Recent comments

Here are a couple of Siliclone flies that Dada mentioned that I use for both pike and in salt water for Striped Bass and Bluefish.

Dada:
I've been using silicone flies for several years. The ones you posted under the pike patterns are what we along the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast coast of the U.S. call Siliclones.
You might find this useful. Tying instructions by the orignator of that fly pattern, Bob Popovics. Step by step instructions with pictures plus some background on it.

http://www.aswf.org/saltwater_flies_for_web/bob_popovics/saltwater_flie…

For your amusement here's a couple of patterns that I tie up in that style. These I use in fresh water for bass, pike, musky, pickerel and snakeheads. Two are tied on weedless hooks. I'm still learning how to use the digital camera so the quality of the pictures aren't that great.

The Siliclone. A go to fly along the New Jersey(USA) coast for at least the last ten years or so. Extremely effective when the mullet are migrating south along the coast in the fall.
I tie them in various sizes for fresh and salt water. Fresh water, mainly for Largemouth, Smallmouth Bass, Muskie and Pike. Saltwater for striped bass and bluefish.
I tie mine out of a material called Polar Plus, rather than wool. It's put out by the same company that does Polar Fiber. Makes for a lighter fly and one that will float like a cork if treated with a liquid floatant. Plus if you tie them in white, you can use permanent markers to color them before applying the silicone. I'll take a couple of pictures of the ones I've tied up and post them

Lino:
One trick with this type of fly is to use two coats of epoxy. A light coat in the head area. Rotate till dry. This helps keep the shape. When dry add the eyes and do the second heavier coat. Enough to cover the eyes and create a smooth bullet shaped head. You won't get that little bit of sag behind the eyes, not that fish care. Those are nice looking flies
Going back to the first coat. If you wanted to create a fly with a wider profile, not sure what other type of bait fish you have over there. Just before the epoxy complete hardens dip your fingers in a dish soap/water solution, I use Photo Flo, and squeeze the epoxied area. This will spread the material. Add the eyes and second coat of epoxy.
If you want a fly that doesn't sink as fast, and will even hang in the surface film. Use clear silicone for the head. A light coat to start, uses the same solution or Photo Flo to smooth. Add the eyes before it dries. Then a light second coat to hold the eyes in place.

Dada:
Not sure where you're located, but if you're in the States. Many fly shops carry it or you can get it on line. Nasty stuff though.
Again, if you're in the States you can also look for Clear Plasti-Dip, it also comes in colors. You can sometimes find the clear in home improvement stores, and you should be able to find it on line
I think Wapsi has come out with something callled Flexo Body. They just packaged either Softex or Plasti-Dip in a smaller container with a tube top to speed and control the application. Much better that trying to dip the fly. Less exposure to the fumes.

Definitely try it for the Wels, probably in a larger size. I've been experimenting with #4/0 Skip's Dad for largemouth bass, so I figure that would work well for larger catfish.

Hey Michael,
Iam looking forward to test Your Dad......I looks like pretty good...Our rivers are full of american crayfish which was imported twenty years ago and our barsch, zanders and wels.
And Wels ll be the most interesting..... Thanks for inspiration d. form Czech

Hey Everybody,
I just ve got question. Do you know how, or where I can get a Softex???? I am not able to buy it....... :?

Hey colleagues,
I just returned from Costa Rica, where I ve been for three months. And there I learned totally new type of streamers for tarpons and snooks.... I was very surprised, but I totatally felt in love with silicon flies........ :D They are not to easy to cast, but its not impossible....Just sipmle double houl and nothing else....... I came back 3 weeks ago and I tried them here, but wrong place and wrong time. I caught just 1 about 4 pounds....... But after that my friend told me that my pike in this part of river was first in last week....... And there is normally 5 to 10 spin fishers in a day. And I mean spining is still more efective than flyfishing, mostly!!!! Just tell me please, what you mean about it......??? Peace D.

Last one on picture is to much......... :roll:

Submitted by 1737246421 on

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John,

Spiderweb is manufactured by Danvilles. I think it is a 18/0 - fairly fine.

Kasper

Submitted by John LeJeune on

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Hi Kasper,

For tying the "Nothing" You specified spiderweb for the thread. Do you know who makes this product? I can't find it. What I did find was SpiderWire. SpiderWire has many different types; mono, braided, saltwater, freshwater etc., and it is moss green in color. If this is what you specified can you tell me what type of Spiderwire you used.

Thanks I enjoyed the article!

[quote:32952c3daf="Matej Muhelyi"]Today I thinking about new visit of Fyn (in 11th mont). Pelase, is it good time for flyfishing? If yes, where is good spot on fish(I have seatrout guide). How to fish? And what flies are good for this time?f[/quote:32952c3daf]

Mataj,

November can be a good month for sea trout, but the weather can be terrible! There is a great risk of windy, rainy and cold conditions. When the weather is good, the fishing can be fine, but the water is getting colder and the fishing is slower than in August and September, not to mention in the spring.

If you want to travel here in the autumn, I would recommend selecting August, September and early October rather than November and December.

Fantastic fish by the way!

Martin

Submitted by NiC on

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I agree, its fish-porn. But I would have loved a bit more dryfly fishing. Looking forward to seeing part 2 (New Zealand)..

Networking is important to learn and get the best from your fishing experience in new and old waters.
It was great to meet up with you all ! Thanks.
Steve

Hi´Martin, nice article, I'm also looking at the scierra jacket, and ran across this article. I would love to see the picture of you in the suede jacket with homemade vest.
Paul

Unbelieveable footage.
"Trout Porn"?
Hardcore is too soft a word!
I was lucky enough to see a trailer and then thought - Hey, that's a must have...

A Fantastic DVD that beats the pants of everything to date.

A 10 out of 10 from me.

Rip

I can only agree with the second raters opinion, this is "fish porn". Another DVD in this category, although much shorter, is "In search of a rising tide".
Definitly a must have!

Bob,

There are lots of opportunities to fish much more cheaply than your 2002 trip, though I guess the Hampshire Chalk-streams would be a special once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The trout & salmon season is drawing to a close over here now, when are you coming over, and where would your stay be centred?
Wild trout season normally ends around end of September, salmon mostly mid October, though a few rivers stay open or re-open for January, I think. The public-water-supply reservoirs mostly stay open till mid-to-end of October. Put-and-Take fisheries stay open all year round.

Costs: reservoirs, around 15 pounds per day (usually 6 or 8 fish limit, no catch & release), with a boat costing perhaps 30-35 pounds for two anglers.
Salmon & sea-trout can cost a lot, but we have a good river locally (SW Egland) (the River Lyn) where fishing is about 20 pounds / day for salmon (but not fly, usually worm or spinner). For wild trout fishing on most rivers ranging from Yorkshire in North to Devon & Cornwall in SW, you can often get a day for between 5 pounds and 20 pounds. Free fishing is often only available if you know the landowner.

Best bet is to work out which rivers you'll be near, then search for info on the web. through the river name.

If you want specific info and you think I can provide it, send me an email.

Regards,
Les

Submitted by 1737246421 on

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Martin,

Thanks for the nice calm podcast.

I enjoy your work always

Matthias from Socal

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