Mike G

We have the same problem with a Texas rigged plastic worm. Though you loose the weedless properties of the TX rig, one solution is a stinger hook. Here's how to make a worm fly with a stinger at the tip of the tail. Tie a length of Spiderwire or Fireline to the eye of the main hook.1 Back a little further than you want for the length of the worm, tie a small stinger hook to the Spiderwire. Put the main hook in the vise, start thread, wrap thread over the Spiderwire back to the bend, and knot. Tie in two lengths of Chenille2 at the bend, knot, cut thread add a touch of cement. Recalling your Boyscout Lanyard days, braid the chenille and Spiderline together back to the stinger hook. Take the main hook out of the vise and put the stinger into the vise. Start thread, tie the ends of the chenille to the stinger, trim excess, knot, cut thread, and apply head cement. Remove the stinger from the vise and put the main hook in the vise. Start thread at the bend of the hook and apply the body. Notes: 1The braiding process shortens the stinger line depending on the thickness of the chenille. Experiment to get your desired length. Be sure to use a good "braid" knot like the palomar. 2Various thicknesses and colors of chenille can be used depending on the worm you want to produce.

Rich should be all over this question in a minute. We are looking for the fly equivalent of a wacky worm.

It sounds like it is good for the community and good for getting the word out on ISA. Then I have questions. When is it? Date is important because spring is a time for Fishing Shows and the Blow Out. Will Rock River Fly Fishers be there? That would affect how we treat fly fishing and tying. I would work with them, not against them.

OK I had to admit that my fly reels were looking dated. The Martin I use for panfish looks like a kitchen drain cover. The Medalist 1598RC I use for my 9 wt would work on my basement drain. Since chicks dig only cool reels, I had to get something that looked more 21st Century while stlii keeping food on the table. Fortunately I found the WR1-3 series from Cabela's. Through some lucky mistakes, I wound up getting a look at all three. Cool Eifel Tower design. The wide V arbor spool absorbed 200 yds of 20# backing and an 8 wt line. It works good, but don't expect it to work like an $800 Tibor. Get one before the Mayan Calandar runs out. (BTW that is a good pick up line to use with chicks.) http://reviews.cabel...=rating&dir=asc I see that Cabrela's has these

Tom, The black chenille used to come in a 62 yard skein. How long would it take to dub a 62 yard loop?

It was a great meeting. Thanks to Terry for putting it together and inviting me to tie. I am sure that Rich and Jude agreed that we had a great audience. Like everyone I learned a lot. Rich pushed the envelope with the Goldie made from Xmas tinsel. I plan to push that design further by adding a propellor in front of the bead head. Jude, the Foam Master, showed me a way to make an unsinkable Caddis by using EVA foam for the body. I will make some larger ones for Bass when they get hungry for hoppers or Mayflies. I also learned that Marabou comes from turkeys. I Thought it came from Barlow's like the ones I was using. BTW they have a great selection. http://www.barlowstackle.com/Turkey-Marabou-Guinea-and-Other-Feathers-C154.aspx I learned that some have not yet got their free Troll Fur from Distinctive Fabrics. Get to it! http://www.distinctivefabric.com/category.php?cat=LONGFUR Since the meeting I learned that Hobby Lobby does not have Bohemian Chenille. These guys do. http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/yarn-patons-bohemian-yarn.html Tip: You get a 62 yard skein of one color for less than $6. If you won't need that much, try going in with someone else or getting into a swap. Also the Black color was discontinues some time ago. We now refer to it as black Gold. Rich would give...(Well. let's not say what Rich would give for a skein of Black.) Grey, red, and orange shades have also gone away while new ones were added. That says. if you see a color you really like, stock up.

Good article. Some hunters photo hunt, that is, take pictures instead of shooting the animal. There's always a better way.

Sit in = drier because you have a deck all around and can even add a spray skirt covering the cockpit. Therefore lots better if you do whitewater. But getting in and out is more of a challenge. Paddling ease varies with hull design, but sit ins usually have a more streamlined shape to cut through the water. This is your whitewater design. Sit on = wetter because you are not covered at all, but waders or a wet suit take care of that. Easy to fall off if you are in whitewater. Easy in and out because there is no in and out. One just sits down or stands up. Paddling ease varies with hull design, but sit ons tend to have broader "recreational" shapes that give away ability to cut through the water in order to be less "tippy." Sometimes referred to as a flat water design. I have studied kayaks a lot a cannot find one that will do it all. Jim is lucky to have a couple for different conditions.

Just give the job to Bart. He is so ingenious that he will figure it out in no time. If you do not have a son. I have a prototype of a standard model and a concept for a delux Lefty Kreh model. Both are made from materials you may already have or can buy easily at a hardware store. Requires a few simple tools. I will submit an article for the bulletin.

Yes

I would like to see more articles, period. So I did not vote because my choice was not there. No doubt kayaks are a great tool for getting there though we have covered that topic in a lot of articles on this site. There are Sit-ins, Sit on tops, and even Stand up paddle models now. Add the name Fisherman to the general brand and the price goes up. (The basic Tonka is $300; the Tonka Fisherman with live well, rod holders, beverage cooler, anchor hoist, sonar, and GPS is $3000.) As sceptical as I may be, I have to say that they are all great when the water is over your head. Now I will change my vote to Sure why not.

I guess I will hear about it at the meeting. Reminds me to bring a camera.

Yes I like it. Mike gave us a good summary, but it is hard to cover everything. This thing about license, boat registration, and camping fees keeps coming up. If I understand it correctly the DNR would really be screwed if it had to get along on income from those fees alone. Though the fees go into the general fund, the DNR gets more from the general fund than it puts in. I am not sure what the ratio is but it is large like put in 5 and get back 10. Guys who work for the state have explained this in the past.

Good point. I will bring some small jigs in case anyone wants to see that. Any other requests?

Oops! Make that a coffee grinder.

See no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil. Some days even a chimpanzee can tie a fly.

It is great to see what Tom is doing with that free fur besides Float and Flies. It all started with a tip from rich. In case you want to review where to get it, see http://illinoissmall...?showtopic=9958 Tom, thanks for the tip on using that left over fluff in a dubbing loop. Next step is mixing colors in a coffee maker I guess.

Best

More patterns: Spider Stealth Bomber Whodat Fodder Red & White

On the day after Thanksgiving, while some count their annual fish take, others start to do their cards. I thought I would get a leg up on both starting here. On the first, second, third… day of Fishmas ISA (eye-ess-ae) gave to me: A Smallmouth In A Fine Stream Two Turtle Eggs Three White Bass Four Flathead Cats Five Golden Trout Six Gills a'Gulping Seven Shad a'Swimming Eight Walleyes Feeding Nine Perch a'Pecking Ten Largemouths Leaping Eleven Flatheads Flapping Twelve Drum a'Drumming Once you have sung the whole song that’s 342 fish and 22 eggs in twelve days. Beat that in the New Year!

Tom, I am glad to see some Free Craft Fur results. You really make it look good.

Only on ISA, a segue from Megadairy to turkey stuffing.

Easy 25 knowing how you understate.

Not only credited with, he is the "Creator Of." The Streamer took first place in the annual ISA fly contest, when we used to have a contest. On FFO he is known as the stylist. http://www.flyfishohio.com/Wonder-ful%20Chenille%20Worms.htm The meeting is our chance to sit at the feet of the master. (I will bring the Tenactin.)

Rob, Excellent tool, box hinge and all. Hobby Lobby and Michael's have relatively inexpensive round nosepliers, combo pliers, and sets that include round nose pliers for $6.00 to $8.00. Though they lack German Engineering, they should do the job. Combo