Fly fishing rocks

[flechero]

Jay, is this near you at all?  Looks like a pretty cool event.  And the weights were up there in the '09 results. 

http://www.bassnfly.com/The%20Bass-n-Fly%20Challenge%20tournament.html

[fourbizz]

Yeah Keith, I'm pretty sure that I am gonna fish it with my buddy Ed.

[Buckeye1955]

The newer graphite rods are better for sure, but man I love throwing the line with one of the old Shakespeare Wonderods. I have a dozen of them and they are just beautiful rods. You can pick up a nice 8wt on Ebay for less then $100 usually. I have a Cabelas graphite travel rod I use for trout and have caught a few bass on it too. Does fine. I have an unused when I bought it - 40 year old Ocean City model 90 automatic on it too. Created quite a stir when I walked into the fly shop at Cabelas and asked them to put bass line on one for my bass rod. I use an FY-B 8wt- 8' 6" Wonderod and it has handled bass over 7lbs with no problem at all. Feels like I have a direct connection to my late father when I have one of those rods in my hand. Even if the blue gill are the only thing hitting, it's still a blast.

[Goose52]

The newer graphite rods are better for sure, but man I love throwing the line with one of the old Shakespeare Wonderods.

Funny you should mention that ... since that's what I fished with in the '60s and I still have it. It hasn't seen water more than once or twice since the late '60s...

[32251]

I have several of the old Wonderods. I buy them at yard sales and Ebay cheap.  I love those things. Snobby flyfishermen probably hate them, but they are the bomb to me.  8wt line.  I could cast that thing all day long!

That video was so inspiring!!

[Buckeye1955]

32251 - Glad there is some more fans of those old glass rods around. It's never fails when I start throwing line with one that someone wants to know what the heck that is and can they try it. Maybe you had to be from that generation to appreciate them, but their aren't many rods made today that 40 years from now people will be collecting and still using. I still have my Dad's he purchased new in 1967 and several unused ones of the same model. I hope to pass them down to the grandkids when I'm gone. They were a major purchase back in their day. Dad was making $14 a week and bought two of the rods and two Ocean City reels. I don't remember the price, but I purchased one awhile back that still had the price tag on it of $18. Hey Goose, make that old rod happy and take out this spring. Bet it puts a smile on your face with the first cast!

[Goose52]

Hey Goose, make that old rod happy and take out this spring. Bet it puts a smile on your face with the first cast!

Will do! Now, do you think I will need to replace the 42 year-old WF8F line I have on my reel ? ;D ;D

[Buckeye1955]

Goose,

Only if it's cracked and in bad shape! I fished some with Dad's after he passed away and it wasn't in great shape but still worked just fine. Cabelas fly shop has some great new bass weight line. Works like a champ!

[Goose52]

Maybe I'll pull that old WF8F off the reel and stretch it out - if it doesn't look like a Slinky .... maybe I'll try to fish it

Still, I think I will be getting a bit more modern 6wt or so rig to play with as well. I think 6 will be enough for the little fish in my lakes...

[RandySBreth]

I use fly, spinning, and baitcasting tackle, but catching Bass on poppers is just plain fun.

You don't have to go all "high-end" on the tackle like some others have said.

More folks should try it.

[Shane J]

Great video. That guy is hard core! Kinda does make me want to try a hand at it.

[Goose52]

I use fly, spinning, and baitcasting tackle, but catching Bass on poppers is just plain fun...

I bought my fly rod in 1967 and my first bass was a little guy - probably around a pound or less. But I still remember twitching that popper and then seeing the bulge in the water as he was coming up to hit it - like all topwater, just a rush. Great stuff. I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

[Buckeye1955]

And if you ever do land a hog on one, you'll remember it for a very long time. Got a 7.5 one time back in some laydowns. Still remember that monster coming clear out of the water on that popper just like it was yesterday!

[jaymc]

Jay, is this near you at all? Looks like a pretty cool event. And the weights were up there in the '09 results.

http://www.bassnfly.com/The%20Bass-n-Fly%20Challenge%20tournament.html

Nah, it's the other side of the country.  But thanks for thinking of me.

[jaymc]

The newer graphite rods are better for sure, but man I love throwing the line with one of the old Shakespeare Wonderods. I have a dozen of them and they are just beautiful rods. You can pick up a nice 8wt on Ebay for less then $100 usually. I have a Cabelas graphite travel rod I use for trout and have caught a few bass on it too. Does fine. I have an unused when I bought it - 40 year old Ocean City model 90 automatic on it too. Created quite a stir when I walked into the fly shop at Cabelas and asked them to put bass line on one for my bass rod. I use an FY-B 8wt- 8' 6" Wonderod and it has handled bass over 7lbs with no problem at all. Feels like I have a direct connection to my late father when I have one of those rods in my hand. Even if the blue gill are the only thing hitting, it's still a blast.

My problem with glass was the weight.  I have a glass Cortland for 9wt that weighs 6.5 oz.  Cast that for two hours and your arm is killing you.  I got a Woderrod for xmas when I was 14.  I fished that rod until I went int he service in '66. When I got out I purchased a Fenwick.

[Buckeye1955]

Won't disagree with the weight difference. I usually have 3 or 4 rods on the deck and just rotate what I'm throwing depending on what I'm looking at as I move from area to area with the boat when I'm bass fishing. One of those will be the fly rod. Some days they just aren't interested, but I'm always willing to give it a shot as I just enjoy working the rod some anyway. If I'm out all day trout fishing, my 5wt graphite rod is all I take. It's a 7 piece travel rod and I carry it and my travel bass rod on the Harley when I'm out. Never know when I'll come across a good spot to take a break and wet a line. It's a great day when I can get to do some of both as I hit the road for the day.