Still tying foam flies for bass and bluegills - smallmouth - fly fishing

I had a look at some of Jay's flies at Fly Fishing Obsessed. It helped me to be creative this morning. I decided to tie up some wasps. I may buy some of that bumble bee foam - maybe Cabela's will have some when it opens. They were supposed to be open by Spring but now the Grand Opening will be this Summer. I can't wait!!! We used to have a Sportsman's Warehouse with $1 flies and some decent fly tying materials. It closed down and an Academy opened down the road from Sportsman's. No fly tying materials but lots of decent flies and fly fishing gear. Anyways, tied up about 8 wasps this morning. I am hoping to refine the pattern a little bit. Maybe if I had some of that bumble bee foam, it could be used at the tail. I don't think the fish will be too picky. Although, those dang bluegills can be pickier than trout. I love the way they come up look at your fly and swim away in disgust to tell the others not to head that way.

As usual, I tried to keep the pattern simple.  I've always tried to promote warm water fly fishing and through my efforts, tried to make it simple.  A lot of folks are scared away simply by the fly rod and having to learn about insects, drifting, reading a stream, etc.  But it doesn't have to be more than just casting into a pond and having a fish slam the fly just as it lands on the surface.

I'm still learning to read streams and locate smallmouth bass.  Heck, I'm still trying to draw largemouth bass out from their murky lairs.  I still practice drifting and even am learning streams themselves which can differ so much throughout the year.

All I know is that fly fishing keeps my mind busy.  As I have always told my superiors or even when interviewing for a position is that I am constantly looking for ways to learn and improve processes and tasks or whatever it is I am doing.  Unlocking a stream or part of a stream is awesome.  Even if it was just for a season.

Still tying flies. Foam bluegill and foam bass fly.

I've tied up 100+ foam flies over the past few weeks.  Last week, I went out to one of my favorite spots on a stream and it seemed like that even though we are having a warm snap, the fish finally decided to hibernate.  The Red Horse, Northern Hog Suckers and bream are still at prey in deep holes but I want me some bass.

I just woke up with my sinuses dried out and my head pounding.  And I'm still gonna tie some flies.  The family is asleep and I've got to brew some wake-up coffee.  It's great to bring MY coffee in to MY man cave, sit down at MY desk and enjoy tying MY flies.  I looked at some man cave items at Hobby Loddy to decorate the walls.  Yes - I mentioned Hobby Lobby.  Lots of cool metal signage and metal dozers, planes and vehicles to place about on shelves and furniture.  I've got to find a place to put this electric train my kids no longer play with . . . and it will look good on a mantle or something.  The old lady took over my last man cave and made it a guest room.  So, this is the last room available.  The kids' playroom, lol.  Yes, I am sharing space with Legos, Hot Wheels and other toys.  Soon, I will be sharing it with a pet bluegill or bass.  I've just got to get the aquarium and such stuff.

I tied up this green fly shown above with triangular shaped foam.  It's based off the Los Alamos Ant, which you can find in my blog with tying instructions.  It's not my own pattern but one I found several years back.  I provided the head of the fly with more surface so that it could have a little more pop and gurgle.

I just read Bill Trussel's blog.  Nice bass.  And it's January, lol.  Makes me wanna hit the pond too.  I shoulda!!!  Oh yeah, I couldn't.  The truck is having issues.  I did what I could but it's gonna have to go in the shop Monday and have the coils replaced.

Guess I'm stuck tying flies again today.  YEAH!!!!!

Foam flies - bass and bluegill - panfish and smallmouth

I am having the heck of a time with Blogger today. I've lost a few pics on the upload and can't move my pics on the page. Sheesh. I couldn't even upload to Twitpic today.

I love foam flies. This pattern was the first pattern of last year that was quite effective. I remember landing several bass, bluegills and a carp on this fly - all in one hot afternoon. You can drift this fly or pop it. This is a simple pattern and I honestly hate giving instructions. One or two of my pics are gone, so this is what's left.

Email me with any questions. Hopefully, this lame post wont scare folks away. I'm just tired of dealing with lousy devices and sites.

Smallmouth foam flies. Panfish flies. Bluegill flies.

Tying up a few bass and panfish fly patterns this weekend. I'm gonna post a few pics and may give instructions too.

This is my version of a Catydid. This is obviously good for drifting but the way I designed the head, it should be good to pop and gurgle too.

As much as I love foam flies, I tied up about 50 this weekend.

Creek chub fly fishing

I was fishing on the headwaters of a stream on which I tried fishing further downstream where the water temps were freezing. USGS water temps noted the headwaters at 50 degrees.

Last year, it was snowing and frigid outside. I didn't care what hit my fly yesterday. I just wanted to get out and land something. I took in some bass, chubs and bream from this spot last week on a spinning rod and popper.

In a way, this trip reminded me of why I started this blog. As a way to help folks new to fly fishing or thinking it was just for trout or salmon - or maybe for the affluent anglers only.

I was reminded because a lady walked by and mentioned it was a good creek to practice fly fishing. I mentioned I was actually pursuing fish and it didn't matter what type. I took in about 15 bream and about 5 creek chubs. Those creek chubs are pretty good fighters. I'll take what I can get in January.

I may even go out for walleye next weekend. A first for me.

Smallmouth Fly Fishing in early Fall. Streamers, bass bugs, etc.

Fish will migrate to deeper water. The smallmouth may be sitting on points. Are they sitting on one spot of the point of the whole stretch? Think about rock, woods and points such as you would on a lake. Look to fish the side with the current. Sometimes, they'll be on the edge or backside of the point.

Smallmouth bass think they are all monsters. Even the small ones.

When fishing smaller streams, look to fish in deep holes and along the edges of grass, weeds, and structure. Same goes for early spring bass. This stuff works for me but I'm far from the best and I don't land giants. I take whatever hits my fly and I am happy with it. I'm always looking for those larger bass and choice wading water.

Smallmouth Fly Fishing in early Spring on the river. Streamers, Popping Bugs, etc.

Check the water temps in the early Spring. Bass are very temperature oriented. Early Spring smallies and bucketmouths are looking for a place to hang out and hold. So, don't look for riffles and strong currents. Look for them to sit on the edges of the currents - watching for bait fish.

Don't always choose a big profile. Go with something smaller. Slow down your presentation. Setting out, you may have to change different fly patterns and locations.