Okay, this is sort of a stupid tip, but if fly tiers can make a miniscule change to a common fly pattern and then name it after themselves, well, then I can be proud of my new fly tying bodkin. Being a fly fisherman, how my gear looks is just as important to my self-esteem as whether or not I have any idea how to use it. With that in mind, and a bit of a buzz as well, I was struck with the idea for this attractive bodkin. For years, I’ve used an old wine cork with a sewing needle stuck in one end as my bodkin. No more! Now I use an old Wild Turkey cork instead! I recently finished off a bottle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed, and, just before tossing the bottle in the recycling bin, I noticed the stopper. The cork was fixed into a wide, attractive wooden cap. I immediately pulled out the stopper, tossed the bottle and rushed upstairs to the tying desk. I found my pack of sewing needles and inserted the non-business end into the cork with a pair of needle-nose pliers, and here you can see the results. The benefits are few other than that the wood matches my new tying desk, the bodkin will now stand more steadily on its top, and I can now mock Insane’s inferior bodkin (if indeed he even has one. Since making my new bodkin, I’ve noticed a few other spirit bottles with suitable stoppers for bodkin-making. One I have in mind is Captain Morgan Private Stock. So go out, buy yourself a bottle of something inspiring, and build yourself a better bodkin. If nothing else, I’m giving you an excuse to buy new liquor. You can express your appreciation preferably by sending a generous monetary donation or, if you must, by leaving a simple word of thanks in the comments section.
Fly tying bodkin made from the cap to a bottle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
Take care,
Nathan
