Mike G

That makes me feel bad because I was just switching over to 3366s since I can't get my favorite Herter's 993Rs anymore. I like Rob's choice even though it costs 6 times as much as the 3366. Before you make your final decision, remember the hook-hour formula. H = 10/C Where: H is the number of hours you cast the fly before loosing it on a tree or snag. C is the cost of the hook in cents. Solving for the 3366, I get Hours = 10/7 or around 85 minutes. That is my benchmark. If that makes you think, here's a nice nickel plated number that costs about the same as the 3366 available in sizes 1-6 from netcraft. It has that cool look, right? It is a Mustad; so you don't have to hang your head about using brand X. Of course there's a number 455. I'm going to get some.

No wind at the hockey game, but the -4 high is a challenge. Plenty of wind at the Blowout which is a wind convention. But you can count on 70+ with all the sweaty bodies drinking beer. Scalp the hockey tickets.

No doubt Bambi Body Hair brings out the artist in us. Our esthetic sense overrides our common sense to the point where we create bugs too good to fish. We have to donate them to the Art League. The tail wags the dog. Times like this I remember what Bob said in his classic on flies: "As soon as I discovered foam for fly tying, I pretty much stopped fishing deer-hair patterns when I guided for smallmouth bass. The patterns took me too long to tie. I could tie foam poppers and Crippled Minnows three times faster than trimmed deer-hair patterns, and they were more durable and just as effective." p. 11.

Forrest, It looks like you are still on the fence. May I suggest a Spinner'd Minner. Push the envelop a bit.

That was great. When did Woody Harrelson take up tying? After the current episode plays, you get a selection of more Montana Cheers episodes. There is one on setting one sided brush materials and rubber legs that is Woody at his best. To see more follow the link to You Tube.

I did Chicago Clousers which included da Bears. I was going to do the NFC North Clousers this year, but I ran out of time. D'oh! I forgot that March 20 is the First Day of Spring. But someone said that will be canceled this year.

My bad for unilaterally proposing the Winter Olympic Challenge. This time I will consult with the membership. March offers a lot of opportunity for theme flies. You pick your day. Of course there is the Blowout which is celebrated with a dozen or so world class floaters thanks to the SM Rob. We will go out like a Lamb on the 31st with the fruits of the second swap thanks to Forest the SM. Now in between there a few more days to celebrate. I will give some examples of what we could do. Mardi Gras is Tuesday. Since it is so close to the Blowout, a real pro at partying should be able to do both and only have to sober up on Wednesday. Here's a fly from the past-the Mardi Fodder. Mid month there are two days I remember celebrating in the old neighborhood. Polish and Italians always gave St Joseph his due on the 15th. The R/W reminds me of the Polish flag. For St. Patrick March 17 we remember that he gave the Irish the original Thumper. I hope this gives you some ideas.

Great, Tim. It would not be Smallmouth w/o a Clouser. The R/W I am doing covers Lefty, and there's a Holschlag. All is right in SM Land.

Just a Few More hours Left. The closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics begins at 10:00 AM (CST) local time. So you only have till bout noon to get your entry in.

Just a Few More hours Left. The closing ceremony for the Winter Olympics begins at 10:00 AM (CST) local time. So you only have till bout noon to get your entry in.

I second that. 13 is not a lucky number.

The price for the plug is in the ballpark. A new Orvis boo is over two Gs; so 1400 is tame if the rod has some credentials. Buyer beware.

Hold that thought for when I roll out the Bloco Dino series.

Can't wait!

Thank you, Rob. The event was a smashing success. Each fly is a work of art that will also catch fish. Everyone should look at the gallery. I am proud to have my offering in the group. I am also proud that it does not stand out in the fly box. Like the B-2 it is stealthy. Where would we be without EVA foam? Take out that and fake fur, and there would not be much left on the hooks. Again, Rob, you get another attaboy for the Zoo Cougar made mostly from real fur and real feathers by the looks of it.

Maybe I missed it. Is there a signup deadline? Say I finish flies 3/15 and mail them. Then 2 more sign up. Etc.,etc.,etc. .....

Put me in for an R/W Prop.(lure/fly)

They'll say they had it first!

Part Deux To consolidate my learning I made a few more. I made a nice discovery along the way. It was a pain to work around the already installed weed guard even when I clamped the jig by the eye. I had seen mini hair clips used to hold back materials. They work great to clip the weed guard out of the way. Since I was using a 1/2 oz head I did not trim the belly on the swimshad. Another one in Firetiger.

BTW there's prop flies too.

I don't own that one. The pic is from the net. On eBay I see the 5 gang model going for $175 and the three gang for $125.

I had to show you this 15 point 1911 lure even though it may be more appealing to think of the Spybait as a new Japanese discovery. This is something my grandfather probably was using the year my father was born.

You have only seven more days to submit your entry in the Winter Olympic Fly Gentleman's Challenge, women also invited. The contest ends when the torch in Sochi goes out. Having bid on eBay, I just know that many are waiting out there to make a last minute bid for the prize.

Randy, I was glad to get your independent take on this. I admit I was sandbagging to see what you would say. Having read Bergman's comments on the lure. I found a good short history of the Japanese reincarnation of this American plug. It is amazing how many variations on the theme there are since an accidental discovery in 2006. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewtackletrendspropbaits.html During this long cold winter I have retooled a few baits that had seen better days. The water froze before I had a chance to try my sinking prop baits. They will debut this spring in place of the suspending jerkbait I was going to use. Now before the Japanese discover another old bait, I should mention this. The Devon is another bait that is prop driven. In this case the whole body spins. One needs a good swivel or a model equipped with a keel to avoid line twist. I have some heirloom Tail-light Devons that I will dig out in spring.