Recent comments

Sure, article away.

Sometime when I can remember, I'll get some crayfish pictures. I was going to go today, but we just got a big dump of rain on my way home from work.

Submitted by G. A. Morresi on

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Daniel,

Don't worry about the "Extras" for now - focus instead on everything else, particularly the bolded items. As someone who certainly isn't an expert, but who was in your situation a couple of years ago (I've taken two fly tying courses offered by my local Trout Unlimited chapter) I must completely agree with the author. He has listed the most common fly tying materials - and you truly are better off buying them individually. Don't buy them all at once - pick a couple of patterns you wish to tie (such as an Adams dry fly and a Muddler Minnow streamer - the latter was recommended to me as THE ONE FLY to tie if one had to practice as it involves so many techniques) and the materials needed.

Books: either don't buy one (take a look at the section called "Beginner's Fly Tying" at www.flyanglersonline.com) or get the recently released "Benchside Introduction to Fly Tying" by Leeson and Schollmeyer. The book will help you with material selection, too.

Threads: I recommend Uni-Thread, especially if you're a lefty. It's stronger for its diameter than regular nylon thread.

Kits: stay away from them, or if you really must have one, get the materials-only kits. (I started with a materials-only kit in order to save money, but even then eventually I only used half to two-thirds of it, the rest was either too low-quality or not useful for tying trout flies.) By all means, do not get a kit/cheap vise - the only good vise under $100 is the Danvise (Danica vise;) I have seen friends' vises from kits become almost useless - and very frustrating - after a few dozen flies.

Good luck!

P.S. Don't get into fly tying if you think it's going to save you money in the long run - it won't.

Rybolov,

Thanks for posting that extensive piece about the Dad. How about turning that into a regular article? Everything is there, and I would be pleased to do the job.

Martin

This is Paul's first day ever with a flyrod, and once he can cast 10 feet and strip line, Skip's Dad gives him a good day on the river.

He'll be back.

[i:045099b6da]Photo by Rybolov[/i:045099b6da]

Reaction to Skip's Dad can be varied.

I've felt smallmouth nibble at it gently as they suck it up off the riverbottom. When I get gentle takes, I start fishing with a slow, long strip.

When I find that the fish are slamming the Dad hard, I start using quick 5-inch strips, just enough of a pop so that I see the end of my line jerk.

Sometimes I've cast and had large smallmouth take the fly on the very first strip. It's happened enough that I get the slack out of the line as fast as I can.

Don't forget to let the Dad hang below you in the current. Yuou'll catch bass when you let the fly hang and then give it a couple quick strips.

[i:5422245e64]
Photos by Melanie Smith[/i:5422245e64]

More Dad pictures:

[i:b8dfb5e822]Photo by Melanie Smith[/i:b8dfb5e822]

Chris,

Just had to let you know that I tried your pattern for the first time today and did get one wicked hit on it. Only fished it for maybe 5 minuets and then a thunderstorm moved in and we decided to get the heck off the lake. I will be trying it next time out and hopefully will have a few fishy pictures to share.

...cannot remember when I last saw a seatrout... are they back yet?

Corbs,

I have tried it twice. The meat is soft and not tasty. I have seen recipes showing how to salt and steam the meat to make it more fish meat-like.
I will not recommend it, but invite a perch, pike or trout for dinner, instead.

Kasper

Submitted by Bud Miller 173… on

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This is top notch book and I agree with your observations. One thing however, that soon began to annoy me was the "Cathy-text" (like here is Cathy fighting... Here Cathy releases... Cathy makes the last cast... Cathy makes a long casts...) It was simply too much, but again, this is a photo journey, so skip the acompaning text and enjoy :-)

Corbs,

Most fish are edible... in principle.
I personally wouldn't consume it and FishBase also writes that "The flesh is of mediocre quality".

Martin

I've seen this many times where people will just charge right into the water. Making casts to just inside the water is a good technique for most waters I've seen, from pike lakes to steelhead streams. I've hooked enough big fish to give it a try each time I go out.

If it's early in the morning and you are the first person in the water, it's an even more productive technique. Fish go shallower at night because they don't have to push the current as much and they are safe from predators who can't see them when it's dark.

Cheers
--Mike

Submitted by Bob Koch on

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Totally agree. Its what you want to do. Fishing or Casting. While fishing 45 to 50 feet casts do the trick 95% of the time. Precision and presentation of the fly is the answer. Always cast to a target, even when nymphing or fishing wet flies.
Bob Koch CCI, Atlanta Ga. USA

Superb Photograph!
The graetest example I've ever seen of color theory, texture and composition, all in one picture.

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