robow7

There used to be some great Fly Fishing shows in the Chicago land area, but that was many many years ago.  They kept raising the booth price to the vendors, the local union restrictions were overblown, and the hotel rates went astronomical, hence many of the vendors couldn't sell enough product to break even.  It was wonderful when all the major vendors showed up because you could actually put your hands on that new rod, reel, or fly tying vise (how I came to buy my Regal vise 25 years ago)  .  Also it was so nice to actually meet those fellows who gave seminars, whom you had read their published books and articles for so very long, ahhh the good old days, ha.

Having built rods for well over 20 years, you might guess that I would own more than a few and you would be correct.  That being said, currently I'm enjoying a certain 8ft 5wt fairly fast glass rod  for much of my warm water fishing. But when heading out after larger smallies, my go to is a high modulus very fast, lightweight graphite, 9ft either in a 5 or 6 weight depending on conditions, built on an MHX blank.

Forever known as the Devo Loop

Now I don't know that this would work for the Captain as I have never landed a fish larger than 30 lbs using this loop but it has never broken on me.  Eventually the fly line beneath may split or hinge but if the line is still in good shape, just cut and tie again.

Alright then, after a near unanimous vote of no confidence in the loop above holding up in the long term, I have cut it off and created a loop using my old tried and true method of wrapping the loop with Kevlar tying thread, whip finishing and coating lightly with a thin layer of super glue. 

The reason I don’t use a perfection loop or something similar is that this small loop passes through the guides and tip top much more easily than any knot.

I like a small loop at the end of my fly line in which I attach my leaders and in the past I created mine by forming a loop and wrapping with kevlar thread and overlaying a tiny thin coat of super glue.  I've done this for countless years and they have never failed me but...... I wondered if I could simplify my loop by using only a small amount of UV glue to keep the tag ends together.  I tied on a 40 lb piece of mono and pulled my hardest and could not pull the loop out but I'm wondering about durability, what do you think, will this hold up to actual fishing.

Supposedly free shipping on all US orders.  I have no affiliation with this shop and have never even ordered from them before but just saw this recently.  Please let me know what kind of service you may have received if you have ordered from them in the past.  Thanks.

https://olefloridaflyshop.com/ 

What seems like ages ago, when there were really nice fly fishing shows in the Chicago Land area, I once saw a pair of older women tying these beautiful streamers and salmon flies without using either a vise or a bobbin holder, simply a pair of lock jaw pliers to hold the hook and the bobbin of thread in their other hand.  It was amazing to watch them work.

I'm guessing feathers5 was just teasing. 

My whole career meant dealing with people all day long, but one on one, and I really like that.  I'm not crazy about being in and around crowds, especially when fishing.  I see those opening day photos from some trout stream where guys are shoulder to shoulder and know that's not for me.  I'd rather be by myself on a stream and get skunked vs dealing with the crowds.  As I've grown older, I'm definitely more crowd adverse than when  in my youth.

2 hours ago, The Mad Duck said:

As far as too many people...Meh, Its a concert,its to be expected. Didnt expect a private show,didja? 😋😋😋

I almost obtained that one time.  Went to see Pure Prairie League at a small outdoor venue and like everyone, was told that it had been rained out at the last minute.  Well, I guess someone forgot to tell the band that because they came out and began setting up.  Being curious, I wandered over and sat down a few feet away along with just a handful of other people.  The guys asked me what I wanted to hear as they were going to practice anyway and so I told them "Amie" and a few other tunes and they were kind enough to oblige.  It wasn't until after several numbers, the word got around and people started piling in but still not a large crowd because most had gone home.  The guys told me that they were under contract to play or they weren't getting paid in full so they made sure they played.     

A couple that come to mind,

AC/DC, Back in Black, 1980, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for.

Styx, Grand Illusion tour, 1977, small venue in Chicago where the acoustics were superb.

Jimmy Buffet when he was still a warm up act.

So many others but truthfully, more times than not, the live performance was often a let down, even by my favorite artists:

Jethro Tull in Chicago, the echo was so bad, you were still hearing the first tune when the band was on their 3rd

the Beach Boys when both of us were still young, and yet Dennis was so drunk he kept falling off his stool while drumming,

 and many more memorable but lousy performances  

My Frogtoggs were not very durable and seemed to tear easier than other waders that I have owned, but mind you, that was a while back and they may be different now.  I'm envious that you can get 7 years from a pair of waders.

We don't have the trout consideration down this way but even so, the beaver can be really destructive if their populations are not held in check.  Their numbers have grown significantly since they are rarely trapped anymore.  They tend to kill all the trees and vegetation lining the rivers and once that is gone, erosion of the banks comes into play.

And I guess we should state, just for the record and as a public safety announcement, when we talk about eating gar, 

Don't ever consume gar eggs.  They are poisonous. 

Find another source for your cheap caviar. 

On 4/27/2022 at 2:15 PM, skeet3t said:

We dissected a gar in college class. Had to use tin snips to get through the armor. 

That's exactly how we make that dorsal longitudinal cut, then peel back that skin and a sharp fillet knife makes quick work of it.  Another way we've prepared them is to toss the chunks of boneless meat into a food processor along with some onion and green pepper.  Comes out kind of like a firm mush, make into small patties or roll into balls, bread and deep fry.  They will have the same texture as a chicken McNugget.

Does it have the "Glock" trigger feel or more refined ?  Looks really neat, would love to hear how it runs.

This spotted gar will be easy to remove the fly and likely no tools will be needed.  Others will require more patience.

Had a chance now to read your article and appreciate your thoughts and work that went into it.  Chris, one thing that I've found over the years with Gar and other so called "trash fish" is depending on where you live and how abundant they are, will determine how revered they might be.  We have many bodies of water where the gar can be stacked up like cordwood and there is no shortage by any means.  There are areas where the DNR wish you take them out by any legal means available because they can be agony on local baitfish and panfish populations.  So when someone from an area where they are uncommon, criticizes another fisherman for keeping some to clean, or bury in their garden for fertilizer, or leave on a sandbar for the eagles to feed on, I take it with a grain of salt.

2. What are the right tools to remove a rope fly

You need at least 1 very heavy glove where those needle like teeth can't penetrate.  See below what they can do to you if you lose focus and they shake that head even with closed teeth.

A pair of jaw spreaders like ones often used for Northern Pike and Musky

A pair of needle nose pliers, best with serrations

A really small steel wire brush

A small pick can also be applied but most of all, take your time, be patient, these fish can spend crazy amounts of time out water and be just fine because of their air bladder system.

Assuming you're targeting them, you will have an adequate pound tippet ( I like 10-12 lb test) and they won't break you off.  Their teeth are not like a pike that cut your line easily.  Most short nose and spotted gar don't get that large around here and really don't put up much of a fight.  They are so streamlined that once you get them heading your way, most of the time there is not a lot of resistance.  Now the larger long nose like above, they will put up a tussle and can get you into your backing but around here they can get up to 20 lbs.  One other thing, don't hesitate to keep a couple of these fish as when cleaned properly, they can make excellent table fare as they will yield just two long strips of white boneless meat.  Other fishermen will be tickled to see you taking some out as they definitely compete with more popular sporting fish for baitfish.

I haven't read your article yet but may I ask what is wrong with rope flies, as long as you have with you the proper tools in order to remove the fly with no damage to the fish ?

I generally use size 8-10 streamer hooks that are generally 2 or 3 XL.  Some form of rubber leg almost always.  Often I will run a larger nymph or small streamer on a dropper 2 feet below the top water fly.  Lots of fish come up to inspect the disturbance of the larger floater and will take the nymph.

Went on Ebay shipping calculator and Fedex was definitely the cheapest for a 31"x2"x2" package at 1 pound, next came UPS and USPS was same as what I was quoted today at my local Post Office

The rod tube only, no box, wrapped in decent weight packing paper.  I had them run a California zip code which is the most expensive to ship to from here in Illinois so that was a maximum amount.  

Does anyone know that if you download the shipping or mailing label from Ebay after a sale, how that cost is determined ?  Are there any breaks for going thru them ?  Just curious and oh btw, I have had to deal with an item that was damaged while in delivery and getting reimbursed was a nightmare and never did get refunded the proper amount.  UPS claimed it was "inadequate" packaging when it was the same packaging, and even beefed up a little, that the manufacturer shipped in the original container.  Their level of proof needed was beyond what could demonstrated.