Jonn Graham

What hook are you using?

Rob:

Those are real beauties. You will find bronze attached to them next year. Maybe this year if we get a warming trend...............a guy can wish.

I like to dress with marabou or calf tail out the back and then, in place of hackle, I like wrap a few wraps of estaz.

The clouser pop is great, but not as loud as the blockhead.

Rich:

I have tried reversing the blockhead, but they will not dive. You would have to modify the slope of the face to get them to dive.

Rob:

You won't be dissapointed.

yes, I do think these are better than standard cup-faced poppers................most of the time. I like to use Tiemco 8089 NP #6 or #10, but there are many different hooks that will work just fine. These poppers have a very different sound than standard cup-faced poppers. They push more water and are quite loud for their size. In addition, they cast like a breeze.

I absolutely love blockhead poppers. In addition, I prefer to make my own. The only problem was that the bodies have never been made available commercially. Until now...................

Brad Miller at flybass.com has contracted with a company to make the bodies. In addition, these babys have a pre-cut hole going through the foam to allow easy installation of the hook. No more cutting the foam with a razor blade. I have already ordered my first batch and tied them up and tried them out. They are OUTSTANDING!! You can purchase them at www.flybass.biz. Or www.flybass.com.

Here are a couple of mine using Brad's bodies:

Ron:

That is definitely another option. My guide up on the Menominnee this past summer suggested the tropical clouser as well. Says it will alleviate alot of the twisting of the running line during the warm weather months.

Don:

Join the club. I too cannot find a pair of wading shoes/boots that can hold up to the number of times I wade on a yearly basis. If I get two years out of a pair of wading boots, I am happy. I need some new ones for next year. Looking at Redington's new wading boot.

The Tight Lines boys bascially designed the line. What you told me is exactly what they told me. It is a line designed for long casts. It also has a harder coating than the clouser line that will not get all soft during the warm weather months. That is one thing I hate about Clouser..........the running line gets soft during the summer and twists like crazy. I guess this new line with its harder coating will not do that. Thanks for the insight.

How did everyone like the new smallmouth line from Rio? I have my eye on it. Any comments or concerns?

The Hook is a Tiemco 8089. And, yes, the sizing is crazy. #6 and #10 are what you want. They run LARGE!! A #2 is massive...........like saltwater/muskie size

Exploring small, out of the way, rivulets of water is the most exciting part of being a stream fisherman. New water and exploration is what really gets my blood pumping.

Graham's Ghost fly is now featured on flyfishohio.com. Pictures of the fly, tying directions, and how to fish it are included.

Check it out here:

www.flyfishohio.com

Please note that the meeting place and time has been changed from the original posting months ago. We ARE NOT MEETING IN ANNAWAN AT 9:00. We will meet at 8:00 at the Hardees in Geneseo. The river is low so wading and/or floating are both viable options. If you don't know where to fish, we will have guys at the outing to help those unfamiliar with the river. cya on Sat.

The Green River trip will take place this Saturday. We will meet at the Hardees in Geneseo at 8:00. The Hardees is located just off of I-80. Floating or wading should both be doable. Please respond to this post if you are coming.

Steven was an outstanding person!! One of the most knowledgeable smallmouth fisherman I ever knew. He will be deeply missed.

John:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Those are two nice fish. How long was that smallie?

My dad and I struggled. I fished exclusively with the long rod and blanked. Dad landed this beauty:

. Dad had two more smallies hooked but did not land them.

18 inches caught on a chompers drifting in the current. My take on the day (or an excuse depending on how you look at it) was that the fish were a little sluggish due to the cold temps. In my experiences, the first few cold mornings we get in early fall really zap the fish. A few more cool mornings and the fish seem to get used to it and begin to feed much harder. In addition, the afternoon bite is often better than the morning bite during the fall and winter periods.

My dad and I will be wading. We could probably take one wader with us. cya sunday morning.

While I tried about six different flies, all of my fish came on my Graham's Ghost fly. It is a four inch streamer that rides just under the surface and darts side to side. A write up on this fly will be featured in the next newsletter. Fred, just remind me in the morning and I will give you one. Tied up three new ones last night and will have two more after tonite.

I will be there. Wading is DEFINITELY YOUR BEST OPTION!!!! I was there yesterday and the river is very low. But.............I caught 12 smallies on the fly rod and had at least 12 more strikes. Water is clear and the fish are relating to pools with current. cya at the Tonica truckstop at 8:00

I plan to be there. Nice fish, by the way.

Greg:

Where did you get that reel for $75? I found it online for around $160/

No cookout planned. Sometimes we meet up after fishing and eat at a local establishment. Many times guys just hit the road after fishing.