need help picking out a new fly rod

[fishinwrench]

2 hours ago, Big Mike said:

Fishnwrench mentioned wooly buggers and cracklebacks to start with.  I catch quite a few brown trout on the Niangua, would these work also or would something else be better for browns?  I catch most of them on reaction type baits like small jerk baits and spoons.  

There are many different ways to fish a Woolybugger.    One of those ways is going to catch Brown's on just about any given day.  Rainbows may be smashing it on the swing, while Brown's might be crushing it stripped through slack water......or dead drifted in fast water.   

Not all WB's are created equal either.   Size, Color, Beadhead, Lead-wraps, ect.   

My go-to WB for the Niangua is the same as my go-to on the NFOW or at Taneycomo.....A black/olive #12 with a 3.5mm black tungsten bead.  

You can't fish it WRONG, but fishing it ONE WAY will always be better.   And that can change between lunchtime and evening.   

Here's a couple of fairly recent Niangua browns 🥰  Just to prove that I'm not talking out of my butt 😁

[jdmidwest]

So  which version of the crackle back do you suggest.  Story's original pattern or the down south modifications?

[fishinwrench]

51 minutes ago, jdmidwest said:

So  which version of the crackle back do you suggest.  Story's original pattern or the down south modifications?

LMAO 😂 

I bet there isn't but MAYBE one other person that posts on this forum that knows how to tie a REAL Crackleback pattern.   

A real CB can be completely drowned.....and with a double false-cast will land hook point DOWN.....and can float through an entire drift without sinking, unless pulled under.  

I see tons of dry-woolies, with peacock herl backs in fly bins, that are being called "Cracklebacks".......That ain't.     

I'd even challenge any of the boys at feather-craft to tie a REAL one.   There's more to it than meets the eye. 👍

[tjm]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

I'd even challenge any of the boys at feather-craft to tie a REAL one.

Now you've made curious, would you explain?

I don't normally tie or use Cracklebacks, although I have tied and used a lot of similar Palmer flies over the past 40+ years, primarily based on the Red Palmer from centuries ago, I tend to call them all 'woolly worms'   even though mine don't much resemble the pattern by that name, they do resemble the critter.  Actually I'm not sure that I have ever used a Crackleback. As much as I've fished RRSP I'd never ever heard of Cracklebacks until I read of them on the internet. They don't look all that complicated.

I am most curious, if you know, why Ed used a the "crackleback" /shell back at all, since it's almost invisible, at least when fished as a dry.

[tjm]

I think this is the example that I had looked at a few years ago to see what makes them "special" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7lk17SjK9w

[Mitch f]

Don’t buy a fly rod! 😒

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, tjm said:

I think this is the example that I had looked at a few years ago to see what makes them "special" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7lk17SjK9w

I know y'all are gonna blast me for this.....But that video ain't right.  🤷‍♂️ 

I don't even think the originator even realized what he had done.... before he began having his brother & hired hands tie them commercially.   

#1. The hackle is not supposed to be stripped before tying in.......You just slap it on there, barbs and all......This creates a bit of tail.  And hackle should be sized 1.5x the hook gap.

#2. Herl is tied in by the butts, 3 of them, and twisted before folding forward so they are bound together, and the fuzz doesn't lay backwards.  

#3. Hackle is not simply palmered forward 5 turns.   You take one full turn.....then palmer 3 turns....then take one full turn before tying off.   

To anyone that says none of that matters.....I guarantee I can stand right next to you and outfish you, anytime/anywhere that fish are eating Cracklebacks.   

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, tjm said:

 

I am most curious, if you know, why Ed used a the "crackleback" /shell back at all, since it's almost invisible, at least when fished as a dry

I don't think he did it ON PURPOSE.  Most killer fly patterns are happy accidents. 

Peacock herl just has fish appeal. And 2 toned flys having some contrast just flat catch fish.   No denying that.  

The herl is definitely visible when 3 strands are used.  From multiple angles.  Matter of fact it is sometimes the last thing a fish sees.....and could possibly seal the deal on whether they bite....or turn and refuse to bite at the last second.   

How many times have you failed to see a black spot on the other side of a potato chip before you stuck it in your mouth?  

[jdmidwest]

Down around Branson and Mountain Home, they use tinsel bodies, very thin.  It's a dry woolly, not the original pattern.

I think the original body was a micro chenille, then he started using yellow turkey biots.  The hackle and peacock stayed the same.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Wrench is right.  I have the old pattern sheet somewhere.   I grew up by Ed’s original shop on the Rock Road back in the late 60’s early 70’s.  Ed was a family friend and my dad hung out and fished with Ed a lot.  And I was lucky enough to go sometimes too.  We went to the shop as Cub Scouts for fly tying lessons.    It’s always been turkey rounds as far as I remember.   If I’m lazy I have left the peacock hurl off though.