Rob G

I've been buying the 413 Eagle Claw hooks from Cabelas for several years. A pack of 100 lasts me a while. The Gamakatsu 29160 sixty degree hooks are sharper out of the box and are not quite as heavy as the Eagle Claw 413 hooks. I like the Gamakatsu's better for flies tied in smaller sizes like number 2, but they cost more than the Eagle Claw 413's. Here's a link for the Gammy hooks if anyone is interested.

 

Gammy 60 Degree Hooks

BTW, this website vendor is no longer functional so don't try and place an order like I did

Ben, I simply uploaded your posted photo to Photobucket.com, resized it to "large", something like 400 x 600 pix and then re-posted. I'm sure your SLR has an adjustable resolution or you can play with it using any number of photo editing software.

We had such a nice turnout at yesterday's central region Fly Tying get together that we are going to have at least one more for the year on March 21st, Sunday afternoon. It will be held at the same place as yesterday, the Fire Fighters Station #2 in Bloomington, IL. I'm assuming that we will start around 12:30 to 1:00 PM. You don't have to be an ISA member to participate so please feel fee to come out.

Whoops, I guess I should have tank tested this first. In that form above, just not enough barbell weight to get that thing to ride hook up as I hoped. I then tied it on a size 2 Eagle Claw 410 ( 60 deg. bend up) and it worked like a charm without adding any more weight. Thanks to you JohnI and btw, if you don't get your money, interrogate Stan because I overheard him saying something about that there really was such a thing as a free lunch?

Yea, I know a cheap alliteration but based on Ben's most excellent work and with his help, and since our craws seem to have an olive/gray appearance much of the year.

Ben, is this more the size of which you sought?

John, would prefer the 410's in size 4 and 2 if available. A couple dozen of each would get me by but just let me know.

Thanks again

Is anyone coming down that has access to the Eagle Claw 410 or 413 hooks? If so, please let me know if I can purchase some as there are none to be found around here. Thanks

Remember a belly color too!

Since I'm not very color coordinated according to the fish, what do you think, tan, yellow, ???. I purchased a bunch of various colored foam years ago at Hobby Lobby

Good point Greg, maybe I'll tie up a couple with white buck tail, and just mix in a little flash. I was looking for that sputtering, glittering minnow dance on the top water. My standard black popper bodies, I tend to use a couple pair of hackle which imitate swimming legs so I'm looking to do something different with this one, more minnowish.

question: if I use a ultra fine sharpie in red to make a " ( " for a gill, do I have to cover that area with a sealant or will it hold up to the water with rinsing out. Mind you it's going to end up in a bush or tree well before it probably makes it to the water but just in case I get lucky.......

Ben, looking forward to that cutter, I've got a bunch of of olive green foam that would work well for frogs.

Not quite as sweet as Greg's but I think it will fish. BTW, the Goop seems like it takes quite a while to cure, didn't care for that as much, it's probably better if not in a rush.

This is my largest fish to date out of that worthless river, and if the pike are this small, you can imagine how tiny the smallies must be.

A friend of mine who is a lobbyist thought there was also legislation proposed dealing with the Vermilion R. over by Danville. That's another nice place for smallmouth fishing

Absolutely not true, this river only contains carp and other assorted "trash fish" It's the other northern Vermilion River with all the smallmouth. Trust me!

Rich, I think that was one of them mentioned. Thanks

Does anyone remember which adhesive Greg liked to use to get those flat 2-D eyes to adhere to the foam popper bodies. I remember one was used in the automotive industry and I thought there was another but you know, old age and all.......... now what was I talking about?

Unless something unforeseen arises, I should be there at 1 PM or shortly thereafter.

Just curious if anyone ties in either single or double 20 lb. mono weed guards to their flies, and if so, do you feel you lose more hook ups, or in other words is it fishless as well as weedless?

Singles I've tied but this video shows a double that is kind of neat, anyone ever use both and can tell a difference?

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-tie-weed-guards-saltwater-fly-fishing-flies-176862/

Sorry Mike and Rich, but I'm sure the Cubs fly will be much more effective next year.

Thanks Mike

Fred, if you can be at the February 28th session, please bring your materials so we can see your fly. (That just doesn't sound right)

Just noticed that the Central regions next fly tying session on February 28 1PM at the Firehouse is not shown on the calendar of events. Maybe we could get that placed on there if someone knows someone who is special enough to do that for us. Thanks

Are you coming to our fly tying meeting tomorrow in Heyworth?

Yep, hopefully be there with my two mates. Ole Timothy T. (Mr. Split Bamboo himself) and Lefty, the ex big leaguer

John, it's just deer hair off the posterior surface of a buck tail. The foam gives you enough floatation that elk isn't necessarily needed but of course you could sure use it to create the wing.

Since it's so crummy outside, been playing with more terrestrials. Used this last year on several ponds with success on the big green brethren but think a smallie might enjoy it as well if fished in the shallows. Kind of a hopper or cicada or maybe a green dragonfly imitation. Bright olive Angel hair cut up and used as underbody dubbing for some flash and the rest basic materials I had around the house. I know, nothing special but might play around getting some big compound eyes on the thing.