Question:

Think caddis flies in June, Frank.  Green Rock Worm, tan LaFontaine caddis emerger, throw in a few small PTs (they always work) and a few Goddard Caddis, and voila, you’re there. Dave Well, I’ll start tying now if I can find my vise.  Now, wasn’t that on top of the truck?

What girls did you "visit" while in Coburn? Sounds like you were in a real hurry to get out of town. — TL, Tim

Response:

I forgot to add: I took a ful Reid (without water).  My rock hopping days are surely limited. My feet went out from underneath me like I was on an icy slope.  Smashed by back up pretty good (or is that pretty bad?).  The same shit I suffered through a few months back.  If I bend over, I have trouble getting back up.  (No smart-ass remarks either!) d;o)

Response:

I forgot to add: I took a ful Reid (without water).  My rock hopping days are surely limited. My feet went out from underneath me like I was on an icy slope.  Smashed by back up pretty good (or is that pretty bad?).  The same shit I suffered through a few months back.  If I bend over, I have trouble getting back up.  (No smart-ass remarks either!) d;o)

hey, take care Louie, you’ve got an important fishing date coming up. Hey Dave, if it hurts when you bend, don’t bend.  You have to come and see us soon.  I’m practicing on my new stove.   This is the Jag of all Jags.   The Thanksgiving turkey, the meat pies will all be waiting for you. Did I mention the pumpkin pie? Love Suzie XOXOXO

Response:

…   The Thanksgiving turkey, …

Canadian Thanksgiving makes WAY more sense than the American version. The second Monday of October is a great time to have a real fall harvest fest. The end of November sucks, and besides it’s too close to Xmas. — Ken Fortenberry- left in disgust at the start of the 4th quarter

Response:

Suzie Homemaker writes: he Thanksgiving turkey, the meat pies will all be waiting for you. Did I mention the pumpkin pie? Love Suzie XOXOXO

You’re too much, Jo.  Is it any wonder Petah loves you so.  My Jo says hi.  See you in a week.  Pumpkin pie, eh? Dave

Response:

Suzie Homemaker writes: he Thanksgiving turkey, the meat pies will all be waiting for you. Did I mention the pumpkin pie? Love Suzie XOXOXO You’re too much, Jo.  Is it any wonder Petah loves you so.  My Jo says hi.  See you in a week.  Pumpkin pie, eh? Dave

Can’t wait to see you both on the 13th. Love Suzie

Response:

 Smashed my back up pretty good (or is that pretty bad?).

Enjoyed your TR but sorry to hear about your bad luck. You reminded me that some years ago, an announcer at a Penn State football game announced that a player who had been hurt, and was coming off the field, was "limping pretty good."  I wondered if that was the opposite of "limping pretty bad," or if it meant he was doing it in an accomplished and artistic manner. Hope you get well soon. vince

Response:

Vince Norris writes: You reminded me that some years ago, an announcer at a Penn State football game announced that a player who had been hurt, and was coming off the field, was "limping pretty good."  I wondered if that was the opposite of "limping pretty bad," or if it meant he was doing it in an accomplished and artistic manner. Hope you get well soon. vince

Fortunately I wasn’t hurt badly.  A friend (in his early 70s) saw it, and thought I had to be hurt bad (good?), so he got on his rather sophisticated radio and called his son fishing downriver at Harbeck Pool.  His son started back to help in the "rescue", but when my friend saw me up and about, he called and told the son I was ok.  Nice to know someone was watching out for me. Dave

Response:

ok.  Nice to know someone was watching out for me. Dave

Hey, I worry about you big guy.  With all the luck you’ve had, a wonderful wife, trips to Lakewood left, right and center, that land yacht of yours, I figure your lucks gotta run out sometime. Good report.  I can’t wait to get up there next year.  Ya gotta give me an idear as to what those flies were and if you tinks dayums would work in June. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

Frank Reid writes: Ya gotta give me an idear as to what those flies were and if you tinks dayums would work in June.

Think caddis flies in June, Frank.  Green Rock Worm, tan LaFontaine caddis emerger, throw in a few small PTs (they always work) and a few Goddard Caddis, and voila, you’re there.   Dave

Response:

Think caddis flies in June, Frank.  Green Rock Worm, tan LaFontaine caddis emerger, throw in a few small PTs (they always work) and a few Goddard Caddis, and voila, you’re there. Dave

Well, I’ll start tying now if I can find my vise.  Now, wasn’t that on top of the truck? — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply

Response:

The boat was waiting for us when we arrived at South Arm.  It is always amusing to see Henry jump from the car, run down to the dock and get aboard Lakewood’s boat.  (Lakewood owns the boat, so the apotrophe is correct)   After a quick lunch, I headed to the dam.  No one in sight.  I picked one of the good spots and started with Bruiser’s #20 PT, tied on a scudd hook.  Second cast and I had a decent brookie, dressed to the nines in her fall colors.  A few casts later, another brookie.  It went on like this until I lost the fly. %, I only had one.  Fortunately I brought along the fly box that Bruiser gave me at the SJ clave two years ago.  It was filled with little size 20 – 24 jewels.  I selected something similar, and it was *better*.  What an outstanding afternoon.  The catch of brookies to salmon was about 5 to 1.  I can remember when it was 10 to 1 salmon to brookies.  And it wasn’t that long ago.  C & R works (sorry Timbo) On Monday morning I went to Pond in the River – not much happening with the standard stuff.  However, an old stand-by, the Jail Bird tied on a size 20 dry fly hook brought two very nice brook trout from the wing dam pool.  That fly has never failed me!  Very simple tie, too.  After a sumptuous lunch, I was a bit tired, so I napped until mid-afternoon and then hit the dam.   As before, Bruiser’s tiny SJ flies did their magic.  I dredged Zimbo’s Run and landed several nice (+14 inch) brookies, as well as some  salmon about the same size.  The fish looked to be in remarkable condition, especially the brookies. Only a couple of salmon that I caught (the entire week) had sores on their jaws from being hooked.  There was a team of biologists surveying the river for the power company.  I had a conversation with them at dinner and asked about the mortality of C&R.  Although they didn’t give me a percentage, their feelings were that the brookies are very strong and their mortality is very, very low, whereas the salmon, dumber and not as strong, still have a low mortality.  With the number of fish I caught that looked healthy, I’d say they were spot on in their estimation. Tuesday was a repeat of Monday, with the exception of a 19 inch brookie taken on one of Bruisers #20 nymphs.  I also worked some rising salmon.  There was a hatch on, and I cast a tiny little black fly.  In general, they were small fish – in the 8 to 12 inch range, and no brookies.  So, I switched back to the little nymphs and continued to have luck at any spot at the dam.  Again, the brookies were ferocious with Bruiser’s flies. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the same, except Friday it rained harder than it did at Henry’s Fork (if that is possible).  We got about 4 inches of water in less than 24 hours.  Fishing remained fairly good, however, and I finally got a chance to wear my SST jacket.  Kept me dry and warm.  Sleeping in one of Lakewood’s cabins is always a treat, but when it is cold and raining, it is extra sweet.   The season ends on Tuesday.  I’ve been home three hours and I’m ready to go back.  It is gonna be a long winter……. Dave

Response:

Question:

Yo, Any ROFFers headed to the International Sportsmen’s Expo in Pomona at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds next week? peace, Mu

Response:

Would love to Mu, was born there but gonna have to settle for the Maryland Fly Fishing Show. — Frank Reid Reverse email to reply. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any ROFFers headed to the International Sportsmen’s Expo in Pomona at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds next week? peace, Mu

Response:

Question:

  After some pointers from Peter, I have been fishing them more. The thing I don’t like about fishing them is the low ratio of strikes to hookups that I seem to get.

Well, I didn’t cheat and run to Peter, but I have been fishing streamers more.  The one thing I do like about streamers is that what you do catch seems to be a bit larger than "normal".  I caught some nice fish up in 3rd Meadow using streamers.  I have added a bunch to my arsenal for this fall and am looking forward to chasing those pre-spawn browns. Charley has a good story about fishing with a former guide on the Green that was slinging a big streamer.

Well, run on over there and twist his arm hard enough so he tells. — Warren Findley Remove (nospamZZ) to respond via email http://www.geocities.com/troutbum_mt/

Response:

<SNIP There are some beautiful, big brownies in this pool (I can see them!) and I’ve tossed everything at them- flys that work great upstream get nothing here- scuds, pheasant tails, princes, pass lakes, pink squirrels, wulffs, etc. The list goes on.  I’ve fished it from every angle- upstream and downstream- no luck.

If you can see them, they can usually see you. If you know they are there, you don

Question:

Ted I found waders at a good price at Sports Authority on Manchester Road east of Weidman. they have both the sock foot model/neoprene and the rubber type with boots. No I don’t work fo SA I just shop around. Also live in St. Louis.

Response:

I need a new reel and waders. Any suggestions on a reliable mail order house with competitive prices will be helpful. By the way, I found a good source for flies http://www.flymail.com/, located in the UK I received my order in about a week. Last year they were selling dry flies for about 0.33 USD Thanks, Ted Schepp St. Louis

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My home river has been alternating on a daily basis between running high and muddy and high and clear with an amber tinge. When it is running amber, the fishing is pretty good, but with the heavy flows, traditional dry techniques aren’t productive. In this heavy flowing, colored water, I’ve been having good success with a technique that was shown to me by an old rancher about twenty years ago. The technique is a fun one and is often productive when the trout are reluctant to come up for traditionally fished dries. It’s a technique geared for fishing fast, heavy water. I use it mainly in pocket water, but it also works on the streamside edges of heavy, deep water and in around any obstructions in deep strong runs. The flies I use are a high floating dry with a wet fly or soft hackle on a dropper of about 2 feet. I generally use a dry about two sizes bigger than I normally would and use a fly two sizes smaller than the dry as a dropper. The dropper is optional but will result in more hookups. I’ll describe the technique for a pocket water situation where I mainly use it. Casts can be short or long, but since you can approach fish closely in pocket water, often surprisingly close, and short casts give you much more control, I use casts of under fifteen feet 90% of the time. The only time I use longer casts is when the water is too deep or heavy to get to an area I want to fish. I try to fish an area thoroughly, even spots where there doesn’t appear to be any rocks that could break up the current, but I concentrate the casts to run through any visible areas where larger rocks provide calm water cushions. I generally a cast up and across stream and immediately raise the rod tip to lift all the fly line off the water and get direct contact with the fly.  I then begin dragging and skipping the fly across the current. I vary the action of the fly but the key is lots of action.  When the flies get in a position just below me, I begin maneuvering them through each small pocket I can find.  I skitter them upstream and down, back and forth through any pockets below. This technique will bring good fish to the surface that ignore more placid, traditional techniques. The quick moving flies result in strikes that are aggressive, vicious, slashing, fast, exciting etc. and you will get many more misses than hookups. Setting the hook at the strike usually results in pulling the fly away from the trout. Strikes need to be delayed but because of the tight line, the fish will usually hook themselves. Since there are a large percentage of missed fish with this technique, the feeding locations and holding areas that are revealed, need to be fished again. Since most of these missed strikes, refusals etc. are to the larger, more visible dry, the next thing I do is to try to maneuver the small dropper through the area trying to skip it across the surface. If this doesn’t work, I do a number of traditional drag free drifts through the area, paying close attention for hits on the dropper. This technique is definitely a kick when it’s working.  It elicits strikes from trout more akin to those of a bass or a pike to a popper than a typical sedate sip to a dry. I tend to ignore the technique when the fish are rising to more typical techniques but maybe I shouldn’t. Willi Interesting technique Willi.  I think most of us have used a similar

approach for pocket water, but not with a dropper, and not with a systematic plan.  For me its been an approach used out of necessity at times for fishing pocket water, especially casting over currents or boulders.  I’ll try it next opportunity. Pat K Before you buy.

Response:

My home river has been alternating on a daily basis between running high and muddy and high and clear with an amber tinge. When it is running amber, the fishing is pretty good, but with the heavy flows, traditional dry techniques aren’t productive. In this heavy flowing, colored water, I’ve been having good success with a technique that was shown to me by an old rancher about twenty years ago. The technique is a fun one and is often productive when the trout are reluctant to come up for traditionally fished dries. It’s a technique geared for fishing fast, heavy water. I use it mainly in pocket water, but it also works on the streamside edges of heavy, deep water and in around any obstructions in deep strong runs. The flies I use are a high floating dry with a wet fly or soft hackle on a dropper of about 2 feet. I generally use a dry about two sizes bigger than I normally would and use a fly two sizes smaller than the dry as a dropper. The dropper is optional but will result in more hookups. I’ll describe the technique for a pocket water situation where I mainly use it. Casts can be short or long, but since you can approach fish closely in pocket water, often surprisingly close, and short casts give you much more control, I use casts of under fifteen feet 90% of the time. The only time I use longer casts is when the water is too deep or heavy to get to an area I want to fish. I try to fish an area thoroughly, even spots where there doesn’t appear to be any rocks that could break up the current, but I concentrate the casts to run through any visible areas where larger rocks provide calm water cushions. I generally a cast up and across stream and immediately raise the rod tip to lift all the fly line off the water and get direct contact with the fly.  I then begin dragging and skipping the fly across the current. I vary the action of the fly but the key is lots of action.  When the flies get in a position just below me, I begin maneuvering them through each small pocket I can find.  I skitter them upstream and down, back and forth through any pockets below. This technique will bring good fish to the surface that ignore more placid, traditional techniques. The quick moving flies result in strikes that are aggressive, vicious, slashing, fast, exciting etc. and you will get many more misses than hookups. Setting the hook at the strike usually results in pulling the fly away from the trout. Strikes need to be delayed but because of the tight line, the fish will usually hook themselves. Since there are a large percentage of missed fish with this technique, the feeding locations and holding areas that are revealed, need to be fished again. Since most of these missed strikes, refusals etc. are to the larger, more visible dry, the next thing I do is to try to maneuver the small dropper through the area trying to skip it across the surface. If this doesn’t work, I do a number of traditional drag free drifts through the area, paying close attention for hits on the dropper. This technique is definitely a kick when it’s working.  It elicits strikes from trout more akin to those of a bass or a pike to a popper than a typical sedate sip to a dry. I tend to ignore the technique when the fish are rising to more typical techniques but maybe I shouldn’t. Willi

Response:

Question:

I’m wondering if any of you know what kind of paint is used on pastic baits and where would  you purchse some if you wanted to paint your own.

Response:

Are you holding out on me, Jim? I didn’t know you were using Pastic Baits!!!!!!! Is that a new sponsor?

Response:

Try Jann’s Netcraft or Lurecraft on the net. — The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if any of you know what kind of paint is used on pastic baits and where would  you purchse some if you wanted to paint your own.

Response:

I use airplane model paint  for my bass poppers (the ones with plastic bodies) which I fly fish with. Works well on plastic. Probably would work on metal. So cheap it is probably worth a try unless you get a better suggestion. Regards from Montreal John Brkich

Response:

I use Tester Model Paint it seems to work pretty well FISH-ON FISH-HARD

Response:

Question:

playing the fish I was shocked to discover a Channel Catfish (~3 lbs.) on the end of my line!!  I have never seen a catfish take a fly, but was even more astounded that it had taken a dry fly!!

Thanks for the post David.From another flatlander.I too am adicted to bluegills on a 3-weight.(you can’t have too many good 3-weight rods.)I enjoy taking catfish on my 3-weight rods, but have not been able to figure out how to do it on a more than once in a while basis and then seldom on the surface.My experience is that they are hell  on leaders, but who cares after a 20 minute fight? Big Dale PS My latest 3 weight Scott purchased from E-Bay was delivered by the postman yesterday. I had a good  visit with the postman who is another flyfisherman. Should be on my favorite bluegill pond about daybreak to check out the new rod.

Response:

which I am only able to read. So maybe you can tell us… Which came first?

I am sure Indian Joe will be able to give first hand knowledge to George. God would’nt you like to be a fly on the wall at that event!!!!! Big Dale

Response:

Lurking for 4 years!!??  Man, you must have the patience of a saint to stay out of some of these threads.  This past Tuesday I returned from a 7 day trip to Alaska, to find over 1,000 posts accumulated here on ROFF….I read most of them. (certain people on here are always worth reading)  After reading, it once again became clear to me why I am still here after nearly 5 years, this damned NG is not only enlightening, but entertaining as well.  If you want or need a comparison with a similar to that group too for more than 5 years.  This is a ‘moderated’ group, with the listowner who controls the content, ie: no flame wars, keep the to dress up, put on my Sunday best and behave while I’m there.  Over here, HA!  just amble on in wearing nothing but my boxers and a 3 day it’s just that this motley bunch has much more to offer in the way of entertainment value.  To quote our Mr G…"God, I love this place!" — Frank Church Elkhart, IN USAF  RET.

|Greetings.  I have been lurking in this group for about 4 years, but |have been completely satisfied with just reading the different posts. |Now I am ready to join in the melee with a report of my own. | |Being a flatlander my main quarry is the largemouth bass and the |bluegill, and the other night (after work) I felt the need to bend a |rod.  I went to a local farm pond to catch a few bluegill.  I grabbed |my trusty 3 wt. and the appropriate boxes of flies to go after some |wary bluegill.  I tied on a sponge spider and immediately caught |several bluegill.  I decided to change flies and selected a Madame X |to see if I could entice more bluegill to jump on my line. | |Imagine my surprise when my rod almost came out of my hands.  Before I |knew what was happening my rod was bent over and my pile of slack line |was beginning to disappear!  I knew I had a larger fish and figured it |was a bass.  The problem was I didn’t know how big and whether, or |not, it would break my 1.5 pound tippet.  After 20 minutes, or so, of |playing the fish I was shocked to discover a Channel Catfish (~3 lbs.) |on the end of my line!!  I have never seen a catfish take a fly, but |was even more astounded that it had taken a dry fly!! | |I guess it just goes to show that fly fishing is always an adventure. |BTW, the bluegill action continued until dark once I got over the |shock of catching the catfish. | |David R. Felter |"The mind is like a parachute.  It doesn’t work if it’s not opened." |

Response:

Love it! I have seen and caught catfish on a fly – nymph fished extremely slow on the bottom though.  It is a rare occurrence.

During the whitefly hatch in July and August on the Susquehanna river, catching catfish on drys and emergers is fairly common, although I have never caught one of the big cats I know are in the river when fishing on the surface.  After a while you can tell the difference between a catfish rise and a smallmouth rise and target either species.  The catfish fight more like an old tire – no match for the smallies. Mark Faulkner

Response:

Lurking for 4 years!!??  Man, y

Frank, did ya catch any in AK? –Walt

Response:

I have been using the Madame X tied in black on a size 10 hook in late summer and early fall for the past several years. It is *very* effective on trout from early September until the first hard frost. I think it represents a cricket, but it might just be an attactor. I havn’t tried it on warmwater fish, but I suspect it would be deadly on bass and sunfish. George Adams

Response:

Lurking for 4 years!!??  Man, you must have the patience of a saint to stay out of some of these threads.  

<snipped It has tried my patience occassionally, but two little girls were taking too much of my time to get involved in a good (?) C&R discussion, or whether George was spamming, or fishing has become too high tech, or whether a seperate tying news group is a good idea (going back a couple of years), etc.  :-)     Anyway the girls are older and I have a _little_ more free time to become involved in the discussions.  So watch out!  :-) David R. Felter "The mind is like a parachute.  It doesn’t work if it’s not opened."

Response:

It has tried my patience occassionally, but two little girls were taking too much of my time to get involved in a good (?) C&R discussion, or whether George was spamming, or fishing has become too high tech, or whether a seperate tying news group is a good idea (going back a couple of years), etc.  :-)

You do go back a ways.  The fact that you’re still here should be, well, disturbing to your family and friends. Anyway the girls are older and I have a _little_ more free time to become involved in the discussions.  So watch out!  :-)

I have two girls who were little once, but quite mysteriously have become young women who need to be shielded from certain attorneys in the old north state, lest their hearts be forever captured.  Anyhow, enjoy their presence now for they are too soon gone. Mark Faulkner – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I have two girls who were little once, but quite mysteriously have become young women who need to be shielded from certain attorneys in the old north state, lest their hearts be forever captured.  Anyhow, enjoy their presence now for they are too soon gone. Mark Faulkner

        you know, markey, i meant to talk with you about those little rascals; i mean, where could be the harm in a couple picture exchanges and a few nights reading the advance sheets together…         wayno, who wouldn’t *dare*. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Love it! I have seen and caught catfish on a fly – nymph fished extremely slow on the bottom though.  It is a rare occurrence. Now the important question – What’s the pattern for the MadamX? I know rubberlegs tend to drive Bluegill crazy. — Bill Endicott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings.  I have been lurking in this group for about 4 years, but have been completely satisfied with just reading the different posts. Now I am ready to join in the melee with a report of my own. Being a flatlander my main quarry is the largemouth bass and the bluegill, and the other night (after work) I felt the need to bend a rod.  I went to a local farm pond to catch a few bluegill.  I grabbed my trusty 3 wt. and the appropriate boxes of flies to go after some wary bluegill.  I tied on a sponge spider and immediately caught several bluegill.  I decided to change flies and selected a Madame X to see if I could entice more bluegill to jump on my line. Imagine my surprise when my rod almost came out of my hands.  Before I knew what was happening my rod was bent over and my pile of slack line was beginning to disappear!  I knew I had a larger fish and figured it was a bass.  The problem was I didn’t know how big and whether, or not, it would break my 1.5 pound tippet.  After 20 minutes, or so, of playing the fish I was shocked to discover a Channel Catfish (~3 lbs.) on the end of my line!!  I have never seen a catfish take a fly, but was even more astounded that it had taken a dry fly!! I guess it just goes to show that fly fishing is always an adventure. BTW, the bluegill action continued until dark once I got over the shock of catching the catfish. David R. Felter "The mind is like a parachute.  It doesn’t work if it’s not opened." ______  GREAT!  Thanks for sharing it.  The Madam X was invented by John Foust and I sat right next to him while WE tied it together. He would ask, "What do you think of this?"  And, I’d say, tie it all forward, bring it back to make the head and the wings will explode . . . and he did.  John thought of adding the rubber legs.  Then we later went to the B-52 for the big salmon fly hatch on the Bitterroot.  Yes, John is a marvelous fly tier but I did help him create it, which is of great pride to me.  But John Foust deserves 95% of doing it all by himself.  He sure turned into a pretty good fly fisherman.  I have stories of John that will tickle your funny bone.  His is a funny man and a very smart one also. George — Mr. G. ‘all’s fair with fur or feather’ http://216.55.26.157/vchat/ http://www.gink.com http://www.rodbuilding.com (Bamboo Is Fun) http://www.xink.com 509-243-4100 or 5500

Question:

Hi John, I have been using poppers made by the Accardo Tackle Co., 3708 Conrad Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 for some time. They seem to hold up very well as long as no tooth critter hits it. I have no connection with this company. Jack in Tn.

Response:

I’m amazed nobody responded with the following name (remember it well!): Bob’s Lucky Day Lures in Dumfries, Virginia. This guy typically advertises in one (or more) of the major FF periodicals, and his poppers are BOMBPROOF. In fact, he guarantees them for at least 100 landed fish. He sells a wide range of sizes and styles. The bodies are made of high-quality, closed-cell yellow foam on Daichi hooks. You can literally drive over one of these with your car and they won’t come apart! Email me if you can’t find his ad or number and I’ll dig it up. Scott Wilkinson

Response:

There was a place a few years ago at least out in Colorado I think called "The Bass Shop" or "The Bass Bug" or something like that and it sold a good array of bugs, poppers and etc. Hopefully someone else will update as to the right name and if they are still in business. Nice place.

That would be The Bass Pond – in Denver. I don’t have their phone number or address but I’m sure they’re still in business. They carry quality warm water fly fishing gear.

Response:

We sell Mustad 33903 kink shank popper hooks in sizes 1 to size 14–$5.95 per box of 100 and size 1/0 is $6.35 per box of 100.  We also sell assortment packages we put together ourselves.  This way our customers can get several different sizes without breaking the bank or buying too many of one hook size–they can also tell, pretty quickly, which sizes they will need to eventually purchase in larger quantities. Each 33903 assortment  package is $7.25.  The large sized hook assortment includes 20 each of sizes 1/0, 1, 2, 4, & 6.  The medium sized hook assortment includes 20 each of sizes 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10.  The small sized hook assortment includes 20 each of sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, & 14. We have practically stopped using the foam poppers altogether and have switched to poppers we make using Softex and Flexo tubing.  They are practically indestructible, can be tied in huge variety of sizes and shapes (we also make sliders), and can be colored very effectively with permanent markers.  Because of the versatility of the materials and ability to custom tailor the design, we’ve found them to be hugely productive–even more so than the foam poppers. We sell AirHead (Flexo) Poppers in our mail order catalog, as well as the Flexo tubing and Softex.  We have an introductory package which includes a jar of Softex and 5 yards of assorted sizes of Flexo tubing available for $16.95.  We have a three page brochure and instruction sheet on working with Softex and Flexo we’d be happy to send anyone who is interested. For a free copy of our mail order catalog or information on Softex/Flexo, send us email or call us toll-free at 1-888-200-0364. Lauren Hart Brazos FlyFishers   http://www.brazosflyfishers.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Me too!  I’d really like to find a source of small poppers (size 16 hook preferred, size 14 acceptable), made ON A POPPER HOOK (one or two humps in hook shank to keep body from rotating), cork or plastic body, and with none of those silly, annoying rubber band legs that keep fish from touching "anything sharp" (like the hook).  I haven’t even seen the proper hooks to make my own!  I used to be able to purchase commercially exactly what I’ve described. I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere. —  Custom Internet Applications  John Scherrer/Marketing Specialist  Voice 814-756-4682 Fax 814-756-3416  http://www.cianow.com  "Creating websites that work!"

Response:

Try www.fishypete.com the prices there are a lot lower than most places.

Response:

I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere. —  Custom Internet Applications  John Scherrer/Marketing Specialist  Voice 814-756-4682 Fax 814-756-3416  http://www.cianow.com  "Creating websites that work!"

Response:

I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere.

        There was a place a few years ago at least out in Colorado I think called "The Bass Shop" or "The Bass Bug" or something like that and it sold a good array of bugs, poppers and etc. Hopefully someone else will update as to the right name and if they are still in business. Nice place. Also, you might want to look at getting in touch with the Arbogast Co. out of Ohio I think. They now own the "Hank Roberts" line of stuff, and I’ve always been fairly happy with their bugs, but I don’t think they make foam stuff like you are talking about. I’ve used the foam, but have not really found any bugs that have the right combo of weight, lack of wind resistance, high flotation and etc. for some reason. Maybe have not tried enough? So I use lots of the "Sneaky Pete’s" which are made by ??? (Hank Roberts Co.?) But, one thing I tried a few years ago after reading an article in an old FF mag was to make my own foam poppers. You buy the bass bug hook and then a pair of those stupid semi-hard foam "flip-flops" for your feet at your local K-Mart in whatever color that strikes your fancy. You then cut out the popper body from the sole foam in whatever size/shape you want, cut a slit in the bottom which fits over the hook and Crazy Glue it on. Wind on some hackle in back and maybe a tail or two and that’s it. No need for fancy tying skills. Amazingly, they worked great for me. Just the right combo of weight, high flotation, castability and etc. The only problem I had was with cutting a decent body, or at least one that looked decent to me, but then again as my mother put it years ago when trying to teach me cursive writing, my fine-motor skills need work.         Good luck. tgb

Response:

Me too!  I’d really like to find a source of small poppers (size 16 hook preferred, size 14 acceptable), made ON A POPPER HOOK (one or two humps in hook shank to keep body from rotating), cork or plastic body, and with none of those silly, annoying rubber band legs that keep fish from touching "anything sharp" (like the hook).  I haven’t even seen the proper hooks to make my own!  I used to be able to purchase commercially exactly what I’ve described. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere. —  Custom Internet Applications  John Scherrer/Marketing Specialist  Voice 814-756-4682 Fax 814-756-3416  http://www.cianow.com  "Creating websites that work!"

Response:

I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere. — Custom Internet Applications John Scherrer/Marketing Specialist Voice 814-756-4682 Fax 814-756-3416 http://www.cianow.com "Creating websites that work!"

Hi John, We carry the Umpqua hard bodied poppers that come in Red/white or Frog that have a good Tiemco hook in them for $3.50 and the Spirit River foam poppers that come in Yellow, Black or Green with a quality hook at $2.95. We also carry the Ganes poppers in lots of sizes and colors that are made in the USA with Mustad hooks at about $2.49. I recommend using 0x to 2x tippet on these poppers so you don’t loose them or that giant bass. Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY www.kiene.com

Response:

Generally, unless you are doing  a lot of work for the toothier critters like pike and muskie (or unless you are in the salt…) I think the Gaines products are very adequate for the price.  I fish them in fairly small sizes (6-10) for smallmouth and usually lose the paint job far before I get a disconnect between the body and the hook, and they become useless.  Each one seeoms to be good for about 30-40 bass or 50 direct  hits on boulders, whichever comes first.  I also suspect (but do not know for certain..) that the Gaines poppers are also sold under Cortland’s name, as well as several others.  They are US made in northern Potter county, PA by squadrons of little old ladies with tattoos on their arms and Marsh-Wheelings (the world’s only cigar that the more you smoke it, the longer it gets…) clamped in their teeth..:).  They are good poppers.  

Response:

Me too!  I’d really like to find a source of small poppers (size 16 hook preferred, size 14 acceptable), made ON A POPPER HOOK (one or two humps in hook shank to keep body from rotating), cork or plastic body, and with none of those silly, annoying rubber band legs that keep fish from touching "anything sharp" (like the hook).  I haven’t even seen the proper hooks to

make my own!  I used to

be able to purchase commercially exactly what I’ve described.

I just started tying my own bass poppers and flies using both hard bodies and deer hair.  I’ve been tying my own trout flies for a long time, but bass bug making is a whole new world – maybe in another 10 years I’ll get good at it!  :-)     You can get the hooks you mentioned from the Hook & Hackle Company. ‘Sorry, I’m at work and don’t have their catalog in front of me, but they are a big outfit and shouldn’t be hard to find….  They also carry pre-formed cork bodies, paint, and everything else you need to get started.  The hard (cork) bodied poppers are not difficult to tie, and would be a good place to start.  Try getting Dick Stewart’s book, which is entitled something like _Tying Bass Flies_.  The title may be off, but it’s the best book on the subject I have found.  Spinning and working with deer hair is a bit difficult to master, but if you already tie deer hair bodies trout flies, (like Muddler Minnows, Adams Irresistibles, etc.), you’ll have a head start.  Actually, these patterns also make good bass flies when tied in really large sizes. I am so sick and tired of cheap poppers that don’t float and/or fall apart after catching a few fish. Does A N Y B O D Y know of a catalog or web site with a good selection of quality poppers? I’ve read in articles about these new foam poppers that float well and are durable. They are on the high end, 3 or 4 bucks a piece, but I’d love to try some…can’t find them anywhere. —  Custom Internet Applications  John Scherrer/Marketing Specialist  Voice 814-756-4682 Fax 814-756-3416  http://www.cianow.com  "Creating websites that work!"

  ‘Hope this helps.   Cheers, and tight lines,   -Mark

Response:

Question:

I have wrapped 5-6 fly rods duringh the last year. On  the first rod I applied color preserver that came with the( Seymo) 2-part epoxy set for the thread wraps. The result was not good – probably because I had nott managed to apply the color preserver evenly over the entire wraps. for my next rods I did not use any color preserver – just the epoxy and the result is much nicer. The color of the thread darkens somewhat, but I know it in advance and it is no problem at all. My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping. Information/opinnions welcomed! Regards jJan Erik Frithjofsen

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have wrapped 5-6 fly rods duringh the last year. On  the first rod I applied color preserver that came with the( Seymo) 2-part epoxy set for the thread wraps. The result was not good – probably because I had nott managed to apply the color preserver evenly over the entire wraps. for my next rods I did not use any color preserver – just the epoxy and the result is much nicer. The color of the thread darkens somewhat, but I know it in advance and it is no problem at all. My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping. Information/opinnions welcomed! Regards jJan Erik Frithjofsen

I have found the same thing—-I don’t use it. KNACK TEXAS

Response:

 Some threads need color preserver, if not used the color will change. Gudebrod has winding thread that is color fast.

Response:

<snip for my next rods I did not use any color preserver – just the epoxy and the result is much nicer. The color of the thread darkens somewhat, but I know it in advance and it is no problem at all. My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping.

I never worry about the colour of my whippings, some of my rods have three or four different colours on em. Most important is to make them as dull as possible, if a rod is brightly finished matt brown paint will kill the reflections nicely.  I always feel uncomfortable using a rod which flashes when I cast, the only exception being the rods I use night fishing. A side effect of the dull paint jobs is that my tackle is less attractive to thieves Tight lines, —

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have wrapped 5-6 fly rods duringh the last year. On  the first rod I applied color preserver that came with the( Seymo) 2-part epoxy set for the thread wraps. The result was not good – probably because I had nott managed to apply the color preserver evenly over the entire wraps. for my next rods I did not use any color preserver – just the epoxy and the result is much nicer. The color of the thread darkens somewhat, but I know it in advance and it is no problem at all. My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping. Information/opinnions welcomed! Regards jJan Erik Frithjofsen

Hi Erik, If you are wrapping a rod with red, white and blue threads and it is not NCP(no color preserver) thread you will have a noticeable change in your colors if you do not use color preserver. Most fly rods today are wrapped with shades that match the color of the blanks more closely than that of the salt water conventional rods for example. Your finish will penetrate the thread better without color preserver. Threads usually darken and appear more translucent without color preserver. I would say that Jan/Feb is the peak of the rod building season in North American.   Bill Kiene Kiene’s Fly Shop Sacramento,CA,USA 800/4000FLY

Response:

Frithjofsen) writes:  *SNIP*

My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of

modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping.

Color preserver has never been necessary to the functionality or durability of the rod. It was (and is) a cosmetic feature.  It coats the wraps without changing their color, and then when you varnish or epoxy these wraps, the varnish or epoxy never touches the wraps to change their color, but coats and bonds the color preserver to the blank.  There has been an on-going controversy over whether or not this is as durable as using varnish or epoxy without color preserver.  Without color preserver the varnish/epoxy penetrates the thread and bonds it directly to the blank.  With color preserver it coats the preserver but does not penetrate the thread. Varnish/epoxy without color preserver usually darkens the color of the wrap. At the Orvis store in SF we used to have a section of a blank wrapped with all the colors we sold and varnished with 4 coats of Gudebrod’s Glass Rod Varnish (Polyurethane based varnish) which gave the same finish as that on the Orvis premium rods.  All of the colors (Gudebrod thread) were darkened, some more than others.  Bright red became dark red, light brown turned a dark milk-chocolate in color.  2 coats of epoxy would be comparable (although much higher build) and is the industry standard.  Was handy to show people what the final color would look like.  Don’t know if it’s still around since the rod building supplies are no longer carried in the Orvis SF store and I am no longer there.   They can still be ordered, but little if any are in stock. The main reason color preservers became popular was for all the decorative wrapping done on conventional spin/baitcasting/boat rod equipment.                                    Good Fishing (and finishing),                                               Dan Dan Gracia Orvis West Coast Fly Fishing Schools

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have wrapped 5-6 fly rods duringh the last year. On  the first rod I applied color preserver that came with the( Seymo) 2-part epoxy set for the thread wraps. The result was not good – probably because I had nott managed to apply the color preserver evenly over the entire wraps. for my next rods I did not use any color preserver – just the epoxy and the result is much nicer. The color of the thread darkens somewhat, but I know it in advance and it is no problem at all. My thory is that color preserver may have been necessary for older types of wrapping  thread with properties different from those of modern  threads, but today it is superfluous for normal wrapping. Information/opinnions welcomed! Regards jJan Erik Frithjofsen

I continue to use color preserver for 2 reasons.  First,  I want predictability in the finished colors of my wraps. Second, I have had occasion to wear out and need to replace guides.  If you allow the epoxy to soak through the un-preserved threads, it is a holy bitch to get the blank cleaned up to replace the wrap.  Threads that have been treated with color preserver come right off and you can clean up the wrap area with a single edged razor blade pretty easily.   — Andrew Brunette

Response:

Question:

We need your contributions to a new website for Mid-Atlantic flyfishers! I live in Bethesda, MD, right next to the Potomac River. I am an avid smallmouth/blugill flyfisherman, but I also enjoy fishing for trout. Like many of you, I’m feeling the Spring urge to start fishing again. Nobody likes their favorite fishing spots given away or mobbed. Having said that, there is enough good water to fish in the Mid-Atlantic area for us to share some information. To that end, I have published a website solely for purposes of exchanging information. (I do this sort of thing for a living.) I have absolutely no other interest than, like you, to know where conditions are good, where fish are caught, etc. The website is up and running now. Here is the URL: http://www.erols.com/sierra1/flyfish/midfly.htm The site isn’t fancy, but contains quality information based on first-hand knowledge. My goal is to make this site timely and functional. It will improve over time, and I will update it every time I receive information. All I ask is that you send me a brief message—at your convenience—with a few words on conditions in your area, a recent outing, successful fly patterns…or anything else that might be of use to us all. You’re welcome to give me a call too. I’ll post my home phone number below. Please take a look at the site. It is divided into areas for Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. There are also areas for fly patterns and stories or anecdotes. I’m committed to doing the work on my end. The site’s success will be determined by your willingness to contribute info, trip reports, etc. Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you! Scott Wilkinson Bethesda, MD h: (301) 229-2863 w: (301) 229-9585 f: (301) 320-6154 Mid-Atlantic Flyfishing page: http://www.erols.com/sierra1/flyfish/midfly.htm

Response: