Recent comments

I appollogize about

I appollogize about the link from my previous posting, it was unintentional. Please forgive me.

Thanks Martin!
Mik

Thanks Martin!
Mike Lembke
www.wollastonlakelodge.com

Do you have a chart

Do you have a chart on how to measure the hooks for fly tying because if you do could please send me one or let me know what they cause that I may order one.

Do Snooth Hounds mov

Do Snooth Hounds move south to over winter as the sea remperature drops around the North sea? How big do the Hounds grow as a friend of mine caught a fifteen pounder.

I've built a a few r

I've built a a few rods, without any problems until my last one. When coating the thread, only the section above the handle and the first eyelet actually hardened. The remaining guides are still tacky. I'm not sure if my mixture wasn't exactly 50/50, or if I contaminated my coating. Any suggestions on how to repair the rod? Thanks.

Mike,

The Danish

Mike,

The Danish fly fishing gear manufacturer Scierra makes their pike rods with this cutout.

Martin

Where did your ever

Where did your ever get a pike cut-out reel seat? That is beautiful!

Perch Flies - North American Perspective

Not sure how the Perch in the US compare to their European cousins behavior-wise (different species Perca flavescens vs. Perca fluviatilis), but in the north-central North America the perch typically feed on sub-surface insects near the bottom and fish fry, especially their own.

Personally I most often find caddis larvae, damsel, dragonfly nymphs and bloodworms in stomach contents, though they are not terribly picky and like to hit bright colors as well as subtle ones.

Fry-wise, I have found that a fairly large Alexandria or similar streamer will attract them. Red and Silver in general seem to work well, and also Yellow and White. Don't underestimate their cannibalistic tendencies.

Also, they like to short-strike, so avoid long tails or wings.

Tight Lines,

-flywalleye

Great article!

Yo

Great article!

You can do as Gary says before, cutting on a side of a discarded water bottle to put there all the trash, like packages, tippet, cigarette butts, etc.

Kiora,
A

Kiora,
Another kiwi here Hemi, yes we call them Piper but the Aussies call them Garfish Totally different to what the Texan is referring to. Little bits of left over soft baits work O.K. particularly scented one like Gulp, I use baits such as PIPER!(the best), pipi,dough, small silver or white fly's, haven't tried orange yet. Sabaki rigs work great we use a small pencil float on the end of the rig to keep the hooks at or very near the surface which also keeps them out of weed if any. Plenty of burly e.g. wet sand chopped sea grass mixed with porridge bread crumbs and maybe fish meal, ( fish flavour cats biscuits buzzed in a blender work great to). This lot usually brings in the odd Pororae as a bonus. I no that if it is windy or rough it's time to go elsewhere like up a creek and target Mullet. Easy cook if not baking or bottling is gut and stick spear through in front of tail and quick fry turning once e.g 30 secs on top 20 secs bottom.

This is Aspen countr

This is Aspen country !!!

On the Arkansas River, miles and miles by yourself, you can fish for smaller but more frequent fish.

The brownie takes yo

The brownie takes your fly and snaps you off around the other post in the water?

Ken,

The pictures

Ken,

The pictures seem to work fine... can't you see any pictures or can't you click to see the larger versions?

Can you see these pictures below? They are taken directly from the links in the article...

Martin

I am unable to open

I am unable to open the pictures. Any suggestions? Thanks.

how are the accommod

how are the accommodations a salmon lodge? 2 rods per room? bathrooms separate?
how did you find the ZEC booking business - who loks after this? is it a pain?
was there rod pressure in the pools?
how does the end-of -June look?
thanks

patagonia's river wa

patagonia's river walkers are horrible. I fish mostly freestone streams and hike in w boots quite often. after approx 40 days, the boots fell apart, an eyelet detached, the uppers literally disintegrated, and a felt sole fell off. So, I don't know what you are smoking, but it's either really good or you wade around in sand at night.

As for aqua stealth soles, tried them as well on a bean boot, and they are downright dangerous. Like sneakers on ice.

Superb Mr Gray .. thanks for

Superb Mr Gray .. thanks for sharing

Andy

I concure with the

I concure with the boot/bootie theroy. I have 4mm custom Streamlines w/builtin boots. The only times
my feet get cold is fishing out of a jetsled when it's so cold that the felt soles actually freeze to the boat deck. The problem I have with stockingfoot breathables is the size of the "bootie" is very restrictive. If you go for a summer fit (to one pair light/med sox) the wouldn't accomidate heavyer sox that are needed for winter without being tight and causing poor circulation, discomfort & really cold feet fast. I guess the best answer is breathable bootfoots.

'strike a pose...

G'day Martin...
Thanks for the kind words...
When the winds kick up and drives me off the water, I'll retreat to my tying bunker for some creative "therapy"...
This sort'a stuff keeps me busy and out'a trouble...
As usual, your keen observations are spot on...
After a test drowning in the tub and a hot water rinse, as the fly dries the tear-drop shape gently sets into the natural fibers...it holds this aesthetic pose until hydro-dynamic pressure takes over...
Although the gentle "training" helps slightly to maintain the desired profile and results in a pleasing photo op...with a dead drift, the material splays out somewhat...add some current and the fuselage narrows down a bit as the material steam lines...
A strip-pause-strip insinuates undulating life and gives it "the LOOK"...weshallsee...the fish decide!
Cheers
ps
What with the quick Tuffleye BlueLight cure I've started "spot welding" material on as I go...
The above head shots depict a close-up view of thread-less tying (fly welding?!)...
I haven't seen this technique used before...["famous last words"]...WORKS FOR ME!
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Pete,

Pete,

Another great pattern and thanks for posting thos grest step-by-steps. They show your dual tube concept very clearly.

One question: the shape of the fly on the last picture... is that purely the moist fly or do you use anything to get the hairs permanently into that shape?
I would imagine that the first time the fly hits the water, the hairs spread out to their natural shape as its seen in the first pictures in the tying steps.

Martin

Excellent intro to t

Excellent intro to these flies. Those looking to delve deeper should check out Derek Quilliam's wonderful book The Complete Guide to New Zealand Trout Lures.

What is the retained

What is the retained breaking strength of a blood knot % wise? Also blood knots tied with floro carbon to regular leader material say Maxima does the % change. Thanks,

Hi I'm from the panhandle

Hi I'm from the panhandle of Florida and I'm looking for some ideas about what flies to use for large mouth bass/ pike for top water and mostly for lower down in the water column. I fish ponds and lakes, rivers and very clear spring feed streams. Do you have any suggestions?

I wonder if it is a

I wonder if it is a lot of Adobe???