WindKnotFlies

Has anyone on this forum ever had to return broken rod to the St. Croix rod company? I was wondering how their return policy was and what the turn around on the rod was. I made the mistake of not putting my rod back in its tube and just laying it in my trunk a few days ago. Well lo and behold when I opened the trunk my rod had snapped about 3 behind the tip top. I was considering just removing the tip top from the broken piece and just epoxying it back on the rod. Bad idea? It's just about 3 inches. I'm not sure if I should just send it back to the company for repair or just "fix" it myself. I don't think it would make much of a difference in performance (or would it?) in my 8wt. My dilemma is this: salmon starts soon and that rod in particular is my "favorite". I DO have other 8wts, but....you know. Anyways, any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Screaming Reels- Harris

I purchased an HMH about 6 months ago and have to say it's the best vise I've ever owned. Like stated earlier, it's not a true rotary vise, but it has qualities that more than make up for that. I tie both fresh and saltwater flies. Mine came with 2 different jaw sizes and that covers all my tying requirements. I'd get the HMH if I were you. Screaming Reels.... - Harris

I was in one of my local fly shops a while back and one of the guys there had me try to break a piece of Drennen tippet material (rated to 3lbs and THIN) with my hands. Well, I couldn't do it.....seemed to be pretty strong stuff. Anyways, it was 15 bucks a spool so I didn't buy it. Well, I've been reading on some other forums about frequent failures with it. That made me hesitant to get it (especially at 15 bucks). My question is: does anyone on the forum use this brand, and if you do would you recommend it. Thanks for any advice. ~Harris

Hey Joe...I'm 34, in the army almost 16 years now, divorced, got 2 roommates that fly fish and fly tie.....and my hand hasn't spoken to me in weeks.

I've been spending more time on the river than on the prowl......does that make me a "fishasexual"?!?!?!?!?! Wait a minute....that didn't sound right did it....

Good cause green isn't my color...it's been desert tan lately. Take it easy! AFF

I was talking to a couple of my buddies a while back and we were discussing what it would be like to be able to do what you loved full time (i.e. fly fishing). I made the comment that I would give up sex....yes SEX for the rest of my life if I could fly fish anywhere in the world any time I wanted to. Does this make me sick? Obsessed? Impotent? Just wondering. Hopefully this will lead to some interesting responses. Tight Lines! ~Harris

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Okay got it, thanks Blue...gonna give it a try. Tight Lines... ~harris

Stupid question here: what do you mean by "duster". I've been tying for a while myself, but I'm not familiar with it. thanks, Harris

Like suggested earlier, a bore brush works pretty good. I use the one out of my cleaning kit and it seems to do the trick. You might need something a little narrower for the smaller stuff but the bore brush works for me down to about a #16. ~Harris

This place is great and I hope it brings you as much knowledge, pleasure, and laughs as does for me everyday. ~Harris

Welcome to the site....a bit new here myself. One thing I can tell ya is that everyone here is friendly, helpful, and at times pretty funny. Lots of regulars here as well. I have to warn you though, this place gets addicting.....I find myself in front of my computer at work when I should be doing something else like......working. Anyways, Tight Lines and Screaming Reels. ~Harris aka AFF

Nice fly Blue! I'm looking for new shrimp patterns for fishing the TX gulf coast. I was using a Scates Shrimp pattern while I was down there, but I'm going to tie up a few of yours and give them a try. Tight Lines.... -harris

Hey Blue¬ I've never fished up there, but I did just get back from fishing the TX gulf coast....South Padre Island, Laguna Madre, etc. An 8 wt was pretty much the standard down there. As far as lines are concerned, I used my floating line with various sink tips attached. Other than being a total pain in the butt to cast, they did help me get my flies down deep (especially around the jetties). The sink tips also helped out combating the windy conditions when fishing the surf as well. hope this helps a little¬ AFF

Thanks y'all! I've already tied up the standard clousers in the various colors you mentioned. I leave on Friday and I'm really stoked. I planned on fishing the jetties along the beach, and I'm going to give the B & R flats a try as well. Thanks also for the Texas forum link. Hopefully I'll have some pics to post when I get back. Take care... ~H Ashley

Hey Stan~ Welcome! I joined this forum just a very short time ago and have learned quite a bit already. I can't wait to hear some stories and see some pics from Bulgaria. Take Care. ~Harris

Gotta be a # 10/12 bead headed micro bugger (always black) with no flash. Never fails to catch stuff. I lost a nice sized brown yesterday on one because my hook straighten out on me. I learned an important lesson: don't tie a streamer on a dry fly hook......unless you're too drunk to care....which was the case. Later.... ~army

I'm currently serving with the 10 Mountain Division Light Infantry as a crypto graphic radio repairman. I pretty much work on everything from night vision, radios, laser sights for weapons, etc. I've been in the Army for over 15 years now. My unit was deployed for 15 months in Kuwait and Iraq....the longest deployment for any unit in the 10th Mountain Division so far. That's about the gist of it. Keep Those Serving "Over There" In Your Prayers.....this is going to be a long one. ~army

I have that same vise and overall I like it. The only thing I seem to have problems with is adjusting the angle with the allen wrench. I'm not too crazy about the plastic washers either. Other than those nit picky things, it's the best vise I've used so far. ~aff

Hello All~ I'm taking a trip down to Corpus Christi, Tx in a couple of weeks and plan to do some fishing around the jetties, beach, and Laguna Madre. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about the types of flies I should tie up? Just wondering. I looked around online and have an idea, however if anyone has ever fished down around there and have any suggestions I'd appreciate it. It's pretty sad because thats my home town.....however, I was a meat slinging bait fisherman the last time I fished there...haha . ~Harris

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. ~Harris

I recently fished with a 5 foot 4X braided leader and was really amazed how well it worked....the turn over was fantastic. Anyways, it was a loner and I had to give it back to a buddy of mine. Well, I picked up a 9 ft 5x leader at the Cortland factory store (it was the last and only one they had). My question is: when fishing a 9ft braided leader, how much tippet should I use (as a general rule)? Do I just add a foot or so (like adding tippet to a regular mono leader), or should I add more since the leader is a dark gray color? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks all. ~Harris

Mozes~ Thanks alot, the maps are a big help as well. I'm headed to Altmar this weekend to do some flyfishing. Had a blast a couple of weeks ago catching brookies, browns, and a small skamania. Take care and Tight Lines.... ~army

Thanks for the advice Grizz....see ya on the water some time. ~army