Mike G

I loved this. That is the lake that Mothra crashed in 50 years ago. I love Japanese movies with subtitles. The fisherman makes some good points on the conditions where you would use a sinking prop. Also use 4-5 pound line; 6 is too heavy The Spybait is a variation on the theme in that the body rocks. Other models are specifically designed to have no body action. Sayonara

Here's one for you, Randy. 100 years ago, while floaters churned the surface, sinking prop baits churned underwater. I did not realize this till about a year ago when I read Ray Bergman's 1942 description of his favorite sinking prop bait that sported 5 trebles, two on each side and one on the tail end. Previously when I saw pictures of antique props I presumed they all were floaters. Probably not. Now within the last 5 years the Japanese are reviving the sinking prop bait and many mfgrs have several models. Stateside even Eric has not shown up using one though after his adoption of that Megabass number he probably will soon. So what is your skinny on the Japanese sinking prop baits?

We Don't need no stinking tags if Rob posts a picture of the ten and includes a list of names.

Bring the Shannon to the show. I will have a camera. If you want I will take a picture so you can be the first entry in the challenge. BTW If you color up a bunch, I bet they will really sell at the show.

Counting down from 10. Only ten more days left to submit your entry into the Gentleman's Olympic Fly Challenge.

To keep up with Rob, everyone needs to read this article on polarized lenses for fishing. They are not just for sunny days. http://midcurrent.com/gear/let-there-be-light/?utm_source=MidCurrent+Fly+Fishing+Email+Newsletter&utm_campaign=f1332bcd76-Newsletter_February_12_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8efbf3b958-f1332bcd76-18956357

Guys from Rockford, if you are there remember the whisper campaign. Walk around in groups speaking softly but loud enough so people overhear you. Talk about the big Smallmouths you caught on rich's jigs and flies. "Don't look. We just went by the booth. We'll come back later when there are not so many people around."

Nice announcement. I think I can. Should I bring my canoe?

I decline the nomination or resign the appointment. After Blowout is time for casting flies not tying flies. I will consider swaps again after Thanksgiving. IMHO the gentlemen's challenge is still on-just one fly between now and 2/23.

D'oh! I shudda thought of this earlier. How about a gentleman's challenge to tie a commemorative Olympic fly using the five Olympic ring colors? Flies should use all the colors and only the colors. Say the deadline is Feb 23 when the winter games end? I'm in.

I think Rob wants it to flop on its side injured minnow style. I have the patent on a round bug with weight (a prop) on the back. Mine , mine, mine. Stay away, Rob.

Colt, It could be tricky. Doubling the thickness of the foam for some parts will probably be necessary though I might stick with thinner foam for the wings. Then I can start making it in NFL North colors. A Bear Bee. A Cheese Bee. A Lion Bee. And a Viking Bee if I can find purple foam.

Long live the new red canoe!

Nice, Colt. I have to warn you that my first act after I see the fly live will be rendering it in a #2.

I wish we had George Ryan or Blagovack Back. Something like this would be so under the radar that we would never notice it.

Call it KBG. That other name is too long.

It will flex on the pause; then straighten on the strip. That is where you will pick up some action. It may wiggle a bit more than a std fly in current though current will tend to keep it straight. Good fly rod lure. It ain't no fly because it does not look like an insect.

Before taking the job Rob, consider the dangers of getting a treble stuck in hand when you are out sick. You could also loose your bass boat traveling the interstate to the next tournament. Nasty work, but someone has to do it.

Welcome to the world of Kevlar. You are going to love loosing 20# of plastic for the rest of your life.

Last year my trial of entry level Tenkara gear was very successful. I was not going to try any new methods this year until I saw this interesting reel. At three for ten dollars, they are tempting. That is a Smallmouth dangling from the yo-yo dangling from a tree. Since it is galvanized and won't rust, it is good for jug fishin' too. The big one is a 24. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BCLP0F6/ref=pe_140030_112476630_em_1p_0_ti

Rob, You can use it or gamble on my future fame. I suggest you do both. Use it to catch a 26 inch smallmouth and then put it on display with the replica mount. You are double covered here. If the Coachman does not get the fish, my Bomber will.

It is worth the wait. My daughter says that the US Pony Express in Bloomington uses a breed of horses that has trouble with temps below freezing. Maybe you have the same problem. Rockford area uses Huskies - no problems here.

This is the Kleenex of kayaks almost. So inexpensive that you can use it once and throw it away. Since I always stop for canoes and kayaks, I took a look at this one at Wally's. It is a way to get started and it costs less than a half dozen cartons of smokes. It probably won't improve your marriage, but Coosas don't either. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sun-Dolphin-Aruba-1-Man-Kayak/25845710

Jonn, To be frank with you, it was easy because I was copying your design. But Ernest says I should be perfectly Frank. It was not my first attempt either. You should see the first one I cobbled together about a year ago. But that won't happen.

You have chosen wisely twice over. I think you are really going to like the book. Since I originally bought a rotary vise to get the cam jaws an be able to turn the fly to see the other side, I was completely unaware of all the other benefits of the rotary feature. You'll see.