Greg C

I have a Montana Fly reel 8wt, in a "bronze" finish. Looks kind of like a champaign color. I am currently using one on my 7wt. It has a smooth drag with enough power, for smallies, or steelhead. machined from 6061-T6 aluminum.

I guarantee that will slay the stripers. But, as something different to try, I often add a dozen or more strands of silver flashabou over the top. Seems to make a difference, for me, on this style streamer.

I have used something very similar, for the last ten years, or so. They have worked very well for me, too. But, mine use solid yellow legs. It seems very counter-intuitive. But, the solid yellow legs work better than the yellow grizzly barrred legs. I just couldn't believe it. But, I'm not going to try to force feed them what I think works, when the fish tell me different. Same tan back, yellow body is what I found to be best, also. If anyone wants the MFC cutters, I can get them at a steep discount. Can't mention a price here, but cheaper than you'll get them anywhere else.

K, Just trying to hook a friend of mine, up. He doesn't want to wait 2 years for a kayak. Though, after much reading, I think the Coosa IS the very best for creek smallie fishing!

Is this one still F/S, or is it gone?

Not sure that I can DO 12 days of flies. I have a VERY limited number of flies that slay, on my home waters. I use... 1. Sparkleminnows sz 4 & 6 (pearl, in most cases) 2. Sexi-poppers sz (med.-yellow) 3. Boogle Bugs (flo. yellow, or Blue Damsel) 4. Illinois Hopper (my version of the Cabela's BLT) beige top/yellow bottom....killer in July-Sept. sz 4 5. Ginger woolly bugger sz 6 (Aug-September) 6. Coffey Grinder (April-Oct.; white) 7. June Bug (mid May-mid June; olive) 8. Gummy minnow sz 6 &4 (gold/silver) 9. Crease Fly olive/silver sz 10 & 6 (Tiemco 8089 NP) 10. Whitlock Sheep Shad sz 2 (Salt Creek) 11. Cigarette Butt Popper (white/pearl) 12. MFC Diver olive over white sz 2

I have 3 Tibors. I bought them back when that was about the best you could get. I was fishing for Striper & Salmon. Worthy of the reel, but expensive. Since I have a contract with Montana Fly, I can get their reels, that are new to the scene. They are fully machined, FORGED aluminum reels. Anodized in many different variations. But, my gripe is, all kinds of trout pattern anodizations, and no smallie skin anodization?!?! Anyway, light olive, is my favorite, as of now. Kind of a bronze look. The drag is FAR better than Cabela's. I can get them for wholesale if anyone is interested. $125, my cost, is your cost! I have two Cabelea's reels. Thery are OK. But, I have not used them much. I suspect that if I used them as I use the MF reels, they would NOT hold up! Their drag is very limited. I get the drag I need at MAX drag adjustment. Not sure how long THAT will last.

Mayyybe...it because, like every other "Chicken Little" theory, IT'S BOGUS!!! "Vote for us, so we can save you from yourselves!"

I have a TON of extra materials. I was going to tie a few different flies. But, it never materiailzed....No pun intended. I have loads of stuff, and looking to sell, or trade. I have chickabou, (unique variant). Yellow deceiver hackle. (Silver grade Whiting Hackle). Hooks, 2X long, 2X strong. Peacock feathers. Bass bug dyed spinning hair, etc, etc, etc.... I will trade for white buck tail, Loco Foam, in Mother-of-pearl, 60 deg 4/0 jig hooks, maybe a few other things...??? Just, mostly need to get rid of the excess. As many who know me, know, I take VERY good care of anything I own. That includes tying materials. Maybe, we need to start a trading forum. The guy that thought poppers were going to be his big thing, realized the bugger, or Clouser, was his best bet. AFTER, he bought all the materials....

I have a machined aluminum large arbor, Montana Fly reel. It's called the Yellowstone, and has a river rock photo finish. I have several of them NIB. Perfect reel for a 7 wt rod. I'm asking $75 shipped. I'm been using one for full season, without any trouble. I donated one to the Blowout last year.

I have 4, NEW, Yellowstone fly reels for sale. They are machined, large arbiter, forged aluminum, reels with a river rock, photo- anodization finish. It's a heavily ported reel, so it's light, but still strong. All the reel you need for smallie fishing using a 6, or 7 wt rod. Letting them go for my cost, plus shipping. $65/ea, for ISA members only. They regularly sell for double that amount.

Thanks, everyone, but the last one has sold!

I had 8 of them to begin with. All sold, but one. Nothing wrong with him. He's 12 weeks old, and has had 1st and 2nd shots, and wormer. AKC papered, dew claws removed, and ready to go. Looking for $350. Any questions call, 217-871-6752. Thanks Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Not really, Fredmo. The old addage, "You get what you pay for", definately applies, here. I bought an "elcheapo" flyrod many years ago. It STUNK! I mean, you literally could not cast the thing any distance, or accurately. That's NOT to say, that you could not get a good rod for $100. I bought the Cabela's Stowaway 5-pc 3 wt rod a couple of years ago, for $95. It was tested by FlyFish America some 7-8 years ago. It beat out rods costing 4 times as much!!! And, my best friend was so impressed with it, he bought one, as well. So, while you don't have to buy something to impress the tweed & Cane crowd, you should absolutely test cast any flyrod that lists for under $50, before buying. As, I have yet to test cast a flyrod costing under $50 that I cared anything for. But, who knows, anything's possible... Now, I wish I could be more helpful to the original poster, but I've noticed a sharp uptick, in the price of fly gear lately. The brands, or specific rods, I would have mentioned for your consideration, are gone now. Albright, used to have good prices, but they've decided to try to compete at the Sage/Orvis/Scott level.

I have a BNIB Yellowstone fly reel for sale. Though it's rated as a 5/6, I think it's really a 6/7. River rock camo pattern. $80, shipped.

Actually, it TOOK a year, but that's because they had still been working on them. They were late in releasing them. So, I got mine a year after I had ordered them. "Them" being a Yellowstone, and a Madison. I have yet to get the Madison, but I'm still waiting.

It pays to be connected. Maybe we could work a deal. Say, where'd you catch those pike, again?

No brainer...sparkleminnow.

As luck would have it, I currently have a Yellowstone on my 6wt! The difference is while they are both large arbors, the Yellowstone is a fully ported frame. While, the Madison is a less ported, somewhat solid body reel. Also, the difference is nearly double the cost for the Madison. I have been waiting for both of them, that I ordered, for nearly a year!! I am still waiting for the Madison to arrive. I can give you a review of the Madison when it comes in. If you want to see the Yellowstone, you can get a look at the first winter meeting, OR at the Blowout. It is ideally suited for a 6/7 wt rod. But, you can use it on an 8wt. It is very light. But, I would say that it doesn't have the strongest drag I've ever used. Though, for smallies, it is fine. I can get the Yellowstone for $75, I think. The Madison, as I mentioned earlier, should be double that.

I'm getting depressed. I haven't made a single outing this year! I had made it a point to attend both of the Vermillion outings. But, due to having a need for home repairs, and working overtime at the job to help pay for said repairs, I have to make the Green outing, at least.

Oooh...uummm...I wish I had gotten this reel in sooner! I ordered it in DECEMBER!!! It's the new reel from Montana Fly. It's called the Yellowstone. It's available in four finishes, but I like the "River Rock" pattern the best. I doubt that "Rainbow Trout", or "Brown Trout" would be ideal on a smallie rod. Anyway, After playing with it for a day, or so, it's light. It has all the drag you would need for smallmouth. Machined (not cast) aluminum, large arbor, and looks kinda cool. Best of all, I think...$75. Yellowstone 6wt

If you can possibly manage the time, you might want to head over to the Menomonee. It's only a 30-45 minute drive north-west of there. It would be a shame to go all the way up there, and not make the effort to hit it for one day.

Actually, while a lot of guys focus on really ornate patterns, I seem to do best with plain white, black, yellow, etc... As Lefty Kreh commented to me once, fish don't see the back of something floating. I just did some up like this, for the heck of it. I have done well with it, in my local creek. I have to quit selling them. That way, I can have some with me to try this year! And, thanks, Rich. But, as so many guys think it's paint, it's actually art markers! I just use 2 part rod finish over the top, to keep the color from leeching away.

Actually, a bit MORE than half right. I tied the hook to the wire form that runs through the body. AND, as far as that goes...stop and think. How do you "tie" a popper? You might lay a foundation of thread on the hook. Then, super glue the foam head to the hook. And, finally, add a couple of feathers to the tail, and palmer another one in front of those two. Maybe you could use a needle, and stick a few rubber legs through the foam head. Perhaps, stick on a couple of eyes, with glue. Which part is different from what I did...other than the rubber legs???

Yes