BigBrownTrout

Great tie. I especially like the proportions on the Golden Stone. Thanks for sharing.

I vote for TFO. Personal preference. I guess casting them is the best way to figure out which one is YOUR favorite.

I've got three kids no grandchildren for at least another 10 years I hope. Two girls and a boy. 9, 11, 14.

I do get the same head first diving on my minnow patterns with a CCG head. Unfortunately, I can't give you a direct correlation between the two as I don't have 2 identical flies with epoxy on one and CCG on the other. I can say that in this application I've been sticking with CCG mostly due to ease of use. Since CCG is not as hard as epoxy when cured I would guess that epoxy weighs a little more, but that is just a guess.

This could be what you are talking about. I got one and like it for stripping full sink lines. http://www.troutsflyfishing.com/store/fishing-accessories/stripee-finger-guard.html

Great ties Fred. Nicely done!

I've been using essentially the same flies for a while now and they have treated me right as well. Nice ties.

I definitely agree that casting them is the only way to decide what rod is best for you. I do own 4 TFO's and very familiar with 5 of their lines, so I might be able to provide some info to assist in your decision. First it would depend on what you plan to do with the rod. Besides from the BVK (I don't have the experience to say one way or another)I've spent a lot of time with the Clouser and the Axiom in a 7wt. Both rods are great, different in how the action responds when casting. The Axiom, TiCR and TiCrX are all fast action rods where the Clouser IMO is more of a mid flex rod with a stiffer tip. When it comes to sinking lines and big bugs the Clouser rod handles those better as that is exactly what it is designed to do. I also like all three of the other models mentioned. Each is a little different and should be left to personal preference. Keep in mind this is just one opinion from one angler. The choice is yours.

I'd say its' a personal preference. I fish both a 7wt and a 8wt and I would choose the 8wt if just one rod for those species. I would also get a rod with a softer mid section versus a fast action rod for throwing the big flies. Again personal preference. Let us know what works best for YOU.

I would get the Rio Mainstream as you mentioned or the Deep 3, which will be my next full sink line. There are a lot of other options out there, but I'm a Rio guy myself. I have been hearing good things about the Gallup Streamer Express sink tip with the 50 foot head on it.

I use it for heads and such and it is always tacky; like a magnet for marabou. I don't cover it with Sally's as I don't think it makes a difference once wet. When it comes to covering a surface on poppers or the like epoxy can't be replaced. The finish is more even and harder with epoxy. Each product has it's place. Yeah, what Kirk said. T

I will use either a 25lb heavy mono or 50lb braid depending on how much structure (connection stiffness) I want in the fly. I don't use any beads between the front and back hooks. I never add weight to the rear portion of the fly to maximize movement.

Get the Rio Deep 7. I fish that line on my 7wt for everything from lakes to rivers. I can fish it efficiently in as little as a foot of water. The Deep 6 is a good choice as well.

Most of my carp flies are crayfish variations I tie often with a split tail and soft hackle. Some of my best producers of better known flies are: Clouser's Foxee Red Minnow Clouser's Swimming Nymph Backstabber Hair's Ear

I will use Scotch Guard on my foam flies before fishing. It helps keep them clean and floating much longer than anything else I've tried.

As long as I can change size and color, the Wooly Bugger is one of the most versatile flies. It can be a nymph, dry, or a streamer. In the right size and color you can always trim it on the water to emulate most bugs.

I've averaged about 100 days a year for several years. A majority of the days are for trout, but I also fish for everything that breaths water.

Welcome to the board. As a new fly tyer I couldn't think of a better place to get quality information and help. I look forward to seeing some of your work.

I couldn't imagine using a sink tip on a 5 wt rod, but that's just me. I prefer to fish a full sink line versus the sink tip. There is more direct contact with the fly versus having part of you line floating than an angle at the start of the sink tip. Just my observations from fishing both types. I would consider??? a 200 grain full sink line if it was up to me. The only way to find out what you prefer is to fish them (or at least cast them) and see what feels right with your setup.

I'm also a big TFO fan. I have 4 of their rods and love all of them. The Sage collects dust and rarely sees the water anymore. My go to rod for the types of fishing your describing is the Professional Series @ $150, specifically the 9'6" 5wt, 4pc. That is just what I prefer. Cast them and find out which one works best for you and your style.

This is most likely NOT the "approved" methd for spinning with EP fiber but it works for me....... also I am not a big fan of EP fiber for the price point reason.... I prefer congo hair. Simply make a ubbing loop, fill it with Ep fiber cut to a little longer than desidred length (so it can be trimmed) then after spinning the loop make sure to pick it out really well. Spin the loop onto the hook keeping the wraps as close together as possible, then pack with a hair stacker. Thus far I have had very good success with this method and because all my friends call me the dubbing loop king (a crown I wear proudly) it's rather simple and quick for me to accomplish. The amout of material you put in the loop is important.... not enough and you get a veil... as of yet I'm not too sure you can put too much into the loop as long as it will twist wthout breaking the thread (UTC 210 or 280 denier is what I use, with favor to the 280). The packing at the end is important to make sure that it's all as tight as possible, if need be you can always add in another small loop to finish filling the hook shank. If you have any more questions feel free to ask as I am always willing to throw out my ideas and thoughts. Steve I use a very similar technique with Widow's Web and a dubbing loop to form large heads for moving water. I've found Window's Web to be just stiff enough to hold it's shape while being stripped, jerked, etc.

I like them. Spring can't get here soon enough.

That's an Edgin hair stacker. I use that same one and one larger than that from the same company. Solid Brass. The best I've used. I heard they are no longer making the larger versions.

I have one used mostly as a journal. The link is in my signature.

I've always said I was going to start a journal and have tried many things like spreadsheets for tracking data. For now I'm sticking with my blog to track most things found in a fishing journal. I'm hoping in time I can look back and have something valuable. Only time will tell.