Getting ready for Lake Havasu

[Mark Knapp 0]

 

The latest version of my Lake Havasu Crayfish. It's an orange and green swamp crayfish. Everybody loves them in Havasu.

Close-up of the crayfish. I wasn't completely happy with the versions I found on the internet, so I came up with this one.

My latest version of a fresh water snail. It's made with all the regular components. The shell is a two stage extended dubbing body. The snail itself is dubbing and the antennae are chenille.

The first stage of the shell. It was formed using extended body techniques on a needle, then re-positioned on the needle with a mono core for the second stage.

Then wrapped around in spiral fashion.

An assortment of "shells" are made first.

The the snails are made in many colors and sizes.

Latest version of quagga mussels also in many colors and sizes.

The boxes with San Juan worms, simpler snails, sculpins, flying bugs and terrestrials

Streamers and gurglers.

Grubs, woolly buggers, woolly worms and other assorted wet flies.

Crayfish, new version snails and Quagga mussels. Next, carp eggs and more streamers. I'm headed to Sitka for a week, talk to you all later.

[RickZieger 0]

Have fun.

Rick 

[Poopdeck 0]

Everything looks great but I’m really impressed with the snails. Great ingenuity on the snail construction. Them record book bluegill don’t stand a chance. 

[chugbug27 0]

Nice! 

[niveker 0]

Wow, thats impressive Mark

[Mark Knapp 0]

6 hours ago, Poopdeck said:

Everything looks great but I’m really impressed with the snails. Great ingenuity on the snail construction. Them record book bluegill don’t stand a chance. 

Well, I worked on that snail pattern for quite a while before I figured out what I wanted to do. I'm planning on at least two months at Havasu in the spring and hopefully up to three. I gotta put in for the time with the warden. Either way, it seems like more fun than a kid should be allowed to have.

[Mark Knapp 0]

3 hours ago, chugbug27 said:

Nice! 

 

16 minutes ago, niveker said:

Wow, thats impressive Mark

Thanks to you all.

[Mark Knapp 0]

6 hours ago, RickZieger said:

Have fun.

Rick 

Thanks Bud.

[Sandan 0]

Great work Mark

[Mark Knapp 0]

On 7/26/2023 at 9:08 AM, Sandan said:

Great work Mark

Thanks, Mr.

[jcozzz 0]

Always been on my wish list.Chasing shellcrackers with well,shells makes sense.I guy i used to talk to on a different forum was a jig tyer.He fished many So Cal lakes as wellas Havasu.This guy owned the sunfish.Havasu seems to have every thing i like to fish for.Maybe some day.Looking forward to your pics of those flies in their mouths Mark.

[Mark Knapp 0]

2 hours ago, jcozzz said:

Always been on my wish list.Chasing shellcrackers with well,shells makes sense.I guy i used to talk to on a different forum was a jig tyer.He fished many So Cal lakes as wellas Havasu.This guy owned the sunfish.Havasu seems to have every thing i like to fish for.Maybe some day.Looking forward to your pics of those flies in their mouths Mark.

I have been to Lake Havasu twice now and you are right, it is a great place.

After the latest world record was caught there, a 6.3 pound red ear, I booked a week long trip for the following March. Then this spring I went down there for a month and caught some up to 3 pounds on conventional gear. I posted a report for both trips on this forum. Here's a link to the last one.

https://www.flytyingforum.com/index.php?/topic/110754-a-report-on-my-trip-to-lake-havasu-this-year/

This coming spring I will be down for a minimum of two months, (shooting for three, weather, health and wife permitting). I will be fishing almost exclusively with fly gear.

It is very much fun and  get excited just thinking about it.

Thanks.

[MuskyFlyGuy 0]

Mark,

 I look forward to reading about your adventure and seeing all the pictures. 
Tom

[Mark Knapp 0]

16 hours ago, MuskyFlyGuy said:

Mark,

 I look forward to reading about your adventure and seeing all the pictures. 
Tom

Thanks Tom.

[mikechell 0]

Very nice snail patterns.  I tied some the last time you posted your attempts.  We have Redears here, but nothing as big as Havasu.  I haven't had any hits on mine yet.

I know it's several month or half a year or so, but I hope you get the time and get lots of great memories from your next trip to that lake.