mikechell

Piker20's number two answer was always my problem. I didn't realize it for a while. I'd be most of the the way through a fly pattern and the thread would snap. Only after really paying attention to what I was doing did I realize just how easy it is to rip the thread as it passes the hook point.

I'm thinking of a new pattern even as I type ... Is there a common name for a "chironomid"? It looked like a mosquito when it popped out. How large is this bug?

Looks like I'll have some time at home after all. I'll give it a shot, too. Count me in.

This was on the side window of my van, here in central Florida, last weekend, Sept. 23rd. I don't know what it is, some sort of may fly ... I think I saw this referred to as a " Hexagenia limbata".

Larger feathers and biots ... I use for certain tails, like:

Terry, you might be referring to my post about a Sphynx Moth fly ... a was joking. But if the fly represents an insect that's not been imitated before, then I'd think it qualifies as a "new fly". If you look at all the flies tied over the past couple of centuries, I suppose there's NO SUCH THING as a "new" fly, only variations on previous patterns. But as you mentioned, there are so many new materials, and so many insects that have yet to be presented. By that same ideology, there's no such thing as new music, only variations on previously composed musical compositions. I mean, how many pleasant ways can you string together 8 notes of an octave?

there are some good grommet setting systems too. instead of unsightly duct tape, brass grommets.

There you go again, putting a hook through an actual bug and pretending you tied it !!! Your realistics are amazing ... this is one of the best.

Someone was asking about moth patterns a while ago. I think, with the larger wings and the extra hackle, you might have a Gman's Fanwinged Sphynx Moth ... you might have invented a new fly!!!

Hard to turn down free ... PM on the way. You sure you don't want shipping fees or anything?

Unlike most fish that can starve themselves out of existence by clearing the food sources out (also a common problem when hunting restrictions allow deer populations to get too large) Asian Carp actually help their food source by eating more. Filter feeders are just fine with algae blooms, which become more abundant when there's more ... crap ... in the water. Fecal matter, vegetation, dead fish, fertilizers from nice green yards or anything else that produces nutrients help support the algae ... and the carp keep on keepin' on.

Good SBS. Great looking noise maker. Are those "Magic Heads" readily available. Sorry, I have to ask since so far, I've not seen them in any fly shop I've visited. I didn't know they existed, and wasn't looking for them, so I can't say they weren't there ... Anyway, I like that pattern. Did you catch any Giant Snakeheads .... and take pictures ???

Sometimes I wish I was a girl ... that way, I could say, "Eewwww, that bug's gross!!!" Or, "Eeeeek! Somebody kill that thing!!!" But I ain't a girl, and that is another example of really great skill at duplicating natures oddities. Beautifully done, Wolf.

This is Pat Cohen's blog http://gotbronze.blogspot.com ... he ties some amazing flies, and sells commercially on RuSuperFly.com. You need to check out his "punks of the past" photos. I don't have a blog ... I don't even desire to be that "connected" to the rest of the world.

Steve, I think you are misunderstanding the "cast farther for big fish" statement. It doesn't mean you have to cast farther away from shore. Even if you are paralleling the shore and making cast to the weed line, you still stand a better chance of not spooking that big fish if you can drop a fly to it way down the bank where the fish can't see you waving a stick in the air.

Anthropomrphizing ... that's what it's called when we think animals are like us. Anybody who loves their dog or cat like a child is doing it. And I am one of those people, usually. My Wife is worse, and her motto is, "There's no reason to have a pet if you aren't going to spoil it!" But this has it's good side and bad side. The good side, we feel closer to our little four legged people. The bad side, we think they feel the same emotions we do ... they DO NOT! Well, there are two things from the bad side with your case, Switch. 1. If Jolie isn't tearing up the house when you leave her home, then she's content to have you out of sight and you don't need to "Feel bad" about leaving her home. If she is tearing up the house, then you are not the pack leader and she's letting you know that. 2. If you cannot stop her behavior while stream side, again, you are not the pack leader and she's in control. Dogs are pack animals ... and there WILL be a pack leader in the pack. If it's not you, then it's her ... period. Most people really would benefit from a session or two with a true dog trainer ... one who knows how to train THE OWNER, not the dog. The owner needs to learn how to be the leader of the pack. Treats and clickers are "conditioning" ... you need to teach her that you are the alpha, then she'll do whatever you want.

The first time I did it, I completed the knot on my pants leg while in a sitting position. It's actually easier if you are standing or kneeling, because the wraps of the cinch knot are completed by swinging the weight of the hackle pliers around the line from the rod. I have video capability on the camera I am using, but I don't have sound or a way to properly "stay in frame". Here's the step by step with the pictures: 1. I am using braid for visual clarity. With the hook in the pad, or held in place with pliers, thread the line through the eye. 2. Release the hook and grab the tag end of the line with the pliers. 3. Grab the hook with thumb and pointer finger. With middle and ring fingers, make a loop in the line and hold it large enough to pass the pliers through. 4. With the line tight ... I sat on it so it was tight while being straight vertical ... swing the weight of the hackle pliers around the line 6 times. 5. and 6. With your middle and ring fingers, grab thehackle pliers and pull them through the loop, drop the hook to complete thepass. 7. and 8. Admittedly, this was the tricky part, you mighthave to hook the fly to the rod handle or fly pad to get the knot to tighten,but then it's finished. I hope this makes it easier to understand. I was able to tie the knot a couple of times, just to prove it to myself before I did the pictures. Then I did the pictures on a file folder in my lap. This knot can be done one handed and after acouple of times, it's rather easy to do.

Yeah, we have paint for Revell models. Cars, trucks ... tanks? You have a war collection Obi? LOL The paints available for models is extensive and to be honest, I completely forgot about them. I will probably head to my local hobby shop to look for some colors this afternoon. I got caught up in the craze for fingernail polishes ... does that mean I am into cross-painting?

I am just going to show the pictures. I just tied the fly on the line one handed, to see if it could be done. I am way past my bedtime and ready to sleep! Tomorrow, I will post directions if the pictures aren't clear enough. All you need is a hackle pliers and some patience.

I am just waiting for the fish. I am really into ... color ... and your design, although interesting, is just too (as I noted earlier) monochromatic at the moment. Since I've never put such effort into an aquarium, I am assuming you know MUCH more about what you are doing, and aiming for, than I. So ... I am still eagerly awaiting the completed project, hoping the color will be provided. Truly, it IS an interesting project. And truly, I AM eager to see where it ends.

Hard to see them ... your pictures open up too large. But from here, they look cool !!! I like the double [foam?] head. I'll bet those make some noise diving under the surface. I am waiting to hear if they perform like you want ... If they do, I'll be looking for the SBS.

Yeah, stove top was definitely high on the imagination chart. If you have a rotary vice, there's always the party method. Get an end of the thread started ... loosen up the vice so it will rotate as easily as possible ... then pull on the string sharply. This will unwrap the thread, and flip tying materials around like confetti. Add a drink and you have a miniature party !!! Wheeeeeeee !!!

Very interesting. I will reserve further comment until completely finished.

Piker20, Maybe I am just a dummy. Maybe you have to speak German. Maybe I am not putting the correct inflection on the words, but ... huh??? Before you answer, I do believe that if you have to explain the joke, it loses it's appeal, so I am not expecting an explanation.

Still playing with foam popper designs. Came up with a cricket look, with chenille, biots, rubber legs and black foam. I am going to try one with no finish, and one with Hard-as-Nails. PS ... I am not done coating the finished one.