Web Site

2257 Views 25 Replies 12 Participants Last post by FGS III, Mar 10, 2010

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · Feb 27, 2010

Well guys, I pulled down the web site. It was a fun effort but didn't generate enough of a return to justify it being up. What I found was that periods of time would go by with no activity, then out of nowhere, 4 orders for 6-12 flies each. Then I'd have to totaly change my schedule to complete the orders in a timely manner. It became somewhat disruptive. Trying to make any money in this buisness is near impossible. Impossible unless you devote a tremendous amount of time into, advertising and getting your face out there in seminars and shows like Somerset. That frankly, isn't my gig. It violates one of my primary life tennents, " Keep a low profile and fly under the radar". I also found that tying for fun was loosing it's pleasure. I won't let that happen. I love to tie. I love to create patterns that catch. I'd sit down at my bench and rather than say, "I'll tie some baby bluegill flies for smallmouth", I'd have to think, jeeez, I better tie another dozen Assassin's. Took the fun out of it.
I still may try something for my barn friends now and then. Until then, I'll merely enjoy my fishing and tying.
Thanks to everyone that purchased flies from me in the past. As usual, I'll gladly provide pattern info etc. when the need arises. :thumbsup:

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Narragansett

· #2 · Feb 27, 2010

John, I am not surprised by your findings. There are few people that can take their hobby to a business level, and not turn it into a job that doesn't strip the fun out of the activity. And then of course you have to satisfy the customer's needs, on their time schedule so your time does not become your own. I shot competitive trap for years, all over the East coast, and out into the midwest. Took professional instruction, and hammered countless tens of thousands of targets. I took it to a level that just stripped all the fun out of it. Last time I shot was probably 6 years ago in Millington, MD. I just took all the fun out of my hobby trying to be competitive. Now I occasionally play golf which is another mental game, I suck, and I have no intention of trying to get better

At least I did not try competitive swimming

:fighting:

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 27, 2010

Narragansett said:
John, I am not surprised by your findings. There are few people that can take their hobby to a business level, and not turn it into a job that doesn't strip the fun out of the activity. And then of course you have to satisfy the customer's needs, on their time schedule so your time does not become your own. I shot competitive trap for years, all over the East coast, and out into the midwest. Took professional instruction, and hammered countless tens of thousands of targets. I took it to a level that just stripped all the fun out of it. Last time I shot was probably 6 years ago in Millington, MD. I just took all the fun out of my hobby trying to be competitive. Now I occasionally play golf which is another mental game, I suck, and I have no intention of trying to get better

At least I did not try competitive swimming:fighting:

Exactly Pete! Back to enjoying my tying. Although, there's always competitive head wear design. I do have a certain flair in that area and a ton of Ostrich plumes. I'm gettin a woody just thinkin about it.

CapeMayRay

· #4 · Feb 27, 2010

Sorry to hear it isn't working out. It is tough to turn a passion and a hobby into a profitalbe operation, especially in the fly fishing end. Look how tough it is for good fly shops to hang in there and most of them have shops and web based businesses. Atleast you gave it a try. Better to try than wish you had and wondering what if.

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 27, 2010

CapeMayRay said:
Sorry to hear it isn't working out. It is tough to turn a passion and a hobby into a profitalbe operation, especially in the fly fishing end. Look how tough it is for good fly shops to hang in there and most of them have shops and web based businesses. Atleast you gave it a try. Better to try than wish you had and wondering what if.

I know I could have done more Ray, but was hesitant because it would not be what I wanted and would have ended up just being more of a pain.

Belmo

· #6 · Feb 27, 2010

The most sure-fire way to turn something that's fun into something that makes you miserable to is to take money for doing it.

I read in a fly fishing magazine a while ago about a guy who had made it as a full-time commercial tier. He said that when he started out, he set a goal of being able to make $10 an hour tying, and he was thrilled when he was able to achieve that.

This guy (I forget his name) was one of the best fly-tyers in the country, and his aim, which he wasn't sure he'd be able to achieve, was to make as much as a guy pumping gas. No thanks. I think you'll have a lot more fun, John, doing it for funsies rather than trying to make a buck out of it.

sparse grey

· #7 · Feb 27, 2010

John Good luck with your "new" "fun" venture. I do know somewhat how you feel.

Narragansett

· #8 · Feb 27, 2010

Flyguy784 said:
Exactly Pete! Back to enjoying my tying. Although, there's always competitive head wear design. I do have a certain flair in that area and a ton of Ostrich plumes. I'm gettin a woody just thinkin about it.

I am not quite sure that a hat with ostrich plumes in it would have that effect on me, but.......to each his own, I try to keep an open mind and not judge.A friendly word of advice, I would not publicize that too awfully much.

dixie noormiss

· #9 · Feb 27, 2010

quitter.....

2dogs

· #10 · Feb 27, 2010 (Edited)

Sorry it didn't work out John. Thats why I quit building rods. It became have to instead of want to. Someone once told me, if you find something you love to do, find another way to earn a living.

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 27, 2010

dixie noormiss said:
quitter.....

And to think, I just finished "your" special hat. You know bud, I just want to think about fishing. I want to fish with my friends. I wanna tie flies cause I want to, not have to.:thumbsup:

dixie noormiss

· #12 · Feb 27, 2010

Flyguy784 said:
And to think, I just finished "your" special hat. You know bud, I just want to think about fishing. I want to fish with my friends. I wanna tie flies cause I want to, not have to.:thumbsup:

did my hat have a tether and a self-deploying life vest????:razz:

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 28, 2010

dixie noormiss said:
did my hat have a tether and a self-deploying life vest????:razz:

You're a d-i-c-k. Has my penance not been paid? Will this dark forboding cloud ever allow my mind to rest? It haunts me even now, day and night as the heart beat from beneth the floor. The squak of the ravanus raven that sits upon my window sill. Day and night it's bell tolls I tell ya, it tolls for me. Cut these shackles from my feet that I may plod the earth once more an unemccombered soul. An I'll give ya a new hat.

You gotta lov that, come on. JS, watch the milk.

jschmidt63

· #14 · Feb 28, 2010

you guys are a hoot, thanks for keeping it real.

John, like the other guys, its a bummer to see your web site go, but not a bummer to see you keep the joy in it. I always read articles in fly tier about commercial tiers. They seem to keep their heads centered but when your tying so much volume, the joy must just slip away some. I love sitting at the vise for the joy of it, as I know you do John.

I love tying fun experimental patterns for myself, more then I need, and giving away extras to guys I meet on the water.

Narragansett

· #15 · Feb 28, 2010

Flyguy784 said:
You're a d-i-c-k. Has my penance not been paid? Will this dark forboding cloud ever allow my mind to rest? It haunts me even now, day and night as the heart beat from beneth the floor. The squak of the ravanus raven that sits upon my window sill. Day and night it's bell tolls I tell ya, it tolls for me. Cut these shackles from my feet that I may plod the earth once more an unemccombered soul. An I'll give ya a new hat.

You gotta lov that, come on. JS, watch the milk.

Sounds like something Edgar Allen Poe would write after he had a few pops, and an opium fix

VF Fishhead

· #16 · Feb 28, 2010

Narragansett said:
Sounds like something Edgar Allen Poe would write after he had a few pops, and an opium fix

for John its the fumes from the snow blower

Joseph Lamberty

· #17 · Mar 1, 2010

Hey, how about going wholesale, or on consignment, at a few local B&T stores....you supply a small display, and share in the profits. Just a thought.

Live 2 Fish
<><
Forced 2 Work

Flyguy784

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 1, 2010

Joseph Lamberty said:
Hey, how about going wholesale, or on consignment, at a few local B&T stores....you supply a small display, and share in the profits. Just a thought.

Live 2 Fish
<><
Forced 2 Work

Appreciate the info Joe but I've found that "production tying" sucks. It's ruining my love of the hobby. I think I'll just tie and fish for fun from now on. There's really just no money in it. I'll still try to come up with new patterns for Umpqua but that's differant. It's creating and fun.

Joseph Lamberty

· #19 · Mar 1, 2010

Flyguy784 said:
Appreciate the info Joe but I've found that "production tying" sucks. It's ruining my love of the hobby. I think I'll just tie and fish for fun from now on. There's really just no money in it. I'll still try to come up with new patterns for Umpqua but that's differant. It's creating and fun.

I hear ya, I Always separate, work and pleasure. its the only way to keep from getting disqusted at work,...and keeping the enjoyment of what you do with your down time.

Live 2 Work
<><
Forced to work

ReadyJettyGo

· #20 · Mar 5, 2010

Got any BWO's lying around? Valley woke up today...

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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