HomerJ

I use an Ultrafire flashlight to "set" the resin, then place in full sunshine for a few minutes for a better cure. Works like a charm for me.

Ditz, Salamanders are a great thing to use during the LMB spawn/pre-spawn. The theory I've heard is that the salamanders go after the eggs in the nest, so the nesting LMB will attack them with a vengeance. I will be using both my 8wt fly rod and my old baitcaster (I'm not confident enough to be a purist at this point). I just want to have something a little different than what you can pick up at the local Wally World.

These are my first 2 attempts. One is zonker strip, the other is EP Fiber. The tail of the synthetic one is bound worth flexible u/v cute epoxy. I've not posted a pic before. Hope this comes out right....

Sorry for the long absence. My phone blew up on me and I'm just getting back to this. First, a little clarification. This is not a big, industrial tournament. It's a Kayak fishing tournament being put on by a local Kayak shop. They took some of the common rules of other tournaments and used the ones that made sense for this one. I have gone back to the Kayak shop (along with a couple of fellow fly fishing friends) and we have a verbal approval to use feathers and fur in our flies. I have 5 weeks to get my flies and yak ready. This will be my first Kayak fishing tournament, not to mention only my second fishing tournament of any kind. Being the realist that I am, I have no expectation of winning. I do, however, expect to have a blast! Thanks to all for the input. This board is a great resource!

Haven't thought of using that for flies - besides for legs, of course. How do you use them? I checked at the local Jo Ann, but didn't find any. Looked like they are closing out the Paton stuff.

I did ask for clarification, but was told that synthetic material should be used. I will probably go back again and plead my case. I would have to agree with Capt Ken. I would get a clarification on that ruling. I would assume they are talking more in the realm of like a live or part of s once alive shad or something to that effect. Steve I think the same. I talked to one of the organizers of the tournament and specifically mentioned rabbit skin and feathers, but was still told to stick to synthetics. I think if I mention that balsa wood, squirrel tail and buck tail are used in a lot of "artificial" lures, that might make them reconsider. Where can I find that chenille? I made one up from EP fiber, but it's not real pretty. I used some flexible UV-cure epoxy to keep the tail's shape. Dumbbell eyes tied on clouser-style to make the hook point ride up. I'll post a pic when I get a chance to take one. Thanks to all for the input!

I'll have to give the craft fur a try. Thanks for the tip!

I'm planning to do a largemouth bass tournament in a couple of months. I purchased all the materials to tie up a salamander (rabbit zonker, hooks, rubber legs, etc), but it turns out that the rules are kinda goofy. One rule states that lures cannot be made with or from any living organism. Rather than go to battle over other things such as commercial lures made of wood or with buck tail or squirrel tail skirts, I'm looking for synthetic alternatives to the zonker strips. Right now, my thought is to tie an articulated pattern with either lead-free wire or dumbbell eyes. Anyone got suggestions for the rabbit replacement?

What product(s) are you curing with that light? I was thinking of trying that with the solarez stuff.

For me, it's the wildlife. I may drive 3-4 hours and not catch a single fish, but if I see deer, eagles, osprey, blue herons, kingfishers, otters, beaver, etc - that's a great day.

Same for me.