Urbs

1 hour ago, Tom L said:

A well tie fly.

thank you!

1 hour ago, Ben K. said:

This patterns so deadly, Nailed it. Great colors too. 

thank you. so looking forward to using it soon 

March is in three days. Next weekend looks to maybe be in the 50s (one can hope at least, looking at the snow out my window). 

very very neat. good idea!

On 2/21/2023 at 8:32 AM, Terry Dodge said:

I use to disassemble my yarn into separate pieces and then comb out, cut about 4” and tape one end. It’s easy to separate strands and mix. 

very interesting. the coffee grinder does make quick work of it. 

On 2/20/2023 at 9:26 PM, rich mc said:

cant beat a streamer that has eyelash yarn. i get a hoot out of people faces seeing a guy go into a craft store.

headed there for some glass beads today in fact haha 

32 minutes ago, Ben K. said:

Nice, I bet it will come alive in the water.  
 

If you’re looking for cheap dubbing in a ton of options check out flytyersdungeon.com I’ve been happy with their prices and they gave some great streamer materials. 

it came alive in the sink just now lol 

and thanks for the tip! always looking for cheap materials. 

8 hours ago, John Gillio said:

Steelhead and browns are a blast. Do you fish them with fly or spin gear?

hey John, I fly fish for them. this weekend it’ll be egg patterns and Jeff Bloods “white death”’zonker. if I catch anything of significance I’ll post a picture. thanks. 

Generic, freestyle baitfish pattern. The head is wool dubbing I created in a coffee grinder (much cheaper than Senyos Laser Dub). The body is Eyelash Yarn from Michael’s which is a steal if you need filler.

12 more days in Feb and then glorious March and rising water temps. Hope y’all are doing okay. 

This weekend I’ll be in Milwaukee hunting Lake Run Browns and possibly Steelhead. 

Spring around the corner. Stay well. 

6 minutes ago, Colindanenfish said:

I catch loads of fish in the summer with these

i can’t wait my friend..

Super simple, quick tie. Funky colors only because these materials were on top of their respective fly material drawers. 

Can’t believe it’s still January…

6 minutes ago, Bart Durham said:

Murdich minnow rock and are one of my favorite smallmouth flies,  but they are expensive. Urbs, could you teach us how to tie these?

I'd be happy to! via Zoom or some other platform?

4 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

Okay you're the third person I know who has this brand. I think I need to get a pair. Also my breathables and layering don't always cut it in the colder water.

Did you find you had to upsize on shoe size as Eric pointed out some reviewers had to do? I guess I could also order two sizes and send one back.

 

I bought them off of Amazon who will take things back no questions asked (as I'm sure you know. I drop off random fishing stuff at the Kohl's drop off all the time; they take it all no questions).

I wear a pair of wool socks and tech pants beneath the tidewe waders and again, I'm just amazed at how warm they are (granted, standing in water for hours on end eventually my feet get a bit cold but it's never unbearable; those toe warmers things would probably help a ton but again, it's all very bearable).

just can't beat the price, too.

On 12/27/2022 at 11:21 AM, Eric said:

Good info, Phil. Thanks for thinking of the group and for sharing!

I bought some Cabela's boot-foot 5mm neoprene chest waders for the 2021 season and they cost me around $239. They've held up well so far but I wanted a second pair as backup.

I did a fair amount of research online and discovered TideWe. I bought a pair for my brother-in-law and he loves them. Quality is just as good as my Cabela's for less than half the price. This is the exact pair I bought:

https://www.tidewe.com/products/tidewe-hunting-wader-5mm-neoprene-chest-waders-with-rubber-boots

Online reviews say they run large and to get a boot size 1 size smaller than you normally would. I did end up purchasing pair for myself, and with coupon code, no tax, and free shipping, paid $97.50 USD! Have been really impressed with TideWe so far. They have a 1 year manufacturer's warranty -- same as Cabela's. 

If you're ordering, try coupon code EM28 (28% off) or EM25 (25% off). 

I can second this: I have a pair of the neoprene bootfoot tidewe and they have held up and are very warm. 

12 minutes ago, Tom L said:

I use a lot of dubbing loops, whether craft fur or other materials, on some of my flies. I enjoyed making them and tying them that way. I can see the benefit of premade dubbing brushes, but haven't try it yet.

it’s fun to make them; I throw all sorts of stuff in mine (different color CF, flash, etc). I drilled a screw in a small board and it works surprisingly well!

On 1/7/2023 at 10:35 PM, Tom L said:

A fish catcher for sure. Craft fur  and zonker  strips are my 2 favorites for flies. Now just add water. 

i hadn't made craft fur brushes before this year, and man do they make the job easier

Not sure what you’d call this besides a Zonker. I’m sure I saw it somewhere. 

Rabbit strip tail, some flash, and a craft fur brush head around lead eyes. Also some .03 lead wraps around the eyes (just enough to really secure the eyes). Really nice action to these flies. 

10 minutes ago, Ryan S said:

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!

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.

2 hours ago, Ben K. said:

Classic fly that’s a pleasure to cast. That’s looking real good. 

thanks!

2 hours ago, John Gillio said:

I found the Murdich Minnow to be very effective on still water crappie also.

interesting to know thanks

5 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

Supposed to be 40 next Friday....

I had no idea! You may see me out on the Dupe then

Ahead of this bomb cyclone. Already thinking of warmer days..

Murdich Minnow with marabou instead of ice fur. 

8 minutes ago, Tom L said:

Add a little of flash and tie them in white, yellow, tan, and chartreuse. Smallie will love them.

sounds good! appreciate the tips. 

7 hours ago, john kowalski said:

Just picked up a doz....swimmin jimmys and and can not wait to get out

Fox to try em..........John kowalski aka crappiejohn

I’m dying to get out there too. Barely winter and am already feeling cabin fever. 

1 hour ago, John Gillio said:

Looks good.

thank you! 

do you have a go-to local pattern?