tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91250509258973444112024-03-13T11:15:48.333-04:00Survival of the FittestA down to earth yet practical approach to hiking, fishing, and camping. These are my experiences and my knowledge.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-11452026405580821332014-05-22T18:03:00.001-04:002014-05-22T18:18:21.581-04:00The Rod is the Tool.....The Reel....To Hold Line....<div>
Warning: This is a MAJOR rant! Read at your own risk!</div>
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On Facebook yesterday, I posted I was looking for another rod brand as a few of my Redington Classic Trout rods literally broke in the same place on 2 separate occasions at the tip. I went on to explain that I used these to catch carp and steelhead. No big deal, right? Wrong according to Mr. Know-It-All.<br />
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So, my first rod broke because of a tree branch. My line got caught in it while traveling through the woods a few weeks ago to go catch carp. The tip just touched the branch and broke. I was pretty livid that it broke so easily but granted I fished that rod solely for a good 8 months so I wasn't too mad. But then it happened again on a separate occasion when I went fishing yesterday! We took a van to our fishing destination as the park provided that service for us which was nice but it wasn't so nice that they didn't have any PVC pipe to protect the rods and 10 guys were in the van stepping on each others equipment....Not very cool. So, on my second cast, the rod tip broke! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of a few Redington Classic Trout rods that broke. Not kidding. Lined these tips up with the other CT broken tips and they matched. Scary....!</td></tr>
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This is how my search for a better rod began and that's why I posted my explanation on Facebook on what rod I was looking for. It all started with a friendly explanation about what brands but as the discussion got deeper, so many haters came in saying that I was abusing the rods. Hmm. No. Did you see that I also fished 2 OTHER Redington Classic Trout rods that broke IN THE SAME EXACT PLACE?! Oh, no! You just wanted to prove your point! One guy when as far as to post what recommended fish go with each rod. Thanks dude. You're a real contributor to this wonderful discussion. </div>
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*sigh* I guess people don't realize that rods break. Reels break too! Rods are merely the tool that you use to fish with. If used correctly, they can be a work horse! Graphite is a lot more fragile than fiberglass which is why I really enjoy fishing my 6'6" Eagle Claw rod for carp and other larger species that require a subtle cast. I feel like I can never ask anyone's public opinion on any subject about fly fishing and only resort to a select few who are my friends and won't criticize me for what I do. </div>
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If you know what you're doing and know how to play a fish, yes, you can land them in a short amount of time. Just don't tell me what to do because you're too scared to do it yourself! Have you tried it? No? Then don't tell me what to do. </div>
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End of rant. </div>
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PS: don't even get me started on why I hate fly shops and their owners....Just another bunch of snobs....</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-10069302704462570072014-04-22T04:41:00.000-04:002014-04-22T04:41:22.129-04:00Kelly Galloup's Peanut EnvyI absolutely love to throw streamers. Unfortunately, I feel that I do not have as many opportunities to throw really big ones since I moved to Georgia. I still sell a lot of them on my website, <a href="http://www.stonesflies.com/" target="_blank">Stone's Flies</a>. However, of all the streamers much less articulated streamers, my all time favorite is the Peanut Envy. Why? It's simply a woolly bugger on steroids! The movement is incredible especially when fishing in a river. The marabou makes it breathe and really gets that fish's attention! Just an all around fantastic and relatively simple fly to tie!<br />
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Below is the tutorial on how to tie the Peanut Envy. I was extremely unsatisfied with the other You Tube videos as they really didn't describe everything in detail so I made my own fly tying tutorial! I hope you all enjoy!<br />
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Here are the colors that I tie as well as the materials that go with them. Note: you can get the barred sili legs from Cabela's. The Crazy Legs are from Hareline. Don't think you MUST get the same legs that I have listed. Experiment! Maybe you'll find or like something better than I have listed! <br />
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Grey - grey marabou, pearl ice dub, barred crazy legs minnow grey/black flakes, natural grizzly hackle<br />
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Black - black marabou, black ice dub, crazy legs black/red flakes, black hackle<br />
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White - white marabou, pearl ice dub, crazy legs white/silver flakes, white hackle<br />
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Orange - orange marabou, orange ice dub, barred orange crazy legs, orange hackle<br />
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Yellow - yellow marabou, yellow ice dub, crazy legs yellow/gold black flakes, yellow hackle<br />
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Olive - olive marabou, olive/peacock ice dub, barred olive crazy legs, olive hackle/olive grizzly hackle<br />
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Pink - pink marabou, pink ice dub, pink/pearl pepper crazy legs, pink hackle<br />
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Golden brown - golden brown marabou, golden brown ice dub, pumpkin/olive black flake crazy legs golden brown hackle<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-12306001885659462522014-04-17T06:47:00.002-04:002014-04-17T06:47:55.762-04:00Bro, Do You Even Debarb?!Ah, yes. I remember when I was young and foolish and never debarbed my hooks. I killed many fish this way and if they weren't killed in the process of me ripping the hook out of their throat or lip, they'd swim off in even more pain and I'd struggle to get them free which would cause even more harm to them as the barb is in the way!<br />
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I first started debarbing my hooks after I came back from Idaho in September of last year. They all debarbed their hooks no matter what size as it made for the catching and releasing of fish quite simple. Then it got me thinking....why don't I do this? I did it for a week straight as I was more or less forced to but I then finally saw the light! It really made me a better fisherman.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably one of my favorite fish caught to date on the fly. 26" 7lb steelhead on my 2wt. The hook was debarbed.</td></tr>
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So, here's why I debarb which is really in no particular order:<br />
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1. It reduces the harm caused to the fish.<br />
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Think about it: when you bring in a fish and the barb is still intact, that hook could potentially be buried deep in the throat or in other sensitive areas. If you snag a fish especially in the gut or even face, it can create a mess when you try to get it out. Yes, a quick but firm jerk with a pair of pliars or mitten clamps will also do just as well but that barb can increase the risk of a larger hole especially during a fight! Debarbing also preserves the beauty of the fish. There's also a better hook up ratio as the hook penetrates easier. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">23" rainbow caught on a giant black beetle fly. Trailed behind a hopper. </td></tr>
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2. It's easier to get out of the fish as well as foreign objects such as yourself!<br />
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We've all been there: you're nymphing on the bottom of some skinny water or stripping a streamer in a big river for some hog steel, you miss a fish and when you pull your line out of the water, your fly gets stuck in your clothes or worse! Your skin! Now, how painful would it be to yank that hook out of your skin if you didn't have someone else to help you? It's pretty bad. Trust me. I also hate it when my clothes get ruined because I cannot get the hook out and as a result, I have to either leave it in there till I get the proper tools to actually take it out or just rip it out which sometimes causes holes to form in my clothes which I REALLY don't want. : )<br />
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3. It makes you a far better angler!<br />
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Think about it. What does a barb do when you hook into a fish? More or less, keep the fish from shaking the hook especially when there is slack in the line! Debarbing makes you a better angler because a) makes you want to land the fish faster because you now have a greater chance of losing the fish because of no barb, b) you make yourself control the tension on not just the drag but the line as well and c) taking control of the fish so you can in fact land the fish in a quicker amount of time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love the hognose sucker! Amazing fish to catch! Hard fighters especially on a 2wt! This fish was accidentally snagged but because I debarbed my hook, it was easy to get out! : ) </td></tr>
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Now, granted, these are just my personal views and opinions on this subject. I have addressed both pros and cons on the subject and really always debarb. Another point to address is the cost of barbed vs barbless hooks. There really is almost a 50% increase in price respectively! Granted, really makes sense as once you think about it, the companies are trying to appeal to the mass market who buy hooks and don't think about crushing the barb. It's just a mass production thing more than anything. Hope this all makes sense as I've written this at work at some stupid hour as I work 3rd shift.<br />
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Your thoughts on this controversial subject in this day and age? Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-80271552723329220192014-04-03T10:12:00.003-04:002014-04-03T10:12:50.431-04:00Fly Tying Tutorials!Wow....Have not blogged in FOREVER! Don't worry this blog isn't dead! : ) Work has really sucked a ton of my time up and all sorts of life transitions! So, to show everyone I am, in fact, still alive and well, here are some fly tying tutorials to help pass the time! I know it's not much of a post but be sure to subscribe and check out my You Tube channel! Hoping I'll have a real update here soon as I am going fishing in SC for stripers and trout!<br />
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Simi Seal Fly Tying Tutorial</div>
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Grizzly Nymph Fly Tying Tutorial</div>
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Daddylicious Fly Tying Tutorial</div>
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Chubby Cousin Fly Tying Tutorial</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-82753177161103034712014-02-04T12:52:00.001-05:002014-02-04T12:52:00.939-05:00New Places New Faces New Projects! <p dir="ltr">Hey guys. For those who follow this blog it's been some time and I apologize. I just got married a month ago, settling into our new place here in Georgia, and adjusting to work and living with someone else is quite the mouthful. I will say this though: I've never been happier. Despite the fishing down here being a learning curve, I'm very happy and blessed with so much. <br>
In the next week or 2, I plan to post some really great and exciting things about fly fishing hacks and some fly tying videos so stay tuned! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Here's what's going down in the next few posts:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Adding a fighting butt to an Eagle Claw Featherlight rod. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tying the Blue Assassin fly</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tying the White Lightning fly</p>
<p dir="ltr">Tying Galloup's Peanut Envy fly<br></p>
<p dir="ltr">This is just some of the things that will be taking place over the next month. That is if time allows it! Haha! I hope you guys enjoy what's coming. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Tight lines. </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oNG3p0CcNmM/UvEoocdYoJI/AAAAAAAAA3w/1wDUp0irjeE/s1600/20140131_212905%2525280%252529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oNG3p0CcNmM/UvEoocdYoJI/AAAAAAAAA3w/1wDUp0irjeE/s640/20140131_212905%2525280%252529.jpg"> </a> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-46834969693089930412013-11-25T03:19:00.000-05:002013-11-25T03:19:02.606-05:00Update In Life!Well, guys, I apologize for not blogging for some time. Been busy setting up a website for my business, Stone's Flies, getting wedding plans taken care of as I get married in 24 days as of this post, been tying a LOT of flies, and have been fishing as much as I can! On a more solemn note, I lost one of my closest and best friends to cancer. He was only 25. So, that's taken a toll on me.... My fiancee and I have been accepted to lease an apartment here in town, which is great, but reality is REALLY sinking in! : (<br />
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So, here's a little preview of what's been happening in the fishing world:<br />
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Just some of what I've been doing. As far as my personal life more specifically, well, like I said, just getting wedding plans taken care of and working my tail off! Very tired as I work nights and am looking for a better job here, soon. Lord willing I'll be working in the IT department of a local school here in town. For now, it's just the waiting game unfortunately. : (<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful soon-to-be-wife! </td></tr>
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So, this is but a brief glimpse of what has been happening in my life. If you want to check out my website to support my growing business, please check out www.stonesflies.com and if you would like, give my Facebook page a like, too! www.facebook.com/stonesflies<br />
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Tight lines everyone! When I get into my new apartment, I'll be able to record more videos and actually work on a lot more stuff with no racket! : ) Hope you all look forward to that! Take care and tight lines! : )Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-48538148014299405802013-10-21T16:11:00.002-04:002013-10-21T16:11:52.616-04:00Confused About Flashy Chenille? Me Too!So, ever since I went to Idaho and found an amazing crystal bugger pattern in olive, I've wanted to tie it up! So, what do I do? I order a bunch of material that looks like it is used in the process of making this fine specimen of a fly. Only problem is this: I get the material and they all look the same!<br />
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You've got your krystal flash chenille, cactus chenille, pearl chenille (which is NOT the color pearl), and estaz! So, I've dedicated this blogpost to sort out all the problems as I have had problems discovering what is what! I will be comparing each product side by side in great detail comparing the actual thread base and the length of the fibers and show you which material looks like in a simple Crystal Bugger example. I hope that makes sense! If not, just read on and, hopefully, it will! This is definitely NOT perfect! I know there will be flaws but I hope this helps you determine what you want to use this material for so you don't have to spend money on something that you cannot use or don't want to use and return. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5, yes, five different types of "chenille"! Lots to talk about! Yes, there are 6 packs of material but there's medium krystal flash and just krystal flash. Just to clarify. </td></tr>
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After comparing the fibers, here's something to keep in your mind when thinking about tying with this material: essentially medium krystal flash chenille and cactus chenille are the same. The only difference I see is the core is much more durable i.e. the fibers don't come out as easily with the cactus as they do with the krystal chenille. Also, comparing core thickness and fiber length, regular krystal flash and estaz. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing the different fiber characteristics with the names....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OPT2TJlIaY/UmV4wfRt8JI/AAAAAAAAAzI/zRhjIq_-2zc/s1600/IMG_2599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OPT2TJlIaY/UmV4wfRt8JI/AAAAAAAAAzI/zRhjIq_-2zc/s320/IMG_2599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the fibers.....</td></tr>
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So, let's start out with the first part of my research: flashiness. It sounds silly but flashiness is honestly a big thing in material here and it gets confusing especially when I was trying to determine how to tie a crystal bugger or some other flies for that matter! So, on a rough scale, I determined that estaz was the most flashy as it had larger sections of pearl flash intertwined in the makeup of the entire material. Cactus and krystal flash chenille seemed equally as flashy while the pearl chenille had more color fibers to it than flash i.e. the fiber color in contrast to the actual flashiness if that makes any sense. Finally, the ice chenille had no pearl fibers to emphasize the flashiness of the material itself. The material just acts as a reflector of light.<br />
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Second thing I researched was the fiber length of each piece of material. Estaz came in first with the length of all the fibers being the longest. With that being said, the ice chenille, cactus chenille, krystal flash/pearl chenille all matched in size. Theoretically, there really is no size difference between any of these materials and the size is so miniscule that it almost doesn't matter.<br />
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Third on the list of characteristics I was looking at was the actual fiber thickness NOT the core thickness which is what I'll get to next. The fiber thickness of each material was the same. There was no difference between the width of any of the fibers as I could tell. They all looked uniform.<br />
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Fourth, I looked at the actual core thickness or thread thickness that was used to make these materials. I found that estaz and cactus had the same thickness, which makes them the most durable, which I will get to in the final part of the comparison before they go on a hook. The ice chenille, pearl chenille/krystal flash chenille all came in at the same thickness which was less durable and thinner than the estaz and cactus.<br />
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Finally, I wanted to look at the durability of the material I was working with. I determined that the most tightly woven or wrapped material was the estaz as well as the cactus chenille although the estaz is just slightly more durable. I pulled on the fibers at the end of each material to see if I could pull the fibers out with ease. These were the toughest to get out and can really take a beating not just from fish but also from the elements. The ice and pearl/krystal flash chenille were very delicate and the fibers came out with ease. <br />
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This has just been talking about what the materials look like when they aren't on a hook! Let's compare them to each other while they're on a hook!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dY34PdzWHL8/UmWFq-uj5AI/AAAAAAAAAzc/bDMST-v-mlc/s1600/IMG_2600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dY34PdzWHL8/UmWFq-uj5AI/AAAAAAAAAzc/bDMST-v-mlc/s320/IMG_2600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 different materials. Using 3.2mm copper bead and #8 TMC 5262 hook. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkW5Tvfj8yo/UmWFrgdzSvI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WWELQCgcvXs/s1600/IMG_2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DkW5Tvfj8yo/UmWFrgdzSvI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WWELQCgcvXs/s320/IMG_2601.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystal flash medium bugger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wISrl4hXc7g/UmWFrikBpFI/AAAAAAAAAzg/QUr0giA4z_0/s1600/IMG_2602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wISrl4hXc7g/UmWFrikBpFI/AAAAAAAAAzg/QUr0giA4z_0/s320/IMG_2602.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cactus chenille medium bugger.</td></tr>
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Both the krystal flash and the cactus look similar on the hook so no real difference there. As far as in the water, they both look exactly the same as well. Personal opinion, I don't like it as far as a crystal bugger goes. Possibly will do well with other flies, though. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blbu98ayU_k/UmWGRopc-KI/AAAAAAAAAz0/gRQD6ifQ0e0/s1600/IMG_2603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-blbu98ayU_k/UmWGRopc-KI/AAAAAAAAAz0/gRQD6ifQ0e0/s320/IMG_2603.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Estaz bugger.</td></tr>
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The estaz bugger looks bulky and full of clutter. It doesn't deserve to be on a streamer hook in my opinion as a stand alone bug. I'll stick with egg patterns with this one. Pretty flashy in the water, too. Not saying it WON'T work but for a crystal bugger, it's not my cup of tea. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRBT5AuLwhA/UmWGRhW28JI/AAAAAAAAAz4/TNp4PEs17tU/s1600/IMG_2604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRBT5AuLwhA/UmWGRhW28JI/AAAAAAAAAz4/TNp4PEs17tU/s320/IMG_2604.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearl chenille bugger.</td></tr>
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The original bugger! Using pearl chenille, it's my all time favorite looking fly as it looks good in the water but it's not too flashy but gives off just enough flash to attract the big ones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-uSGghgHbY/UmWGSWq62TI/AAAAAAAAAz8/2cEf4-J7fhA/s1600/IMG_2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-uSGghgHbY/UmWGSWq62TI/AAAAAAAAAz8/2cEf4-J7fhA/s320/IMG_2605.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice chenille medium bugger. </td></tr>
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Finally, ice chenille has very little flash if none at all. I personally don't like the look of it as it looks sloppy and feels like it's missing something important. However, it's good to experiment and try new things and discover what looks good and what doesn't!<br />
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I hope this has been informative and not long winded. I put a lot of work into this but it's ultimately up to you as the individual to discover what materials are right for you! Experiment! Fly fishing is confusing but it's also fun! Just remember you can always return material you don't use. : ) Good thing! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-80185560660531355502013-10-01T10:20:00.002-04:002013-10-01T10:20:31.020-04:00Mundane Minnow Fly Tying TutorialHere's yet another tutorial on how to tie a great smallie and pike fly! Super simple and extremely effective! Add some weight to it to let it sink faster in still or slow water or just let the current take it for a ride as it is just as effective!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-35254868351115017692013-09-30T21:54:00.003-04:002013-09-30T21:54:50.986-04:00Dirty Sexy Money Fly Tying TutorialIt's what you have all been waiting for: the infamous tutorial to that infamous fly! Dirty Sexy Money! Okay, maybe you all haven't been waiting patiently for it....But here it is!<br />
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More to come! So, stay tuned! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-51842347557465952122013-09-19T16:16:00.001-04:002013-09-19T16:16:11.064-04:00It's Dirty. It's Sexy. It's Money for the Smallies!Just a quick update from today as I'm headed to Idaho for 8 days to fish Henry's Fork. Just so much to do and so little time! GAH! So, I decided to go fishing to prepare myself for the fishing trip ahead. Sounds great! : )<br />
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I went to Bass Pro and met a guy named Quinn who tied an awesome looking fly. He had no name for it but I bought a few that he tied and replicated them. After today, for the amount of big smallies I caught, I dubbed it Dirty Sexy Money. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xrT_IbZKQA/Ujta3CNuL_I/AAAAAAAAAug/OnRaBXX07JE/s1600/1012496_475047242603199_125867173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5xrT_IbZKQA/Ujta3CNuL_I/AAAAAAAAAug/OnRaBXX07JE/s320/1012496_475047242603199_125867173_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front is dirty, the middle is quite sexy, and that awesome hook that used to be red....well, that's the money right there! ; ) </td></tr>
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This is the pattern I tied. It's slightly different than the one he tied but nevertheless, worked amazingly. <br />
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Quick videos of the catches on this bad boy. A tutorial will come when I come back from Henry's Fork.<br />
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This last video isn't caught on the DSM. In fact, I snagged the smallie but its size blew me away for the river. Awesome catch! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-52135802001649953212013-09-09T09:20:00.005-04:002013-09-09T09:20:45.728-04:00Krazy Kraw Fly PatternA few months ago, I attempted to tie the Barry's Carp Bitter pattern with very little success. However, what came about with this pattern I attempted to tie was something brand new. After a few minor tweaks here and there, the Krazy Kraw was born.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkzQEPp5y5M/Ui3KSM8zuNI/AAAAAAAAAuE/wMTcPj9t9Qs/s1600/1150570_465705300204060_133761117_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkzQEPp5y5M/Ui3KSM8zuNI/AAAAAAAAAuE/wMTcPj9t9Qs/s320/1150570_465705300204060_133761117_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original Krazy Kraw on the left. Same pattern tied in black and then white. All very effective for bass and other predatory species. </td></tr>
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Above, you can see that I added more to the arsenal. I may add more colors than just olive, black, and white. I bet orange would be very effective as well. Note I did NOT use large bead chain eyes on the white minnow type pattern as it would give the minnow a larger eye look as it would look weird. I may try large bead chain eyes in the future but I didn't have any on hand. Still, they all look super cool.<br />
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Below, you can find how to tie Stone's Krazy Kraw. I hope you enjoy the video as much as I did making it. Tight lines!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-30493028776052751932013-08-24T15:53:00.002-04:002013-08-24T15:53:14.733-04:00Steelhead in Downtown Monroe! I'm beginning to think that my titles on my blog are quite lame....oh well. At least it describes the post. With that aside, today was quite an awesome day or morning rather. I was supposed to work last night but was called off for half the night then went in around 2 to sit with a confused patient. I felt great this morning so I went out and fished for 2 hours. Never in my life did I think that I would snag a steelhead today much less catch a 14" smallie on a carp hybrid. 2 firsts.<br />
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The action was quite slow. Started out with a brown San Juan worm with no success. Switched to the hybrid and slammed a smallie. I was shocked.<br />
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Please note ahead of time, I'm sleep deprived and that means I'm super slap happy. It's almost embarrassing to hear myself laugh like I'm 12 but I guess it's a good thing as I was seriously that excited and shocked to see me catch a decent smallie on a carp fly. I know flies are interchangeable but it was just fun and exciting. Below is the semi-aftermath of the smallie catch.<br />
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I keep walking the dam and see carp milling around but they are having nothing to do with my fly. They're super scared as they know from last time that I caught them all. I saw them eating algae or possibly grabbing insects from the algae but I did see them feeding. I now know a longer, thinner leader with a unweighted fly such as a soft hackle is the ticket in the calm areas. It's all about learning in carp fishing.<br />
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So, the last cast of the day, I snag *something*. Previously, I saw something move and jump in the water and I had no clue what it was as the color was silver and couldn't wrap my head around the fact that it could be a steelhead. It was. I cast into the same pool hoping the carp will see and take my fly but to no avail. I lift my rod up and feel resistance. I wait. Then that resistance starts to flail and move all over the place. I then realize I snagged a fish. Okay, it's happened before. I lead it into the rapids and it carries it down the river. The video below shows the rest. As you can see and hear, I'm in disbelief.<br />
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Never in my life would I have thought that I would have snagged a steelhead. In late August. In warm water (the water had to be 70+ degrees). Overall, awesome. It's a shame that I snagged it and it was beat up but nevertheless, there are stray steelies in our local waters!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hands down, best catch on the fly thus far. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-8253336412926566132013-08-10T22:58:00.002-04:002013-08-10T22:58:17.203-04:00Never Give Up On Carp<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 1/2 lbs of carp goodness. All on my 4wt. </td></tr>
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My cousin told me his favorite fish to catch was a pike because they fight so hard. I responded, "Yes, pike fight like a bulldog but carp fight like a train with no brakes. They don't stop even when they're tired." I then explained to him that I was actually quite discouraged about carp fishing as I wasn't hooking into any as they were so spooked. I then glanced up at Facebook and noticed a post from <a href="http://bigbassdreams.com/" target="_blank">Big Bass Dreams</a>. I don't remember liking the page but they posted a blog post entitled"Big Bass Dreams Turned Big Bass Reality." It was kind of catchy so I decided to read it. What I found was quite inspiring....<br />
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You see, Big Bass Dreams' writer, Oliver Ngy, was in a slump as he called it. He said he was frustrated because he wasn't catching the big bass out there. I was in the same boat and I quit carp fishing as I couldn't hook into a single carp and was getting discouraged and angry. When I read his post, he said that he didn't have any confidence in himself. I took that in my life as I needed to have confidence that I was going to catch a carp and land it! Well, I will tell you right now that I've never hooked up much less landed so many carp in my life. I HOOKED 24 carp. Not even kidding. I imagine they were the same carp but I still hooked them. I landed 6. This is not including the other menagerie of fish included in the mix like rock bass, smallmouth, and freshwater drum. 3 of the 6 carp I hooked and landed were just shy of 10 lbs. This may not seem like a feat but let me tell you this: I was catching all these fish on my 9' 4wt rod: the Redington Classic Trout. Oh, and I was battling severe rapids that these carp could swim AGAINST and swim perpendicular with the rapids in a straight line. I was about to be knocked over by the rapids and these carp took it like it was nothing! So, I hope you understand the feat that is at hand. Oh, and I was using a 6lb tippet as well. By the end of today, my entire leader is shot as it's been stretched hard.<br />
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Below is a short video of me fighting the first carp of the day. The funny/awful thing was that I foul hooked it. In the anus.....<br />
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For the next several hours I fished. And listened to jazz....I listened to jazz because it was the Monroe Jazz Festival. All these people were staring and cheering me on while I was catching these carp. It was a lot of fun to listen to jazz and fish. : ) Quite relaxing....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No words can describe the pain that fish felt. Imagine getting a giant pointy thing stuck in YOUR anus and being dragged around in rushing water! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Below is a video of me catching, weighing, and releasing a decent carp. It was tough to control it as I was on my 4wt but nevertheless, it was a blast.<br />
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After this video was taken, my GoPro died and I didn't have an extra battery that was charged. I swear I need to invest in another battery and have 3 batteries total as recording for every trip gets ridiculous as I don't have enough juice to record everything. Soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May not seem like much but this picture makes me so happy. </td></tr>
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At the end of the day, I had a number of carp among some other fish brought to my net, as I mentioned, including my first sheepshead on the fly, which was really exciting! Those who were at the jazz festival were watching me as I was bringing the carp to the net. They were all cheering me on and congratulating me as they saw me literally running down the river with my fly rod in my hand. Looking back at it, I really shouldn't run down the river again....Too dangerous.... Oh well. I'll keep doing it until I break something...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-62930847604142379362013-08-05T11:03:00.000-04:002013-08-05T11:05:14.909-04:00River Raisin Smallie Fishing!For the past week or so, I've been hitting the smallmouth in downtown Monroe pretty hard as the carp fishing has been quite discouraging. It's been excellent as I kind of stumbled upon it on accident. I asked a few people around town if anyone fished in downtown Monroe, Michigan and they all said yes but no one has recently taken anything significantly big out of there. Well, I headed down to the extremely shallow river last Tuesday eveningg and I then discovered how good of a fishing spot it was. Smallies everywhere. <br />
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Tuesday evening was a trial run. I caught quite a few smallies by just high stick nymphing it with my 8ft 4wt. They weren't big but they definitely were fun. Wednesday, I really took a stab at it and caught quite a few 12", 13" and 14" smallies, which is quite big for that part of the river, on my Redington CT 9' 4wt. However, the highlight of my trip was last night, Sunday, which I caught a 14" smallie but also a 21" northern pike! Best part was it was all on my 4wt! <br />
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Below is the video of me catching the nice 14" smallie from yesterday. Put up a decent fight but didn't have my hemostats outside of my pack unfortunately. He was released unharmed, which is good. : ) <br />
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The last fish of the day was a beautiful 21" northern pike. I actually scared it and then saw it moving down stream and kind of lost hope. Then I saw it again facing upstream downstream. : ) I quickly took off my leech fly and tied on a heavy weighted Clouser Minnow in chartreuse and white. I jigged it in front of the pike and it lunged at it then casually bit it half way. I let it sit, and I lifted the rod and set the hook. The pike did the rest! : ) <br />
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The video was quite difficult to shoot as my net was not cooperating with me which was extremely frustrating.....I did get it in and measure it though! Unfortunately, you cannot see me measuring it. Nevertheless, it was released unharmed and slowly swam away in defeat. Sad that its jaw was pretty beat up. Glad I could give it another chance to grow into an even bigger fish! <br />
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Now, all that is left is me catching a carp soon. I've been discouraged as my carp trips have failed. Miserably. In fact, I drove 45 minutes to Elmore, Ohio only to find that the river was blown out! Chocolate milk and very high and fast flowing river! : ( Oh well. It was good to go on an adventure! Until next time folks! Tight lines! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-1887931451209675992013-07-16T22:10:00.002-04:002013-07-16T22:10:24.903-04:00Lake Hudson Carp Fishing!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun written all over it. </td></tr>
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So, my friend Jay, who owns Jay's Flies on Facebook, and I went out to Lake Hudson this morning for a few hours to go carp fishing. I tied up quite a few prototype flies for today, got my gear all setup last night and got on the road around 7:30 this morning which was a lot later than I wanted. <br />
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So, Jay calls me and was wondering where I am as he got there 20 minutes earlier than I did as he expected me to be there before him as I told him I would be leaving around 7 or so. After a phone call to clear things up, we finally meet, shoot the breeze while we set our gear up, and head on our way down to the beach. It's a gorgeous day out and there's no one out but one guy trolling for muskie with his boat. I'll spare you with the details as the first half of our time at the park was boring. We continued to chat and see a few carp but nothing came to the net much less get on our lines which is fine. I think the most exciting and heart stopping event was when Jay lost his fly box. He got it back, though, by the grace of God. It just fell out of his pocket. : )<br />
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So, we are walking back to where I caught my first carp ever on the fly to scout out the spot to see if there are carp over there again. The entire water level of the lake has been raised significantly from the last time I was there so there is but inches of shoreline around the lake instead of several feet which was very disappointing. So, going to my memorial spot was weird but I caught the carp in the exact spot I caught the last one believe it or not.<br />
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So, I start walking along the shore line seeing some carp possibly 5 or 6 lbs not that big. I am waiting for Jay as he was dropping unnecessary gear off at the truck. When he came back, we start pressing on. I stop as I see a massive carp literally a foot away from me. I drop my fly down and let it sink and now the carp is literally right by my foot. At this point, my heart is coming out of my chest, my palms are even more sweaty and I am shaking in excitement as the biggest carp I have ever seen is now about to be hooked on my line. What I didn't realize was that the leader was wrapped around the end of the tip section of the rod and when I set the hook, the carp ran into deeper water and took the tip section with him! I was scared that the rod broke but thankfully it did not. : )<br />
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The video above shows the fight. Personal best. Came in at 11 lbs and 26" despite the video saying 25".<br />
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We kept walking and I let Jay take point. We saw other carp and cast to them but sadly no other carp came to the net. I did have a 10" bass take my bloody leech but that was it for the fish. Overall, a great day despite us both being tired and Jay being extra tired as he has carpal tunnel. In the end, we all learned something and I gave Jay some of my flies. It was a much needed trip despite just 2 fish coming to the net. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-10893303468851049952013-07-04T21:21:00.002-04:002013-07-04T21:45:12.685-04:00Independence Day Carp!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5caSjJXXpE/UdYVNoBDPcI/AAAAAAAAAq0/sIk294rUVEM/s1280/vlcsnap-2013-07-04-12h53m02s109.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5caSjJXXpE/UdYVNoBDPcI/AAAAAAAAAq0/sIk294rUVEM/s1280/vlcsnap-2013-07-04-12h53m02s109.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took this screen from the GoPro vid I took....Absolutely love this shot. </td></tr>
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Today, I had one thing on my mind....carp. My fiancee is in the UP until late Friday and I needed to get out! I've been very frustrated the past few times I've gone carping as every time I've been skunked. I've SEEN the carp but no takers or they get spooked too easily. I went back to my favorite spot for carp, Metzger's Marsh. I really took a gamble today because I had some REALLY wacky looking flies in my box.<br />
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I headed out with little food in my stomach and very little sleep but I guess I'm used to both, which is a bad thing....Really have to change that bad habit even though I know better. For the first hour and a half almost two hours, I saw carp but hooked nothing but weeds. Now, I'll say this that Metzger's Marsh is a very unique fishery as there is, at least right now, a lot of aquatic plant growth everywhere which makes it a perfect habitat for carp to feed and sleep. I was literally stepping on, creeping up to, and dropping the fly upon the carp. It breaks every law of the 10 Commandments of Carping but that's what makes it amazing and unique. Your heart literally goes a million miles an hour because you're literally 3 feet away from a 10lb carp and you drop the fly on its nose, watch it go for the fly and set the hook. Fight is on!<br />
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After a lot of problems with the wind, I finally spot a target that I think is worthy of my goofy looking fly. It looked like a Halloween fly as it had a black tail, an orange dubbed body and 4 centipede legs coming out of the side with silver bead chain eyes on the front of the hook. So, like a wooly bugger a brand new fly tier would do. I was so embarrassed but guess what? It worked! In fact, the biggest carp I ever saw and actually crept up to took it. The problem? I didn't check my knot and set the drag a tad too tight so it took off and about 40 feet later, the fly broke off. I tied on an orange pan candy next which did the trick.<br />
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The video above shows what kind of crazy conditions I was in. With the rain coming in, it, obviously, made the water even higher than normal. It was a blessing and a curse in that the water level was higher so the carp would congregate together as well as not notice me as quickly when I walked through the aquatic plants but since there was more water, the spots that used to be just up to my knees were now up to my mid thigh. Still made for a pleasant time. </div>
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So, after some exploring and me spotting more carp, I finally found a
group of active feeders. I was pumped! I walked through a bunch of top
water algae, scared a few carp, which I thought was going to spook the
feeders but thankfully didn't, and finally started to cast to some
feeders. I saw a cruiser and cast to it but I thought I was casting to
the head but in reality, it was the tail. It got spooked. Saw yet
another cruiser and waited which felt like an eternity! I cast the fly
right in front of it and watched it cruise right by it. I strip set the
hook and the carp took off. Fish on! Video below is of the fight. </div>
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I was happy. Very happy. I hooked a carp, yet again, on one of my pan candy and I discovered the secret to carping in Metzger's Marsh: orange flies win the day! I walked back to the car exhausted, hungry, and very tired. Overall, a rough start but that's what learning is all about. To me, studying the water, the fish, hooking 2 carp, and landing 1 was great. It's always a learning experience anywhere I fish and Metzger's Marsh is a very odd fishery as it is difficult and yet easy as you can creep up to carp but they could be scared in an instant and that 15 minute slow stalk, keeping your eyes glued on that one spot that you last saw the carp can turn into a wasted time so to speak. Overall, I love it. I always go back because I know I get a challenge and reward out of every single trip to the marsh. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a great shot of the #10 orange pan candy in its mouth. Pan candy has proven to be a great fly for the pan fish and carp! How exciting! </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-52034737786373577142013-06-19T00:19:00.002-04:002013-06-19T00:19:41.013-04:00Metzger's Marsh and Carp on the FlyGood grief! The days are flying by! Despite my busy schedule, I *somehow* manage to fit in fly fishing. I'm kidding. I really replace my school work with fishing trips which I shouldn't do but I do! So, June 15, was one of those days.<br />
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My cousin came in to town because his girlfriend was doing a triathlon at Maumee Bay State Park on the 16th. So, my Dad, cousin, and I went to Metzger's Marsh to fish for carp. I thought it would be a good chance to show everyone the ropes about how to catch some golden bone! Of course things go a lot better in your head than they do in real time. First, there was a major delay in getting out to the swamp in the first place, I had very little sleep as I was tying about 40 flies for the swamp trip alone, and I was on call the previous night for work so it made life very interesting. In the end, everything went swimmingly up to the point where we were out on the water....<br />
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So, the first problem, which actually made things fun, was the mayflies. Mayfly season is right now and every mayfly and its mother are out. So, mayflies are everywhere. Hundreds of thousands of them are flying about, sticking to foliage and to us as we walk through the tall swamp grass. <br />
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Below is a short video of mayflies stuck to my body and backpack. It was nuts. <br />
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So, fast forwarding to the point where my everyone was out on the water, we all stalked carp for around 2 hours and I was the only one who caught a carp on the fly. It wasn't very big but at least it was something. I saw plenty of carp. We all did. The problem was, as I found out, we all were using too heavy of flies so they didn't sit on top of the muck which is what the carp wanted. I switched to my own variation of a Barry's Carp Bitter in olive which landed the one and only carp of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a nice fish to break in my Redington CPX 8wt. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this shot!</td></tr>
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Overall, it didn't matter that we didn't catch more fish. We all had a nice time, it was beautiful outside, and no one was hurt. Life was good. Below is a short video of an okay release of the carp I caught. <br />
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My Dad left around noon and my cousin and I decided to stay for a little longer. We ended up stepping on carp and even netting some. It was pretty funny as the carp were just laying in the weeds or mud and sleeping and we'd put a fly up to their noses and they wouldn't move and then we'd net them but they always escaped before we could take any pictures. : ) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-31949699499993292932013-06-04T22:16:00.001-04:002013-06-04T22:16:40.003-04:00Bowfin on the Fly!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#10 baby leech fly. Super simple and definitely works for bigger fish!</td></tr>
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My summer class and my summer internship has sucked all
possible time from me. So, to counteract this problem, I have scheduled
myself around meeting with people for my internship by giving myself
enough time to fish in between training for my internship and my
meeting! GENIUS! Well, tonight was an excellent exception as my friend
who I was to meet with regarding my internship asked if I came later so I
decided to grab some flies and my 5wt rod and try to tackle some small
carp or some bass at the Cedar Point Wildlife Refuge off of Yondota road
in Oregon, Ohio.<br />
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I explored Maumee Bay State Park for
a bit before hand and cast my rod but nothing was biting. Saw some
splashes but nothing and the wind was coming at a bad angle that made
casting awful but not impossible. I left the park and headed to the
wildlife refuge and to my surprise saw some other cars. This place
usually, or at least the times I have gone, has had no one present while
I fished but since it literally just opened 3 days ago, I can see why
people wanted to come. Well, it's quite a long way to get to the point
where I can catch fish as I usually sight fish for carp on the bank as I
can sneak up to the carp with ease because of the bank being quite high
and the dam having a lot of cover. I stopped and chatted with a few
bass fishermen that had some kids with them and continued on to talk to 2
other fishermen. As I was chatting with them, I saw something long
looking like a bass to me at least swimming up to the surface. As it got
closer, I noticed, to my surprise, it was a dogfish! I took my #10 baby
leech off of my hook keeper and dropped the fly behind the bowfin and
made it swim up to the fish. It took the fly no problem and I waited 2
seconds, which felt like an eternity, and then set the hook. It then
began rolling and then dove into the weeds.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Would you kiss your mother with that mouth?</td></tr>
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I asked one of the bass
fisherman that was next to me how deep it was a few feet out. He said it
was very deep and I then found out HOW deep it was. I took my wallet
and other essentials out of my pocket as I didn't want to get them wet and had to meet with the client later. I got my net and for 5 minutes I fought the fish. It was buried deep into the weeds and that's when I found how deep I really had to go to get this fish. I took 3 steps and found I was in chest deep water not even 3 feet from shore. That's scary! I was thankful for the other guys there to save my sorry carcass in case I fell in. I kept scraping at the weeds underwater with my net to loosen the fish and the weeds and finally was able to pull the fish up enough to net it. I scrambled up to the bank and snapped a few shots and let it go. Too bad I didn't have my GoPro recording! I had it but never thought to even turn it on! All my concentration was on the fish. Oh well. Next time. : ) First bowfin on any rod to boot! : ) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the bass fisherman was kind enough to snap a pic of me with my prize fish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fish came to be around 20" in length! Not bad for my first bowfin on the fly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LA_Xx77lQjU/Ua6biHx9-YI/AAAAAAAAAnY/HGg5FpQTEB0/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LA_Xx77lQjU/Ua6biHx9-YI/AAAAAAAAAnY/HGg5FpQTEB0/s1600/IMG_1749.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SMILE! :D</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-34759771657155646142013-05-21T01:10:00.001-04:002013-05-25T22:05:17.889-04:00Tying Stone's Pan CandyEarlier this year, my good friend Jon and I did a fly swap. I sent him a ton of steelhead flies and he sent me some top notch bass and bluegill flies. One of the flies that was in the package was excellent for bluegill and bass. I loved it so much that I modified it, asked him if I could use it as my own fly and he said yes because of the modifications I had made. I asked around to other fly fishing pages on the web and on Facebook to make sure I was not stealing anyone's ideas and when everyone responded with "No" or "Go ahead and use it! Great pattern!", I asked for a name. My friend Jon gave me a list of names that he thought were great and on my Facebook page, everyone agreed that it should be called the Stone's Pan Hammer. However, after me experimenting with other colors, I thought the only appropriate name would be the Stone's Pan Candy. Thus, the fly was born.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWWM3segTHM/UZrgk6wa49I/AAAAAAAAAjU/wxQHNSMgwFo/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bWWM3segTHM/UZrgk6wa49I/AAAAAAAAAjU/wxQHNSMgwFo/s320/IMG_1665.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors from left to right: green, olive, orange, yellow, black, and white. </td></tr>
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Here are the instructions on how to tie the Stone's Pan Candy. I will show you how to tie the Pan Candy in the sour apple flavor. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jws0azspVjs/UZri9MR8fCI/AAAAAAAAAjk/sExfFWJIFaI/s1600/IMG_1666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jws0azspVjs/UZri9MR8fCI/AAAAAAAAAjk/sExfFWJIFaI/s320/IMG_1666.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TMC 2488 hook in either size 10 or 12. Note: this is what it has been tested on. It may work on a bigger size so tie as you see fit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-f6G7_pOU4/UZrlZZVclbI/AAAAAAAAAj0/ZQXW1delt6o/s1600/IMG_1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-f6G7_pOU4/UZrlZZVclbI/AAAAAAAAAj0/ZQXW1delt6o/s320/IMG_1671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">140 Denier thread. Match the appropriate color thread for the color fly i.e. olive colored fly uses olive colored thread, etc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-3VlfNjz-k/UZrn1y75RXI/AAAAAAAAAkE/v4EhAilANec/s1600/IMG_1672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n-3VlfNjz-k/UZrn1y75RXI/AAAAAAAAAkE/v4EhAilANec/s320/IMG_1672.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some UTC Vinyl "D" Rib. Note: make SURE it is is D rib and NOT round ribbing! It will say round rib instead of vinyl rib. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5okzorFC8U/UZrqWfyKZhI/AAAAAAAAAkU/k0cDYvmHSlc/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g5okzorFC8U/UZrqWfyKZhI/AAAAAAAAAkU/k0cDYvmHSlc/s320/IMG_1673.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, ice dub in appropriate color of fly. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36aFu6IC2uI/UZrr9rDcmfI/AAAAAAAAAkk/05mczE3P0PU/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36aFu6IC2uI/UZrr9rDcmfI/AAAAAAAAAkk/05mczE3P0PU/s320/IMG_1674.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krystal flash in appropriate color of fly. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DlnuNlR54Y/UZruoZJepbI/AAAAAAAAAk0/NlftELAenB0/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DlnuNlR54Y/UZruoZJepbI/AAAAAAAAAk0/NlftELAenB0/s320/IMG_1675.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural grizzly hackle. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_z10mJfgLAk/UZrvE64Ty2I/AAAAAAAAAlE/wS-cd1p2V_4/s1600/IMG_1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_z10mJfgLAk/UZrvE64Ty2I/AAAAAAAAAlE/wS-cd1p2V_4/s320/IMG_1677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3.0mm bead chain eyes. It took me FOREVER to cut all these up in twos. There are over 200 eyes in there. It's excellent. : ) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SccvbWIrns/UZru6XRScCI/AAAAAAAAAk8/hQMacmMsji0/s1600/IMG_1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0SccvbWIrns/UZru6XRScCI/AAAAAAAAAk8/hQMacmMsji0/s320/IMG_1676.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, start with a hook in the vise and make a thread wrap down the hook shank to provide for a base for the fly material as well as the eyes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jfw_k8oll3s/UZrvOUcgExI/AAAAAAAAAlM/476o2RpOw3k/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jfw_k8oll3s/UZrvOUcgExI/AAAAAAAAAlM/476o2RpOw3k/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just behind the eye of the hook, tie in the bead chain eyes making sure you leave enough room in the front for a whip finish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_DlYk1VtpY/UZrvYpn7SSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UekdFs3j6hQ/s1600/IMG_1679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_DlYk1VtpY/UZrvYpn7SSI/AAAAAAAAAlU/UekdFs3j6hQ/s320/IMG_1679.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrap thread down the shank and prepare for the tail. I take a full piece of krystal flash and cut it evenly to make two pieces. This piece is good for two flies. I then take one half and cut them evenly to make 2 pieces. Then I fold it over itself again, cut it to make 4 pieces, and finally fold it over again to make 8 pieces. I then tie that in leaving a tail a tad longer than the hook shank. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4d00EwjKKeg/UZrvi5DLXnI/AAAAAAAAAlc/pILTAMoraes/s1600/IMG_1680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4d00EwjKKeg/UZrvi5DLXnI/AAAAAAAAAlc/pILTAMoraes/s320/IMG_1680.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spread back the hackle fibers so they stand up. Tie in the tip of the feather. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yItcCXCmu00/UZrvsTB-E2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/asRWLwX7u_M/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yItcCXCmu00/UZrvsTB-E2I/AAAAAAAAAlk/asRWLwX7u_M/s320/IMG_1681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grab your vinyl rib and snip it so it looks like this. If you tie left handed, snip the vinyl rib the other way. Tie it in so the tapered end is covered and take the thread to the eyes. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiSxTHJ53DE/UZrwASRoEJI/AAAAAAAAAl0/rlojB7VSlG4/s1600/IMG_1683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiSxTHJ53DE/UZrwASRoEJI/AAAAAAAAAl0/rlojB7VSlG4/s320/IMG_1683.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrap the vinyl rib around the shank like you would chenille for a wooly bugger. Make sure you leave a tad bit of room behind the eyes for your ice dub and hackle. Snip it and wrap more thread to cover the tag end. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCM-FO260Rw/UZrwKsEkUaI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KpZEE_CLqoE/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCM-FO260Rw/UZrwKsEkUaI/AAAAAAAAAl8/KpZEE_CLqoE/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wind the hackle so the vein of the hackle is between the grooves of the vinyl rib and wrap until you are behind the eyes. Tie the hackle with a few wraps behind the tag end and then a few in front to secure it. Snip it flush. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wlihd-RASQ/UZrwUfXiXNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/hQWIZkHWVMo/s1600/IMG_1685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Wlihd-RASQ/UZrwUfXiXNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/hQWIZkHWVMo/s320/IMG_1685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top view of how it should look after the hackle is snipped. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP1kxwJJjuk/UZrweaC7CXI/AAAAAAAAAmM/q8DFxihynB8/s1600/IMG_1686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XP1kxwJJjuk/UZrweaC7CXI/AAAAAAAAAmM/q8DFxihynB8/s320/IMG_1686.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, add some ice dubbin to your thread and wrap it 2 or 3 times behind the eyes and then make figure 8 wraps around the eyes until you see little to no thread in between wraps of dubbing. Don't make the ice dub look too bulky though. Just enough to cover the thread. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j5uucFju9A/UZrwyHWl0eI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Ribov9cPtVE/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j5uucFju9A/UZrwyHWl0eI/AAAAAAAAAmc/Ribov9cPtVE/s320/IMG_1688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, if there's a tad bit of ice dub on your thread still, do 2 wraps in front of the eyes to clear the thread to whip finish. Whip finish the fly three times or however many you feel is necessary. I always do it three times and wrap the thread 3 times for every whip finish. I feel it is secure without being bulky or hiding the eye of the hook. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YM4g2oMKB2w/UZrw8MjKSFI/AAAAAAAAAmk/0_JiNFvySTs/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YM4g2oMKB2w/UZrw8MjKSFI/AAAAAAAAAmk/0_JiNFvySTs/s320/IMG_1689.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of the Pan Candy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_OkFvcxUr0/UZrxGbF11gI/AAAAAAAAAms/fjXg9AT0dG4/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g_OkFvcxUr0/UZrxGbF11gI/AAAAAAAAAms/fjXg9AT0dG4/s320/IMG_1690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top view of the Pan Candy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkhkNP9qWeY/UZrxQHQNeKI/AAAAAAAAAm0/99r2PxG0G5U/s1600/IMG_1691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pkhkNP9qWeY/UZrxQHQNeKI/AAAAAAAAAm0/99r2PxG0G5U/s320/IMG_1691.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom view of the Pan Candy. </td></tr>
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These are so fun and so easy to tie and extremely effective. I am debating on adding pink to the arsenal of flies. I may add more colors as long as there's ice dub, rib, and krystal flash to accommodate for the colors needed. Stay tuned! I'm quite proud of this fly as it really does work. Very well. So far, I've landed almost a dozen each of bass and bluegill with this fly and 1 22" carp with a #12 green Pan Candy. Please critique as you see fit. I hope the instructions are clear as I assume everyone doesn't need every single step to be photographed in incredible detail i.e. I left out me wrapping the ice dub behind, around, and in front of the eyes as well as me tying in the vinyl rib and wrapping it. Feel free to ask any questions! Tight lines!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-7842023525898648172013-05-19T16:26:00.001-04:002013-05-19T22:29:18.126-04:00Sunday Afternoon Gold! More carp on the fly action this afternoon after a great day at church! I got to my favorite carp spot on the Ottawa, the place I caught my last carp, at Harroun Community Park. As I was walking, I saw a gentleman spincast fishing for the suckers. Apparently he was eating them. I found the break through the trees where I go through to head down to the river and smelled something dead. Apparently somebody threw a carp on the bank. It was dead but it appeared to be freshly dead. I think they caught it and left it for dead, sadly. Was pretty upset about it but what can one do....<br />
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I fished for about 2 hours with a few interruptions. Saw plenty of suckers, about 8 or 10 carp (males swimming beside females to mate), and a few pike hugging the bottom where it was cooler water. Overall it was pretty slow but I got to test out my new Eagle Claw Featherlight that I converted into a switch rod! It was excellent as I was using a #12 fly and was able to whip that thing across the river with ease with just a flick of the handle. It really performed well with the two handles. It was really slow going. Started out with a #12 carp hybrid fly, snagged a carp by the tail or fin or something and didn't have the drag set low enough so I lost that 15 seconds into the fight.<br />
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It was really a game of chance here and I was losing. I kept tossing the fly to cruising carp, both male and female, whether they were loners or a pack of males following a female. In the end, I hooked into a nice female with a baby leech fly. <br />
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Once again, I apologize as I am unable to feature my Youtube videos directly into the blog post for some reason. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv1WI8-dG2w" target="_blank">here</a> to see the underwater footage of the carp. It's pretty cool if I say so myself. : )<br />
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Edit: went back at 6 and fished for another hour and a half. Caught a 22" loner on an original fly of mine, the Pan Candy! Will be posting how to tie in the next few days. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmwGOzLL1wA" target="_blank">here</a> to watch it! I even gave the carp a kiss. How sweet of me! : D <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svKRtSO9r_I/UZkyNl1vTyI/AAAAAAAAAis/yBAgAUQAGck/s1600/0519131313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svKRtSO9r_I/UZkyNl1vTyI/AAAAAAAAAis/yBAgAUQAGck/s400/0519131313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This female was 1/4" shy of 24"! Great fight especially on glass! Love this rod!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ss_6IZ4GTzo/UZk0C2r8maI/AAAAAAAAAi4/n-fCOgKs-DQ/s1600/0519131314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ss_6IZ4GTzo/UZk0C2r8maI/AAAAAAAAAi4/n-fCOgKs-DQ/s400/0519131314.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses anyone? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Io-JlG417rQ/UZk0xS9vi9I/AAAAAAAAAjE/CHfTVx1KUMw/s1600/0519131314a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Io-JlG417rQ/UZk0xS9vi9I/AAAAAAAAAjE/CHfTVx1KUMw/s320/0519131314a.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new girlfriend!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-13514729504677827872013-05-17T00:20:00.000-04:002013-05-17T00:21:51.814-04:00Fast Sinking Leech PatternThis is a very classic pattern and everyone knows how to tie a wooly
bugger. This was requested by a gentlemen on my Facebook page Stone's
Flies. He asked me what I used to catch the carp and I told him I would
give him a step by step process of how I tied the Deep Leech. I also tie this in olive, brown, and white the same way. Just as effective but for other fish as well. <br />
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First materials are as follows: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtXQLPhoM0c/UZWKhE0OylI/AAAAAAAAAec/RrI1ZENfY0s/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RtXQLPhoM0c/UZWKhE0OylI/AAAAAAAAAec/RrI1ZENfY0s/s320/IMG_1642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use a size 6 2xl as I feel it's a good size. You can use something smaller but you need to use different material in some cases to match the hook size. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep7jbhxTcCI/UZWMeAsa6YI/AAAAAAAAAes/8lCxyitd8C8/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ep7jbhxTcCI/UZWMeAsa6YI/AAAAAAAAAes/8lCxyitd8C8/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">140 denier black thread. Smaller sizes I would use 70 but 140 is excellent as it's in the middle and can be used for even down to a size 10 or 12 in some cases. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-wqPUWT6e0/UZWOe32SW6I/AAAAAAAAAe8/gErIAuL1q0M/s1600/IMG_1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1-wqPUWT6e0/UZWOe32SW6I/AAAAAAAAAe8/gErIAuL1q0M/s320/IMG_1644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with the dumbbell eyes, this gives it extra weight that it needs to sink faster. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTk0YOH9guw/UZWQU3D36PI/AAAAAAAAAfM/lxH3UnZ4B1c/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTk0YOH9guw/UZWQU3D36PI/AAAAAAAAAfM/lxH3UnZ4B1c/s320/IMG_1645.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best size for the dumbbell eyes. I would go to a 3.5mm for a size 10 hook but you can stay at a 4mm for a size 10 if you want to make it sink faster. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ_Dqoh4f3E/UZWSfSwtU0I/AAAAAAAAAfc/zWjzP8rb0ts/s1600/IMG_1646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aZ_Dqoh4f3E/UZWSfSwtU0I/AAAAAAAAAfc/zWjzP8rb0ts/s320/IMG_1646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UQG1pUeY6s/UZWU6KKdwHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/cQ2fqLEsqAo/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0UQG1pUeY6s/UZWU6KKdwHI/AAAAAAAAAfs/cQ2fqLEsqAo/s320/IMG_1647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always get medium chenille. Looks better in the water. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfwndZNlK14/UZWXOUowD2I/AAAAAAAAAf8/LVpVqhkf3vc/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfwndZNlK14/UZWXOUowD2I/AAAAAAAAAf8/LVpVqhkf3vc/s320/IMG_1648.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any marabou will do just as long as it's black. I just choose Cabela's brand since it's cheap. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOQe1R3C9nY/UZWYvP9-HpI/AAAAAAAAAgM/TXjzva00S2k/s1600/IMG_1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOQe1R3C9nY/UZWYvP9-HpI/AAAAAAAAAgM/TXjzva00S2k/s320/IMG_1649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, cheap Cabela's brand saddle hackle. As long as it's black, you're good. Wait....that came out wrong. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfX-lKRvgak/UZWbGnkda3I/AAAAAAAAAgc/29Q6uZ7vhZs/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfX-lKRvgak/UZWbGnkda3I/AAAAAAAAAgc/29Q6uZ7vhZs/s320/IMG_1650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Put the hook in the vise. Duh. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-8TXNpimyE/UZWdfuuds1I/AAAAAAAAAgs/naletgJrqhQ/s1600/IMG_1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H-8TXNpimyE/UZWdfuuds1I/AAAAAAAAAgs/naletgJrqhQ/s320/IMG_1651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start by wrapping the medium copper wire around the hook shank. It's very important that you leave enough room for the dumbbell eyes behind the eye on the shank and leave some room at the end before the bend to accommodate for the marabou being tied in just as you would any other wooly bugger. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX444ESCViQ/UZWfq0gCKGI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ogVX7VUTtGk/s1600/IMG_1652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FX444ESCViQ/UZWfq0gCKGI/AAAAAAAAAg8/ogVX7VUTtGk/s320/IMG_1652.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secure the copper wire with thread. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMQuVtHy-1Q/UZWh3se0zJI/AAAAAAAAAhM/a7z7WMaJouY/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LMQuVtHy-1Q/UZWh3se0zJI/AAAAAAAAAhM/a7z7WMaJouY/s320/IMG_1653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add the eyes to the top of the hook so the hook will ride hook up. Make sure you leave a bit of a gap just behind the eye to whip finish. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vs9EqBzJ1Pk/UZWkMenDYDI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Tve0QFvuaA4/s1600/IMG_1654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vs9EqBzJ1Pk/UZWkMenDYDI/AAAAAAAAAhc/Tve0QFvuaA4/s320/IMG_1654.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie in the marabou tying the marabou all the way up to the dumbbell eyes. I do this to give the fly more body. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr6oYs58S2w/UZWmla3FC_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/1D7z4ZTLN4M/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr6oYs58S2w/UZWmla3FC_I/AAAAAAAAAhs/1D7z4ZTLN4M/s320/IMG_1655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie in the saddle hackle tip end first and spreading the fibers back. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAifylEemjQ/UZWoY1OhBXI/AAAAAAAAAh8/b6hEsTKCgmw/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAifylEemjQ/UZWoY1OhBXI/AAAAAAAAAh8/b6hEsTKCgmw/s320/IMG_1656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set the hackle aside and then strip a bit off the end of your chenille and tie that in next. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Es6Ayw7yyAQ/UZWqOs8Az-I/AAAAAAAAAiM/1U_ob0riJ4M/s1600/IMG_1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Es6Ayw7yyAQ/UZWqOs8Az-I/AAAAAAAAAiM/1U_ob0riJ4M/s320/IMG_1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrap the chenille around the shank and up to the eyes. Tie it off and snip the remaining chenille off. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VyfbIRlvwk/UZWr-j2C0QI/AAAAAAAAAic/6c78dJwz_0Q/s1600/IMG_1658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8VyfbIRlvwk/UZWr-j2C0QI/AAAAAAAAAic/6c78dJwz_0Q/s320/IMG_1658.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrap the hackle around the chenille making a few extra wraps at the head to give it more hackle fibers in the front. I've found it makes the body look better in the water. Tie it in, snip the remaining hackle off, and then whip finish right behind the eye of the hook and in front of the dumbbell eyes. </td></tr>
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Simple as that. Classic pattern. Simple and super effective. KISS: keep it simple stupid. : ) Modify weights and experiment with weight as needed in streams and rivers. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-82509371645951442702013-05-16T20:51:00.000-04:002013-05-18T05:16:48.421-04:00Harroun Community Park Ottawa River Carp on the Fly!Man! That's a title! : ) Finally done with school for a bit and just got back from vacation in Georgia. I now have a bit of free time to do what I want to I went fly fishing for carp yesterday. I scoped the area out last week before I left so I knew what I needed to do in order to catch carp.<br />
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The area where I went is part of the Ottawa River. It's really cool because the area is not very far from my house and it's smack dab in the middle of everything. Flower Hospital, the hospital where I used to work, is just a short hike to where I was fishing which is incredible.<br />
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I was wet wading as the water was not as cold as I was expecting even though the deeper parts were just above my waist. I really took my time that day seeing what was in the pool. It was filled with carp and suckers. I tied on a heavy weighted leech pattern and was almost nymphing with it. A giant came up and slurped it in as it was cruising just under the surface as the fly was sinking. I set the hook and it ran. I'm glad I had my 8wt because I was considering using my7'6" 4wt but it would have been almost impossible to bring this carp in.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkuRxECf9pA/UZV-2SkhvFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/CN3wzDItdRE/s1600/Ottawa+River+Carp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkuRxECf9pA/UZV-2SkhvFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/CN3wzDItdRE/s400/Ottawa+River+Carp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I apologize as Blogger is being dumb and won't let me directly insert a Youtube video for some reason. Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9pob7WLj0" target="_blank">here</a> to watch the video of the fight and release on Youtube. Skip to 8:40 to see the fish up close and personal and then the release. I lowered the resolution to 720p instead of 940p as it gave me 60fps which is super nice. <br />
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After a while, I hooked into another one. This fish gave me a run for my money. I didn't land it though but it still was fun to see my line zip out of the reel on a higher drag set. Watch it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fibg9kwwcU8" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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Overall it was a great day. I now know that there are a lot of carp close to home. You just have to look in the places that you'd least expect them and do your homework before hand! That's what fishing is all about. <br />
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One thing I've learned about river carp is that once you catch one out of one hole, you can't catch another because they then know that they're being hunted. I guess I'll have to wait for another day to catch another big one. <br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-50083920955659278022013-04-23T17:49:00.000-04:002013-04-23T17:49:27.498-04:00Suckers on the Fly!I've been itching to catch something larger than 6" ever since a carp took my fly last year in July. Right now, in April, the suckers and pike are spawning in large numbers all over the place. Thankfully, I have a creek next to my house which has a little over a dozen suckers and about a half a dozen pike in it at the moment. I spent an hour on Sunday afternoon clearing out brush and junk from the creek to maximize my opportunities to catch and LAND one of these fish. Today, I was rewarded with 3 suckers, a first on my fly rod.<br />
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Here are three videos of me catching, landing, and releasing this fish. They are 3 separate fish. I got very excited and look like a crazy man especially since my attire in the videos are not very fishermanish. I hope you enjoy the same excitement as I had catching them as it was surprisingly hard to do.<br />
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This is the first of three. I thought my GoPro was going but no. I was kinda upset but in the end, it was okay. Gotta love my classy loafers and white socks with jeans! : ) <br />
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Second video went a little better. This video is uncut. Shaky at times so my deepest apologies. I was a bit excited can't you tell? The fire department next door was wondering what was going on and paid me a visit. If you turn the volume up you can hear what they are saying. It's pretty funny as they think I'm crazy, which I am.<br />
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Third and last video of the night. Once again, shaky video so sorry about that. Still trying to figure out my new GoPro. The release was awful but the fish is still alive. : ) Still a blast to catch!<br />
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<br />Overall, I know it's not much of an exciting blog post as in me going kayaking and fishing for the big one but nevertheless, it was so awesome to catch something that was literally in my backyard. Or front yard rather.<br />
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Tight lines everyone!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-9901075297214637612013-04-07T14:48:00.003-04:002013-04-20T04:39:45.147-04:00Monroe Powerplant Hot Ponds!This past Tuesday, April 2, I was scheduled to work. That is, until I attended a funeral for my fiancee's grandmother. This allowed my fiancee and I go to kayaking and fishing with Ted, a good friend of mine from work, and his friend Lon. I picked Lauren up and we headed to Bolles Harbor in Monroe, Michigan. We went from the harbor all the way to the mouth of the so called "hot ponds" as they are best known. Hot ponds are parts of a river or lake that feed a powerplant to cool their equipment. The water actually absorbs the heat via a tubing system usually and is spit out thousands of gallons a second into a canal that eventually leads to the Great Lakes. Pretty amazing stuff!<br />
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It took us around 45 minutes to kayak from the harbor to a peninsula at the mouth of the canal. We got out and we met both Ted and Lon and the action started immediately when I stepped foot on land. Both Ted and Lon were catching largemouth bass that were a good 16" and 17". They said they caught a few bigger ones which was downright incredible! The bass were feeding on small minnows and shad that were swimming with the current. The bass would be on the edge of the eddy and would swim and eat anything that was close. Bass and some big carp were jumping everywhere! It was great!<br />
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Ted and Lon were using baitcasters and I started to use my fly rod despite the wind picking up and blowing in the direction that I couldn't cast as well. Thankfully, I was using a heavier Clouser minnow pattern with my 5wt which helped me push through the wind to the fish. Not even 5 minutes after I stepped foot on land did Lon get into something big. A nice carp roughly 20lbs was on the end of his shad pattern. The fish was hooked INSIDE the lip possibly signifying that it was trying to eat the shad. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_dDVwWfC7M/UWG5hEoYXEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/N9HfAC4brOQ/s1600/SAM_1211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_dDVwWfC7M/UWG5hEoYXEI/AAAAAAAAAcI/N9HfAC4brOQ/s320/SAM_1211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous fish...</td></tr>
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We snapped some shots and he let it go. First fish I've touched in several months. It was good to be back on the water! I was happy to help him net it, too! : D<br />
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Next, was my turn. I wanted so badly to catch any fish! Well, after about 10 minutes of nothing but plenty of hits and misses, Lon told me to come to the shallower end of the peninsula. I happily obliged and that's when I hooked into a beautiful LMB on a simple Clouser minnow that I tied the previous night preparing for the trip. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FISH ON! First of 2013!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ReDuHa3Zbp0/UWG5mJeotkI/AAAAAAAAAcc/rUecWM7A6kw/s1600/SAM_1215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ReDuHa3Zbp0/UWG5mJeotkI/AAAAAAAAAcc/rUecWM7A6kw/s320/SAM_1215.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very happy camper! </td></tr>
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I was so happy. I was laughing and if I could, I would have been jumping for joy. The fish was a mere 12" but to me it was the giant of the deep! It doesn't matter how big or how small, I still find joy in catching even the smallest of fish. I fished up and down the peninsula having quite a few strikes in the short amount of time that I spent there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5aCTSzhwz4/UWG5mdFUTmI/AAAAAAAAAcg/GT8GLED34Yg/s1600/SAM_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5aCTSzhwz4/UWG5mdFUTmI/AAAAAAAAAcg/GT8GLED34Yg/s320/SAM_1214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile on my face is pricesless. : ) </td></tr>
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The second fish of the day came by surprise. I was taking line out and cast about 2 feet of line out and I drew the rod back and I had it tug! I literally just smacked the water with my fly and I had yet ANOTHER LMB on the fly! Funny how that works. : ) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0Ve5hPZyW8/UWG5m2SaseI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Fvv9cKbyaCw/s1600/SAM_1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0Ve5hPZyW8/UWG5m2SaseI/AAAAAAAAAcs/Fvv9cKbyaCw/s320/SAM_1216.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still happy as can be! </td></tr>
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The final fish of the day was another small LM coming in at a mere 8". By that time, we all had to go as Lauren had to head to school, Ted needed to go to sleep because he was up since 9 the previous morning and worked a full 12 hours and then went kayaking with a 30 minute nap and loaded up on Red Bull....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor fish! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gx7CfwWU9A/UWG5quLYNlI/AAAAAAAAAc8/0Udv2FWZ1a8/s1600/SAM_1219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gx7CfwWU9A/UWG5quLYNlI/AAAAAAAAAc8/0Udv2FWZ1a8/s320/SAM_1219.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The release. </td></tr>
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Technically, we "weren't fishing for LMB" as those are not in season in Michigan yet. The DNR states that there has to be immediate release of the bass. Only in late May can you keep the bass. I still had a blast.<br />
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Lauren and I, or rather I being the gentleman I am, loaded up the car with the kayaks and we headed out but not before we took pictures. : ) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gp1uSuE8XLw/UWG5tm80IJI/AAAAAAAAAdM/FqqdU2r32vs/s1600/SAM_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gp1uSuE8XLw/UWG5tm80IJI/AAAAAAAAAdM/FqqdU2r32vs/s320/SAM_1220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sam, wait before you take a picture. I'm trying to fix my mascara." *takes a picture* "Oops."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-q0vcVL3IQ/UWG5uUZkoBI/AAAAAAAAAdU/3C8vkW93C9I/s1600/SAM_1221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p-q0vcVL3IQ/UWG5uUZkoBI/AAAAAAAAAdU/3C8vkW93C9I/s320/SAM_1221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles. We're quite happy! : )</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this girl with all of my heart! Very blessed! </td></tr>
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The next day, I went by myself but have no pictures to show for it. It's a great hot spot for bass but also a great place to just relax and be yourself. It's going to be great for kayaking parties! Tight lines everyone and be safe!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9125050925897344411.post-33947573625762891822013-04-04T23:23:00.000-04:002013-11-20T12:13:41.379-05:00Holding a Fish CorrectlyYes, it's been almost 2 months when I posted last. I've had very little adventures in the past few months but with spring around the corner, I did do some kayaking and fishing! Now that I'm back in blogging mode, I decided to start out with a post on how to hold fish! This is overlooked. A lot. It's really sad, actually. So, let's look at how to hold a fish the wrong way. <br />
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The picture on the left shows the fish being held improperly because there is no support on
the front or back part of spine. The fish is also being squeezed. Not
good! Don't be stupid and squeeze a fish no matter how small. That small fish will grow up!<br />
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The picture below shows yet another improper way of holding a
fish! Ugh....By the gills! Imagine you were being held by your neck.
That's it. All your body weight was being held by your neck vertebrae. OUCH! Yes, that's how the fish feels. Uncool! It also hurts the fish's gills themselves which is what they use to breathe. Duh. : ) <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8CUiR3vyyk/UV4-lFh-iNI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Up7glZoyEtA/s1600/2qdyf60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8CUiR3vyyk/UV4-lFh-iNI/AAAAAAAAAbU/Up7glZoyEtA/s1600/2qdyf60.jpg" /> </a></div>
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Another common misconception is that a fish, more specifically, a bass, can be held by it's lower jaw. Yes, it can be done but it could potentially break the fish's jaw. Not fun!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFg1BdaEelQ/UV4-liVcsXI/AAAAAAAAAbc/HTqyxlu8_bA/s1600/jawbreak9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8Nv6c8ftCk/UV4-ljhJrSI/AAAAAAAAAbk/8NwCRbEzKFg/s1600/kk_crappie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P8Nv6c8ftCk/UV4-ljhJrSI/AAAAAAAAAbk/8NwCRbEzKFg/s320/kk_crappie1.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFg1BdaEelQ/UV4-liVcsXI/AAAAAAAAAbc/HTqyxlu8_bA/s1600/jawbreak9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFg1BdaEelQ/UV4-liVcsXI/AAAAAAAAAbc/HTqyxlu8_bA/s1600/jawbreak9.jpg" /></a>Here we see a man holding the smallmouth by its lower jaw. Don't do this please. That bass may have been fine but it may have bruised the fish and could potentially have problems with its jaw for the rest of its life. The far right picture is of crappie. The picture displayed on the far right shows a professional fisherman holding up <br />
some nice crappie. Now, I found this picture on a professional website that is known for it's great fishing articles, tournament info, and fishing tips and tricks and yet this guy didn't get the memo to NOT follow those tips. Hmm...<br />
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We've viewed several examples of bad fish handling. Let's look at some good ones! Below is an excellent shot of a gorgeous brookie. And, yes, he's holding it correctly as he let it sit in the net first, then briefly took it out of the net for a shot, and I imagine, let it go with no harm done. Look at the net closely and you can see it is a rubber net. That's what you want to use all the time. The nylon nets are VERY hard on the fish. Throw that kind of net away. They keep the slime of the fish on the netting and that slime keeps the fish alive! It's a protective barrier for the fish just like our skin! <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDkdljqtS3k/UV4-lLN0lLI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/eeqkSWjVgnU/s1600/4pyw6d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vDkdljqtS3k/UV4-lLN0lLI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/eeqkSWjVgnU/s320/4pyw6d.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
Here's a great picture of how to hold a toothy fish. This picture was entitled how to hold a muskie correctly. I think it speaks for itself. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkyagVuG8dw/UV4-46qq6II/AAAAAAAAAb0/ynlhX7Vghfs/s1600/Proper-Muskie-Hold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jkyagVuG8dw/UV4-46qq6II/AAAAAAAAAb0/ynlhX7Vghfs/s320/Proper-Muskie-Hold.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There you have it folks! I hope you've learned a lot from this post. It's good to get a refresher course on the subject from time to time. Check out these wonderful articles on the same subject! Like really....you should.<br />
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<a href="http://www.byrdultrafly.com/jawbreak.htm" target="_blank">How to Break a Fish's Jaw Quickly</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.fishexplorer.com/co/blog.asp?action=det&bid=878" target="_blank">Please Hold Fish Properly!</a><br />
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TIGHT LINES EVERYONE!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09455970591726103447noreply@blogger.com0