Rob G

It doesn't take a genius to determine it's not ideal for that particular environment. And may I be honest when I say that I hate it when an individual seeks financial gain at the expense of my recreation and/or hobby.

Great Colin, Tim and I hope to be there as well but they're predicting snow for us tomorrow so we'll have to wait and see what the roads are like since we have 100 miles over there. Rob

Bump to the top. Last fly tying gathering of the season, so come out and join us. Again, notice the 30 minute later start time than in the past.

Good luck Mike, my high and tight flies in the vise were just like that but after a cast, it takes on a more minnow profile. And yes, I was using a loop knot, but still no side to side action unless you make it do that by animating your rod tip. Bucktail when wet is just too flaccid to offer any resistance. Still a neat fly

John, so you tie that fly in black as shown in your link but with black legs? What size hook?

Not that you would BUT if you did, what fly would you likely use for carpin' ? There's an excellent series of videos on this subject over on utube produced by Mad River Outfitters on the subject, well worth a look IMO. Again not that I would ever fish for the lowly carp but if I did, I bet this fly would probably be one of my two favorites, a take off of on Bob Clouser's excellent swimming nymph. But again, I'm just guessing at this point because I would never be willing to stalk those muddy flats on a sunny summer afternoon in search of such a fish that could get me into my backing so easily. And of course, I know Johnny G. would never descend so low as to chase these "trash fish" 😄

Of course Scott, but this fly was designed or advertised to give the profile of a wide or high body baitfish such as a small sunfish . Another wonderful example of a fly that looks good in the vise but doesn't deliver on what I thought it would in the water. I'm not saying it won't catch fish, because it will, but it won't imitate what I had hoped for. It needs stiffer material so it doesn't collapse upon retrieval. Stiffer Puglisi hair flies won't collapse as easily but then they might not have the movement of bucktail.

Mike, finally found some open water in which to cast my "high and tight" bucktail streamers today. Unfortunately not what I had hoped for. The "high and tight" loses its "high". When pulled through the water it turns into a more bullet or aerodynamic shape. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice "minnow" profiled fly, tubular if you will, but not going to be mistaken for a bluegill. Will it catch fish, yes, very much so, but you will need to animate the fly with your strip, retrieve and rod tip action, otherwise the fly is pretty dead. No built in swimming action like a hollow or articulated fly. I think it's a cool fly, love the simplicity and the hundreds of years of human history using bucktail to catch fish. I will be giving it a good work out when the water warms but just wanted to let you know its limitations. Oh and I followed the other Kelly's idea of placing eyes on this thing using UV glue, worked well, hopefully they'll remain on with repeated use. I'll get a photo attached later on.

Ed's right, very carefully. One of the photos which was deleted above was of my arm that got torn up by those teeth when I lost focus for a moment and he paid me back dearly. I normally employ jaw spreaders like we do for northern pike, once the mouth is held open, you can then use a small wire brush to get those fibers unhooked from their teeth. Also you can use needle nose pliers and pull on the fibers but often the brush works best. I generally release the fish unless I want to keep some for frying up a few "gar balls". The wonderful thing about gar is they can live outside the water for a few minutes so you don't have to rush. It's important to remove the fly and not just cut the line or the fish will not be able to open his jaws and will surely die (though admittingly some choose to remove them from the fishery as they compete with other more desirable predatory fish)

John, let me check in my photo files. I might have a pictorial where I demo'ed them for the group. I like to use 1/4" braided nylon in white . You must fully un-braid the fibers and I found that 8 of the smallest strands folded over works quite well. Also IMO the fly needs eyes to be effective on gar. Don't even bother without them. Btw, thanks for the reminder, as I need to tie up a few for next season. Edit: Here you go, found it in the old threads

Rich, how do you know that this is "Targus" craft fur? I see no mention of that specific variety anywhere on their site. To my knowledge, Targus craft fur hasn't been available for some time now. I know it's difficult to be sure but those pieces don't seem to have the longer fibers of the early Targus craft fur. Price is sure right though and some interesting colors that I've never seen before. I've been tying a lot of craft fur hollow fleyes lately or "bad hair day" flies and I use a lot of craft fur. I'm starting to run low on certain colors of my supply of the old "good stuff" which is better than what today is considered exta select craft fur. Thanks for sharing btw, Rob

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Colin, is a cockatoo one those classic salmon style flies?

All the great artisans create sketches of their work before hand, which is why I never do. I just start slapping stuff on the hook until I have crowded the eye and say "done" Nicely done Mike !

Yes, Mark, that's it except for marabou in the tail, I use just a pinch of rabbit that I've trimmed off a zonker strip. These are tied on a Mustad size 12 2xl hook. The Hare-tron dubbing with the antron fibers is the key to giving it a very "buggy" look. "Hare's ear Plus" dubbing will also work nicely. Also, make sure you use a feather from a Hen Cape and not a Hen Saddle. The cape feather works much better and I always trim away the barbels on one side of the feather before palmering so it doesn't get too dense, a Dave Whitlock trick. I steal from the best of them.

John, the fly has evolved into a 2 different size hook fly. The forward hook is a size 2 (maybe 1) and the rearward hook is a size 4. I now stack the front hook more densely with the schlappen and use a more diffuse amount in the rear. Working on the idea of hydraulics and pushing water in the front which creates faster movement in the rear (so I'm told). I've replaced the marabou in the rear with a couple pair of opposing hackle for greater "come hither" movement as well. The flies are at least 4" in length. I now won't leave home without them if there's any chance of decent fish and/or better than "skinny" water. They do not run deep and faster current somewhat nullifies the shake and bake movement. They're great down my way when the water is low but were not effective on the Kankakee this past summer when it was really moving.

Before I get to experiment with the new stuff, I have to restock the boxes with old favorites. Articulated flies and mini buggers (aka brim bugs) Those size 12 brim bugs are a Rich Osthoff staple and good for what ails ya. Excellent searching pattern for trout and my favorite panfish fly for red ear and crappie.

Oh now that's "high and tight" alright !

The Slumpbuster above I tied on a Daiichi 1750 4xl, 1x heavy, straight eye hook in a size 6. John recommended this size for trout though I'm sure it would turn a smallie's head as well. Pine squirrel zonker was used for the top wing, though I do have some micro cut rabbit that could be trimmed to size which should work as well. Btw, I have no idea what the recommended hook actually is, 3xl, 4xl ? For the "high and tight" I used a Daiichi 2546 saltwater hook size 1 since I happened to have several that I could share with the group and it seemed appropriate for smallmouth. No, I didn't use a 4/0 since we have very few Peacock bass in my area anymore, ever since I fished them out. Yea, those Ahrex hooks aren't cheap and I appreciate a less expensive alternative. At the next tie, maybe we'll tackle his other baitfish profile "long and tubular"

Unfortunately we're to blame, happens every time when we tie our killer patterns.

Thanks Ed. We seem to swap a lot of fish stories at these gatherings even if not a lot of flies get tied, and there are some really great individuals in that group that make the long drive worth it.

Central Illinois Fly Tying Gathering will be held on March 3rd, Sunday, and run from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. ( Please note the 30 minute later start than previously) The location of the event will be in Bloomington, IL at the firehouse on 1911 Hamilton Rd. 61704. Afterwards, the group will likely adjourn to a nearby watering hole for a little food and beverage. All are welcome, both ISA and Non ISA members alike, as well as both the beginner and the more seasoned fly tyer. There is no cost to attend this event. For more information contact Rob G here at the forums.

We had about a dozen show up on this cold winters day, but we had a nice time tying a couple different patterns before later adjourning for a little BBQ. Thanks go to John B. for helping the group tie a Slumpbuster and also thanks go to Gunnar for his tutorial on tying the mighty "high and tight". Hope to see everyone at the next fly tying gathering on March 3rd, Sunday, 1:30-4pm. (Note the 30 minute later start time) See the event calendar for more details. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Rob

We had about a dozen show up on this cold winters day, but we had a nice time tying a couple different patterns before later adjourning for a little BBQ. Thanks go to John B. for helping the group tie a Slumpbuster and also thanks go to Gunnar for his tutorial on tying the mighty "high and tight". Hope to see everyone at the next fly tying gathering on March 3rd, Sunday, 1:30-4pm. (Note the 30 minute later start time) See the event calendar for more details. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Rob

Central Illinois Fly Tying Gathering will be held on March 3rd, Sunday, and run from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM. ( Please note the 30 minute later start than previously) The location of the event will be in Bloomington, IL at the firehouse on 1911 Hamilton Rd. 61704. Afterwards, the group will likely adjourn to a nearby watering hole for a little food and beverage. All are welcome, both ISA and Non ISA members alike, as well as both the beginner and the more seasoned fly tyer. There is no cost to attend this event. For more information contact Rob G here at the forums.