Texas Fishing Forum

A few for the box

Posted By: FlyFX

A few for the box - 12/11/19 01:41 AM

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Posted By: banker-always fishing

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 03:17 AM

Nicely done. Good job. thumb
Posted By: karstopo

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 04:26 AM

Are those meant for big Largemouth Bass? Looks like a redfish would eat them too. Nice and juicy, whatever they are meant for.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 07:47 AM

Reds might but I can't throw that far, bass will have to do for now. I could not sleep so I got up to smell the epoxy. these should work for you in fresh and salt
I need a better camera
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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 04:42 PM

baby trout
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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 05:09 PM

Lefty's
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Posted By: karstopo

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 05:18 PM

Going to fun fishing those.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 06:21 PM

tandem buggers
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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/11/19 10:05 PM

Those all look real dang good. Really like the Popovic style flies. I haven't tried tandem buggers yet but I feel kind of inspired after seeing yours.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 02:40 AM

Bones72 , I am humbled by the compliments. Tandems are not difficult but do pose concerns. Just 2 ties linked with one head and one tail. After you tie the tail and join it however you choose to the lead hook secure the tail hook back to the vice with a material clip or rubber band otherwise you WILL hook yourself tying the lead hook. don't ask how I know this. The other concern is hydraulics, such as wide head narrower tail more side wiggle action think tricycle running backwards, or narrow head wide tail think throwing dart. Then head weight produces more jig motion like a porpoise swims with a horizontal tail. Also consider a a smaller back hook .Depends on what action you are looking for. If you want one hook and wiggle your in the game changer platform. Which in some ways is better if you aren't getting short strikes, you won't have to dig out 2 hooks Hope this helps.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 04:23 AM

I've done tandems before just not the bugger so the information on the action really helps as I had not really considered that. Most of my concern with tandems was hook ups as it relates to where the hook is and have usually placed the hook in the rear with a bare shank up front. Even before fish spines I had done a crawfish pattern with the hook in the rear and used dikes to take the hook out of a #2 TMC streamer hook. The hook in the rear where I built the "head" of the fly worked because the smallies and trout I was fishing for generally approached/ate the crawfish from that direction.

That's why I love tying and talking about it. Exchanging ideas and techniques is pretty awesome. Speaking of which what size are those Popovic flies like a 2/0 or 3/0. Haven't got around to tying that style on larger hooks for the salt. I see a mess of baitfish patterns tied in that size but caught up in the whole shrimp, spoon, and crab thing for a while and need to add some baitfish to my boxes. As for fresh water I am really considering how to do some tandem "bass worm" style flies. I have one pattern I have done but think that a tandem with dual hooks might help with those short striking fish.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 10:07 AM

I think those hooks are 1/0, I don't have any 2/0 to compare but don't think they are that big. The pop fleyes are only about 4".

Consider this, Instead of sacrificing a hook use steel leader wire and build your own shank for ties like that crawfish pattern. 40' of malin leader wire for 3 bucks.

As for the worm I've tried a furled cactus chenille with the rear hook and backing twisted into it and connected to the front hook Not super limp but acted like a worm. But if the tippet was tied in the center to a loop it acted like a senko. Also a snake pattern with a bugger type head and slinky body again with backing between the hooks might work.
Remember backing is slick like braid be careful with your knots.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 01:12 PM

For really limp worm I've furled my own "chenille" from dubbing. I made a giant dubbing loop one color on top something for the middle/tag that's pretty grabby like widows web or McFly foam and then added another contrasting color of dubbing and furled it. Saw the technique used for the "jeezus lizard" and applied it. Even used the technique for extended body mayflies using stiffer materials. Hadn't consider a senko style before but bet that would be interesting. As far slick lines that's why I used hook shank I ran a loop up through the hook eyes; doesn't look as neat but it wont come apart unless something marlin sized does grab it.

I also need to get some bigger hooks. Reading up before moving down here most flies seemed to be tied on #4-#2 hooks but having been here and really reading the boards I see many baitfish patterns get tied on 1/0 to 3/0 hooks.

I've tried may of my saltwater patterns on bass and they seem to work really well. Redfish crack style flies and some of the bunny strip patterns in purple/pink, purple/chartreuse, chartreuse, and pink/white have been awesome. I had been away from Texas for about 15 years and had forgot what suckers Texas bass are for purple.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 02:45 PM

Well got inspired this morning.

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These are some deceivers I did up after seeing yours. Found a few larger salt hooks in my pike stuff think they are 2/0. I wish I had some descent saddle hackle; might have to invest in a good Whiting saltwater neck or saddle.

Then here is a shot of the worm pattern I was talking about along with a threadfin shad patterned p style fly
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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 02:48 PM

Here is one of the larger tandem topwaters I have done. Sorry a little chewed on.

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Also some pike bunnies that I think would do well on bass here.

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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 08:10 PM

That is some impressive work, effective colors and proportional ratio. Also reminds me I need to shop cameras soon.
I agree with the #2 - #4 streamer hook being appropriate size. Too many conventional gear bass guys think they need to use 5/0 - 7/0 hooks for flies. We have to consider the casting weight, produce and incorporate action into the flies. It's the whole bigger baits, everything is bigger in Texas thing. Sometimes this is justified but on many occasions I have had 2# - 5# bass literally with lazer accuracy annihilate with extreme prejudice a #12 - #16 water boatman, which in real life the body is a mere 3/8" long. Back swimmers are a little larger. They are consistently in nearly every fresh stillwater body year round.
This link is to the method I was thinking of on the worm. When I mentioned "cactus" this is the "Bohemian" chenille I was thinking of. You can see how a stinger hook could easily be incorporated to this pattern.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KqwznJR-js
Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/12/19 09:22 PM

Yeh I can see the how a stinger could be put in that bug. I think in that furled chenille I make a piece of say 15 or 20lb test or so could be incorporated as well. The only time I go much bigger on hook size for fresh water (or salt for that matter) is on top water bugs that are made of stiffer materials in order to maintain a good hook gap. Its much the same reason though my favorite dry for trout was the stimulator but at the same time the tiemco 200r and similar hooks used for the pattern offers a very narrow hook gap and becomes my least favorite for all but the most aggressive of fish. I love the little Bett's poppers for small stream warm water fish of all types but find the hook gap woefully inadequate so will be looking for a different popper for next spring.

Like your mention of the water boatmen a very underated pattern for many species in both still and moving water. They are always around and offer a consistent food source.

As far as cameras I have pretty good point and shoot that offers a good degree of focus and has a macro setting. That being said I have retired it since moving here as I haven't been photographing any fly below #14. All the ones I have posted to this board have been done with my two year old iPhone SE.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 06:59 AM

This is a rerun and test, I was educated a little on photos


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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 07:57 AM

2nd test to confirm lesson. baitfish

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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 02:28 PM

Ok that looks pretty darn good and really makes that mouse look impressive. Man oh man whiskers and all. I often don't have patience for nuances like that; very impressive. Would have loved that thing on the Dream Stream in the late summer and fall. Browns up there would feed on mice on a full moon between September and the first real cold that came in.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 04:58 PM

Late night tie. 5wt mouse. Cut into the collar on this one.
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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 06:31 PM

Since we are making a mess with hair. Pale diver
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Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/13/19 07:44 PM

Frog Hair diver. Done with hair for now, Time to clean this mess and move on.

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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/14/19 12:26 PM

Those look dang good. Spinning deer hair hadn't been my thing till now. Gonna have to get used to it I guess for some bass if I want to have flies that look that.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/14/19 01:36 PM

Thanks Bones. Deer hair is tricky for me, a lot of work, spin pack spin pack and trim, sometimes I don't get the look I'm wanting and have to redo it.
After nearly cutting off the collar on the white shad and the little mouse above I was real careful not to do it to the frog hence the thick collar.
There are some synthetic options that will work, but I'm a more traditional tyer that will veer off the rez once in a while.
Posted By: karstopo

Re: A few for the box - 12/14/19 03:56 PM

I think it would be cool to catch a big ol brown trout on a mouse pattern. Brown trout, however, are scarce around my neck of the woods. I bet a largemouth bass could be enticed to eat that mouse.

That spun, packed and trimmed deer hair looks good. I used to be intimidated by even the idea of spinning deer hair, but just dove on in and tried it, only because someone bought me a few dahlberg divers and the bass loved them. I generally hate fishing store bought ties so I had to figure out My divers and borski sliders don’t even look all that great, messy and inconsistent as they are, but the fish don’t require perfection.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/14/19 05:23 PM

If you read up on spinning hair you will find a few tricks / techniques that will make it easier to understand.
I had to learn for myself long ago by trial and frustration..
It's not hard and the tricks will fade the fear.
Largemouth will eat mice.
There are easier mouse patterns like morrish mouse / rat or splinter mouse if your interested. Less material and mess.
Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/15/19 01:27 PM

Yep I have done a few of the easier ones. They now reside with my dad back in Virginia who fishes more bass. Used to be a great smallmouth fishery there are on the rivers where I grew up on the Rappahannock and Rapidan rivers. The human population exploded and now its all gone even on the Shenandoah. I used foam mouse bodies and carved out a head of other foam. Not much of a true "fly" per se but effective. Since most of mine were fished at night they were also sharpied to be solid black. MJM yours however look like they belong in a trap. I have so many patterns that I would like to do that spinning will probably have to wait for another day. I have to get some baitfish done between shad and mullet.
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/15/19 06:30 PM

Trailer leech. Tied on trolling wire with one hook at rear.
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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/16/19 12:52 PM

Looks good. A little bunny and a little guinea hackle? Used those to great effect in still water situations for trout and on shallow walleye.
Posted By: pop r

Re: A few for the box - 12/23/19 02:15 AM

Awesome job! thumb
Posted By: FlyFX

Re: A few for the box - 12/23/19 09:01 PM

#6 craw
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Posted By: Bones72

Re: A few for the box - 12/24/19 01:30 PM

Good looking crawfish!
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