Tying the Tippet

The Tippet

The Tippet is one of my favorite midge patterns throughout the year. It fishes very well through the winter, as-well-as on both stillwater and streams. The profile and segmentation, coupled with the red trigger point seems to be the key with this pattern. Tied several years ago, it has been a mainstay in my midge box ever since.

Tippet Recipe

Hook:  #18 Curved Nymph

Bead:  Gold Tungsten

Thread:  6/0 Black

Back:  Red Pheasant Tippet

Abdomen:  Clear Body Glass

Thorax:  Black Ice-Dub

Big Mack

Big Mack

Yesterday while at the doc's for a visit, he was showing me pics of his son's fish caught on the hot lure in Portugal. I got to looking at it, and thought...."that would be a neat fly."  So I promised him 3 flies for his own testing on his next trip. I was a 2 1/2" mackerel-marked lure with a green flank fading to a yellow belly. Here's what I came up with. 

Never been fished. Have no idea if it will catch a damned thing. But it was fun to put together.

Big Mack Recipe

Hook:  #4 Partridge

Thread:  6/0 Black

Abdomen:  Gold Mylar over lead wire

Belly:  Gold Crystal Flash

Back: Olive Crystal Flash

Back:  Blue Super Hair (With black Copic Pen)

Rebuilding Classic Glass

Johnson Profile Re-build

Creating another favorite rod

I was fortunate enough recently to trade a newer bass rod and reel for a rod that I have admired for a number of years.  Finally a Johnson Profile 800 rod was in my hands and soon after, on the water. SO...now brace yourself....while it was nice to look at, and I liked the taper quite a bit....I had some serious issues with it. 

I know, right now some die-hard glass fans are staring at their screens thinking, "Who IS this idiot? How dare he blaspheme the Profile?!"

Well, remember, I did say I loved the taper. And I also loved the cork grip. But that's where the romance ended. Let me preface the rest of this blog entry however with a few facts. While the rod is in 100% functional condition, the logo is almost completely gone, and 2 of the guides were already reworked by the previous owner. SO true collector value is no longer there. I want a daily use light bass rod, so this thing isn't going to sit pretty in a case. It's going to see South Jerseys warm water haunts regularly. The final decision, I have to like and enjoy the rod.

On to my disappointments....:)

The coil guides suck, are poorly spaced, far too small and at least 1 short of optimum in my opinion. Worst of all, the tip-top is the smallest I have ever seen. Especially for a 7wt rod. A simple loop-2-loop connection can't physically fit through it without help. Also,while I love the older glass rods, I absolutely hate the old aluminum reel seats. And this one even comes adorned with gold anodizing.  GREAT!

The result was, loved the rod....hated the rod. While deciding what to do, i went from re-trading it again, to an EBAY listing, which I later cancelled. Then decided to ask a buddy of mine from another forum "Bass_Bug" if he would be interested in taking a look at it. he had repaired and restored another glass rod for me years ago and did  an unbelievable job. His answer was a yes, IF the reel seat would come off.

A little boiling water and it was done. Off came the reel seat. SO things are moving forward. We are rebuilding a classic!

We will be keeping the cork, but replacing the seat, and all of the hardware. I say "WE", but B_B will be doing all the heavy lifting.

I'll try to share as much of the process as possible along the way.

STAY TUNED!

Tying the Foam Carpenter Ant

Foam Carpenter Ant

The ant can rule the dog days of summer, so to be caught without them on the water can at times be the deciding factor on a days fishing. I tend to fish and tie one version which is a larger Carpenter Ant version. It's easy to see, floats well and the fish seem to enjoy them as well.

Foam Carpenter Ant Recipe

Hook:  #14 Caddis Emerger

Thread:  Black 6/0

Body:  1/8" wide thin Razor Foam

Hackle: #12 Black Dry

Post:  Flo Orange Antron Yarn

Mini-Divers

Mini-Divers

With the bins filled with #2 & #4 Mule Deer Divers, I took some time to tie up some Mini-Divers to give a few color variations in smaller offerings for Gills.  Tied on #6 Gama Stingers, all that was changed from the standard MDD pattern was the deer hair and hackle colors. 

For recipe and tying video, click on the link below:

Mule Deer Diver Recipe and Video

Tying the Little Crappie Fly

Little Crappie Fly

The LCF was tied as a crappie/panfish streamer for float tubing. It has since caught just about every species I've thrown it at. Exceptional on Crappie, it even broke into the world of Tenkara, dead-drift for trout.

LCF Recipe

Hook:  #10 Standard Nymph

Thread: Black 6/0

Bead: Gold Tungsten

Tail:  Tan Marabou

Abdomen:  Holographic Gold Tinsel

Thorax:  Red Ostrich Herl

Hackle:  Ringneck Church Window Feather

THE SKETCHED CREEL

Over the years I have illustrated books and sketched countless pictures for friends, family & acquaintances. Always to bring to life a picture of a favorite fish that carried an important memory. The Sketched Creel provides you with an uncluttered memory of a fish, in your hands. No distractions, photo bombs or poor settings to ruin your memory. From your picture, you are provided with a signed 8" x 10" pencil sketch original print of your fish, on acid free high quality paper. It is my goal to add in a positive way to your time on the water.

If Interested

Follow the link on my home page, or click here.