BilletHead

After watching you check some of these out the window yesterday I thought I would do some outdoor shopping and picked off and picked up these four today . Guess tree rat will be on the buffet soon, BilletHead

A few more fun Folly facts we learned yesterday, Starting with the youngest Livie. Not only is she a good fisherman she is a crack shot. We got to hear more about her turkey this spring. She has the best bird taken by the Folly family and she does not let the rest of them forget it. Also Livie may have a future in hair styling. As we visited Livie worked on Follysbetterhalf's hair. She got what I would call what kewpie doll would wear. We had just talked about not having taken any pictures of our visit. I made the remark it would be a good time to snap one of this hair doo. Let me tell you I have seen ladies spend countless hours working on their hair but there was a record broken when the camera was mentioned. If you would of blinked you would of missed Mrs. Folly getting the Kewpie doo undone . Now to Sean. Typical teenage boy. Got to telling us about his endless appetite. I believe it as we raised one and he ate us out of house and home. Then the oldest Jackie. She got to talking about her boyfriend that is now in the service. He made and shot selfbows. This peaked my interest as it is something I hold near and dear and did for many years. I asked her if he ever went to MoJam selfbow jamboree. She replied yes. Got me to wondering as I attended for several years and thought maybe his and my path might of crossed at one time? Pretty cool to think it may have. We also learned that dinner rolls can be hurled at speeds that could take an eye out. Maybe two eyes if you were not careful ! Then there is Mrs. Folly. I had her pretty much figured out from her posts here on OAF. She is witty and I am sure can hold her own with anyone. I was on best behavior yesterday. I think I may have met my match in fun jousting . Great family and so glad the mini rendezvous happened, BilletHead's

Told you a money back guarantee You get back just what you paid for them! Let me know what color does it too. That pattern may become real rare like those fancy wiggle warts so coveted, BilletHead

Oh my yes it was fun! The things we learned on this visit and I am sure it was just a mere part of the Folly family. Let me see where shall I start . Right no photos were taken but there are a few things I will share. I did mention getting out the camera for one photo but it got stifled pretty quick. This was almost like a rendezvous of sorts. We ended up with trading material too. A nice bottle of wine and Folly strawberry jam. We did try to trade for Livie so we would have a young impressionable apprentice for the ways of the BilletHead's. Fly fishing out of the kayak's and fly tying, fry making etc. But there was no deal this time, maybe next visit. We are sure she could teach us about micro fishing too. There were many critter getting implements at John's disposal. He should of said something. I seen him peering out the window at the numerous squirrels. scampering around. Thought once I seen some drool out of the corner of his mouth. Did not know if that was just a Folly thing of salivating at the groceries in the grass. Know I know for sure. As for the feast! This was a win, win situation. We cook big, no need this is just what we seem to do and it is hard to break. I had orders from the Mrs. to be cleaning out the leftovers this week. Now if I had eaten all we had in there you would not be able to get me through the front door. When Sean did mention that he was going out to the Folly rig to see what he could find in the ice chest I thought it was time to make my move. Out came the feast. If planning would of been better on my part we would of cooked but this was the second best outcome immediately available. Other than the crumbly corn tortillas the buffet line went off without a hitch. We all got through without getting stabbed by a rampant fork. Yes forgot another small glitch, Had to instruct the kids how to use a thirty something year old Montgomery Wards microwave. They don't make them like they used to is a fact. I think everyone got their fill and there was just enough for Sadie dog to get a taste. I am thinking we got the best deal in the visit. There will be more to add to this later so stay tuned , BilletHead

Neat report Jesters, Pretty unique to catch a variety like that on the tail water, BilletHead

Rick is it BYOB ?? (bring your own bluegill?) BilletHead

Good questions Greasy. I wonder the same. Not getting political or pointing fingers just wonder how it all works, BilletHead

Yes and Ness can pick me up on his way down, BilletHead

Nice! I need to trek down there someday, BiletHead

Lets wrap this up, Epoxy and tail now. 30 minute epoxy. I prefer Devcon two ton. Pretty much easy to find. A note when buying it. Make sure it is fresh ,by this I mean clear. I have found on the shelf in places some that is cloudy on one side. This one I have pictured is starting to turn on the right side. Not transparent but translucent. You should be able to read through the epoxy sides. This one is not too bad and since we will have a pretty thin layer it will be ok. Just look for a clear side by side tube. Squirt some out. A couple nickel or so sized puddles and mix well. Ready to brush now, Get yourself an el cheapo paint brush. One time use and throw away type. Start brushing the epoxy on your fry. I start from the tail end and go towards the front then front to back to blend the epoxy together. A nice coating covering the fry well. Keep the epoxy out of the eye. You will thank me for this. You don't want to drill the epoxy out of the hook eye. I know ! Place the fry on the drying wheel. The drying wheel is the largest expense. I bought this one a few years back on sale. Cannot remember how much it cost but it was on sale. Combination rod turner drying wheel. I have seen guys make their own. I believe the guys on the forum doing the painting and finishing of the wart lures made one. Go so something or make your fry tails and wait until they are dry. Don't touch them and leave fingerprints. I judge dryness by the epoxy on my mixing paper. Another note. You can mix enough epoxy to do a couple at a time if you are quick. For your first one do only one. There are other ways to keep your epoxy viable longer but I don't mess with that. I am not a human C&C machine and not a mass producer. One at a time for me. Tails now, You can tail them anyway you want. Rubber, feathers, just flash, buck tail or synthetic material. Here we will use some flash and synthetic like EP fibers. Chuck up a hook. Some type of straight eye with that eye big enough to go over your wire extension. Near the eye start your thread and make a bump. Coat the bump if you wish. I did with some UV epoxy, Put on some flash in front of bump. The bump will act as a dam and keep the tail material from comin off the hook, Get some synthetic material and tie it in too, I use a long bunch and trim to length when done. I also UV when finished tying up. Pull the tailing material up and out of the way, Take some cutters and clip off behind the thread dam, Put blade on and tail and take your needle nosed tool and carefully close the eye. Remember prop optional. They wont sputter but will catch fish, You are done. Go fish ! The bunch we did during the tutorial awaiting tails, Thanks for following along and if you have any questions or input speak up to help others, BilletHead

Thanks a bunch JD. Yes I did know they gave live birth. Let's hope I stopped that cycle before the birthing process. Still kind of wondering if weather played some part of them showing up on high ground this year? No problem here. I like snakes of all sorts. I respect them and they should know to respect me know . BilletHead

You mean like Elmer Fudd hunting the Wraskilly Wrabbit? BilletHead lives in snakesville

Yep would rather have snakes than rodents but gee wiz two of these pit vipers within six feet of my back porch step? Yikes! BilletHead

Do you feel like you got caught with your pants down again Wrench . Glad you weren't sexting us! Really glad, really, really glad. That is for PM's with your other buddies BilletHead

Well I finally got the Mrs. out for some of this fry action. I used the repaired one I took a chip out of last week and she used a pretty pink and purple one:). We will concentrate on her as I had a great time just watching her have a good time. We caught many, many of those stinkin green fish. I had one that went a little over four pounds. We took a few pictures to share with you all. most of the fish came from close to the bank in eight inches or less to a foot of water. Maybe a couple in a couple of foot. Started off slow, kind of a easterly wind but when it changed to the southwest it really turned on. Last time I was there you had to really strip it for a take. Today some hits happened before the first strip when the fry was at rest. Hope this brings you all a smile as it did us. Pat with her pink shirt, pink fly line and pink and purple fry. Grins all morning. Pat's little fry in action, And then casting and fish, BilletHeads had a nice morning

Very little deodorant either Wrench. I am so glad there still is original old spice. Just like I returned from the ocean. I mean lake, BilletHead

Good report and photos as always from the Folly tribe. I have thought the longear is one of the most colorful of fishes in our state. Never caught a big one. I would like one supersized please . BilletHead

Hey lighten up Francis. You see that smiley face there? Mrs. Billethead and I caught close to thirty bass on the fly rod this morning up to four pounds. Put them all back. We have fished this place for eight years now and keep a couple of messes each year. We still can catch quality fish. If bass become rare you bet our conservation department will lower the limits. I think some folks should get off their soap box and not shame those that keep their legal limits if they choose big fish or small fish. I do not condone poaching in any form. I personally think we have a great program here in place fish and game. I do not believe it is doom and gloom as some think. Thank your lucky stars we live where we live, BilletHead out. If you want to rattle sabers with me do it PM as I don't want to say something I may regret in public

Yes definitely and a big ten four. I use my dremel to dish or cup face my standard poppers. Problem is you can get carried away and before you know it you are holding a bare hook . Ask me how I know! Ha, BilletHead

Boy I can hardly wait to catch a nice stringer of LEGAL to take bass for a fish fry and post it here . No woopsie needed! BilletHead

Never closed the 24hr BilletHead buffet, all you can eat one low price. Custom orders welcome cooked to perfection. Most snakes welcome . BilletHead

The nut doesn't fall far from the tree . Chip off the old block. Fruit of your loin. Maybe monkey see, monkey do ? BilletHead

Dang BilletHead

One more set of painting pictures and then we will epoxy these bunch up and finish this tutorial. This one will be short. First one will be a copy of one that worked well last season. Sized shorter and fatter. Side by side old and new model. Did the whole body in green, then netted and a shot of orange down the back, Time for the stripes. Used the hair pick. Had to get creative holding it as to get the stencil close to the body bent the torqued the hair pick to follow the body, Showing you this color works, Got the eyes on them. Here are the three painted. The one I just showed off and then a couple inspired from the link I showed in a previous post. Fluorescent Green Crawdad and a 60's to 70's throwback of a Yellow Coachdog. Looking pretty plain right now but the epoxy coating will really make them pop, Got to thinking how small could I go? Sitting on a quarter. B 10s size #6. I have a very tiny prop for it. Made a smaller wire extension than for the larger ones. Hoping I left enough to get it crimped shut. Bet the big bluegills will be all over this one. Have everything epoxied now. Have a few more photos to take and we will be done, BilletHead

Good old goose fajitas today with friends. Will not trouble you with that photo but will share yesterdays grilling. Grilled burgers on charcoal and hickory. Flipped them and topped with blue cheese. Grilled more and put the lid on for some good smoke. Mrs. BilletHead had the extras ready to go. Even stupid store bought tomatoes. Lettuce from the garden though , Then the eating commenced, BilletHead