but
samples of his ties proved my inexperience. After an hour with some
incredible artists I am starting over armed with many a new trick. Mr.
Mercer even took a moment to write out the recipe he uses for Mercer's
Z-wing Caddis Pupa and sign it (my taste of Northern California for the
swap). I have two samples of his ties, I'll take pictures for the web page.
To all of you who are finnished - a big rasberry. I'm begining to feel
like Sisyphus.
I have seen the light! And now I can't focus properly.
Duke Jones
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 14:58:47
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...weekend pep talk...
Hey good buddies...
According to my last reconnoiter...1,317 caddis have been created...100 are
in my possession...300 are in the hands of our (hopefully) faithful
USPS...917 are still with their creators (being admired)...& 1,183 remain a
twinkle in a tyers eye...
Hey...it's Friday...quess what WE can do this weekend...let's all lay out
the fluff & stuff and pour us a brewski and THINK caddis...good
idea...huh...;^)
You are all doing a fantastic job...we are way ahead of schedule...what do
you say...shall we keep it that way and go for a record finish??
Most of you have had an opportunity to stop in for a visit to the
website...if you haven't, you're missing out on some neat input (that's
like techno talk)...check it out!!
Favor time...I seek your input...please answer the following quickie query...
I visit the Caddis Swap '98 Website...
a ( ) Never
b ( ) Once
c ( ) Once a week
d ( ) Once a day
e ( ) Once an hour
If your answer is (e) than you have way too much free time on your hands
and you should instead be tying caddis...;^))
There are still a few fine flytyer folk who I have not heard from
recently...please let me know how it goes...and the rest of you...keep
those status reports a-comin'...
Hope you all have a fun an 'productive' weekend...I'll bug you all again on
Monday...
keep tyin'...byard
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 21:28:42
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...Rcvd the 1st...
Wow...
Today the caddis hatch reached the east coast...if this first arrival from
Jim Dutton is any indication, you are ALL in for one h**l of a swap. Fifty
little beauties bundled in two Altoids tins (it CAN be done Sue). Included
were concise instructions and a little something from Nebraska for all.
Tiny little tags on each and every fly...man can this guy follow
directions...;^))) The only thing he missed was the mug shot for the
webpage...maybe we can talk him into that later!
By my last count...11 of you have already finished! We're on a roll here!
Check out Mr D's contribution when you get a chance...it's on the
website...follow the link from the status page...
...and keep tyin'...byard
Date: Mon, 2 Feb 1998 08:33:20
From: Jerry Caruso
Subject: Re: Caddis Swap Update
With all these updates, might as well add my .02. Things are
progressing, I have half the materials I need. As Dennis said, it was a
nice day in SE Pa. A good day for a walk along the Wissahickon. A bag
of bread cubes and a quick hand secured me enough CDC for the bodies,
the ducks weren't very happy. Next the deer hair. The park surrounding
the Wissahickon has a minimum of 165 deer in it. Given the amount of human activity in the
park, I figure sometime within the next 30 days one of those deer will
step in front of a SEPTA bus, and I'll have the
deer hair I need. That should give me about 10 days to tie the flies
and get them to Byard.
Knew I forgot something, Hooks. Anyone know where I can find 100
Straight eyed, barbless
size 14, dry fly hooks. Otherwise, I'll have to spend 5 days debarbing
and straightening out the
eyes on my Mustads. I'll still have 5 days to tie my flies.
Jerry Caruso
"All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 1998 12:17:21
From: Sue Kreutzer
Subject: Re: Caddis Swap Stuff
I feel underachieverish all the time around you tyers on the List !! Good I
have a more-than-liberal-dose of self esteem,
claude writes
>I now have twenty flies all done,
>But feel like I have just begun.
> This almost feels like work,
> But, duty I won't shirk.
>Does it ever become more fun?
it came on me......
Amazing thing just happened here
50 caddi landed on my mirror
Fluttered off the bench
Said " ta-ta wench "
O' Byard ! tragedy struck I fear.
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 14:08:03
From: Jim Dutton
Subject: Caddis Swap
50 (count 'em... 50) little #14 bugs in the mail to Byard! FYI, the Post
Office's got a little box that just holds 2 Altoid tins, and 50 sheets of
local propaganda... with room for extra mailing labels and $3.00.... all
for exactly $3.00.... :)!
Hmmmm.... My first swap, and I managed to convince the S.O. that I NEEDED
to buy that Renzetti Traveler now... since I had so many flies to tie......
Better start thinking about another swap.... Need a new Hoffman Saddle...
ROFL!!
Jim Dutton
Date: Fri, 30 Jan 1998 15:40:43
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...quick note...
Howdy...
Weekend's almost here...time to tie some bugs!
It looks like we are making some major inroads here...already six caddis
tyers have finished the marathon with many more gettin' close to the big
five-oh! I gotta admit that I've never seen such enthusiasm in a tying
extravaganza...
For those of you who are near the end...please let me know before you send
out your package...there might be a few little last minute instructions.
I know...some of you haven't even started yet...DON'T panic...we still all
have plenty of time...although I would LOVE to finish up a couple of days
ahead of schedule. A few of you have yet to let me know what pattern you
are working on...would really like to get rid of the -????- in the pattern
column on the website.
Speaking of website...if you haven't stopped by for a visit yet...please
do. The url is http://www.jacobco.com/flybox/cadd.html. All sorts of neat
stuff there...up to the minute status on who's tied what...'quips & quotes'
from the masses...all the rules & regs plus other mailings to the swappers
(so losing these e-mails ain't no excuse...;^))...and of course the
guestbook...your chance to sound off at the outrageous amount of tying that
you have to endure. (check The GuestBook
Date: 27 Jan 1998 18:56:16
From: Tony Spezio
Subject: Caddis swap
Well all you guys bragging about how many flies you have finished for
the swap. As of Saturday night I had mine ready to send in but Byard said
he would not accept the Bare Hook Caddis. I guess I had better get back
to the vice.
Tony
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 12:12:40
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...Update...
Howdy once again...
Monday morning...The big game is over...congrats to the
Broncos...condolences to the cheeseheads...
Actually the Super Bowl was great incentive to quite a few of you
swappers...what better than to tie up a bunch of caddis while enjoying the
show...glad to see some of you took the opportunity...
Yes...the rumor has been confirmed...Walter Pike has ALREADY finished his
batch of fifty!!!!!! Let's have a big round of applause...
I understand many more are beginning to see the light at the end of the
tunnel...it won't be long before the flies of the early birds begin
arriving here in Connecticut. I can't wait.. Now don't let that discourage
any of you others...I know a lot of you haven't even started (including
myself)...use that instead, as a form of encouragement...hey maybe we can
even finish up this whole ordeal BEFORE the deadline...wouldn't that be a
kicker!
If you haven't seen the website yet...make sure you stop by for a visit.
Using the pull down menu you can navigate to the different areas of the
site...like 'The Brave Souls', where you can watch the progress of all the
tyers and check out the names of the patterns and where all your fellow
swappers hail from...and don't worry if you lost the 'Rules and
Regulations', they're on the site so all can see...or if you think you
might have missed an important posting, find them all at "The Dialog' page
(in reverse cronological order)...and the best part will be when the flies
hit my mailbox because I will put the photos up for all to enjoy...
One important note...(Sue close your eyes)...if any of you are truly
overwhelmed by the size of this swap and feel you might be compelled to
bail out...PLEASE don't wait until the last minute as there are a few folks
in the wings who would like the opportunity to join the now 'infamous'
Caddis Swap '98. Just remenmber...we ARE makin' history here!!
keep tyin'...byard
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 1998 08:01:57
From: Sean Martens
Subject: Re: Caddis Swap '98
Hi,
I live in Little Falls South Africa. Near Johannesburg.
I'll be using some Klipspringer fur for my fly. Its a local tying
material that will almost certainly be extremely difficult to get in
America. I consider myself very lucky to have a small piece. If this
is a problem then I'll use Elk hair, but I would imagine that it
would be nice to get a different matarial into a swap.
Take care and thanks for the swap,
Sean
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 1998 21:09:19
From: Harry Mason
Subject: Swap
A tyer with a head cold, tying with CDC, is not pretty. My bug room looks
like I had a pillow fight with King Kong. I am at 30 bugs and spend a lot
of time looking up so as not to send duck butts blasting about the room. I
have thrown a mosquito net over my bench !! I tye through two holes in
the netting . It holds things down :-)
Harry
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 21:35:18
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...The WebSite...
I'm Back...
You all thought I was done with ya for the day didn't ya...
Well I thought you might want to take a look at this...
You oughta throw this into your bookmarks and visit once and awhile. It's
still got a long way to go but I hope you will follow along in it's
develpoment.
Let me know what you think...give me some ideas...check for goofs...help me
out gang...
byard
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 16:52:18
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...hey gang...
Yo...
For those of you who have not had the experience of being a member of one
of my swaps...have I mentioned that I might ocassionally bug ya...;^)
Been workin' on the Caddis Swap '98 WebSite...yeah...I'll get around to
tying up my 50 bugs...
I think one of the neatest parts of a swap is gettin' stuff from all over
the world...so...in the listing of tyers and patterns I will be including
yuor hometown and state or country. To save me a few hours of
searching...so I can get back to the vise...would you ALL please send me a
quick e-mail and tell me where you live.
Thanks...byard...the pest
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 12:01:08
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...the final count...
OK Gang...
The tyers are tallied...the list of 51 stout-hearted crafters follows...
33 of you said yea to allowing the inclusion of Bob, Tony and Paddy...bravo...
1 of you said nay...and no I ain't tellin' who...;^))
Of course a few more straggles wanted in...but I held my ground as
promised...now that was a tough chore...saying no to online buddies...
So...lets all warm up the vises...pour our favorite libation...and get down
to some serious creatin'...50 of 'em...yep...that's fifty...
If anyone sent me mail and had asked a question and I neglected to answer
said query...I'm sorry...was a bit swamped with messages the last few
days...;^) Please try that question one more time...I can finally see my desktop once
again.
If you haven't yet picked a pattern or would like to change...let me know.
cheers...byard
1. Byard Miller Crippled Caddis
(bigger snip)
51. Paddy McIlvoy Paddy's Gila Caddis
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 21:17:19
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...yea or nay...
Hey Gang...
We've got three disappointed but enthusiastic caddis tyers who missed the
deadline...oh...what to do...
Do three more flies make this an impossible task? I'm obviously an easy
mark so I leave their fate up to you...
Tony Spezio and Bob Gartner and Paddy McIlvoy respectively ask the favor of
being included in this esteemed entourage of caddis creators.
Let me know your opinions with a simple yes or no. All proxies not received
by 1:00 PM tomorrow will be negated. My vote will serve as a tie breaker
only. And yes this is the end...it's closed!
So...is it yea or nay...what do you say...
byard
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 10:43:16
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...Closed...
Hi gang...
I warned ya...the swap is now full up. Lotsa great tyers...lotsa great
patterns! I'd like to thank all who signed up...this is gonna be fun.
Complete details will be sent to all participants later today.
Thank you one and all...byard
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 08:41:43
From: Byard Miller
Subject: Caddis Swap '98...Last Call...
Hello Fellow Swappers...
Take a look at the great list of reknown flytyers. Where's your name?
Don't get left behind...sign up today! The next message you will see is
"Caddis Swap '98...Closed"
1. Byard Miller Crippled Caddis
(big snip)
38. James Dutton -????-
Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 18:06:13
From: Byard Miller
Subject: ATTENTION Swappers...Yeah You...;^))
Hello Fellow Swapper...
Because we have previously swapped flies, you are one of the proud
recipients of the first announcment of the 1998 Caddis Swap.
Yep...I know I should have my head examined...but I think it's time for my
next adventure as Swapmeister. So I want you to consider joining me in my
latest exchange. I'm sure you ALL have a favorite caddis pattern...now is
your chance to share that great producer with your fellow FFers.
And of course all the patterns will end up on a website...as a matter of
fact you will be able to follow the swap progress and see the flies as they
arrive here in Connecticut.
As with my last swap...The CDC Swap...I will be sending weekly
encouragements and updates. We wouldn't want you to forget now would
we...;^))) Be prepared to tie a pretty big bunch of bugs...I've got the
feeling this might be a popular venue. But don't be discouraged by that
fact...I promise to give you plenty of time to finish your chore.
Oh yeah...be fore warned...I do, on occasion, gently prod those
procrastinators...right Sue...;^))) Speaking of Sister Sue...she has made
the suggestion of adding a little spice to the swap by including a little
something extra for everyone that is indicative of your home area. As an
example...along with her CDC flies, Sue included a Colorado bookmark for
everyone...a very nice touch. You all let me know what you think...I happen
to think it's a great idea...but the majority consensus rules...
So don't be shy...tell me you want to be a part of the 1998 Caddis Swap by
replying to this message with the name of the pattern you will be tying for
everyone. I will then send you the rules and regs...
