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Fly Tying

epzamora

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Posts posted by epzamora

  1. Posted · Report reply

    I've packed in my waders at times. I have an older pair of Orvis Pro Guide IIs (I think) and they have 3 layer construction in some areas, 5 layers in others. Someday i'd like to get a pair of lightweight waders for less bulk, or even wading pants. But the current waders will fit in my 40 liter REI day pack, with the boots tied on outside, each boot hanging on each side of the pack, not in back, tied together with their laces. If BOA laced, i'm sure you could come up with a method still i imagine, try using carabiners.

     

    My boots are rubber soled, and much better than my old pair of felt soled waders. For walk-ins under 2 miles, i'll just wear the boots, pack the waders, or wear both. anything longer, i'm hiking in my hiking shoes.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    Email is so convenient for us as consumers. We could be surfing/researching late at night and pop an email over to whichever company we're trying to reach.

     

    On the other hand, many companies have been downsized over the years and it's a struggle to reach the level of service and attention than before. I have colleagues, who upon glancing, have 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 unread email in their inbox. because email is so easy, people get swamped. and some of it is simply spam. i'm not justifying it, but showing there are other reasons out of their control.

     

    in the end, a phone call is always best.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  4. Posted · Report reply

     

     

    Yeah. I won't even consider buying a factory built rod anymore.

     

     

    I'm with you on that. Except for a Cabelas CGR on deep discount last year, I'm all about wrapping my own, and now tying my own flies. That's a very nice build, love the color and hardware choices. Grip shape, DL reel seat, thread, etc. I need to jump at some of the offerings Matt has over at Proof. He's got some nice options for cork grips. I wonder how nice the quality is on those.

     

    So you weren't impressed with the rod initially? what was wrong?

     

     

    eric/fresno, ca.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    it seems like most of these material suggestions are for subsurface flies. fantastic. most successful method. if you're fishing in the mountains for trout, you could throw in a $4 clump of elk hair too. that and thread will make you elk hair caddis flies, my most successful dry fly in the california sierra

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    If you needed to save money, and since you have a White River rod, which is a Bass Pro brand, take a look at Bass Pro's White River Hobbs Creek reel for $49. it's a 7/8 reel. BPS should have a good warranty. Not sure how important a drag is for northern pike. If it is, check out the Orvis Clearwater Large Arbor for $98. It's a lighter reel made for 7-9 wt lines. Personally, i'd choose the Orvis or Redington Behemoth. Or find a good deal on a Lamson Guru 3.0 or 3.5 (used).

    http://www.orvis.com/p/clearwater-large-arbor-fly-reels/4y55

     

    looking forward to hearing what you ended up buying. I know the choices can be dizzying at times.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Nice. What kind and size of thread are you using? You may want to concentrate on minimizing your head wraps. Just makes a neater looking fly. As you've seen, the fish don't care, but you may save a bit of thread in the long run, plus extra pride.

     

    By the way, I started off using Uni 6/0. I then switched to UTC 70. Much neater for me. Plus Veevus makes 10/0, 12/0, etc...

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    There will be a few who have critical words for the Atlas, and somewhat warranted. Minor details though. It's not the end-all of vises, but it's a damn good deal for the price. Yes, I have one. But I do not have a lot of experience with other vises. If you're in the "Southwest," you could get it for $119 if picked up, $125 shipped. there is no bobbin holder, or travel case, but you also do not need to buy a separate jaw for bigger hooks.

     

    by the way, i've been using it for almost 2 years now, from size 22 trout flies to 2/0 bass bugs.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    That 3-Tand reel seems a bit overkill to me for trout and panfish, but as Cold said, if it's what you want, go for it. I'm not an Orvis-fanboy, but they do have their $159 Mid Access fly reel on sale right now for $95 (in any color you want as long as it's black-nickel). put the savings towards a good line, and some of the misc gear you'll need.

     

    i too would encourage focusing on a quality line. I am also a Rio-fan, and the Mainstream is something I would suggest for a friend. Consider a Scientific Anglers GPX too. I have been, and still am, a fan of not-spending-much-money (and never-ever-pay-full-price smile.png but there are some places like a line that buying quality really counts. I buy top end lines when i can find them on closeout. or even slightly used. some guys buy several lines to test which works best for a certain rod, then sell off the ones that didn't fit the bill. I jump on those $30 for an $80 line deals. conversely, i do buy Cabelas lines on sale at $19 or less. They work fine, but there can be a huge difference in a top end line. and it does pain me to say that.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Remember that game you may have played in elementary school where everyone stands (or sits) in a circle, someone whispers something in the next person's ear, they whisper it to the next person, and by the time the full circle is complete, the whispered phrase has changed completely?

     

    Yeah, i'm with poopdeck, the foam back is wrong to be a gurgler. i think this is a big problem in many videos. people who have not thoroughly researched a pattern, tie something loosely based on a well-known pattern, call it the well-known pattern, but it's off on details. other newbies come along weeks, months, years later, see the wrong tie, the wrong association continues, and gets worse. After one detail is off, another is tied differently. Those incorrectly tied and labeled flies are posted online, and they become history in google image searches.

     

    that fly will fish, it'll have a splashy action, but it's not exactly a Gurgler. close, but that back is way off. hey, i tie gurglers that deviate from the original too. i always preface it by saying, "It's based on a Gurgler..." those who understand will agree, those that do not agree, won't understand.

     

    those are my thoughts, as asked.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    looks good! i believe you're right, that hook style is rarely used for traditional soft hackles/north country spiders. i've usually seen straighter hooks without the long bend. but i imagine it'll catch fish. and slightly less hackle as you've decided, and smaller head, to be more traditional, but it's up to you.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Hi. Do you (OP) have a hackle gauge? the hackle, whatever kind it is, seems a bit long (oversized) for the hook you are using. I'm coming in a bit late to this thread, but yes, you need rooster hackle designed for dry flies. you can call it cock feather, but i prefer that word for mixed company. that's the first key. the second is selecting the right size feather for the hook size you are using.

     

    both saddles and capes (for dry flies) would work. one just has a wider range of feather sizes. a saddle has a smaller range of feather sizes (say, 14-18 as an example), but still plenty of feathers to last you a very long time.

     

    also, i need to add, which i wish many in my situation would do, is add the disclaimer, i fish mainly for trout, but have never tied a Renegade. And I've only been tying for a little over a year. So i may be off.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    Click-pawl reels are cool. It's the click part and simpler design that makes it smile.png

     

    Besides the Medalist, you can find new:

    Orvis Battenkill $109.

    LL Bean Pocket Water $89 (i have one of these bought used/like new @ $60, nice reel)

    Cabelas offers their new CGR reel for $59, often on sale

    If you had to go Bass Pro, they offer their Classic Ultra-Light for $99
    Anglers Roost offers something for $89

    http://theanglersroost.com/products/fly-reels/princess-lightweight-34-titanium-reel-made-for-34wt-lines/

     

    if you want to spend more, and had money to burn, look at the Hardy lightweight series.

    I personally like the new Ross Colorado LT but way out of my range and not small arbor

    http://www.rossreels.com/colorado-lt.html

    Or find an original used Ross Colorado which has a small arbor

    All of the above reels should last forever.

     

    If you want to go cheaper but good quality, buy used. Buy used vintage reels for extra character, like a Meisselbach Airex, found for $50 or less online. I have three of these in my collection.

     

    There are many more options in used vintage, but that could start a serious addiction coupled with late night frenzied research on forums dedicated to such reels. Which is fun too.

     

    eric

    fresno, ca.

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