caloosa bug

How about a fire tiger with a little sparkle. or a diver with a lot of sparkle.

Has anyone fished this fly? I just tied up my first and yes it's pretty ugly and needs some cleaning up. After reading a couple articles about it, I thought it could be a useful fly to add to my box. http://www.joemahler.com/#!the-strawboss-fly/cjgr

Go for it. Cork poppers can be a blast. Use a hump shank hook and build a good thread base before attaching the cork. Be careful not to push too hard on the cork when putting the hook in the slot or they'll split in half. Cork poppers have a different "pop" than foam! Much like the old heddon's torpedoes that were balsa, compared to the new plastic ones. Most days it won't matter, but some days the balsa will out fish the plastic 15-1. It can be a tedious and lengthy task , but it will be a different weapon in you arsenal of fish catching ammo. Cork can come with a number of different grades and densities. A fine grain is much better than a Swiss cheese looking chunk of cork. Good luck and enjoy making your "one-off" creations.

More epoxy foam bugs

I've caught them in the caloosahatchee and st.Lucie rivers on both sides of the lake. Literally just a few feet from the locks that lead into the lake. But I have never seen one within the dike that surrounds the lake. I don't doubt a few have found there way into the lake, but it's not something that you are going to be able to target.

Yes. Much toothier than a bass or bluegill. The bugs are pretty much rock hard on the outside, but there is some flex where the underside of the foam meets the hook.

Mayan cichlids. They are an invasive freshwater fish that have overtaken my bluegill bedding holes over the last 15-20 years. They are tasty though and put up a great fight.

10-4, got a buddy down the street from there. I'll give you an updated lake report next weekend, though pops will probably be out there a couple times next week rubbing it in my face while I'm at work. Like sending me these pics as I'm clocking in.

You've got it covered. Plenty of bluegills bedding all over the place. Also the size limit of bass is changing July 1 for the lake. 5 fish 16" and under with one allowed over 16. It's been only over 18" for a few years. Now we can finally bring some bass home with the panfish. Weekend before last me and pops easily caught 50+ bass in a half day. All between 12" and 19" . Mostly on topwater and flukes. Then when the bass bite started slowing, we picked up the fly rods and the fun continued with bream and several small bass. We're heading back out next weekend and the lake seems to be clearing up and with level it's at should be a great summer. If the wind picks up, the rim ditch can be a great fishery in itself. If you like we can plan a trip while you're down and I'll take you out.

So, I love tying with craft foam. It's quick, cheap, and easy. Cork is cool too, but you can shape and mold it in a number of ways. A recent outing left a number of my bugs looking like the black one pictured here. Torn to pieces. It's not that big of a deal, but just an inconvenience of having to re-tie while fish are waving at you. So I 5 min epoxied over a few foam poppers, and they are nearly bullet proof. I was worried about flotation and weight, but it's not that noticeable. i can catch for hours without worrying with torn poppers. Leader still has to be checked and a few decide to fly high into the trees. But that's fishing. What do y'all think?

Point taken guys. You are correct on not holding big fish vertical. This fish was released safely and I don't dare take the chance of breaking laws over a fish. The laws are there for a reason, and since the freeze in 2010, they have worked tremendously at restoring the population. Behind the photographer is the river in ortona, and this fish was quickly carried to the truck to be measured. I guess my post was aimed at a young bank fisherman, with a rod in one hand, trying to land a fish like this with the other. Simply lipping a fish a fish of this caliper, and walking up the bank can get ugly. Capt Bob, islander, and salty bum thanks for correcting a poor example, and I like a forum such as this, where a wealth of knowledge from experienced fishermen is accessible. I am looking forward to tying and trying the flies in this thread soon.

They do have teeth like a bass , just more pronounced. A small snook is no big deal to lip, but on larger ones I grab them like in this pic, under thethe bottom gill opening, keeping your hands away from the gill plates. Do not! Lay your hands across the side of his face. They will slice and dice.

Islander. I love the pattern pictured. Good stuff. I've caught many snook in my day but never on a fly. Thanks.

There are a bunch in the river. All the way to lake o. More than most people think. In Moore haven we get plenty of snook, jack, and a few tarpon. It's amazing how many snook are here being they have to go through 2 sets of locks to get here.

Good looking stuff. How effective is the mono weedguard. I tied a one in a frog popper I made, but I the frog was way too bulky and way too much wind resistance. Thinking of trying more weedguards.

I've never seen one here in Hendry or Glades county. Too many cichlids though. I'm about to make the hour drive south and chase some. I've been telling my wife I'm going one day soon. I did get a clown knife fish over in Palm beach county.. pretty cool fish.

This was the result of an epic fly fishing outing with some experimental flies made with some of my kids iridescent grass from there easter basket. I culled probably 10-15 other bass.

I think a craft foam spider was about the easiest and most effective fly I started with. All you need is chenille, foam, and legs. Or just foam and legs.

Thanks. I fish on Okeechobee quite often,as it's in my backyard. I also fish the caloosahatchee river and many rock pits, ponds, and canals. Summer time is fly time when big bluegill are bedding. Other than that I fish whatever is biting. Specks in winter, freshwater snook in spring and fall, bluegill and shellcrackers in summer, and bass year round. I wish I had more opportunity to fish saltwater on either coast, and when I do it's not with a fly rod. I'm dying to get down south after some peacocks though.

I don't think so. Never really tried it. I do keep my line conditioned with silicone line conditioner a few times a year and it seems to help it last a lot longer. It certainly helps it slide through the guides. My last fly line I changed had been on my reel for a good 8 years. I just couldn't justify spending double for some other fancy fly line.

The dogwood is a little pricey, though mine was a gift. My dad just got a Martin from Wal-Mart and it ain't too bad. The main difference I can tell,is the weight of the whole outfit. I have 3 different brands of 7 wt and the others are noticeably heavier to swing.

I use the cheapest I could find. The 7wf floating white river brand from bass pro. I cheat and use the barbbed line tie that sticks into the fly line. Usually a 8-14 lb mono leader of xl trilene, depending on weed cover. Yes the line tie will sink, but not enough to pull my poppers under when it's sitting still. It makes it easy to change leader. This works fine for me , though I'm no expert.

I've had my 7wt. Dogwood canyon for several years and it's been perfect for all the canals I've fished here around lake okeechobee. I do also have a 4/5 wt. For bream and creek fishing, but my 7wt is my daily fisher.

Bass, bluegill, and mayan chiclids usually. Haven't done any fly fishing in salt yet. I'm in Clewiston.

A couple of killer minnows.