jhammer

Well, my "Old Reliable" Scientific Anglers 6wt rod has been nearing retirement for a while after 16 great years of service. I've done my homework and research and decided on a replacement rod. I didn't want a rod that was going to break the bank, but I wanted something that is of good quality, so I ended up purchasing a 9' 6wt Echo Solo rod. They look good and I've heard lots of great things about them. I've heard great things about Echo in general. Anyone here have any experience with an Echo Solo? The best part is the warranty, which may come in handy for the kind of fly fishing I do.

+1 for foam flies. I've nailed many bass on foam panfish flies.

My hook range is pretty short. I've tied size 3/0 pike flies to size 14 panfish bugs.

When I first got into them, I used size 8 woolly buggers in rust brown, olive, and black. I've caught a lot of carp on buggers. (Plus, everything else eats them.) I've tied and fished with all kinds of carp flies and sometimes, the bugger still comes back to save the day.

I would recommend getting a good name brand line right out of the box. I've made the mistake of getting bargain lines from the big-chain outdoor stores. "It's made by so-and-so." I thought it was a good idea. Until I started casting. I don't advertise, but I stick with SA and Rio. Climax makes a decent line too. I slapped one on my 8wt and did a few practice casts and liked the results.

My normal is..."The sun got in my eyes" My brother lives out west and actually had a guy on the river tell him there was a great Adams hatch going on. He about fell over laughing !!! M son likes to blame the tress when in reality he didn't look at his surroundings, he had tunnel vision directed at the feeding fish LOL.... Paul About once every outing, I make that perfectly executed cast we all dream of and admire. I take my perfect loops and cast them beautifully....right into an oak tree. "..I tripped over a rock" is another one of mine.

Good looking smallies!

I have them on a couple furled leaders and I've noticed nothing that impedes the leader. No hinging, etc.

I've used the wind excuse many times when I've fudged a cast.

Looks like your carp is a grass carp. Nice catch! They can be pretty tricky to fool sometimes! I've had lots of fish fight all kinds of ways. I've caught bluegill that fought harder than any bass, and I've caught pike that fought like a wet noodle. I guess it depends on their mood.

Howdy all! I took advantage of the beautiful weather and decided to go out to the ponds yesterday. I went out two different times. I went with my wife's grandpa early in the afternoon, and then by myself in the evening. The first time out, I took my 6wt because it looked a little windy and I managed 8 fish on size 10 foam spiders. Then, I returned with my 2wt and caught 10 more fish on foam spiders. It was nice and calm and fish were hitting on nearly every cast. I even had a big grass carp staring at the spider. I'm certainly a believer in UL fly fishing because every time I've taken out the 2wt, I've had a blast. It's more fun than throwing my big clunky 8wt around for carp. That's for sure.

If by some chance it's an old silk line, you may be able to put some new life back into it. However, it's most likely be a modern plastic line. If it's been stored well, it may cast fairly decent, but a new line would probably be a good idea.

I use small woolly buggers and streamers and I just cast them wherever looks good. I've done it that way for years and have always done well. If the creek has a little more current, I'll throw in a mend or two to help the fly get down and then I'll start retrieving it.

I always use an Albright Knot.

I don't have much to add than what has already been said. I'm sorry to hear about the seizures. Besides what other problems I have, I also have epilepsy. I know all too well what you're going through. Seizures are no fun. I started having seizures out of nowhere in 2009. My family hates seeing me have a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure because they are very scary.

My vote is a toss-up between TFO and Echo rods. Great performance and value.

I've nabbed a few nice bass on big old woolly buggers too. +1 on rattles though. I've added rattles or Wapsi prop blades to various flies and my murky water catch rate soared.

Those lines don't shoot worth a darn and they're too light. Mine had a sinking problem and it didn't load the rod at all. I got mine back in 2006 just to have as a beater rod for my truck. If I remember correctly, I believe I put a lower end ($30) Scientific Anglers WF line on it. It didn't cast as efficiently or as pretty as my nice rods, but it got the job done. I also caught more fish on it than any of my other rods.

A new line would definitely help. Any WF or DT line is better than a level line. I bought a K-Mart Shakespeare combo to keep in my truck and it had line just like that. You'd be surprised what a decent line can do for your casting.

+1 for the Shannon Streamer. I was just going to say that.

My vote is for the non-slip loop knot. I always use that one. Except when I went out today, I couldn't remember how to tie it. So, I used an Orvis knot.

The reel came today and I messed around with the combo for a while. The LL Bean Pocket Water reel matches the rod perfectly. The rod itself is a very nice rod considering the price tag. The cork grip doesn't have much filler at all like it's brethren in the price range. The lightweight machined reel gives the rod a great balance point and fits like a glove. It's nasty out and I need to still get some line, backing, and a leader to do some actual casting. I did do some gentle and careful casting motions and I'm certain that the little combo will cast beautifully. When my hooks and crazy legs get here, I'll be busy whipping up some foam bugs.

If only they made size 44 hooks and microscopic chenille..... I'm sorry, I had to. The only way I've heard of catching asian carp is by netting them or using a bowfishing outfit. I know some buffalo and other sucker species are filter feeders (I think) and they can be caught. I may be mistaken too.

Well, as an early birthday present to me, I bought a LaCrosse Custom 7 foot 2wt rod and an LL Bean Pocket Water reel to harass some panfish this spring. I'll post some pictures when they arrive. The Pocket Water reel seemed like a "reel" bargain. Free shipping, 15% off, and the reel is machined! Next up, an 11wt rod to harass some 40+lb shovelheads!

Have you tried Flexament or Pliobond? I've had good luck with those two.