Ryan S Posted February 8, 2021 Report Share Posted February 8, 2021 Here is a look at a old crappy bass pro fly box I am trying to fill with my first tied flies. Started tying in January. Hoping to have it full with some basic patterns by the spring. I currently have a 4 wt that I began fly fishing with last season after making the transiting from conventional tackle. Hoping that these sizes and patterns will be castable/fishable on my 4 wt. What do y'all think? Also, if you have any recommendations on some foundational patterns to add let me know! Size 6 clousers Size 8 chernobyl ants (someone on here recommended this pattern... I think Mark? Thanks for the rec very fun to tie! How'd I do? Size 14 Pheasant tail nymphs (these still need a lot of work) Size 14 Elk Hair Caddis (first couple attempts) Next will be some bead head wooly buggers. What else do you recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted February 8, 2021 Report Share Posted February 8, 2021 Looks like you have a good start. The flies are definitely tied well enough to fool the fish you are after. Any type of small bass popper would help round things out. I personally like the small Wapsi size 8, soft foam, "Perfect Popper" body, or the Rainy's, "Mini-Me" in the same size. They should cast well with a 4 wt, and can also be turned backwards to create a gurgler such as a sneaky peat. I like to up the hook size to a size 4 Mustad 3366 hook when using them for smallies. The wapsi poppers come with instructions for creating a very productive fly (it calls for the use of Sily Legs or Larva Lace) or you can just get creative. It's also good to carry an unweighted streamer like a Murdich Minnow in a size 4 or 6 also. Have fun filling that box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark K Posted February 10, 2021 Report Share Posted February 10, 2021 On 2/7/2021 at 9:59 PM, Ryan S said: Size 8 chernobyl ants (someone on here recommended this pattern... I think Mark? Thanks for the rec very fun to tie! How'd I do? They look great. I would suggest on anything tie one or two and fish with them. Then you can make up more with adjustments if needed. I would add a couple olive buggers- some with cactus chennille anda gold bead head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S Posted February 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 On 2/7/2021 at 11:26 PM, John Gillio said: Looks like you have a good start. The flies are definitely tied well enough to fool the fish you are after. Any type of small bass popper would help round things out. I personally like the small Wapsi size 8, soft foam, "Perfect Popper" body, or the Rainy's, "Mini-Me" in the same size. They should cast well with a 4 wt, and can also be turned backwards to create a gurgler such as a sneaky peat. I like to up the hook size to a size 4 Mustad 3366 hook when using them for smallies. The wapsi poppers come with instructions for creating a very productive fly (it calls for the use of Sily Legs or Larva Lace) or you can just get creative. It's also good to carry an unweighted streamer like a Murdich Minnow in a size 4 or 6 also. Have fun filling that box. Awesome. Based on most of the recommendations I'm receiving the size 6-8 seems like a general good size fly for the 4wt. Thanks for the recommendations on the popper heads. I will start studying the murdich minnow. Nice looking pattern. thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S Posted February 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 14 hours ago, Mark K said: They look great. I would suggest on anything tie one or two and fish with them. Then you can make up more with adjustments if needed. I would add a couple olive buggers- some with cactus chennille anda gold bead head. Seems like logical advice fishing it before tying a bunch. I've mostly been tying a few in hopes of practicing and tying some that might fish haha. Already seeing how much the fine details make the difference between a fishable fly and something that really looks nice to the angler. Already have a few ideas to make the ants more consistent. Some beadhead buggers are up next since I already have those materials. Thanks for your help Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Durham Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 The Chernobyl ant is a great summertime topwater fly that smallmouth love on the dead drift! The ones you tied should fish very well> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S Posted February 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 22 minutes ago, Bart Durham said: The Chernobyl ant is a great summertime topwater fly that smallmouth love on the dead drift! The ones you tied should fish very well> Thanks Bart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Durham Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 Ryan, another necessity for your fly box is the bugle bug popper, imo even a superior summertime topwater fly to the ant. You might have to purchase this one however, as they are difficult to make on your own, or so I am told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark K Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Bart Durham said: Ryan, another necessity for your fly box is the bugle bug popper, imo even a superior summertime topwater fly to the ant. You might have to purchase this one however, as they are difficult to make on your own, or so I am told. Could not agree more. I can throw the smallmouth with my 4wt. BoogleBug® - Premium Quality Cork Popping Bugs - The Best Popping Bug on the Market for You! They are expensive. Like $6 each maybe more. But they take a beating and they really catch fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S Posted March 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2021 Update on the filling of my first box. Targeting small bass and panfish. Tied all to throw on my 4 weight. Had a lot of fun learning some basics. Some patterns I chose to tie simply because I had the right materials lying around. Still have some poppers I need to add. Let me know what you think. Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gillio Posted March 18, 2021 Report Share Posted March 18, 2021 👍 Those should catch trout too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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