Frequently Asked Questions
We want you to be completely satisfied. Please e-mail us, or give us a call if you have any questions or issues. Together, we will come up with a solution.
We stand behind every single cutter that we manufacture, whether you purchased it from us or from your favorite fly shop; you should always expect prompt and courteous service. If not, please let us know what we need to improve. If you don't feel like wading through a lot of words, feel free to call or email us with your question or issue. Until we hear from you directly, here is some information, which may behelpful...
You can also find helpful information on our Facebook page - our visitors often post really interesting and useful information. You may always post a question there as well. River Road Creations on Facebook
Update on Order Processing Related to Pandemic
Thank you for the patience and understanding you have shown as businesses, including ours, respond to changing requirements for ensuring customer and employee health and safety. We appreciate your flexibility! Thank you.
What has changed: We apologize that your orders take more time to process than you previously experienced. We have added staff, extended manufacturing hours and streamlined processes, but still need extra time to process orders. Order processing time is currently 8-10 business days - definitely not what you have come to expect from us. We apologize and are doing everything we can to get back on track. You have been terrifically understanding and we appreciate that. As soon as we get over the backlog created by being shutdown and the implementation of new procedures, we will let you know!
What has NOT changed: Our #1 Priority is your satisfaction. We will honor every special request related to your orders to the best of our ability. Call or email us with urgent needs, gift-giving deadlines, or anything else that will help us process your order to meet your expectations. Thank you to the many customers who have worked with us and who will work with us to meet today's challenges.
Back to FAQs . . .
What is that white rubber pad for that came with my cutter order?
How are your cutters sized?
How long will it be before the blades in your cutters wear out?
If a blade in one of your cutters wears out, can it be sharpened? Can you replace the handle with a new blade?
I dropped one of your cutters on my tying floor and it doesn't cut as well as it did before. What is the problem?
I have been using a small hammer to "tap" out my wings and now my wings don't look the same. How can I fix this?
I lost the rubber pad that came with my wing cutter set and have been using a kitchen cutting board. I have noticed that I am not getting clean cuts any longer. What can I do?
I have sandwiched 3 layers of foam together and I can't get your foam body cutters to cut through all the layers. What is wrong?
I'm thinking about having you make some custom cutters for me. What is involved? How can I be sure that someone else won't get to use my design?
I don't want to set up a Pay Pal account to order your cutters over the Internet. How can I order your wing and body cutters?
What are your shipping charges?
I want to shop over the Internet, who do you recommend?
Your Capt. Joe Blados' Crease Fly Popper Cutter isn't the same size and shape that I am used to.
I'm not ready to buy your crease fly cutters yet, but I've heard that Capt. Joe Blados makes kits that include everything needed to tie these flies. Where can I get a kit?
I would like to tie spent mayfly patterns. Can you make a cutter that will punch out both wings at once?
How long does it take for you to ship my order, once I place an order?
Do your cutters work with Web Wing®?
I lost the instructions that came with my cutter set. How can I get another copy?
Do you have a catalog? Can you send me a catalog of your products?
I don't tie, but I would like to purchase Tomsu's Supreme Hopper flies, as well as some of Tony's other patterns. Where can I purchase Tony's flies?
I bought some cutters that I thought were yours, but they look different. Can you help me out?
I have tying and other miscellaneous questions. Do you have any pre-printed information to help me?
What is that white rubber pad for that came with my cutter order?
The white cutting pad that comers with your cutter is required to use your cutter - to ensure that it lasts for many, many uses, as well as to protect damage to work surface. Each River Road Creations cutter must be used with the pad provided, or a replacement pad for proper use.
How are your cutters sized?
With the exception of our STP Frog® pattern and Kent Edmond's Stealth Bomber Popper/Diver cutter, our cutters have been sized using Mustad® hook charts - including the Capt. Joe Blados' Crease Fly Popper cutter.
- The STP Frog® cutters have been sized using Tiemco® 8089 hooks.
- Kent Edmond's Stealth Bomber Popper/Diver cutters have been sized based on Kent's design, using:
- Size 10 Mustad 94840 (smallest),
- Size 6 Gamakatsu B10S, and
- Size 2 Gamakatsu B10S (largest).
Your Capt. Joe Blados' Crease Fly Popper Cutter isn't the same size and shape that I am used to.
With the first publication of Capt. Joe's crease flies tyers have been experimenting with this very effective pattern. As with many popular patterns, tyers have intentionally and unintentionally adapted shapes and sizes to best suit their needs. Those sizes and shapes then become the "standard" in that area. We worked directly with Capt. Joe on the sizes and shapes for our cutters - we used his templates to design our cutters and he ultimately "blessed" the final results. If you notice a slight difference in shape or think the sizing is "off" you can certainly use hooks that are one size larger or smaller to give you the effect that you are used to tying.
I'm not ready to buy your crease fly cutters yet, but I've heard that Capt. Joe Blados makes kits that include everything needed to tie these flies. Where can I get a kit?
Capt. Joe has great crease fly kits. You can get them at The Bear's Den.
How long will it be before the blades in your cutters wear out?
We have customers who have cut over 2,500 wings or bodies with a single cutter and the cutter continues to perform as designed. One production-tyer customer has only replaced his custom cutter once in about 18 months. He hasn't told us how many wings he managed to cut before he decided to order a new cutter. We assume it was a lot.
Unsolicited update on this question:
Hello, Tony. I have a damsel cutter from you that I have cut over 4,000 bodies with - and am still using. You replaced my original cutter when it bent and the replacement now has over 4,000 bodies cut - great product!
Richard P.
Littleton, Colorado
If a blade in one of your cutters wears out, can it be sharpened? Can you replace the handle with a new blade?
It is not possible to sharpen our cutters or replace the blades. Based on our own tying experience and that of customers so far, we believe that you will be more than satisfied with the durability and life of each cutter we make. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
I dropped one of your cutters on my tying floor and it doesn't cut as well as it did before. What is the problem?
When a cutter blade comes into contact with a hard surface such as a floor, you will get chips or blade distortion and unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to repair the cutter. It took us only a few accidental drops in our manufacturing facility (and a few discarded cutters) before we installed some carpeting in our own "drop zones." The good news is that if you only dropped one cutter from a set, you can order a single cutter, rather than having to replace an entire wing or body cutter set.
I have been using a small hammer to "tap" out my wings and now my wings don't look the same. How can I fix this?
Using a hammer of any sort will result in irreparable blade distortion. The blade material cannot withstand that type of shock.
If you need some assistance in cutting, an arbor press works great. It delivers slow, constant pressure - much like your own hand. You can find arbor presses at your local hardware store.
I lost the rubber pad that came with my wing cutter set and have been using a kitchen cutting board. I have noticed that I am not getting clean cuts any longer. What can I do?
Unfortunately the only solution at this point is to order a new cutter. Our cutters should only be used on the cutting pad we provide. In the future, however, we do carry replacement cutting pads for sets and individual cutters. If you lose another cutting pad, you can order a new one before your cutter gets damaged.
I have sandwiched 3 layers of foam together and I can't get your foam body cutters to cut through all the layers. What is wrong?
Nothing is wrong. Our quality control involves testing 100% of our foam body cutters on a single sheet of 2 or 3 mm foam and we guarantee that the cutter you receive will easily cut a 3 mm piece of foam. In practice, most of our foam body cutters will easily cut through 2 layers, and many of our customers report being able to easily cut through 3 layers of foam. However, if we routinely set the blades to do this for all of our patterns, stability can be lost and the blades may become distorted. If there is a specific cutter that you need for deeper cutting depths, please contact us, and we will see if it is possible to work out a solution for you.
I'm thinking about having you make some custom cutters for me. What is involved? How can I be sure that someone else won't get to use my design?
This process usually starts with a phone call or e-mail to discuss your plans. After that you can submit your design with sizing information via e-mail or regular mail - whatever is easiest for you, as long as we receive specific dimensions. A hand-drawn pattern or samples cut of foam or paper should work just fine. We will make sure that your design is possible within the physical constraints of the materials with which we work. We will give you a pricing estimate based on the amount of material required and the time needed to complete your pattern.
We keep all designs on file and that design is only available to you. Should you wish to alter your design at a future point, your original design is on file for you to use. We will not knowingly share your designs with other customers. We cannot be responsible for your design once you publish your pattern in print or electronic media.
Here is a printable overview of the custom cutter process
I don't want to set up a Pay Pal account to order your cutters over the Internet. How can I order your wing and body cutters?
Our website uses a PayPal shopping cart, but having a PayPal account is not necessary.
Once you are satisfied with the items in your shopping cart, begin checkout and choose the option to check out as a guest. Your shopping cart will allow you to check out using e-checks and credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.
PayPal has updated its policies and no longer requires that you set up an account for purchases. At checkout choose the option NOT to open a PayPal account.
You can also purchase our cutters through many retailers who carry Hareline Dubbin products including, but not limited to:
Doug Swisher Fly Fishing www.dougswisher.com
The Bear's Den www.bearsden.com
Bear Lodge Angler www.bearlodgeangler.com
Feather Craft Fly Fishing www.feather-craft.com
Badger Creek Fly Tying www.eflytyer.com
Madison River Fishing Company http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverMontanaFishing/Default.aspx
The Kingfisher http://www.kingfisherflyshop.com/
J. Stockard Fly Fishing www.jsflyfishing.com
Try using search terms such as wing cutter or foam body cutter or look under tying tools
Many individual fly shops also carry our cutters. Ask your local retailer to order the wing or foam body cutter that is of interest when they place their next order with Hareline Dubbin, Inc.
Superfly International, Inc. distributes our wing and foam body cutters in Canada. We hope this will make shopping quicker and easier for our Canadian customers and potential customers. The link to Superfly dealers is: http://www.superfly.ca/dealers/.
We also have distributors in Europe. In Europe, Ritt-Mailing may be able to assist you in procuring our products. You may contact them at: http://www.ritt-mailing.com/
What are your shipping charges?
We use U.S. Priority Mail for shipping. Shipping rates are automatically calculated when you go through the PayPay checkout process. They reflect the average cost of shipping based on US Postal Service Rates.
I want to shop over the Internet for tying materials, who do you recommend?
There are plenty of excellent sources for your tying needs. Here are a couple to get you started and who have offered us excellent customer service either in person or via the Internet.
Doug Swisher Fly Fishing www.dougswisher.com
Check out the "Twister System" to create exciting new patterns by mixing dozens of tying materials: natural dubbing, synthetic hairs, flash enhancers, feathers, rubber, etc. - limited only by your imagination. Get on Doug's e-mail list and receive notices of his great monthly specials.
The Kingfisher Fly Shop www.kingfisherflyshop.com
The Bear's Den www.bearsden.com
Bear Lodge Angler www.bearlodgeangler.com
Feather Craft Fly Fishing www.feather-craft.com
Badger Creek Fly Tying www.eflytyer.com
J. Stockard Fly Fishing www.jsflyfishing.com
I would like to tie spent mayfly patterns. Can you make a cutter that will punch out both wings at once?
Our standard mayfly wing cutter will do this for you. Fold the wing material that you want to cut in half. Position the open end of the mayfly wing cutter over the fold - allowing you the appropriate amount of spacing needed between the wings. Unfold and you will have "spent wings" ready for tying.
How long does it take for you to ship my order, once I place an order?
We ship orders as quickly as possible, generally within 5 business days of receipt. In many cases we ship the same or next day.
We do our best to send you e-mail notification of receipt of your order as well as shipment of your order. Because this is a manual process for us, we prioritize work on orders ahead of work on e-mails. Sometimes you may receive notification that your order has shipped on the same day that you receive your order. We appreciate your understanding about this.
Do your cutters work with Web Wing®?
It is possible to cut Web Wing® using our cutters, especially if you place a piece of 2 or 3mm craft foam between the Web Wing® and the cutting pad provided with your cutter. HOWEVER, the durability/useful life of the cutter will be considerably reduced, if used to cut Web Wing®. Therefore, we recommend that you continue to use scissors for cutting Web Wing® material, unless you are willing to accept the fact that your cutter may not last as long as if it is used on other wing materials.
I lost the instructions that came with my cutter set. How can I get another copy?
You can open and print another copy here: Cutter Instructions
If you lost your instructions for tying with the Krebs' Popper jigs, you can get additional copies here:
Krebs' Popper Jigs for Saltwater and Bass
Krebs' Popper Jigs for Bass and Panfish
If you need instructions for tying Tomsu's Supreme Hopper, here they are: Tying Tomsu's Supreme Hopper
Instructions for tying the STP Frog® fly can be found here
Tying instructions using Kent Edmond's Stealth Bomber Popper/Diver cutters are available here
Please note that you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files. If you do not have it, you can get it from there website using this link:
Get Acrobat Reader web logo
Get Adobe Reader
Do you have a catalog? Can you send me a catalog of your products?
We do not print a catalog, but are happy to provide you with information that you might want in a catalog. Please feel free to print any or all of the information. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open these files.)
Cutter Shapes and Sizes
A Sampling of Flies Tied with River Road Creations' Cutters
Overview of Materials
Current Price List
I don't tie, but I would like to purchase Tomsu's Supreme Hopper flies, as well as some of Tony's other patterns. Where can I purchase Tony's flies?
Tomsu's Supreme Hopper™ fly is available from Doug Swisher Fly Fishing at http://dougswisher.com/dry_flies.htm Scroll down to almost the bottom of the page.
While supplies last, the STP Frog® can be purchased on our website: STP Frog Fly
I bought some cutters that I thought were yours, but they look different. Can you help me out?
About River Road Creations' cutters:
* 100% of all cutters are quality tested before leaving our shop - they will cut foam and many wing sheet materials or they go in the trash!
* 100% of the blades in River Road Creation's cutters are shaped by Tony, so you know they are correct
* The wood used in River Road Creations' cutters is vertical grain fir, purchased from US lumber yards with colors ranging from honey-blonde to light reddish-brown.
* Before releasing any new patterns, River Road Creations ensures extensive testing throughout the US to verify that our patterns demonstrate consistent properties to allow you to catch fish. Not only do our cutters allow you to tie flies that consistently look great and save tying time, they are proven to catch fish!
* click here pictures of our packaging and more information
I have tying and other miscellaneous questions. Do you have any pre-printed information to help me?
You can always contact us by phone (406.777.1046) or
email (tony@riverroadcreations.com) for any questions you may have.