Tom L

Thanks for the good read on cinder worm, Tim. Heard of pololo worm, but not cinder worm.

Left hand column: The first 5 are Clouser Minnows = great smallmouth flies. The bottom 4 flies look like some kind of top-water tied parachute style, the bottom with rubber legs maybe a parachute hopper. Center column: The first 3 look like some kind of worm flies. 4-5 are Half-and-Half's = good smallmouth flies also. Right hand column: #1 is a leech pattern. #2 is a wooly bugger. #3 & #6 are Clouser Minnows. #4 looks like a Surf Candy - a minnow imitation can be used for smallmoth. #5 an injured minnow or a beat-up minnow maybe - not sure. Hope that helps, Kevin.

Thanks Rob. So far, I had a chance to test them out a little bit and the tube flies seems to ride the same way as the traditional flies. There are many benefits that proponents of the tube flies trump over the traditional flies (you probable had heard them all), but the most important to me is the fact that "when tube flies are used in conjunction with Octopus hooks, the flies ride hook-point-up". They become bend-back flies (see the pic).

I've been wanting to experiment with tube flies for a very long time now. After reading Tom Rosenbauer's and April Vokey's articles in the latest issue of the Fly Fisherman Magazine, I was intrigue. These are some of my creations on tubes (so far): Articulated Flies (similar to those that I'd tied on Fish Sculpt articulated shanks and posted a few weeks ago), Wooly Buggers, Zonker and Clousers, CF Muddlers and Eggs.

Hope my Loomudclouskis didn't make a detour. Mailed them out a few weeks ago.

Nice flies, Mike. What kind of CCG did you use, thick, thin or brushable? I found that the Thick one is much easier to use for building head and covering eyes, and I used the Hydro as the last touch-up to rid of the tackiness.

Ryan, the 8"-9" flies are pretty much the same as the smaller articulated ones. haven't test cast them yet. Probably need a 9wt to cast them. I got my barred hackles from Orvis. Here is the link: http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=1Y5M

Sam - If you live in the Chicago area, come out to tye with us sometimes @ the 4th Monday tying event or attend one of the tying events host by the northwest and central regions in Rockford and Bloomington (check the calendar) . We have many great tyers in the ISA.

Came across this article awhile back. This fellow in Michigan shaped his diver into a wedge shape. http://midcurrent.com/flies/bar-flies/ I personally haven't had much experience with poppers/divers.

Nice boat, Ryan. Congrats!

Jonn, I stacked the deer hair head. The tricky part is to stack around the dumpbell eyes. I used 2 figure 8's, one on the top and the other on the bottom (see my Loomudclousky post). Yes, Jim. These flies are about 5" long. I'd tied some up to 8-9" long. I took the 5" flies out for a test drive on the Fox today. It was light enough to cast with my 6wt and had great actions. Mike, I figured if I could tied these flies on shanks I could tied them on tubes also. With about $25 add'l investment, I tube fly needles and tubes are on their ways.

As of late, I've been playing around with these flies. Have the Fish Skull Articulated Shanks sitting around the tying table forever. The bodies are combo of bucktails and craftfurs (reverse tied); the heads are deer hairs; and the eyes are brass dumpbells. Planning to tie these same flies on tubes.

Lately, I've been tying articulated & shank flies and just ordered supplies for tube flies.. I've been using Gamie's Octopus hooks as stinger hooks on some. I'll show them off soon.

Looks very comfy......

John, I can join you on Sunday 3/16 12-4pm.

Mike, I got them from Feather Craft. Here is the link: https://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?store=feacraft&action=display&target=TA116 They are very sharp, but not chemically sharpened and not as sharp as Gamies'.

For those that looking for a cheaper alternative, highly recommend Dai Riki 930 stainless saltwater hook ~ $0.20/hook. It's the hook that I used on my CF Muddler.

Just got my package this afternoon. Awesome flies guys. Can't wait to try them all. Thanks for participating. Looking forward to the next around.

I'm in. I'm going to do the Loomudclouski, if that is ok with you all.

Nice looking pack, Jim. Let us know how it functions in the field. I've been using the Waterdance Guide Pack from Fishpond the last 2 years. It is very comfortable, functional, and got everything I need in a pack. Best of all, the older it is, the better it gets. http://www.fishpondusa.com/product/detail/waterdance-guide-pack/199

Interesting concept. I think it has a lot of potential. Rob, if you make the body round like a cylinder and add weight toward the rear then it doesn't matter which way it lays. Just an idea. Cool looking fly.

Sorry to hear that Terry. My dirty dozen (CF Muddlers) are ready to be shipped.

Cool looking flies. Looks like you coated the entire heads with something. CCG?

Definately a 20.5+ fish. Yep, 20.7 is a fair estimate.

Have not seen them around our feeders over 3 weeks now.