Ben K.

Haha preach. 

7 minutes ago, Urbs said:

. I go as high as using a 6 weight rod. for me that rod is as heavy as I want to use (from the level of enjoyment). I have a 10 foot 9 weight that is a broomstick. 

There’s some serious ground between a 6w and 9w.  Don’t count out a 7 or 8 weight for potential trophy bass on decent sized water. They are ideal for casting heavy or bushy predator flys. 

Nice bugger.  Weight might be an issue, but casting and casting well are two different things. Flipping these out from the bank might be all you need with a 9ft rod. Now if you’re looking for a big double haul cast… try not to ping it off your rod…  I’ve got a 7w on its way to TFO, I’m speaking  from experience. 
 

that estaz looks pretty bushy but I’d still try and wrap the hackle feather from the tail to the head instead of just a collar. It helps give the fly more body and taper.  Looking good tho! Report back on how it goes. 

I try and keep my distance… I’ve still got dents from one of them laying an egg on the roof of my car and offering to lower my auto insurance rates. 

Confidence is key! Or it just sits in the box. Looks real nice. 

Cool use of the tubes, might want to tie up some big cicadas for this years hatch while your at it. 

Living the dream! 

Looks  good! I’ve had some jig hooks bend and break in the last year. no worries with this rig. 

8/6 - 8/9 sounds great! Just sent over the deposit. 

I lost that fly to a nice pike up in Wisconsin. Should of had a leader but I had just run out of my coated wire. I was in a slow moving river with lots of loose grass. The bucktail collar and hook made it totally weedless. You can smack them down on lily pads and weed edges and just let them drop or strip them back. 

I tied these articulated streamers up the last couple nights, hope to get them wet soon. I haven’t had a proper float since the Menominee. 

that fly is a 2/0. I’ve only tried the 2/0 and 4/0. I haven’t seen smaller sizes until I just checked honestly. 1/0,  1, 2 and 4 all look good to me but I’d  need to lighten up on the hair. I could see some weedless killer craws too. 

 

* I edited the sizes since I had them wrong. I attempted to order the 1/0 but was sent more 2/0. 

Good to know Rob, getting low on stock. Thanks! 

Here’s a quick rundown on the pr378 streamer. Tried something new this time with a shank added to extend the tail.  

I really like these hooks, they have some fresh designs and come in great sizes for larger predator fish.

The pr378 swimbait hooks truly weedless when tied up with some bucktail.  I’ll layer in  streamer brushes wraps too add a little something something without over complicating the fly.  I like size 2/0 and 1/0 they’ve held up to large pike and I’ve had great hookups. 

The tp650 bent streamer is newer to me but looks like a winner. I’ve been tying deceiverish deer hair divers with or without light lead eyes. These act like jerkbaits and suspend or slow sink. Ive got a few more 1/0 left for articulated something or others. 
 

Anyone else have experience or recommendations for another streamer hook that’s not a gamy b10s?  I love those too. Next up are some Kona big game carnivore in 4/0 for fall esox. 

Found me a couple strange looking rabbits so I mixed in deer hair, mallard flank, and some finishing touches. A fly for top, middle, and bottom. Mostly on size 2 gamy b10s stingers except front hook on the articulated is some stout umpqua bass hook. 

Can’t wait for that fall feedbag. 

Another vote for the TFO. The bass line should be fine. I would also spend some time with one of the 8 or 7 weights. The heavier line will make it easier to feel how the rod loads. It’s also nice to have some extra power for big smallmouth in faster rivers. 

The 6w Tfo should toss medium to light clouser minnows or wooly buggers, anything foam or buggy, and medium to smaller streamers just fine. Anything without a ton of lead or the really big articulated meaty flys would be fine. 

Check out some Lefty Kreh casting videos on YouTube.  His concepts stuck with me, are simple, and apply well to streamer fishing and more aggressive casting.  

I would be happy to show you some stuff in person if you wanted to get on the water sometime. I’m up by Volo. 

Those are some great observations. I love the visual of the males fending off their beds by ramming others. 

Had a wonderful time fishing, relaxing, and conversing at tinkers dam this year. My highlight was landing two 19.75 bass on my own flys. Strongest fights I’ve had in years and one nearly bent the hook straight after running into heavy current. We had some fantastic weather and got a mix of passing rain, a starry night with a bright meteor, and rapid electrical storms that didn’t make a sound. As Ken mentioned we had a hot streak before a front that was really fun. It’s always a pleasure to fish with Ken from his boat. It was also great to hang out with Scott, Eric, and Kevin. 

Very cool. 

Very nice build Rob. I’m a fan of the color and clean look. Can’t go wrong with the Lamson either. 17 inch bass are in their prime! 

Welcome to the club Matt. There’s some great water around here. 

I saw my first pair last year on the Yahara. Beautiful animals who seemed equally curious about my friend and I. Can we train them to eat the asian carp? 

I can swing that. I've had a craving for some good biscuits and gravy too. win win. 

I’ll take a spot on August 8-11.  Thanks Alan. 

This patterns so deadly, Nailed it. Great colors too.