Tony Spina lessons: Tying a teaser 1

[DarkSkies]

When I went to see him the other night, he tied a few teasers for me. The guy is almost 80, yet watching his hands was like watching poetry in motion. It was if each movement had been done thousands of times before, he was like a well-oiled machine.

He was so quick it was difficult to keep up with him as I took the pics. He told me he used to give classes and seminars on tying flies and teasers. He taught the Chief of Police in Bricktown NJ (in the 1980's) at one of his classes, among many others who learned from him.

Tony isn't in a position to do seminars like he used to, it would probably take too much out of him. I thought I would put these pics up so beginners just learning would be able to look at some of the pics and not feel so intimidated.

All pics courtesy of Tony Spina.

[DarkSkies]

[DarkSkies]

Here's the finished product

[Monty]

Just found this post.
The more I find out about Tony, the more I am amazed.
How long does it take him to tie a teaser?

[DarkSkies]

Monty, I timed him without him knowing it, he did each of them in under a minute. I could only hope to have fingers as nimble as he does should I ever make it to 78. Watching those fingers tie those teasers was like a history lesson. They moved like machines, like they have done this thousands of times before. (and they have)

[jimmy z]

Nice post Rich. It's good to see Tony still around, doing his thing. I remember him from Beachcomger plugs, years ago. Before Driftwood, and Lex lures.

[mick2360]

Good post, Rich. Tony is a legend. It was good of you to take some time out to remember him. Did anyone catch the boxes of gear in the background?

[DarkSkies]

Mick, he has more gear than you can imagine, plugs, jigs, rubber, etc. But his gear is relatively humble compared to a few compulsive sollections I've seen. To be honest, he makes his plugs for the surf, but now because of his health catches most of his fish where he doesn't have to walk too far, the places where "jigs and rubber" are jigged. And he was catching fish in the first week of March, long before any of the internet reports were comin in.

[voyager35]

I like the last picture in post #2. Pride in your work is ageless.