Mechanical Advantage

I wouldn't start hoarding peacock herl just yet. As I understand it, only the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) is endangered. The Indian/"blue" peafowl (Pavo cristatus) are the ones you see here in the States, and are doing just fine.

Emailed Vedavoo and got a super quick response. Turns out while the Mini is basically a simplified version of the standard Tightlines, it also tends to fit people with a slightly smaller frame. Just wanted to give people a heads-up if you are debating between the two. Scott has been super helpful trying to get me into a pack that will work best for me. Big thumbs up for Vedavoo and their customer service.

I'm wondering if there is a significant difference in size between the standard Tightlines sling and the TL Mini. I got the mini since it is a little cheaper and more basic, which is exactly what I wanted. I know the pocket size is a little different, but I had assumed that the basic size and shape was standard. But I just saw a vid where the owner talks about the Little Bugger kids' sling pack being great for kids 8-12, and the TL Mini being great for kids 12 and up. On the site they don't really specify. Guess I'll haveto shoot them an email and see if the standard Tightlines would be better for me, or if I just need to get used to a sling pack.

This may be an odd question, but how is a sling pack supposed to "fit"? I recently got a Vedavoo mini sling pack, and while I love it and think it's a great product, it just doesn't seem to fit as comfortably as I thought it would. How high or low is it supposed to ride on your back? When I carry a backpack I generally have it ride lower, more on my lower back. But if I do so with the sling pack, the buckle sits on my shoulder. When I tighten up the strap and raise the pack up more, the buckle is more in the center of my chest, but the strap is right under my armpit. Is this how it is supposed to fit? Sorry if this seems silly, but I've never worn a sling pack. Perhaps it should be noted that I am 6'2", and while I'm not a heavy guy, I have broad shoulders and a long torso. Thanks in advance for any help.

It's a good idea, but as others have said it lends itself more to a DIY project, rather than a profitable product.

http://www.peakfishing.com/NewProducts.html Discuss...

As Mike said, there are plenty of people who will illegally kill animals and try to pass the fur/feathers off as legally obtained items. Making it illegal to possess them at all removes the opportunity for someone to make an excuse.

If someone has feathers from a protected bird, there is no way to tell how they were obtained. And making them illegal across the board makes poachers less likely to target them.

Minimal, portable - I get it. Other than somewhere to store materials, that's really all you need.

I won't get into politics here, but I see this as a great opportunity to help support the local market. If imported flies are going to cost more anyway, why not buy American made?

I dig that pedestal base, man. Super classy looking!

Michigan - we got it bad this past year. I'm familiar with Winterkill, and I'm sure that's the case. But up until this past season it's never been a big deal. I just couldn't believe it.

My wife and I went to a small local pond that is my favorite fishing spot, and where I had planned on catching some bass and carp on my first fly rod this year. We got some bad news getting out of the car - some old-timer walking his dog told us there were dead carp on the banks, said it didn't look like anything made it through the winter. It looked like he was right - lots of nice, big carp, rotting on the banks. Carp that I was planning on catching this year. Nearly brought a tear to my eye. I didn't see any other dead fish, though; no bass, bluegill, or bullheads, which are all abundant in there. But I also didn't see any signs of life either, and that pond is usually teaming with little sunfish waiting for kids to throw breadcrumbs in for 'em. But why only dead carp on the banks? I guess the small fish could have been picked up by scavengers, but there were some good size largemouths in there too, and I while didn't see any on the banks I guess it could just be a matter of sink -vs- float. Any chance some are still holding in the deep? I felt like if anything stood a chance to weather the winter it would have been the carp, but I guess I'm not so sure. Maybe the bluegills made it with a smaller food requirement? They can't ALL be gone, man - say it ain't so. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm fearing the worst.

Good to hear you got it down now. Sometimes you've just got to take a step back and look at things with a fresh pair of eyes.

Most tinsel nowadays isn't metal anymore, it's mylar. And plenty of people will pay good money strictly for authenticity.

Another great post!

Looks good with the red band.

Agreed, it looks like some sort of rubber or latex strip. Nice pattern!

I feel like a batter way to pose this question would be to ask, "What common household items have you found useful for fly tying?", though I'm sure that's been asked before. Zip-Loc baggies, shredded mylar for gift bags, and all sorts of craft items can be used. I credit my mom for taking me to craft stores as a little kid - I really know my way around JoAnn Fabrics!

That's a great way to make use of feathers you may not otherwise be able to. Lots of usefull tips in that issue.

Very nice!

Both are great. Foam may be a little more durable and float a little higher, but I'm a sucker for tradition. You can always coat the back of a traditional humpy with some resin for additional durability.

My personal opinion is that a jig is a hook with the weight molded onto it. If you tie on dumbell eyes with thread, it's a fly. Same goes for beads and cone heads. Not sure if that's the "legal" definition in terms of fishing regulations or whatnot, though.

If you were to only tie one of each, I'd say an Adams dry fly, Hare's Ear nymph, and a Clouser Minnow. Can't go wrong with any of those.

Have you tried laying down a base of thread before gluing the popper body in place? Might give it a little more grip.