Tip of the Day-July 10, 2009

Fly Tying Hooks

I like a HUGE gape on my hooks.  I tend to pick shrimp or egg hooks for the nymphs that I tie.  Tiemco’s 2487, 2488 and 2499 hooks are some of the most appealing I’ve worked with.  Their arcs are perfect.  When my flies are tied on those hooks they look more life-like.  That hook twists and turns in the water and that gorgeous arc makes that fake bug look like it is actually wriggling.

Tiemco 2499

Tiemco 2488

Tiemco 2487

Partridge 15BN Klinkhamer

Another hook I like is Partridge’s 15BN Klinkhamer.  Beautiful hook.  This is nice for an unbeaded or very slim profile nymph because the wire is thinner.

Fish On!
–Shannon

Tip of the Day-July 8, 2009

Read as much as you can about fly fishing!

I read all the fly fishing magazines I can get my hands on.  Books too.  I should also say that I watch as many Fly Fishing DVD’s as I can.  I’m a junkie.  I’m also pretty far behind – there are so many great books, magazines and DVD’s out there on our sport.   Every article, book or video I dig into gives me an hour or two of enjoyment and another handful of gems that help me become a better angler.  Whether they lead me to a greater enjoyment the sport or to catching better fish, I get a leg up each time.

Don’t get overwhelmed by the terminology.  If you are new to this “quiet sport” some of the lingo may be a little confusing but push through it.  Eventually you’ll be an old hand at talking fluently about the differences between arbor knots, albright knots, nail knots, perfection loops, nymphs, drys, streamers, larva, pupa, duns, hackles, chenille, targeting Brown Trout, Brookies or Rainbows, about whether they were hitting on Caddis or Callibaetis, and you’ll know that it’s really rare to strip a dry fly :)

Every word you read every video you watch, will become more and more informative and helpful because you will be building your background knowledge with every article, movie or book.

Grab a fly fishing book, pick up a tying magazine or plug in a trout-porn video.  You’ll get a lot more from it than just an hour or two of enjoyment.

Fish On!
–Shannon

Tip of the Day-July 3, 2009

Thingamabobbers

Boy, this may be the most talked about strike-indicater of all time.  Some people think it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread and some think it’s merely a glorified bait bobber.  I think Thingamabobbers are a fantastic tool.  They cast smoothly, stay put (until you try to put them too far down the taper of your leader – but they probably shouldn’t be that far down anyway), they are highly sensitive to underwater taps and are VERY light.

When I first used the Thingamabobber, I had trouble figuring out what was going on because they are perfectly round.  It doesn’t take long to realize that, when your drift is good, all you’re looking for is a plunge of the sphere.  With other indicators you get used to looking for the asymmetrical indicator to tip over which tells you to set your hook.  Thingamabobbers are much more sensitive than traditional styro-foam, closed cell foam, and yarn indicators.  All you have to do is SET when you see it plunge a little.  Your hookups will increase with this dandy tool.

Fish On!
–Shannon