troutsmasher

What does it taste like?

Crotalus, very well done, those look like absolute killers. I'm guessing by the profile that the top one is articulated as well? Hollow tie?

Hilarious! Sir, I exercise proper technique so I don't lose large fish because of hook failure. You obviously cannot grasp this concept, so I won't elaborate. Happy new year and tight lines to you!

Bassmouth, not bad at all.....way better than my first tries! I still have my first attempt at a mouse pattern....let's just say it's not picture worthy

Hook cost isn't trivial if you tie every day, the difference can be hundreds of dollars at the end of the year. Fact is, they aren't going to catch any more fish than a cheap hook that's just as sticky. If you straighten hooks a lot, then by all means spend the extra money for the premium forged hooks, but don't blame the hook when the problem is operator error.

Exactly ^^^ your tippet, drag, and rod pressure should all be matched to the hook. Straightening the hooks shouldn't be a concern unless you are after big game. I wouldn't go cheap on saltwater hooks but for the most part the answer is no. The main problem with cheap hooks is the eyes. I had some real shit packs of U series scud hooks. Some shanks were bent sideways, most eyes were crooked or not closed all the way, and some didn't even have an eye bent into them at all. This could have been isolated to one shipment at that shop but I will never buy them again.

I'm sure this will fudge a few huggies but in the spirit of contribution......I have found that when fish are feeding heavily on crayfish they will hit anything that moves. I throw minnow patterns during these times and a good friend of mine skates divers and we both catch a lot of fish this way. As tyers we feel the need to make the fly look as realistic as possible, but unless you are casting out and letting it sit still on the bottom like bait this is not necessary. Suggestive patterns in my experience will always outfish imitative patterns. Like many I'm sure, I have spent an hour tying a lifelike crayfish only to lose it to a rock before ever sticking a fish on it. Lesson learned. Brown buggers with black dumbbell eyes are a simple tie and effective in a variety of conditions. A friend I fish with also has success with the rabbit strip claw patterns. The point is don't get carried away with the realism if the goal is to catch fish.

after you, sweetheart.

Kirk those look great, I bet they would drive the pike nuts around here!

$950 for a vise?! Are you kidding? For that price the thing better tie flies on it's own....and make dinner when it's done!

Wow beautiful flies everyone. I especially like the blend you've mixed for the thorax on that caddis pattern, Carl.

Rob, it's easy to over-think these things at the vise. Just keep in mind that fish don't care how the hackle looks. They'll willingly take a bite of the ugliest bugger you could possibly tie.

Using wire instead of flashabou will help you trap less fibers. Also make sure you are countering the direction of the hackle wraps.

Nice ties toothy, those will drive the pike nuts!! Make sure you tie one or two that are all black. ditz is right, you can't have too much flash when chasing pike. I don't know anything about musky though. As far as the size is concerned, #8 is a bit small, I don't go smaller than a #4, and I typically use #1 up to #2/0. Don't worry though, I have hooked them on 12's and 14's, even size 18 midges so don't let the hook size throw you off. Are you tying for next season? Our lakes here in Colorado are starting to ice up.

Nice dragon pattern Carson, I bet that drives the bass crazy. JS is right, a tiny swivel would be your best bet. Also, try to keep false casts to a minimum. I tend to false cast way too much when I'm fishing dries (to shed water), and it's unnecessary with most foam flies. Do you guys think a loop knot would make a difference?....that's something I've always pondered but never put to the test.

hey piker20, the fly used is called a Barely Legal http://www.slideinn.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=592

Hey guys, thought I'd throw in my thoughts here... Fly foam is an easy way to tie a round egg. Also makes a nice core for a nuke egg. Pompoms I really didn't like but would work in a pinch and you can get a bunch of bright colors for $1 I prefer yarn because of it's translucent properties, and the fish agree.

petter those are great, love the biot body on the spinner... one question, on the emerger: what did you use for the abdomen? the segmentation looks great i haven't been here for long, but all your ties look top shelf! :punk:

wow! fred those are blowing my mind right now. do you fish these or are they just for show? :punk:

thanks for checking it out i'm really stoked about this pattern....what's an SBS?

the bugger hackle stands it up a bit, i tried some feathers for claws first but it didn't look right, so i went with crawdad orange squirrel strips i can't wait to chuck these at some carp this summer!!! any suggestions? much appreciated! :punk:

thanks guys, i turned a couple more last night, but i'm not satisfied enough to roll dozens of them yet.......oh well, plenty of time til spring! kemp the body is vinyl rib, the segementation comes from the thread underneath, start with a white base, then use dark brown/black thread for the dark bands anybody have any ideas for the legs? in the past marabou has worked fine but i'd like to try something more realistic

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I resized the images, didn't realize they were 5mb.... They looked oily through the bag, that's what got me interested...I've had these for years and never knew what to use them for. Assuming they are some kind of chicken, are they useless? I'll take another look at them tonight

Thinking towards spring, a writhing damsel nymph was in order. This is hot off the vise this morning, only had time to do one.... I will turn a few prettier ones tonight and try to post them tomorrow...

Anybody know what these are? Looks to be around a size 10, pretty soft