Mike G

Though I used to say,”Buck sez,” I may sing a different tune this year. Santa brought me Lefty Kreh’s book, Fly Fishing for Bass, Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Exotics. I have read it cover to cover twice now. Needless to say, I like the book. First I do not think there is a better authority on the subject among the living. Next it is a perfect match for my style of fishing, both Smallmouths and Largemouths being my favorite targets. Finally, there is Lefty’s no nonsense style. The best way to show that is with a sample. “Fish Larger than 12 Inches “Some of the same flies that appeal to smallmouths of less than 12 inches will take larger bass. Such patterns must be tied much bigger, of course. Remember, while it’s true that elephants eat peanuts, they don’t make a living off them. If you fish with small flies you will catch mostly small bass. Bigger bass are caught most of the time on larger flies. This is h a hard lesson to learn, but it’s an important fact that bears repeating: If you want to catch bigger bass, fish with larger flies. “Having said that let me suggest that when you are trying for smallmouth bass (and largemouth bass, too) that exceed a foot in length, most underwater flies should be at least 3-1/2 inches long, and many times flies from 4 to 5-1/2 inches will appeal to bass whose weight exceeds say, two pounds. Consider that a Rapala plug or a seven-inch plastic worm is eagerly attacked by biggers mallmouths. So a four-inch fly isn’t really a large one. Yet, there is a tendency for many bass fly fishermen to fish underwater with smaller patterns ranging from 1-3/4 to 2-1/2-inches long. And they wonder why they catch so few big fish!” (Page 44) I hope this wets your appetite. You have to read the book to find out why Lefty does not include surface flies under the big fly rule. What is his take on other gear? What about weedless flies? It is a great book that warms up the sub-zero nights we have been having.

Mike, Thanks for the links.

Rich, It sounds like you really want to move to TN. Steve, That is an awsome piece of hardware. Since I do not know what you used before, I don't know how you will use the "rotary' feature. There are a lot of videos out there. I like Al and Gretchen Beatty's book on the topic. I got a stream thermometer and a great book by Lefty Kreh. More on that later.

Rich, Don't forget the photo op. I still don't believe there were any flies last year. It is rumored that the frog Craig had in Fly tyer recently was the winner. Will he be using the rest of the curler this year? Seriously, a lot of creativity comes out in those flies; so I for one would like to have a record showing as many flies as possible. Of course my pet thought is that the finalists should have an on the water fish off-one hour, one fly, one fish. Though that is hard to do, it is a true test. Remember the Mudler is so ugly that nobody would have used it unless it caught fish. Since trophies are a lot of trouble to procure and engrave, I favor a certificate that is filled in and handed out on the spot.

Rich, For comfort I really like my Sospenders for all types of fishing since they are out of the way till inflated. Since I am no longer immortal and have no ilusions about my swimming skills, I just wear it all the time on the water. They cost more, but if you do a lot of fishing, it turns into less than a dollar a trip after a while like the cost of a decent rod and reel. Now I would not use them for white water kayaking since a full high flotation PFD is best there.

Great. I found two Waldos. How many can you find?

I was sorry to see that. We have lost a creative person who worked with Bohemian Chenille and EVA craft foam as well as the classic materials. He had a great site where he shared his creations. http://www.jackgartside.com/step_wiggle_worm.htm

Mark, As you requested, this is from the other thread. Cold hands? I really believe this works. First, keep in mind that the body adjusts to keep the head and trunk warm as its top priority. Extremes, fingers and toes, are sort of sacrificed to keep the heart and brain going. That makes sense. So there is a saying,"If your feet are cold, put on a hat." It means that good insulation on the head, neck, trunk of the body, legs, and arms, frees up heat for the fingers and toes. On the other hand, the best gloves and socks even heated ones won't help much if the rest of the clothing is light weight. Well, it works for me.

I just noticed this on the Orvis site of all places. If I were in the market,... http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=466Z

Eric did not disappear; he just became harder to find. Like Waldo in the books popular a while back. That being said, for those who need a dose of Eric, you can find him in Jonn's article, "Regaining Some Bronzeback Mojo." That would make this the "last known" picture of Eric. Waldo had a distinctive stripped scarf; Eric has a baitcaster.

Ironically ethanol is our "green" fuel. While gasoline would float on the surface of the water, ethanol (a version of alcohol) goes into solution in water. Unlike floating gasoline or oil, it would not have been visible to the casual observer. That made a nasty combilation for the fish, I suspect, as they were literally overserved by the spill. As humans we have a natural defense against alcohol poisoning though it is not always effective. Normally we pass out before we exceed the limit. The fish pickled in the solution did not have a chance. Others have noted the silence of politicians at all levels. I am surprised that the EPA was not more on top of this one. There should be damages similar to the EV disaster.

Interesting. Not on the members' list. It seems like the pictures are gone too. He was #5 in the poll. Now there is no 5. http://illinoissmallmouthalliance.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=5933&st=0&p=40205&fromsearch=1entry40205

Mike, I for one like your environmental stuff since it is a great break from "who caught how many." (Did you ever notice that the pictures all look the same-same guy, same fish? )Your stuff reminds us of the price we pay for snacking off the dollar menu on the way to the river. There is more to life. BTW have you heard what they are saying about atrazine lately. EPA is reevaluating it. MN is doing its own study. Just a sample: http://www.minnpost.com/stories/2009/10/28/12903/as_epa_re-evaluates_safety_of_herbicide_atrazine_minnesota_conducts_its_own_review

Tequila Sunfish

Sex sells. I say: Bullgill. It has all the colors of a Bull on the bed in spring.

Ron, Have you used any of them?

I once heard a personal trainer say that one of the problems he had with clients was that they watched the numbers too closely. That is they were too concerned with the reading on the scale that showed they were not loosing much weight though in reality they were trading fat for muscle. He told his clients,"Don't worry about what you see on the scale; worry about how you look in the mirror." Similarly I was too concerned about the 10 and 11 wt lines and not paying attention to the performance of the outfit. Here's a good review of the rods by someone who has two years of experience with them. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/articles/reviews/product/2009/product_reviews20091102.php

Craig, I think they are too. They are ancient specimens lacking the 60 deg hooks and ringers of their modern descendents. I would say they are probably from the Ice Age. "Everybody wants ta get inta da act!"

I hope it does. Let us know. Lion Brand seems to have some good colors.

Rich, Here's another bulky chenille by Lion Brand that looks a lot like Patons. Maybe it would work. http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/067528.html

How many kids take flies to school? Honestly I never did. Did you?

This is what I was looking for all along http://www.midcurrent.com/images/flies/kennedy_swissarmy_260.jpg

I thought I would add another chapter. Then and Now About the time I got my first vise (not vice, which came later), Lefty Kreh was tying his bug for the clients he was guiding especially those who had limited experience with a fly rod. The idea was a simple bug low on wind resistance, no hackle and no legs, that is, no frills. This pic from FAOL captures the spirit of the original though Lefty likes to slant the face to make for an easier pickup. In the 50s I tied panfish poppers like that though I had not heard of Lefty. They were easy to cast, and bluegills seemed to like the small profile better than my full dress, eyed, hackled rubber legged versions. Lefty's Bug stood the test of time. Though Rainey's version is upgraded by using a foam body, eyes, and some sparkelly stuff to "fill in the transition," one can still see the outline of the original. Today, when I tie floaters, the ones I tie for myself keep to the simple line dispensing with eyes, hackles, legs, whiskers, etc. They catch fish. Those I want to sell or enter in contests get the full treatment. Then and now, fish and fishermen see things differently.

Thank's Steve.

Thumbs up on that #9!