essequamvideri

Isn't amazing how many of these stories start in Walmart?

This one does too.

Standing in the check out line, the person in front of me, mostly unattractive and dressed in a over sized hoodie. Spoke with a higher pitched smokers voice and mostly unattractive. Did I mention that before? Sorry. As they left and I stepped up, the cashier, a teenaged man, said,"OMG. Was that a man or a woman?" I couldn't help myself and responded "Yes". He just looked at me, blinking, and asked again with a bit more effort, "No, I mean was that a man or a woman?" Again feeling a bit funny, I said, "You are absolutely correct".

He didn't even bid me a good day or nothin' when I left.

A couple weeks ago I went to the emergency room. There was a sign that said "Please wait here for the next available attendant". 15 feet away is the dest and another sign that says "Please ring bell for next available attendant". When the lady asked if she could help me I said "If I need to waite here for someone, but I need to ring that bell there, I would really need some long arms wouldn't I?" She said I was the first person in 22 years that had actually read both of those signs.

Michael

Keep in mind "there are no funny clowns after midnight"

Michael

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with a bucket list of places to fish.

Mikechell, I'm not sure there is any more water for you to fish. It appears you have found it already.

Crachkaig, I really like the idea of fishing to the style of the area you are visiting. It keeps you open to learning new thing from new people. It also gives you an excuse to buy more materials to tie more flies. Can't think of a better reason than that. I will have to try that explanation on my wife.

Michael

That is the least expensive meat you can buy?

Deer testicles!!! They're under a Buck!!!

Where have you fished so far?

What destination is on your bucket list?

Me so far;

Maine (my home waters)

New Hampshire

Mass.

Rhode Island

Tennessee

Upsalquitch River in New Brunswick Canada (Trip of a life time, thank you John!)

Bucket list;

Idaho

Key West Florida

Washington State

UP Michigan

any where in the gulf I can chase Reds

Alaska

Cayman Brac

Kudu,

I'd be up for a hunters swap. Lots of ideas flowing as to what to do.

Michael

I am saying this as an owner and true believer in TFO. They are great rods. I have a couple and find them hard to beat, especially for the price. With that said, I have a couple of friends that have Echo rods and have the same results as I have. They love them and they catch as many fish as I do. I do have the same question as Ditz2, "why a 10wt and not a 9wt? I have an 8wt that has caught Blue fish in the 10lbs class, Striped Bass in the same class, and a couple of 15 lbs Atlantic Slamon. I can't imagine what you would be chasing that you will need a 10wt, what ever it is, I want to fish with you. Besides I find a 10wt is really tough on the body after casting it for a couple of hours.

Michael

I love it when an idea for a new fly works out! Huge comgrats on a great day of fishing.

I just got off the water chasing White Pearch. They were rising every where around me. All it took was to cast ahead of the school. It was awesome.

Michael

T-Ball,

I have a Peak vise with the Magnum/Saltwater Jaws. I have tied 4/0 stainless on it with room to spare. I do not know if it will hold an 8/0. I'd suggest calling Peak to see if it would work for you.

That's my two cents.

Michael

Kyle,

Thank you for giveaway. I like the idea of it. I took the time and looked through your site. Great job. I like the layout and the content. I especially like the tying videos. They are great and have given me somemore ideas. I especially like the Hammer Creek Pearl. I have no doubt these will be in my box soon.

Thank's again.

Michael R. Earle

Blane,

I'd be up for either of #1 or #3. I like the idea of the Fly Tyer mag. tying. I have some older mags. that would be a lot of fun to look through. I have been tying some Goddards Caddis that are coming out nice. Count me in on either.

Michael

WOW!!! That is a huge question. I'll take a stab at it though. Really enjoy spinning and stacking deer hair. It allows the creativity to be let loose. I know, I know, that isn't "A" fly. But that's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

Michael

You have to mix things up once in awhile. So I cleaned my tying desk. Lol. I found stuff I have been looking for since the fall. Man do I own a lot of scissors. I still would not get rid of any but I counted 22 first class scissors. I hope I am not becoming a hoarder.

HOARDER!!! I resemble that remark. However I've never met a fly tier that wasn't a hoarder. I still don't understand how my wife can freak out when I stop to pick up road kill. Especially after all the year we have been together.

Michael

Good afternoon Cream,

Wow! Incredable spinning and stacking.

I do have a question about your tying techniques. What are you using for a packer? I have a brassie that works well, however I am looking for something that will give me a tighter fly.

Question 2 is about fishing a looser or a tighter packed hair fly. Do you find a differance if the hair is not as tight? I have read a couple of articals about it, however I am not seeing any difference.

Thanks for the photos.

Michael

Reading this thread. I use Mustad #3366 for most of my crease flies. J. Stockard still has them in stock, however they only go down to a size #4. They are only $5.25 per 100 pack. That said, they also have the kink shank #33903 from a 2-8 size. They are only 8.95 per 100 pack. I'm not sure if the #3366 in a size 4 has a shorter shank than the size 8 kink shank #33903.

 

Michael

I'm glad I read all the way to the bottom of this thread--I've been buying Mustad 3366 hooks from FeatherCraft at $4.95 per 50 and thinking that was a good price. Come to find out J. Stockard has them for the same price, but for a 100-pack. That's a no-brainer. Thanks for the tip essequamvideri.

Bryan,

Glad I could pass on the info. I have purchased from them before. They are a good company to do business with. Keep in mind to call them, instead of ordering on line, because you can ask about any discount and deals they may have going at the time.

Michael

Good morning Craig,

Reading this thread. I use Mustad #3366 for most of my crease flies. J. Stockard still has them in stock, however they only go down to a size #4. They are only $5.25 per 100 pack. That said, they also have the kink shank #33903 from a 2-8 size. They are only 8.95 per 100 pack. I'm not sure if the #3366 in a size 4 has a shorter shank than the size 8 kink shank #33903.

Michael

I am planning a couple of trips to a pond that hold some large smallies and even bigger large mouths. I'm planning to try it on that pond after dark. We have had some luck painting a jitterbug with glow paint. So I'm thinking this should work. Have fun with them.

Michael

Bugger!!!

I like the idea of this swap. Keep me in touch if there is a cancelation.

Michael

Good afternoon Vic,

I'm in if there is room left.

Michael

Good Morning Mr. Hooks,

Wow. If possible I'd like second chance when you deside to "upgrade".

I truely appreciate the addition of the red cedar to protect your tying materials. The Cocabola is stunning. It adds an eye appeal that isn't normally found in tying desk. The jointery on you door frames are perfect. Quite impressive. Kudos on the stone find. I'm not sure I would have able to contain myself enough to purchase that piece. I'm sure they would have seen me coming through the door and added many 00's to the price.

If I may add just one small critique, it would be the addition of piano hinges to replace what you have on the doors. Strictly my opinion, I believe it would ad a classic touch to a well designed piece.

Thank you for sharing.

Michael

I have had a lot of success with Bead Head Zug Bugs and Bead Head Prince Nymphs. I usually carry them in the larger 8's and 10's. I have been on many river where I have taken smallies on these flies. They are my two go to flies for searching new waters.

Funny thing happened the other day. I was in my shop hand planing a paddle I'm making. I reached over and grabbed the Top Coat and sprayed my plane to make it glide easier. Imagine my suprise on the third push when it hitched up and stuck the the paddle. I pulled it off and looked at everything stuck the the bottom of the plane. I reached over and looked at the can and to my suprise... it was 3M 77. The two cans are the same size and have the same color printing. Oops.

Michael

Mine arrived and as usual it is just like Christmas morning. These flies are going to be used later this summer on the late evenings chasing crappie and white perch. crackleback, I really appreciate the hair stacking. I an working on my stacking and will look forward to doing an equal job someday. Christopher, I am especially looking forward to using your balsa popper. I suspect it will like a cork... ;-D I'm planning on catching many smallies this summer with it.

Last question, Nate, what the hell is that frog made of and how did you make it? My daughter is bugging me to make some of these into earrings for her.

gpd4, Thank you for hosting this one. Glad to see you made it back form you trip unscathed. I realized I'd didn't toe tag mine either. If anyone has success with them, please let me know. I'll be using mine to chase stripers later this fall.

Michael

Fished with a good friend yesterday and had this exact conversation.

So far freshwater;

crappie

yellow perch

white perch

pumpkin seeds

painted turtle (just happened yesterday)

pickerel

northern pike

lake white fish

fall fish (new to me this year... great story)

Large mouth

small mouth

brook trout

brown trout

land lock salmon

And last but not least... a fresh water mussel whit out any fly on.

Salt water;

stripped bass

blue fish

atlantic salmon

So thats 16 so far... plus a turtle and one mussel

Fish I want to chase;

blueback trout

rainbow trout

would love to try my hand at;

bone fish

reddrum

Good evening Tim,

These come from a company "Universal Vise Corp." in Westfield Mass. Unfortunately they are no longer in business. At least according to what I have on line. However the last time I purchased some of these t was from Eddie's Flies & Tackle in Bangor, ME | 303 Broadway, Bangor, ME. There #207-947-1648. It has been awhile since I have purchased any of these. I just looked at the tags on my packages and the last time I bought them was in 1998.

Good luck,

Michael