Epic Fly Rod Review - 686

I saved up some money and sold some fishing tackle to purchase Epic Fly Rod blanks.  The 476, 580 and 686.  All are top notch fiberglass fly rods.  I’ve had a number of fly rods and 6 weights.  This rod is exceptional.  Sensitive but not overly fast.  With the right line, loads quickly.  I’ve been using SA Panfish 5/6.  I built my 686 with parts from Proof Fly Fishing.  The rod is balanced almost perfectly with an Orvis Hydros.  It’s a strong rod and even those fat panfish will make it bend.  I will describe it as a moderate/fat rod.  It is one of my favorite 6 weights.  As a as matter of fact, I am re-doing the wraps.  I used a thread described as making translucent thread wraps crystal coat but that wasn’t the case on these blanks.  I used that thread when I build two rods on Haldin blanks and it was a pleasant look but not as good as Fish Hawk brand thread.  

In the meantime, I’m using an 8’ 6 wgt Blue Halo that I built.  Blue Halo offers a fast and slow 6 wgt of which I choose the latter blanks.  I’m not a master rod builder but I’m improving.  I’ll also give a review of the BH #6. 

The Epic rods used to be made in NZ by CTS but from my understanding, manufacturing moved to South Korea.  Lots of good and proper fishing tackle comes out of South Korea and these blacks are quality.  The only issue I have with the Epic blanks or any of the new baked on finish types is there is a great chance of it chipping which happened twice on my Epic 580.  I’ve had flies hit my TFO Clouser and GLoomis rods and even other glass rods without any issues.  After many years, I’ve only received chips on the 580 (other than a complete breakage on a TFO Signature Series) and I mainly used weighted or heavy flies.  

Is the rod or blanks or building kit worth all the hype and $$$?  YES.

Long time since Tom Nixon

Pictured above is a pattern similar to a Tom Nixon fly I used to tie.  The Calcasieu Pigboat which is similar to a jig and pig or Hawaii Wiggler lure.  I learned of Tom Nixon and his flies from a book I found at the library.  I do believe that was about 20 years ago.

I found out about Ehler’s Grim Reaper - which is similar to a Pigboat - in a magazine.  It is a new addition to my fly box.  Right now, I’m only tying them in chartreuse or brown.  

When I tie this pattern, it reminds my of Tom Nixon and his Pigboat.  The Reaper is different but fundamentally the same.  There are some Reaper tying videos out there.  Sharing this pattern with the chance someone else gets to try something new and interesting.  Initially, I tied these up for largemouth bass.  And I’ve only caught a few bucketmouths with this fly but I figured that it would be something neat to try out for Smallmouth Bass.  It’s nice not having to cast these with an 8 weight from a kayak but instead with a 6 weight and wading on a creek.

I remember loading my box up with patterns from Tom Nixon’s book and hitting a local creek.  It was about the same time I also moved an online warmwater group.  Several years later, I participated in a few Tom Nixon Fly swaps.  Man, warmwater flies have come long way such as all the new articulated flies.   And, especially with the influence of social media and the advancement of some tying materials.

Try adding this pattern to your fly box.  

Panfish on the Fly - longears

So this week, I made two trips to the creek.  The first time, I targeted panfish and cache out with a few nice Smallmouth.  The second time, I targeted Smallmouth and caught a couple of beautiful panfish.  

 Even though I had some panfish specific flies and lost a box full of them on the creeks last visit, both were caught on Pat’s Rubber Legs.  It’s a productive pattern but I’m looking to expand my fly selection.  I did add a few RIo Getters and Carp-It Bombs last year but only had a few in my lost Fly box that somehow slipped out of my sling pack.

Yesterday, I began tying up those Rio Getters and Carp-It Bombs.  The first fish I caught on the Rio Getters was a Smallmouth. The Rio Getter is designed for Rio Cichlids.  And obviously, the other pattern is specifically for Carp but other species chase them too.  Initially, when I first targeted panfish, I was using trout flies and patterns found in Tom Nixon’s Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish which I had found in my local library.

I prefer to catch panfish on 2, 3, and 4 weight rods.  I specifically built a 3 and 2/3 weight rods.  As a matter of fact, I purchased some of the finest US made 3 weight blanks to build on.  That rod might see some trout action but it will be rare.  I do have an Epic 476 that is great for smallmouth and panfish.  And with a click and pawl reel.

More to come from my Ozark streams.  Whether it’s fishing, hiking, floating or whatever, I hope you enjoy your time outdoors.

Camouflaged Smallmouth Bass

I had hoped to post something about panfish but the outing I had last week brought none to have.  While I did see just a few and felt a few fish tag my fly, those Smallies called my name.  After a few hours, I decided to head downstream away from the swimmers and anglers to an area that most fisherman won’t go because of the lack of cover and increase in snagging their lures and baits.

It’s an area in which lies a very long run of limestone.  Maybe 200 meters or less.  Mainly a good current through the year and averaging a foot or two if it rains every now and again.  You’ll find grass or green stuff along the far bank - width of the stream is probably about 25 yards.  You find pools and rubs and riffles and eddies.  All sorts of places for you to find fish but you’ll have to contend with the limestone.

Further upstream, you’ll find a limestone area where it seems a landslide happened.  The fish will hang out under those ledges and holes.  In this area, it looks flat but that’s why it is deceiving.  A while there are some rough and coarse spots, a good portion is slick and wading has to be done very carefully.  There are places that are shallow and then drop off several more feet.  As you drift,  fish can be found in those deeper pools.  It’s almost as if they are camouflaged because of the gravel and darker areas on the limestone.  Fish will also come out from under ledge and eat a fly.  It’s nice to see them chase a fly down.  Occasionally, a fish will be under a ledge that provides perfect cover to watch for food to drift downstream.  And as a trout, those Smallies will come out and hone in on that fly almost on a beeline and inhale it.  Those fish will be right in front of you and you won’t even know it.

Pictured above, that Smallmouth was somewhere within a pool in which I had my fly drifting into.  The pool was about 30 feet away and I couldn’t see the fish at all.  There were some rocks and a small outcropping off limestone jutting just underneath the top of the stream.  Don’t know if she came from somewhere or was sitting in the pool or what but the Fly was struck pretty good.  It seems maybe she came from the back of the pool, took the fly and headed back or looked for cover because she immediately headed downstream before I lightly applied pressure to the line to show her down.  

This fish (above) chased the fly down.  Just a few days ago, the water was dingy but I was able to make out the fish.  I couldn’t even see my fly but I saw that fish take off and I knew what he wanted.  Again, I was drifting into a pool.  Upstream about 20 feet, I had cast out straight across and into the current which passed through the pool.  The fish was hiding somewhere at the head of the pool or a small ledge along the left side of it.  I saw that fish just about the time a hard slam was felt.  

I think a lot of folks avoid fishing these limestone rifles because from what I can see, a lot of terminal tackle anglers and bait fisherman target cover.  And, you’ve got to have felt soles to get through some of the limestone stream bed.  Where cover is found here, it’s very shallow.  And with the nooks and crannies, I’m even loosing flies.  With a quick tug and release, my fires will let loose and thank goodness for tying flies with the hook riding up.  

It’s been a tough year but I’m finding them.  Looks like I may have to move to smaller and slower water for panfish though.  Hoping to build out a 3 wgt McFarland rod sometime before winter or late Fall.

Panfish pariah?

Those lowly panfish.  Well, that’s how I feel when taking to certain folks or strangers on the stream.  Yesterday, I bumped into a fella on the stream targeting rock bass.  Good to see him releasing those Smallmouth Bass.  Most folks I run into in this watershed are targeting Smallies.  Seemingly, most that I can see are releasing - I’ve got no issues with legal harvest.

A number of fly fisherman I speak to seem to wanna chase trout and smallmouth but don’t really care about specifically targeting panfish.  I think part of it is they haven’t had the right rod for it.  Just the other day, I posted a lovely longear on FB and someone commented “Bait”.  I’ve got thick skin and have seen worse comments but his was typical.  Even on the water, I do see folks calling Panfish, bait fish.  Over a decade ago and the last time I ever fished with my neighbor was when he would throw panfish as far as he could throw them.  He wanted bass and had been skunked all day.  I had caught Crappie and was fine with it.  That guy was a flake.

Growing up where I did, you got trout.  And that was it.  There were a few other lakes further out in the province with Kokanee but nobody wanted those fish.  I was happy to catch them - and throw them back.  But we didn’t get much of a choice to what was going to end up on the line.

For panfish,  I used to use Flies that were found in Fly Fishing and Fly Tying for Bass and Panfish by Tom Nixon.  Over the past few years, I’ve changed things up a bit.  Now, I’ve got some Predators tied by a buddy.  They are a top water pattern.  Also, he ties up a pattern he calls the Road Runner which I might share in about we post.  It has rubber legs and a rabbit strip tail.  I also use Pat’s Rubber Legs and Bitch Creek Nymphs a lot.

I’ve also had success with the Carp-it Bomb and Rio Gitter flies which has me tying up a few patterns similar to carp patterns influenced by those 2 patterns mentioned above.  Last week, I targeted Longears.  Very frustrating.  They seem to be exhibiting late post spawn activity.  

What patterns do you use for longears?

Hello again, it’s me.

Don’t know where to begin.  I had a great year fly fishing in 2019 for Bass and panfish.  I built several rods too.  Also, I’m trying very hard to transition to trout.  Everything is ready and all I have to do is hop in the truck.

I really wish that posting was current with outings and such but social media is easier to manage.  Plus, folks stay more informed an in touch with me.  However, there are still people scrolling through web pages and searching for something.  Many thanks to those who still follow my blog.

I’ve got a post or two from 2018 and that was a great Fall just as 2019.  This year has had a few bumps.  From a bad knee to an injured foot and lots and lots of rain.  But, I’m catching fish - just not a good start like the past few years.

How about a few photos?

I’ll add more details and photos as they are recalled.  Thanks to those folks who still follow and the people who stumble my not so happening blog.  

 not only do I haves couple of new fly patterns,  I also built and bought a few rods to review.  I guess a few great reviews will be posted - like the first gen Orvis Hydros which is a good tell but glad they updated it.  Just wish it was still available in Cilantro/Lime.

One thing for sure is I hope to help a few folks when it comes to warm water fly fishing because I need to become a little more technical and pick up on some old good habits.