Mark Knapp

I thought graphite was designed to break after a number of uses, I broke every one that I ever owned, usually in picking up a long line to recast or roll. The local shop said result of unknown/unnoticed impact likely, a couple of them were repaired, but I've gone back to fiberglass for most fishing. Did you ever break a 'glass rod in the same kind of fish battle? bamboo?

As I mentioned, I'm fishing older garage sale 9 and 10 wt. rods now and haven't broken them. I assumed it was only because they hadn't cost me a bunch of money.

One of the garage sale rods is an Ugly Stick 10 wt. It isn't much fun to fish, it has horrible action. It's probably a glass rod. The other is a Cabela's 9 wt. It's actually quite nice to fish. I caught a 25 pound ling cod on it last fall and it was a blast fighting him from 120 ft. down. That may be him in my avatar.

Both those rods are on the boat in Sitka. I'll have to check on the materials the next time I'm down there. Neither of those rods are as nice to fish as my more modern Sages, witch I assume are carbon fiber or graphite, whatever you want to call it. The nice thing about the Sages is, the lifetime warranty. They replace anything that breaks even if you aren't the original owner.

I always tie three whip knots on my braided loops with spider wire or something similar.

Thank you, I've never considered that a rod would break at 20-30# strain and thought that the line, tippet or backing would be the weak link. I've been spoiled by small fish.

Yes, I'm sorry to say that I have broken more than one Sage 10 wt. in the salt fishing for ling cod and halibut, and that's with the regulation IGFA 20 pound leader. Now I just fish garage sale 9 and 10 wt. rods in the salt. I also fish my 12, 13, 14 and 16 wt. sage rods when we're in areas known to hold large lings and halibut, like 40 to 100 pounds. The bigger rods don't break but they're not as much fun to fish.

 

 

reach 15 pounds and can put up quite a fight. An eight wt. would be a minimum in that case.

In what respect? Not arguing, just have the impression that the core strength of an 8wt fly line is ~equal to strength of say a 10wt fly line (20#-30#?)and so am confused by your statement. I never caught a fish that big on fly, but have seen pictures and heard stories of bigger fish on lighter tackle. Have always believed the weight and air resistance of the fly used determined the mass of the line needed to drag it through the air, but am willing to learn.

 

Generally, an eight weight doesn't have the spine to fight a 15 pound silver salmon the way they fight. If you like a good long fight, the eight weight is perfect.

Most of the salmon guides up here recommend a 9 wt. for sockeyes and as a minimum for silvers.

I fished silvers in a creek that was about 10 feet wide with a six wt. I was totally at the mercy of the fish. They would go on long runs and all I could do was point the rod down stream and giggle. Then reel like crazy when they turned around and ran back up stream. I ended up breaking that rod and fishing the rest of the trip without a tip top.

I also fished a bigger river for chrome bright silvers with a six wt. and brought about half of the hook-ups to the boat. The fish fight so hard, rip through the water, jump and tail walk so much, if you don't get them to the boat in a reasonable amount of time they just wallow out the hook hole and spit the hook. I'm not losing fish due to break offs.

In the area where Tier is fishing we have 20 ft tides, that's a lot of water going in and out of the inlet in a short amount of time, it creates quite a current. He could fish it with a smaller rod, and it would be a lot of fun but to bring fish to the boat, (he's actually talking about fishing from shore, I think, it's even more critical) I would call the 8 wt about a minimum. I usually fish those waters with a nine though I wouldn't advise him to buy a new rod.

Fly line is another thing entirely, he will need a pretty good sink tip, say 30 ft of T14 or T17 to get the fly down to a place where his cod can find it because of the current. I prefer an eight or bigger for that kind of tungsten.

There's also ling cod and halibut there for an added bonus.

Anyway, that's my opinion.

I do, except when I'm on some trip somewhere fishing.

Nice hair poppers

Most of us don't worry about it (in fact you are the first one I've ever heard mention it), girls put the stuff on thier fingernails, all ten of them, a lot more than you will use on a fly and except for being a little flakey at times it doesn't seem to effect them at all. And then, they will do all their toes, and glue on some eye lashes and then get a perm. Don't worry about it.

If they are all that small, they must be Saffron cod, though I haven't fished them. The pink salmon runs and the Silver salmon runs in Valdez are spectacular. They can both be fished from shore, the pinks especially (from Allison Point)

The 8 wt. will certainly be ample for the size cod you are talking about, and the flies to catch them. You must be talking about Saffron Cod as all other species get much bigger than that in Alaska.

The thing about Saffron Cod is, their habitat is occupied by many other species like rock fish and, for a good portion of the summer, silver salmon. Ocean run Silver Salmon often reach 15 pounds and can put up quite a fight. An eight wt. would be a minimum in that case.

Nice fish Phil

It's hard to tell, there's no picture. But I would say yes, your pictures could be better. In general, we need a good clean back ground, (without you in it) with good focus and lighting. Also, we could see the fly better if your fingers aren't on it.

Do you still have deer hair? And Lynx would be awesome. I could give you wolf and fox fur in return. I'll send you pics if you are inrested.

I still have lots of deer hair, no lynx though. Stop by on your next trip to Fairbanks and you are welcomed to have some. I have lots of fox and wolf, thank you though.

Can't wait.

Grayling are great fun to catch. Nice video.

Just got back from six weeks on the road, Africa, two fly fishing trips and the Blade Show in Atlanta. Now, I have some catching up to do around here.

Glad to be back, Hi everybody.

Just got back from the Blade show in Atlanta, best show ever.

Also, a small mouth/blue gill trip in the Spokane area. Mike West, you're poppers were a huge success there, thanks a lot. The best combo. was a popper with a beaded San Juan Worm dropper.

We didn't catch anything huge but we got some smallies up to about a pound and some hand size blue gills. Pictures after I get a chance to go through them.

I'd take a little bit of everything!! Just started tying flies and I'm addicted!! I will have some turkey & pheasent feathers this fall to send if you want

Did we ever connect? If not, PM me your addy and I will send you some stuff.

Hi Mark,

I'm probably a day late and a dollar short on reading your post but if you have any Moose Body Hair I sure would appreciate a little piece. Ed

Still have lots of moose hair Ed, PM me your addy and I will send it out.

Hey, Mr. Knapp! If you sent me some rabbit strips, a few size 4 hooks, and deer hair (or anything that can flare easily.) I'll whip up a few multi-hook saltwater flies. And by the way, did you fish in Africa? If so, then what fish did you catch? Welcome back!

Thanks for the offer on the flies Tier, I enjoy tying so much, I wouldn't let you do it for me. I did fish in Africa for about 15 minutes, it was in a stock pond, I felt like it was just to appease me and everyone else in the two trucks were just waiting for me to get it out of my system so I just bagged it. Didn't get to actually fish.

Thanks Tim for the great package of feathers, horse tail hair, died lama hair, cat gut etc.

Got back home last night from deep sea fly fishing. No new species caught this trip but had a blast. Caught several hundred fish between the three of us. About half and half fly caught and conventional. Leave for the Blade Show tonight.

Leaving for two back to back fly fishing trips and the Blade Show in Atlanta GA. in the morning. Will be back on June 20th. Talk to you all again then.

Now you're talking about "work hardening". Many materials will work harden. Carbon steel, stainless steel and most non-ferrous metals. It's not really the same as compression.

I'm with you Mike

Well, I'm not a drinker, never have been. I'm not one to "whoop it up" in that way. A happy Memorial day for me means spending time with people close to me and remembering the one that have passed. I remember the good times with the people that have passed and consider each moment with them a gift. I'm not one to dwell on how it is they died.