Paul Chausse

I have for sale one new Sage Bass Smallmouth rod with new Sage 290gr fly line and Sage Smallmouth case, and one new Sage Bass Largemouth rod with new Sage 330gr fly line and Sage Largemouth case. Rods/line have never been out of their case, and the cases are still wrapped in plastic. Retail new on these was $420 each, but I'll take $300 each or I'll sell the pair for $550. PM me or call me at 217-412-8228 if interested.

There is one in the Cabela's Bargain Cave ad that came this week. 8' Clear Creek for $179 if I remember correctly.

Enjoy your new found freedom! Boat sounds awesome. You are gonna make that boat "Scream" once in a while aren't you? Happy "catching". Paul

I didn't see where Kelly Neuman mentioned his specific preferred rod weight for fishing his streamers. I did see that he talks about his custom streamer rods, but he gives a range of 6 to 8 weight rods. I'm still relatively new to fly fishing, but I study something new about it every day. I'd agree with you that there are good casters that have taken the time, I wouldn't say trouble, to learn to double haul, but most casting instructors will tell you that the double haul is one of the last techniques a fly fisherman should learn. I have spent some time with a Master Instructor (he's a good friend of mine). He has no problem picking up his 9# Fenwick HMX with 400 grain line spooled up to throw Kelly Neuman's bigger, heavier flies. If he's throwing Gallup's streamers, he'll still use a heavy, stiff rod to control that line weight even though Gallup's streamers aren't typically as heavy as Neuman's. He preaches that the rod weight and speed must match the approach to fishing more so than the fish themselves. I can cast a heavy 8" fly with floating line in my yard (or stream) all day long on my 6# Z-Axis. But if I'm fishing fast water, and I need to strip that line through a deep hole to get it into the feed zone of a fish, I'll switch line weight and rod weight/speed to manage the fly and line. At this point early in my fly fishing career, my goal is to use whatever gear it takes (and that I can afford) to give myself the best chance to catch fish. As I continue to learn, I'll change my approach (and gear) to continue to give myself the best opportunity to catch fish. I'm sorry I turned John's topic about his interest in Gallup's flies into a discussion of rod/line weight needed to cast them. Great ties John.

Thanks, I'll give that method a try if my traditional cast starts to fail me again. I appreciate any new approach. That's actually part of the reason I joined this association. Thanks, also, for the heads up on the Kelly Gallup presentation. He comes across as a very personable guy that just wants to share and learn from others in his Fly Fish TV program, and he is not a "trout only" snob. I'd enjoy the opportunity to listen to his presentation. Paul

Interesting. I'll have to pick one up and give it a feel the next time I get into a fly shop.

My casting must leave quite a bit to be desired then, because I had a tough time managing these big bugs and 250 grain line with what St. Croix is calling the best streamer rod available in a 6 or 7 weight. I guess I need to get back out in the yard and practice some more.

You like that? They are some pretty amazing BIG bugs. I'm not sure what other fish species would do with them, but the big Browns on The White RIver in Arkansas were pretty intrigued by some of these patterns. I've become a believer, but I did learn that the average 7 or 8 weight will not throw them.

Hey John, Have you looked at any of Kelly Neuman's flies? I think that some of them might be a little too, shall we say, aggressive for smallies, but the big browns like to chase them, and I can't wait to throw them at Largemouth this summer. I don't think that most of them would be that tough to tie up. You'd just have to have the right hooks and materials. Here's a link if you wanna check them out: Michigan Streamside

I'm not interested in the rod you have for sale, but more interested in what you have your eyes on to replace it. I've read that the CPX is a pretty fast rod similar to the Sage TCR and Fenwick HMX. Are you looking for something a little slower?

I'll Look for it. Thanks. I have not fished Michigan waters yet, but it's on the "to do" list.

Got them. Thanks

I'd like to buy a outboard motor in the 5 to 10 horsepower range. I would prefer used and under $600 and as light as possible. This is to be mounted on my Hyde drift boat, so it needs to be a long (20") shaft. Please contact me at 217-412-8228 or you can pm me through this site. Thanks, Paul

I'm gonna have to say that it's not really the type of music I want to hear on my way to or way home from a day or week of fishing if it all sounds like that.

I saw a a clip on "Hunt for Big Fish" of one of the songs from that album, but I thought it was just a spoof. Is it worth buying the disc?

If you're into trout fishing, there is a group of guys, Artie Traum, Chris Shaw & Tom Akstens, that have an album titled Big Trout Radio: Songs About Fishing that I came across that I like a lot. Anglin' Wayne and the Trollers have some good tunes, and a guy I came accross name David Walburn has a really nice sound to his blend of fishing/outdoor songs. I have a playlist of about 160 "Fishing Tunes" songs on my iPod that is a combination of songs specifically about fishing and some really good modern Bluegrass.

Manny, Kelly Gallup uses beading wire, the stuff that people use to make jewelry, to connect the two hooks. I have been using 25lb mono for the last couple of years, but I plan on switching to the wire for a couple of reasons. Its even more durable than the mono because it's stainless steel and twisted like cable, and you can make a nice up and down loop through the eye of the trailing hook that prevents that hook from twisting too much side to side. The second point is important for presentation purposes and for insuring a hook-up versus missing fish due to a hook laying sideways. Also, it's important to leave some gap (I use glass beads as spacers) between your lead and trail hooks so your fly has that extra movement that you're trying to achieve by articulating them. I tie the trailer hook portion of the fly up first, connect the two hooks by tying the mono, now wire, down to the top of the shaft of the lead hook, then tie the lead portion of the fly. A buddy of mine guides down in the Ozarks and has set up a pretty informative website for tying and everything fly fishing. Here's a link to the streamer "how to" portion of his page. Taneycomo Trout There is another guy up in Michigan by the name of Kelly Neuman that has some pretty amazing articulated streamers for Salmon, Trout, Steelhead, Bass, etc. Here a link to his site: Michigan Streamside Pretty amazing stuff. I'll be happy to help out with any further information that I have. Paul

A buddy, Dan Held, and I threw two and three hook articulated flies for big brown trout on the White River in Arkansas a little over a week ago. I think articulated flies are the closest thing we've seen in the world of fly fishing to imitating the movement of bait fish so far. I've read that cold water species chase them when it's colder, and warm water species chase them when the water starts to warm up, but I also think that it depends on the predatory instincts of the species you're chasing. I'm to the point after this last trip for trout that I'll try them for a little bit on almost every time out, and I plan on banging them off of the banks of the lakes and streams I fish around here (Decatur) from Spring thru Fall. Have you fished an articulated yet?

Never fished the Springs, but I have a good friend who guides in Wisconsin, and he has told me that rod/line weight doesn't matter as much as it pertains to 3 vs. 4 vs. 5. He has said that your leader length especially when nymphing is really the more important factor. His advice has been to go longer with your leader, because these fish tend to spook pretty easily. That being said, make sure you're packing a rod that can present that much leader and fly line and pick it back up without spooking the target out of a hole.

Hello Ryan, I have a buddy that has a 9ft. 4# CV2 by Bass Pro that is a kit of rod, reel and WF floating line that he wants to sell. I don't know what you're looking for, but I own the 3# version of this set and I have landed some really nice fish on it. I would call it a medium-fast action rod. the reel has a good drag system, and it is a good looking reel with the rod. Let me know if you're still looking, and I'll get the two of you together.

Sold this boat today (2/5/11).

I don't know how good a vise you're looking for, but Barlows Tackle out of Texas offers a Terra rotary vise for about $40. Check out barlowstackle.com. If you haven't come across this company yet, they offer a WIDE variety of tackle craft supplies at reasonable prices and fair shipping fees. Their shipping is pretty quick, too.

I guess you and I think alike Terry, cause i'm stuck on the chic with no bra on in winter no less. Probably has her high beams on....

I'm gonna throw another new dubbing choice out. It's called "Wiggle Dub". Have any of you seen this stuff and/or tied with it? It is dubbing with built in rubber legs. I haven't played around with it yet, but it seems pretty interesting. I'm intrigued by the stuff. Problem is that I'm new to smallmouth fishing and tying flies for them. Anybody think this stuff will be useful? Check out this video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG7Y5bxvUeY&feature=player_embedded

Great series. Thanks for sharing.