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Fly Tying

troutsmasher

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About troutsmasher

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    if it's wet, let's go get
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  1. 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?
  2. 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!
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Kirk those look great, I bet they would drive the pike nuts around here!
  8. $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!
  9. Wow beautiful flies everyone. I especially like the blend you've mixed for the thorax on that caddis pattern, Carl.
  10. 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.
  11. Using wire instead of flashabou will help you trap less fibers. Also make sure you are countering the direction of the hackle wraps.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
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