Ryan S

What's the last day to purchase Blowout tickets? Waiting to see if a friend wants to attend. Thanks!

Had a great time meeting everyone this morning. Thanks for the warm welcome! I look forward to the next event.

1 hour ago, Terry Dodge said:

Hey, I do the ISA Facebook page! Ha! Yeah that FB isn’t all that much. Our YouTube station is looking nice but that’s about it for my abilities in the social meadow world. I know those other platforms are much more popular but I just don’t have any interest in learning Ckik-Clak,  or Golden Grams, at this point in my life.    You an English teacher by chance? 😬

Keep those youtube fly tying videos coming terry! those are great and far beyond my editing skills! can I start an ISA instagram account?!

and heck nahh I'm not an English teacher! Grammar is much too boring for me! Keep trying on that one.

As a relatively new member and 31 year old (and current high school teacher), I see a few things that may be misconceptions and possible solutions:

#1- I think plenty of young people are engaged in fishing- particularly bass fishing and fly fishing. We need to meet them in there world instead of expecting them to visit ours. So I don't think young people fishing is the issue. I think they engage with groups differently these days. They are still in the outdoors..

#2- I think this forum is incredibly active and full of members  who are willing to share information and knowledge. It's one of the reasons I have stayed active online even if I don't make it to in person events because I live in this city. Geographic barrier. This should be a huge draw. How can we get younger people to join this active group?

#3- I would love to see ISA increase their social media presence (for good or bad its a part of young people's lives who have grown up with it.) Social media is older than a student in high school today. They haven't grown up in a world without it. Personally, I find the fishing community on instagram to be huge (bass fishing, fly tying, etc.).  Its where I find most of my fly patterns. I don't think ISA has an instagram account? Additionally, as a high school teacher I can vouch that nearly no high school student uses facebook or instagram. It's all about tik tok.

#4- I see very few if no women on these forums. Maybe I'm wrong here though. 

Last minute but I plan to attend. First ISA event for me. Look forward to it.

I’d be interested in that!

Thanks for sharing the article. Interesting but sad read. Especially for anyone who fishes that area of the state.

Has anyone tried fishing a float and fly or indicator rig for smallmouth. I know some conventional anglers use it in the colder months. I'd be interested in trying it or fishing an indicator rig this upcoming season. If so, I'd love to hear what your rig set up is! Thanks!

19 hours ago, Urbs said:

hey Ryan. I only ever fish a floating line (solely based on laziness). I know I should try sink tips so maybe that’s a goal for 2023. leaders: again I’m pretty lazy so 2-3 feet of 30 lb mono to 25 lb to 20 lb (whole butt section is maybe 6 ft). then to a small swivel, and then 8 lb mono “tippet” after that. maybe 2 or so feet?  

including a recent murdich I tied after buying some ice fur and estaz as per the recipe.

 

Thanks! I always enjoy hearing the different leader set ups that people are using. One of my goals this year is to fish a sinking line more often. Most likely looking at an intermediate for weightless streamers like yours above in the the rivers while wading.

 Here is a pretty cool podcast interview with McGuane. He talks a lot about that era in Key West, hanging with Buffet and Hunter S. Thompson, etc. Worth a watch. I'm reading his essay collection "The Longest Silence". Not bad but not my favorite. I have much preferred reading others like Gierach or Robert Traver.

Great tie. I love Murdich minnows. Awesome action and easy to cast. Do you fish it on a floating or a sinking line? Whats your leader set up? Thanks!

On 7/25/2022 at 9:42 AM, Rob G said:

Mark, so they're not this anymore ?

I believe Redington discontinued the butterstick line for a few years, but I believe they just reintroduced it that past couple months.

I saw the guy who caught this post it the other day. I think it was just recently caught. Can't remember the guys account name though. He posted a video of the fish's release as well. Pretty sure he caught it on the fly as well.

On 2/21/2022 at 12:06 PM, Joel Gonzalez said:

The Clouser darter, easy fun tie.  https://dressedirons.com/22682/tying-video-the-clouser-darter/

going to need to grab some calf tail and tie this one up! Thanks

@Travis Stafford Tied up a few variations of the bad hair day. Size 4 B10S hooks. White craft fur with flash.  Not super bulky but hope they fish well. Thanks for the rec.

10 hours ago, Travis Stafford said:

Bad Hair Day on a b10s size 2 , this one is slightly keel weighted.  I tried blending a few shades of craft fur but you can’t really tell.  Fairly easy tie and you can find it on YouTube.  I wanted to add some simple lil baitfish stuff to my box

@Travis Stafford great rec! Just what I was looking for. Found a solid step by step and have all materials and B10s hook in size 2 on hand. Thanks!

On 2/6/2022 at 11:24 AM, Mike G said:

The Hairy Fodder deserves honorable mention as it comes from Bass Bugger's founding father, Craig Riendeau. Just google it up for many instructions on how to.

Thanks @Mike G haven't seen this pattern before. Definitely going to try tying one of these up. Some the creator tying on on youtube with an interesting "removable" dumbell eye technique.

5 hours ago, Rob G said:

Agree, I've tied up many of the flies found on that site for many many years, a lot of basic no nonsense but very effective patterns.  Don't hesitate to venture into all the pattern categories, as there are some real gems there.

Thanks @Mark K and @Rob G. Already seem a few patterns on this site I am looking forward to tying. Already have everything for the basic fly rod tube fly. Also looking at the Carters weighted rubber legs.

http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/patterns6.asp?page=16 

http://www.warmwaterflytyer.com/patterns6.asp?page=9 

Very informative article. Interesting info on the history of river access rights in the US and Illinois in particular. Thanks for posting!

22 hours ago, John Gillio said:

I use preformed soft foam popper bodies from WAPSI called perfect poppers. I believe there is a tutorial in the bassbugger forum on making blockhead poppers from craft foam. That may be something for you to look into. It may have been a few yrs back. There are a number of different popper styles mentioned in the forum.

I'll do a search. Thanks

On 1/29/2022 at 6:43 PM, Terry Dodge said:

Sorry Guys but I just gotta.

COMING FEBRUARY 1st.

Let's go! Bonus section?? Looking forward to it.

On 1/28/2022 at 1:57 PM, John Gillio said:

Some sort of popper would be a nice addition to the bass box. Looks like you have a good box going..

 I’ve got quite a bit of foam lying around. Let me know any good patterns you recommend John

Here is a look at my two subsurface boxes. Most tied myself, some bought. Let me know what you think is next.

@Rob G thanks for the recommendation. I want to start learning how to reverse tie and have both buck tail and craft fur so this looks like a nice option