Swap guidelines poll

[clacksteel]

Here are the guidelines that I came up with. Post any comments or recommendations on this thread.

1. Attach tags that display the tiers moniker and a recipe (to be attached or posted online)
2. Provide proper packaging to protect your flies and the mailman
3. Include a self-addressed and stamped envelope w/ your flies
4. The tier must make a post stating that he/she has sent the flies
5. The flies arrive (or are sent) on or before the deadline (unless noted otherwise, the deadline is when all the flies should be in the hands of the leader)
6. Should 4 be broken, the late tier's flies will be sent back, and, if it is his/her second offense, will be baned from all further swaps
7. A tier must notify the swap leader as soon as they know they cannot participate (should they tell the leader less than one week before the deadline, it will count as the same as a late offense)
8. The swap leader must send out the flies within one week of the deadline

If we can agree we can get these pinned at the top of the forum. I think this would make the swaps run more smoothly and make it alot easier for the leader.

The only thing I would add is the extra set(s) go to the person running the swap.
Other than that I think it all sounds good

[Steve L.]

Only other thing I would add is that the tyers get together for a good brew or distilled beverage and then critique the flies. At the end of the session all critiques are thrown out and another round ordered up

[derbyshc]

Some of the swaps patterns or type often come up around the time they are to be used (example. a summer steelhead swap with a deadline on June 14th). When a swapmeister suggests a swap, note at the outset what the dealine means (either in the swapmeister's hands on the deadline or leaving the post office on the dealine). When your flies go out in mail, drop on note on the swap thread that they're being sent as well as a recipe (photos are sweet, but not required). In the few swaps I've been part of, here and elsewhere, I've tried to post my fly photo and recipe both on the same day as the flies are sent out. Nothing like seeing great flies slowly coming to get others reminded and revved up to get tying. An extra fly (not necessarily the one tied for the swap) by each swapper, I think, would be greatly appreciated by ever 'meister. That should make up for the time spent dividing up the fly and mailing the flies out. Please please please if you want to enter a swap, make sure you have ample time to get your flies in by the deadline. I do know that things come up. It's just a respect thing. A month to six weeks should be plenty of time to get a dozen flies or so out.

Two other comments. If the 'meisters could get a photo or two of the submitted flies and post a photo or two in that swap's thread or post them in a gallery, that would be greatly appreciated. It would allow others to see what everyone tied up, get the creative juices flowing in all that see the photo, and make non-swappers jealous and think "Dang, those are some nice flies! Why didn't I join that swap?" Second, add another post to the swap thread to let others know the results of fishing with the swap flies.

[D3smartie]

No more green butt skunks in fly swaps...

and if the flies are late and the "miester" has already sent out the flies you are SOL. This will give people incentive to not be late. I also have no problem with someone calling me and saying the flies may be a couple days late for some reason, but when excuses start to flow, i just bag it.

[stoneflyguy]

I agree with all of these suggestions and hope they will be applied to all future swaps. I don't think we need to worry about giving all extra flies to Jennie, I think the swapmiester should get them. If all swapers agree to tie and extra fly for Jennie thats fine. If you think you wouldn't be able to tie a doz. flies in a month then don't enter. I like the way things have been posted in the past with the fly each tyer is submitting and I think if someone wants to tie a greenbuttskunk thats fine but if anyone has an issue with a fly being submitted then they should say so. I have seen several great variations of the GBS that were great.

[D3smartie]

more in jest than anything stone... just seems that any fly swap with a salmon or steelhead fly has a GBS in it. I too have gotten some nice ones from swaps

I know Jennie would probably use any SRC flies or various trout flies that came her way but it's pointless to send her specialized flies like skaters/steelhead dry flies because she just would not use them. There are no summer runs to speak of in the Kilchis and she does not fly fish the Wilson for steelhead. They are not really all that attractive either so what's the point
I also agree about the GBS exclusion unless it a unique tie and not the run of the mill chenille standard.
I fish skaters the most in the summer so I really am enthusiastic about getting some of these. I wish Abalone was in the swap because he ties a really nice skater. AndyK's skater looks great too.
I found some really nice looking skating water on the Washougal that I am anxious to try

[stoneflyguy]

You guy's hit the nail on the head. I think if someone agrees to swap then they agree with the rules and there you have it. It all sounds great to me. I vote clacksteel the official swapmiester, he does do a good job and I'm sure with these happenings all will go well in future swaps. Great minds think alike.. :whazzup: :whazzup: :whazzup:

[clacksteel]

I am adding on a little more to the guidelines...I really like the idea of posting that you have sent out the flies...I think that would have prevented problems with this last swap for sure!

[AndyK]

If I were running a swap, I think I would insist on a contact phone number for each participant. This would be another way to check on the status of flies and allow for an informal method of communicating.

[Jennie@ifish]

Each and every fly sent to me is a piece of art work to me. In fact, I rarely use ANY of the flies, but OH! How proud I am of them!
Please don't EVER think it an obligation! I have always considered it a surprise and a wonderful gift! Not at all mandatory, and every time I've gotten them, a real surprise!
They are, like I said... a piece of art work and memorabilia from ifish.net and it's members. Treasures, to keep. :smile:
They are all SO appreciated and enjoyed! You have no idea how proud they make me of creating ifish! Each and every one of them! Of course you don't ever have to send me any, and it would never be in the rules! For heaven's sake! I think of them as precious gifts!

Clacksteel and I were discussing these rules, but when I spoke to the moderators about them, we began to think differently. We collectively have decided that ifish.net is going to stand aside, and not be involved in the fly swap rules at all. These swaps should be the responsibility of, strictly run by, and enjoyed between the members.

Each fly master will set the rules of the Fly tying contest, personally. He will be personally responsible for anything that might go wrong.

Each person entering is responsible for their own entry, and anything that may go wrong. You bring your own ball to the game, and you should be responsible for bringing it home... ya know?

Our job at ifish is to moderate discussion. If you want to have fly tying swaps, then you will need to take the responsibility to complete them to your own satisfaction.

Otherwise, we are going to be stuck trying to moderate personal and difficult situations. We'd really like to steer clear of that kind of thing.

I think it's awesome to see you all work together to resolve difficult situations.

Thank you,
Jen

[stoneflyguy]

Jennie, I think that was well said and well done. i have read in the past that you enjoyed getting the flies and I was a part of those swaps. I know exactly what you mean about ifish not wanting to get involved and I think that is the right approach. It's just a bunch of people doing something that we all like and sharing with one another. Thats why I was doing them. I don't think anyone was trying to bash one another just get the point across that the swapmiester did post rules and a deadline and everyone was expected to follow them. It's always hard to communicate through email, blog etc.. because you can't show expression and othere on the recieving end might take you the wrong way. Just because a few of us get together to go fishing and we met on ifish doesn't mean that ifish is responsible if we you don't catch fish, so to speak. I think everyone is starting to work together and in the end we will have some good swaps. Everyone should be commended fo rgiviong ideas and being willing to work through this instead of bashing ifish. Thanks everyone and let's start thinking about the next swap clacksteel, I'm ready. to all.