Steve S.

Red and white is one of my favorite color combos for my divers - because they work well for bass!

I used them too in red/olive, red/white and red/chartreuse. They worked well, though I didn't tie them that well.

Just wanted to shout out to Craig to let him know how effective the Fodder was for me on our recent trip. In the past, I had been using some wooly buggers and black stonefly nymphs with success for prespawn smallmouths. Although I still caught some bass with them on this particular trip, it seemed they wanted more of a mouthful, based upon the success others were having with large and actively fished plastics. I tied on the Hairy Fodder and nailed a nice bass on my first cast. Suddenly, my production went up, both in takes and in fish landed, as well as the average size. Here are a few pics. It was a great way to start off the season! Thanks Craig!

The r/w hackle fly was the first fly I tied (since they are fairly easy). I used it more in my first year of fly fishing than I do now, probably because I read about it in one of Clouser's books and decided to give it a shot. Two things I like about them are they are simple and inexpensive to tie and very easy to cast and fish. They are a film fly and I like to use them when bass are active and holding in shallower water. I've even caught walleye on them in the evening. What I don't like about them is I've seen bass follow and look at them and not hit, whereas in my experience a fly with more volume and action seems to illicit more strikes. Therefore, I lost a little confidence in them and don't fish them much anymore. I would suggest you tie up a few and give them a try. I'm certain they are effective in the right hands.

I would say that as long as the bass was legally caught and kept, you should not feel you did any wrong by keeping it for any reason, nor should you be chastised. Also, everyone has their own idea of what constitutes a trophy.

Um, okay. What do you know about the frogs you're hearing? The first frogs we typically hear are the chorus frogs, who come out at the first warming, sometimes with ice still on the water. Treefrogs like it a little warmer.

Catch one and take a pic next time! Any idea on the size (you don't have to pinch the tail)? Would be interested to know what species they were. Intially I would've thought chorus frogs or spring peepers if they were coming from low growth along the river, but 50' trees? Only treefrog native to that area would be grey treefrogs, and they could be out by now with all the warm weather. Adults would be typically under 2 inches long, probably more likely an inch to 1-1/2" (without the legs extended). Wish I would've experienced that.

Interesting. I can't say that I've heard of that before. I always thought amphibians typically hibernated underground (in burrows) or in water (in the lake bottom). And besides, most of the local species would've been out for some time already, though treefrogs breed later than some of the other frogs. Where were you (county/town)? Treefrogs are only found in certain areas locally. Otherwise, not sure what would be up in the trees.

Try to go online to see if you can find it using you SSN, DL or original IDNR customer number. Maybe you can do a reprint if its there.

You should graduate to a nice casting outfit someday!

I'll be sending you some new GPS flies to try out! Great job Ron!

I have the same one (it's the one Jonn sent me a couple years back when I bought some of his flies).

Have you used the 3-way swivel? Interesting but seems like it could be a pain to adjust depth by re-tying with cold fingers.

They look like winners Jonn; haven't tied all winter - what a lazy bum!

That's Jonn (with two n's) Graham!

ITC?

He's also very easy to listen to - public speaking does not come naturally to all.

Pro: For $25/year, you can be a part of and/or support a valuable organization for our smallmouth bass fisheries. Con: For $25/year, anybody can get in.

Hey Mark Do you think this picture will inspire Max to pick up the long rod?

The caddis fly evening bite runs just about all summer too on Midwest rivers. I think those flies would do well.

How lucky! I've always wanted to cast with Ramblin' Ray!

Is that Joz?

Frankenstein monster (just check the boots).

I would agree with your position on fishing them in muddy water, but definitely not with the grass areas I've been fishing.

That's my #1 fly for smallies, though the Murdich Minnow worked fairly well in the grass this past season and is easier to cast. Can't beat the action of the rabbit strip though.