flytyer57

I practice catch and release the majority of the time. I may take a few pics now and then. I will not disrespect the fish by throwing it up on the bank in some rude way. I try to be as gentle with the fish as I possibly can. Once I land a fish, I try to keep it in the water as much as possible while getting my camera out. This is a pic of the last fish I took a picture of. I never even took it out of the water. I just raised it's head a bit trying to get it to show it's flanks. Unfortunately, it did not cooperate, and shortly after I took this photo, the fish got off the hook before I could try to get a better pic.

For me, I mostly fish alone. I don't have anyone with me to take a pick of me holding that fish in my eco freindly net getting ready to release it while the majority of the fish is in the water. I have to either hold it up so I can get a pic, or lay it on the ground so I can get the camera out and get that pic. I release 99.999% of the fish I catch, and If it's a nice fish, I will take a picture of said fish. I won't lay a fish in the dirt tho. Grass ok. On a rock? Maybe, haven't yet. Leaves? Maybe if it's been reaining. Gravel? Along the stream bank yes, crushed in the driveway, hell no. As for how to improve the resource? Stay home. Don't fish.

Leo, are you at all able to raise the rod tip just before you start reeling in line? This should help pick up some slack after casting.

I agree with you there. Wisconsin State Constitution clearly states that the waters of the state belong to the citizens of the state and not single property owners. There are still a lot of access problems. A lot of "old timers" are disappearing and their land is being bought up by developers who close the access and build condos. On the subject of trash, one thing that really ticks me off is seeing old worm containers and the like lying around at the few access's we do have left. That is not good for the image of us anglers. If the ignorant can't poice themselves, then it is up to the rest of us to clean up after them, or report them.

If you haven't found that site yet, here's a link: www.flyfishohio.com If you scroll down a little, there's a button for "Fly Tying Videos." They are really good videos.

Thanks for the info. I usually persue smallmouth so I'll try tying some up on the TMC 8089's. Now I wonder if rabbit strips would work too?? I'll have to try some.

If you look near the top of the page you can change the amount of days that the charts will show you from 1 to 120 days. This will spread the charts out and you will see the red line. The red line is at about 12.3 feet.

Having just moved from Wisconsin to Arkansas, I have a problem remembering where I am at sometimes and wade too far. In Wisconisn, if you access a stream or lake without crossing private property and you keep your feet wet, you are not tresspassing. Here in Arkansas, the landowners own the streambed and it is considered tresspassing to wade a stream without permission, even if you access at a public access. I like Wisconsins laws better, but I like the fishing here better than that.

After watching Joe Cornwall's fly tying videos at flyfishohio.com, where he mentions what you have about eye placement, I have given these hooks some thought. But I really do not like Mustad hooks. I've had too many break and they are too dull. The hooks that Jeremy uses are Tiemco 777SP which are 2x heavy, 2.5 wide, and 3.5 long. Personally, I have never seen these hooks and am just wondering if a bass hook or a streamer hook would be a better substitute for the pricey 777SP's.

Jeremy, I knew I saw this pattern somewhere and wanted to tie some up but forgot to bookmark the page. I checked your site but somehow I missed it. Those Tiemco 777SP are quite expensive for me. what other hook would you rcommend? Maybe a TMC 8089? TMC 9395?

Uhm... I'm in Arkansas. Guess I gotta get me a MO non-resident license. Are there any northern pike up there?

Gluing a piece of foam to the ends should make the pincers stand up in a defensive position.

Hey all. I just recently (in the last 7 months or so) moved to the Ozarks from Wisconsin where I used to fish for muskie and pike. I seen this post and now I'm wondering where in the Ozarks can one fish for Muskie? I've heard about some tigers in the Spring river, but is there anywhere else? As for the articulated flies, I would use nylon coated seven strand wire in the joint. A muskie can and will chew through 35# mono. Not to mention tying thread. I used to epoxy the heads of all my flies I planned on using for the toothy critters. I only wish I could have back all the flies I lost to them while fishing for bass without a steal bite tippet.