2023 Flies

[TnRiver46]

The buddy I was talking about throws it in 25-40 foot of water on ledges haha. Low water not a factor 

[Further North]

He's a patient angler.  I couldn't wait 50 seconds for 6 ips line to sink 25 feet...much less almost a minute and a half for it to sink 40 feet.

[TnRiver46]

Dude, he will throw it for 8 hours without catching a darn thing. You fly guys are a different breed, looks exhausting 

 

he does get some stuff now and then, I put him on a 43” and 45” gar in the same day and a big striper once. And he has caught smallies on those ledges, it just takes a lot of effort 

[Further North]

There's a reason I don't limit myself to fly fishing. 

 

When gear makes more sense,  I'll use it.  Or if I'm just sick of chucking flies.

 

...but an 8 hour float is about average. 

[flyfisher]

I don't get how people force themselves to use a tool that isn't suited for the job.  I am sorry but deep water is not the realm of the fly rod.  Sure you can do it but why?  I love fly fishing and it is my primary choice but I also know it isn't the best for every scenario.  

[TnRiver46]

You know how them fly guys are……..

[Further North]

I think its because they get caught up in the idea and just don't think about it.

I see lots of effort to recreate conventional fishing baits in the world of flies...and you just can't do it.

...but sometimes what you learn comes in handy for other things:





You absolutely cannot believe how buggy these jigs look in the water.  Neither, apparently, can smallies...

 

3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

You know how them fly guys are……..

Some are.  Most are not.

My last two outings have been 100% fly free.

 

 

 

[flyfisher]

Those are awesome.  I have actually been itching to get out and go after smallies with conventional and I think my next trip will be just that.....

[Fallser]

I'll be up in Ontario next week.  The odds are the smallies are going to be in 20 to 30 feet of water which will make using my fly rod a bit of a challenge.  I have a box of flies tied on 1/32nd and 1/20th

jigs which I plan to fish off a fast sinking line with a long leader.  These are the bucktail and marabou ones.

 

I've have a couple "Ned" flies to try.  Tied on 1/20th oz  Ned Jigs

 

One of my most successful flies the last two years has been my crayfish pattern.  This year I tied a dozen or so on 1/4 oz jigs

At least I won't feel guilty using some scent on them.

[Further North]

1 hour ago, flyfisher said:

Those are awesome.  I have actually been itching to get out and go after smallies with conventional and I think my next trip will be just that.....

Taking a break from flies feels good sometimes.  Less complicated, less stress...just fish...
 

1 hour ago, Fallser said:

I've have a couple "Ned" flies to try.  Tied on 1/20th oz  Ned Jigs

Those look like they are tied almost exactly the same way as those nutria zonker strip jigs above.  I thnk they're going to work great!

I furl behind the hook bend to create the tail, then palmer forward around the hook shank.  Super easy tie - with the nutria zonkers, I have to pay attention to keeping the fur side out, with the material you're using, I think it's be easier.

 

1 hour ago, Fallser said:

At least I won't feel guilty using some scent on them.

I like MegaStrike...I use it less as an attractant, and more to get the fish to hold for a moment longer.