narcodog

If you are really interested in the colors of feathers here is the bible, so to speak. The Book of the Hackle by Frank Elder. It's not cheap but it's worth it if you are interested in the subject.

I saw an unusual base at the orvis in boston that was the size of a dinner plate and weighed about 8 pounds. A bunch of pockets to hold stuff. Not sure who made it.

 

Like this? This is the Bigfoot base made by Terra, weighs 6lbs, and is what I am currently using...I love it.

 

http://www.j-maclures.com/terrabigfootvisebase.aspx

That's a very nice base

My work camera that I had been using broke and the replacement that they sent me was not very good so I am looking for a new camera for personal use. I have narrowed it down to one of these two because I like the waterproof and ruggedness of them. I just don't know enough about cameras to understand some of these features and specs. Any help from people who are knowledgeable about cameras would be great. I know that I can get better prices elsewhere but I figured this would be the best place to show info on the cameras.

 

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1548&page=overview

 

http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-TS3A?t=overview

 

I will be using the camera to take pics of flies in my home office as well as out on the water. I may also use it for snorkeling.

I have a Pentex Optio it takes very good pic's and the battery lasts a long time.

Just another fad material that always generates a certain amount of buzz because of the mystique behind picric acid. While it does generate a nice yellow, you'll still catch fish with move conventionally dyed material. Dyed materials are readily available from various UK sources, so no need to muck about with the stuff if you really must have it.

What fly I must disagree with as it being a fad. Picric has been used for years in Europe. It is the same as CDC which has been used in France since the 50's. Personally I like what picric does to whatever material it is used to dye it.

You guys are making me smile. Such great tips. Along with the Regal brass base I have a "C" clamp and I carry everything in a "Bug Box" which is big and heavy by it's self. I travel in a truck camper so weight reduction is important. I can clamp the "C" to the table or to the Bug Boxes fold out self. Keep um coming we'll get there sooner or later.

Great thread..

Let me clarify, I have several bases including a Regal brass base. What I was looking for was something lighter that I can use when traveling. I have seen the light weight Regal bases so I just need someones opinion on their use.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Chris, I see small stream limitations, too. I fish WV a lot, and in the spring when the streams are flowing well, you could easily get away with 13' of line on a Tenkara rod. I can generally get pretty close to where fish are holding and make short, accurate casts to them. However, those same small streams at lower levels with very little flow in the summer-fall I think you'd have to be very lucky to get close enough to fish with a tenkara rod. When the long flat pools have fish stacked in them, it's typically long casts with tiny dries to get on them. And the fish are so spooky that getting into tenkara range would seem very difficult (if not impossible in some situations).

Cream,

I have used my 11 ft on crystal clear that you can step across in the high elevations of the Gallatin range as well as Brookie water here in GA and the GSMNP. You just have to be stealthy. Tenkara was developed in Japan by commercial fisherman for small fast running mountain streams. That being said they used rods that were 14 to 15 ft long, maybe longer. There are limitation but there are also limitations on western style rods..

If this wrong, mods delete it.

 

jimsflyco has saddles and if you buy a neck from Collins Hackle Farm you will get the saddles free.

 

You need to call both to see what they have, they do have them.

hmmmmm called a little bit ago and jimsflyco is out of most colors.

WOW, he had a all full just a short time ago..

If this wrong, mods delete it.

jimsflyco has saddles and if you buy a neck from Collins Hackle Farm you will get the saddles free.

You need to call both to see what they have, they do have them.

I have one and if I where you don't buy it. It is to light, the vise move around a lot when tying with it.

 

carlp

That's kinda what I was afraid of.

My favorite reel is a Heddon 125. But I also like my Bauer's. I think th drags on the Bauers are the smoothests.

I thinking of buying one of the light weight Regal bases have any of you used them? If you have have you experienced any problems?

I have been fishing Tenkara for over two years and like the control of the fly I get especially when fishing s/h's and nymphs. I also fish drys almost as much. This past September I fished the Madison between the lakes and caught 15 trout from 15in to 24in's all on a cdc and deer all on a Tenkara 13 1/2 ft rod.

Does it have it's limitations ,yes, but as I stated it gives you control over your flies that western rods don't. You don't have to worry about drag, you can reach out above willows and drop your flie right in a pocket.

I also fish Slough Creek with it and was able to drop my flie right behind rocks that you would not be able to get a western rod to do. You can call it dapping or whatever but if you don't open your mind and look at it as another great way to fish then you maybe missing out.

By the way my other rods are cane and I fish with silk lines and single action reels. How many of you fish that way. I have not fished my plastic rods in three years, except for the Tenkara.

I order from Gallos Deleon last year and never received my feathers nor was I ever contacted by them. I had folks that speak Spanish try to call them and then phone numbers were not good. I would not recommend them at this time.

If it's wet and cold it has fish

If all sections are the same length. It has all of it's guides then it is worth $30.00. The rod was most likely made by Montique (sic) they mad rods for several folks. It takes an HDH or 6wt line.

If you got to Global Fly fisher.com they have some good photo's on webbing. Something I should have mentioned is that Hebert and Collins necks have colors that are consistent with the older colors from the Catskill era.Those chickens came from Doc Frye and Harry Darby. Another breeder with very good feathers is Conranch.

The Whitting Hebert Pro grade has long hackles with a good amount of webbing but usually you will not need the whole feather. What you do is pinch off the webbing and use what you need.

When you get into grading most of the top name breeders do this. They grade on the number of flies that a neck or saddle will tye. Even the three's will have about the same amount of webbing as a one but the one will tye more flies.

Since you are just starting, yes $30.00 for a Pro grade is fine. If you can find them Whitting has a pack of a half grizzle and a half brown cape that is a good deal. Search JS Stockard and see what they have.

Saddles have a very narrow range of sizes. Capes have a wide range of sizes say 6 down to 24 for most necks. Hebert feathers are an older generation of birds. They don't have as wide range a range of sizes so they are not as costly. If you are just starting out tying that's what I would recommend. As far as hen just but necks Hebert Miner are good and a little less the the Whitting.

With saddles if you are tying a particular size flies and I mean a lot then saddles would suit you. You can also Whitting 100's to me they are not a great bargin.

You can also buy some Metz, Kehough or something else.

I'm sure Charlie Collins has some but you have to buy the neck as he includes the saddle with the neck at no charge. Collins Hackle Farm

If you can still get I would buy all you can. It is good trading material. The going price is $4.00 a square in.

PM sent

For me it's hard to say. I spent 90 days in my truck camper all in pursuit of trout. Then I fish 3-4 times a month during the when at home.

J. Stockard for MO if you are around Arvada then Charlies Fly Box