Tim A

Fly, jig, whatever, that tan over white with red will slay albies in the Fall!

These are fish catchers. I can vouch that bluefish love 'em

I only use them fishing nymphs or eggs upstream along seams or into plunge pools. Like Tom, I'm almost always swinging or leisenring fishing w/o indicator or stripping streamers. Definitely no need for an indicator when there is any tension on the line. Swinging or stripping flies, you're gonna feel the take.

But where will you put all the stickers?! I'm so worried for you, man. We're all praying you get this figured out shortly.

Where's the YETI???

Nice fly, bart. You could probably use 1/3 of the amount of Senyo's you used in each clump and get a smoother taper. Just a thought.

Great job, guys! Glad to see the river producing already

I know it's even more initial cost, but the "pro plus" (3watt) curing torch used with any of the tack free CCG or hydro is worth the money. Totally and completely tack free finish in 3 seconds. There are some things I like about the 5min epoxy, like working with the shape as it slowly thickens and cures, but I never reminisce about that when I'm zapping CCG heads left and right. You can build it up super thick with 3 layers if you want, each cured in 3ish seconds. That starts to get expensive. I mean, if it's a surf candy for albies, I'll use CCG. If there's a chance at bluefish, I'll use epoxy. With epoxy you can always pre-tie the patterns whenever and then add epoxy the days before the trip so they look clear during the fishing. Lots of fish are still caught on yellowed heads, of course. It's more about your tying process and obviously bin appeal over time.

Looks good.

Epoxy is great and easy to use. Downside is insane yellowing over time and exposure to UV. How about an update pic in July?

Also, I know the point here is to keep it fast and simple, but have you tried this same pattern but wrapping an India hen neck hackle along the estaz (wooly style) for extra bugginess? I have become a big fan of soft webby hackles like that.

What size hooks are they? I might be able to send you a few extra 60s of mine.

I like the simple design, a la "guide flies." Definitely a smallmouth catcher! Looks like your third hook is bent open a bit.

Looking forward to your review of the pack in practice. It's a good looking bag. Congrats on the purchase. Gotta love new gear!

Thanks for reading and thanks for the compliment, Mike! I am very excited to be a part of the magazine this issue.

I understand. But it does seem you want local and yet impersonal. This is somewhat an ironic twist. Doing business in person or direct over the phone is part of the "small" movement. I'm not advocating one way or the other, I just find it curious and was offering a suggestion. I cannot attest to ChiFly's shipping policies and was not suggesting you act coy or sly or on the down low trying to cut deals. Just be up front and ask. Sometimes you find out things you didn't know. Sometimes discretion over policies is exercised in your favor. Again, just an idea. No clue about ChiFly and not trying to make them suffer a wave of non-committal phone orders from this thread. Just thinking, if you like the idea of an economy of small companies, being able to call the owner(s) direct should be a big plus that is encouraged, exercised and relished.

You could always have called the guys at ChiFly and see what they could do for you shipping wise. I'm not making any claim here that they would have budged, but it's worth a shot if you really care about your local shop. They want your business and want a long term customer.

Good...Very Good. (Strokes chin mischievously).

BTW, you keeping it as a rower only or you thinking of putting an outboard on it, too?

Boat looks great! Congrats on the purchase. I'm down if you ever have an empty seat!

Rio 6wt line sold pending payment. 8wt still available.

Hi all, I have an 8wt Cabela's Prestige Premier WF floating fly line that has been used one day as a backup line. It has since been washed with soapy water and is back to like-new condition. It is a 2-tone fly line (olive and bright green) and is weighted half-weight heavy (similar to SA GPX or Rio Grand) for in-close work or for loading fast-action rods. It retails $60 but I am asking $30 via check or paypal. PM if interested. I also have a BRAND NEW 6wt Rio Smallmouth floating fly line available for $42 (MSRP $79). This is a sweet line but I have several 6wt lines and need to thin out the herd. PM me if interested. Thanks! Tim

No problem, Tom. Note the quotes by Paul Dixon--the guide that pioneered the Montauk fly-fishery as well as flats fishing for stripers from a poling skiff. And the author, John McMurray, is a common sight around Montauk in the Fall. Hopefully you'll meet them all this year.

Tom did a great job here. I will say that this looks like a collection from an east coast striped bass fisherman. RH #5 is a "Ray's fly," designed by striper fisherman Ray Bonderew of Rhode Island. The first fly in the center column is a classic imitation of a cinder worm, a worm that "hatches" on evening dropping tides around full moon in May as it leaves the back bays for the ocean and makes the stripers go crazy (similar to the palolo worm hatch for Keys tarpon). http://www.saltwatersportsman.com/travel/north-america/striper-fishing-during-cinder-worm-hatch?image=151311 The good news is all these flies will catch smallmouth!

Nice purchase, Jim! They're great rods and so light for glass. Rod manufacturing has come a long way.