Tom L

I've been wanting to get a strippring basket for a while now. And l can think of a couple reasons that I'd want a stripping basket. 1. Some times, I do fish from shores chasing largermouth on local lakes and ponds. Often times the weeds and debris on the ground tangled up the fly line. 2 . I want to start chasing muskie, pike or largemouth from a boat. A stripping basket may be handy when it is windy out. The only criteria on the basket is that I don't want something that looks like a dishpan strapped to my waist. I am leaning toward this "Charlie's Total Control Stripping Basket". http://www.flyfishbasket.com/index.html I'm just wondering if anyone has ever tried this basket or any other baskets. Thanks.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/fishing/bass-fishing/2012/02/best-best-fishing-gear-2012?photo=0#node-1001464302

This cast is useful for changing fly, because you don't have to strip all the line in (saving time). I use it often, only I catch the line with my hand. The principle of spey casting is built upon the roll cast principle, by using water tension to load the rod on the back cas. It is used when the back cast space is limited by trees or your fishing partner (LOL). A single spey cast is also called a power roll cast, because It adds distance to the normal roll cast. These casts are useful in smallie, trout, and steelie fishing.

Another consideration when spinning deer hair is to have a good strong thread. It will save you a lot of frustrations. I found these nylon threads work well. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Tying/Thread-Beads-Eyes%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/104340780/i/103886280/Ultra-Thread-140/710789.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fly-fishing-fly-tying-thread-beads-eyes%2F_%2FN-1100440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103886280%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104793480%253Bcat104721480%253Bcat104340780&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat104340780%3Bcat103886280 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Fly-Fishing/Fly-Tying/Thread-Beads-Eyes%7C/pc/104793480/c/104721480/sc/104340780/i/103886280/Ultra-GSP-100-Denier-Thread/744183.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-fly-fishing-fly-tying-thread-beads-eyes%2F_%2FN-1100440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103886280%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104721480%253Bcat104340780&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104721480%3Bcat104340780%3Bcat103886280 The sizes on these threads are different from the Uni Threads. Use this as a rough guideline: 70 deniel = 8/0 140 deniel = 6/0

I thought the Blowout is on Saturday March 3rd, but on the Calender is marked as Friday March 2nd. Which is correct?

I would love to take a float tube like that to our local lakes in the FP around here to cast weedless popper into lilly pads for largemouth. The float tube frees up both of your hands for fly casting. You can hold your position and move around with your feet. I have a single person yak and had tried fly casting from it. It did not work to well. The best I could do was paddled to an area and waded it. Too bad the FP around here would not allow float tube like that. Here is another video that is really cool.

Can a yak guy do this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa8WjVnfCQc

White Clouser and White Marabou Muddler are two of my favorites. With these two flies, I had caught smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, pike, carp, carp sucker, channel cat, crappie, buffalo, drum, blue gill, pumpkin seed.

This is from John I post: Event Date: 21-January 12 9:00 (Single Day Event) ISA Fly Tying & Fishing Show Saturday 1/21/12 From 9am to 4:30pm St. Charles Borromeo Church Holy Family School 145 E. Grand Ave. Bensenville, IL 60106 This daylong fest promotes all aspects of fly fishing for all types of fish. With expertise drawn from the many local clubs, guides & shops a learning & information sharing experience is the goal. From novice to expert, bluegill & bass to trout & steedhead, we will share the gist of fly fishing. All with a Midwest focus. Features: Local club tyers from ISA Bassbuggers & Drift. Guides for nearby opportunities. Hourly seminars, casting lanes, booths by shops & manufacturers. Admission $10.00- Kids under 10 free http://illinoissmallmouthalliance.net/photos/2012/flyshow.gif

Has anyone ever try this, GF backhand power haul? The fly fishing show is next Saturday. Maybe we all should come out and try this, since there will be casting lane at the show.

Thanks Bob. Here is my first few attempts on the Gurgler. Use this to cut the foam. Nice and straight.

Good idea Kevin. When in doubt, try them on before purchase. Just don't forget to leave a little xtra room for xtra thick socks. Scott, Thanks. Totally forgot about that. I still have the wader in my garage.

3 years ago, I bought this Cabela brand wader on sales http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Waders/Mens-Fishing-Waders|/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104674680/i/103926780/Cabelas-Premium-Dry-Plus174-Breathable-Stockingfoot-Waders-150-Regular/749371.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffootwear-mens-footwear-mens-waders-mens-fishing-waders%2F_%2FN-1101197%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103926780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253BRCcat104721480%253Bcat104674680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3BRCcat104721480%3Bcat104674680%3Bcat103926780 and it came with a free pair of these wading boots http://www.cabelas.com/product/Footwear/Mens-Footwear/Mens-Waders/Mens-Wading-Boots|/pc/104797980/c/104747580/sc/104674680/i/103896180/Cabelas-Ultralight8482-2-Wading-Boots/734259.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffootwear-mens-footwear-mens-waders-mens-wading-boots%2F_%2FN-1101202%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_103896180%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104674680&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104674680%3Bcat103896180 The wader lasted 2 years only. I still have the wading boots. They had some cracks but still functional. The laces broke about 2 weeks ago. I think the boots may last another 2 years, easily. I added 1/2" sheet metal screws under each boots as studs. It works like a charm. Keep these in mind when choosing between felt soles and lug soles: 1) Some states are banning felt soles, because of invasive species concerns. Many more may follow. 2) Felt soles will build up ice underneath when walking on snow if they are wet. Another consideration when buying wading boots: Buy one size larger boots for summer wading only; but two size larger boots for winter wading. For example: I normally wear size 8 shoes, but I bought a pair of size 9 wading boots for summer wading only. Because the wader and the thin summer socks add one size up to your boots. I also have a pair of size 10 wading boots for winter wading, because I like to wear extra thick socks for additional warm. Plus, if your boots are too tight, they restrict blood circulations and your feet will get cold. But if you can afford only one pair, go with two sizes up.

Learn to identify poison ivy and poison sumac http://poisonivy.aes...s-may/index.php http://www.poison-sumac.org/ Summer of 2009, I took the family camping in Rock Cut State Park near Rockford. The camp ground was right on Pierce Lake. This is a beautiful lake with good fishing. One hot and humid afternoon, while everyone was taking a nap I picked up my spinning rod and went fishing alone. I was shorefishing, walking along the trails around the lake, and casting to likely spots for LB. Fishing was good that day. I caught many fish and good sizes too. Right after I caught this fish, I caught another good size fish not far from the same area, but the fish bolted into a downtree branches and got tangled. so, I went into the water to get him out, but I lost him. Right before I hooked the fish, I was using a shrub on the bank as a camelflag. It gave me a little itch, but I did not pay attention to it. I was so concentrating in catching fish. Nothing happened after that until 3 days later, both of my legs were blistered up. Just like those pictures. That shrub was a poison sumac. At that time, I knew of poison ivy, but not poison sumac.

Another picture of the fly.

I did some experiments with somethings similar. After reading Eric's posts on the successes of the swim jigs, I tyed up some of these flies to immitate the swim jigs. Basically, it is a wooly bug body with rubber legs collars, a bullet head, and attached eyes. I caught several SMB with them. I fished them with both sink tip and floating lines in rivers using a swing-down/strip-up technique. I don't have a name for it yet, or maybe it ready has but I just don't know. This is what I had found so far: 1. It is still missed some of the swim jig elements like fat body to push water and vibrations of the tail. 2. If the rubber collars are too long, they tend to foul the hook.

When it is cold out, carry an extra set of clothes. Keep them in a dry-bag of plastic bag while fishing from a kayak or a canoe. I don't remember how many times I tumbled in the river while wading, no matter how careful I tried.

Add sheet metal screws under your wading boots for extra grips. http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware/h_d1/N-5yc1vZarnk/R-100131135/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 If your felt sole and rubber sole wading boots do not come with studs, add 10 of these 1/2" or 5/8" screws under each boot will do the job. Give it a try, if you have not done so already. It is a lot safer.

I'm sure many of us have their own safety tips. Let's share.....

I am sure many of us already have a pair of polarized sunglasses and used them on a regular basis on fishing outings. They are very useful in helping us to better see underwater structures and fish. The reason that I brought this up, because recently I ran into an old acquaintance that I have not seen many years and it reminded me of a safety story that I’d like to share. When I started fly fishing many years ago, Sean a manager of a fly shop and a very knowledgeable fly fisherman set me up with a fly rod, a reel, and the whole outfits. He also introduced me to different kind of flies and tying lessons. That day, he told me many things about fly fishing. I was excited about the new sport and overwhelmed with all the new information, but there was one thing that I remembered the most until these days. He said he rather have forgotten the fishing rod at home then have forgotten a pair of polarized sunglasses. He proceeded to tell me about how a pair polarized sunglasses would make me a better angler. I ended up buying a pair of polarized sunglasses from him also. I guessed he was a very good salesman too. And I have taken this advice to the heart since. One evening many years later, I was fishing with a friend. We were using BB split shots to get our flies down deep. My friend’s line became snagged to the bottom and he tried to unsnag it. Some how the BB sling shot into his left eye. He was in pain and I ended up driving him to a nearby hospital. Earlier that day, we both were wearing polarized sunglasses. But as the sun was setting and it became darker, we both took the sunglasses off. Fortunately, my friend regained his eyesight. It was an important lesson for both of us. Now, I always carry two pairs of polarized sunglasses on my fishing outings, one for bright conditions and one for low light conditions. Have a Happy New Year. May 2012 brings you good Bronzeback bounties. And Be Safe out there.

I went out and gave the 3 point grip another try the other day. As many of us already suggested, I think it is more for precision casting. The 3 point fingers position is a lot like throwing a dart. I will stick with the Trigger Grip for bigger rods and distant casting; and switch to the 3 point grip for smaller rods and accurate casting. It sounded like the Trigger Grip, the Key Grip, and the Golf Club Grip are the same. Just different people called it differently. It has been a good discussion. Thank for all your inputs.

Dear Mr Borger, Thank you for your reply. I had tried the Three Point Grip only a few times. It may be that I'm still not used to it yet. I will follow your suggestions and keep on practicing. Just want to let your know that I love reading all your books and articles. I ordered a copy of "Reading Waters" a week ago, but have not received it yet. Can't wait to dig into it. Again thank you. Tom

That is where are the innovations and advancement of the fly fishing come from. If we all only follow rules and stick to experts' advices, we would be only fishing for trout now and doing the 10 o'clock and 2o'clock. The double hauls, side arm cast, oval cast have open the fly fishing sports to many other species. The most important thing in casting is be comfortable and do not injure yourself in the process. That being said a good foundation of casting is a good starting point too.

Thanks Joseph. That confirmed my initial evaluations of the Three Point Grip too, that it is best for lighter rods. I have been comfortable with the Trigger Grip. I use it on all rod weights that I have from 3wt to 9wt. May be Gary was referring to trout fishing. That was his background. Although, I do agree with one point that he made in the article is that "to gain a distance in casting, one needs to hold the rod as far back as possible, even putting the hand on top of the reel seat." I have been doing it for years without knowing the physics of it, but it just feels natural and it adds distances to my casts.