Can’t see….

skiltonian

skiltonian

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 6, 2007
Messages
743
So I’m using my magnifier and 3.25 readers and still struggling to see on the small flies. Time to see the eye doc for RX readers? Other options?
 
I got my eye doctor to give me Xtra strong closeup lenses in my bifocals.
When I talked to her about it beforehand, she wanted to know what I'm doing to require such strong correction.
So I brought in a box of #20 BWO's to show her what I needed to do.
And she agreed, that yeah - I needed something stronger.
 
Buy some cheap 4.0 readers for the bench and another pair for your vest 👍. Just be careful putting high magnification glasses on in swift current the first time or two.
 
are you using a magnifier and readers at the same time? If so, that doesn’t sound good. It’s sounds to me like your focal point is not right. Get rid of the magnifier and just try the readers. You may have to have the readers further from your eyes and your face closer to the fly. What size fly are you tying? I rarely tie anything smaller than a 20. I see no point. Try tying a size 26 fly on a size 20 hook if for some reason you want a smaller fly. If you can’t see it a fish ain’t seeing much of it either.

I use Carson’s hat magnifiers that attached to the brim of a ball cap. They have them up to +5 but I think I use +4. I have two sets, one on a fishing hat and one on a hat at my tying desk. I like them because you can set how far away from your eyes they are so you can get the right focal point easily. They are also full size. The little rectangle ones suck and I find I can’t use unless I close one eye. I like both eyes open when tying.
 
This - I have one and it's great for size 20 and smaller in the evenings/low light. Just load a couple threaders at home.
They're like needle threaders except you put a few flies on each one - put your tippet thru the metal loop and pull your fly onto the tippet.
No need to mess with magnifiers.
1770468581586.png
 
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find an eye doctor and make an appointment
 
First, what Norm said...

Second, what Poopdeck said...

When you use TWO methods of magnification you increase the magnification and shorten the working distance/focal length, meaning you will need to sit closer to the vise if you are talking fly tying or move your hands closer if you are talking about streamside. If that shorter working distance isn't what you are used to, it can get frustrating.

BTW - It can be ESPECIALLY frustrating if you are talking about fly tying using a stationary magnifying glass mounted on a goose-neck or lamp...

For fly tying I use readers to see the stuff on my desktop but have them towards the end of my nose. Above them I use a OptiVISOR head loop with a focal length that approximates the distance I want to sit from the vise. This is used WITHOUT the readers.

If I want more magnification I can "add" the readers but I will have to move closer to the vise.

FWIW - I tie & fish stuff all the way down to size 32 and when I tie or use those, I use a more powerful OptiVISOR lens and just sit closer because getting close for the really tiny stuff helps.

On stream I use a low power pair of magnifying safety glasses which works for seeing my surroundings and a HatEyes magnifier flip down which are unfortunately discontinued. HatEyes came in different magnification levels so it was easy to find the magnifier that did the job.

When you see an eye doctor you'll have a better idea what kind of magnification will work because they can easily replicate any working distance you desire.

Good luck!!
 
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kbobb said:
This - I have one and it's great for size 20 and smaller in the evenings/low light. Just load a couple threaders at home.
They're like needle threaders except you put a few flies on each one - put your tippet thru the metal loop and pull your fly onto the tippet.
No need to mess with magnifiers.
View attachment 1641248839
Click to expand...
I have one something like that. I actually forgot I had it, so thanks for jarring my memory. I recommend this as well 👍.
 
KELORGO said:
I have one something like that. I actually forgot I had it, so thanks for jarring my memory. I recommend this as well 👍.
Click to expand...

Speaking of C&F Design, the maker of those threaders and other fly boxes & inserts...

An FYI - Ranger Outdoors (parent company of Angler Sport Group) is dropping C&F from the products they distribute sometime this month.

I don't know who will be picking up C&F distribution from Ranger Outdoors but if you are a C&F fan, you may want to stock up now in the event there is a shortage of inventory at dealers until a new distributor gets rolling.
 
Bamboozle said:
Speaking of C&F Design, the maker of those threaders and other fly boxes & inserts...

An FYI - Ranger Outdoors (parent company of Angler Sport Group) is dropping C&F from the products they distribute sometime this month.

I don't know who will be picking up C&F distribution from Ranger Outdoors but if you are a C&F fan, you may want to stock up now in the event there is a shortage of inventory at dealers until a new distributor gets rolling.
Click to expand...
Stock on their stuff was already spotty which kept me from investing in their products.
 
Thanks all! Today’s a tying day with the weather ( -12 with the 39 mph wind gusts) so I’ll play with focal point adjustments.
 
i tried a magnifying light and all it did was get in the way
 
I have one of these as well (Orvis Dropper Box). It lets you tie several three nymph rigs at home instead of tying all of those knots on the stream. You waste way less fishing time and you don’t have to struggle as much with seeing.
IMG_0533.jpeg
 
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