[deanf]

I’m sure it is a killer, and over at the River Smallies forum it gets lots of press. I spent an inordinate amount of time a couple winters ago, trying to obtain the right materials, and figure out how to tie it. I never quite got the technique of using the Lite Brite as he does, and frankly didn’t have a lot of success with the flies I did tie. None of my usual suppliers carry the Lite Brite hanks, so I was left with using the dubbing, which IMO doesn’t work nearly as well. As you already know, I’m sure, many people swear by the things for smallmouth, but I just didn’t have the same success. Probably more to do with me than the fly in any case.  

*EDIT*
I forgot to mention, Greg Coffey himself will probably send you the detailed directions if you ask him. I used to have the PDF file on my laptop, but lost it when it went to the great hard drive in the sky.

[deanf]

Not to pick on RIO, as I have seen this same thing in other manufacturers, but take a look at three lines marketed by RIO.
1. Clouser
2. Pike
3. Bass

These three “specialty” lines profess to offer the angler the ability to do essentially the same thing, that is cast heavy flies. Their design is almost exactly the same. In the case of the clouser and the pike, they are identical, despite the fact that three fly fishing luminaries collaborated on the Clouser.

[deanf]

I look forward to reading it. I have to say though, if the compound taper on the Carp line vs the Mainstream is so radically different, one would think that RIO would be touting it as such.

[deanf]

I can’t comment on the design of the tapers, I will say that the 30 foot weight of the two lines only differs by 8g. The Carp line does feature the XS Technology coating, whatever that is. RIO doesn’t explain it other than to say it makes the line “slicker”.

[deanf]

Mainstream WF8F
Running 38’
Back taper 5’ 5”
Body 30’
Front taper 8’
Tip 6”
Total head length 44’
Total length 82’
30 foot weight 210
Price 34.95

RIO carp WF8F
Running 56’
Back taper 5’5”
Body 30’
Front taper 8’
Tip 6”
Total head length 44’
Total length 80’
30 foot weight 218
Price 69.95

I see one big difference.

[deanf]

The 2007 issue of Hatches Magazine has a step by step on Will Mullis’ Crayfish Muddler. He recommends keeping the front section of the shank bare in order to make spinning the deer hair easier. I found when tying this fly, that elegant spinning isn’t necessary, as long I get enough hair jammed in there. If you manage by hook or by crook to get that last little clump in, it will press up against the bell of the cone, and keep everything pretty tight.

[deanf]

*Voice-over*

“Tonight on Animal Planet, never before seen footage of the elusive mid-western muskie fisherman, as he migrates out of his home range and tries to cast into a canyon, and catch fish on ashpalt. An Animal Planet exclusive premiere. We answer the question, does muskie fishing drive you insane, or is insanity a prerequisite?”
😉

[deanf]

I guess I am going to be the odd man out here. Realizing that these are just betas, I have to say that trying to read the Fly Tyer was a very unpleasant experience. Constant fiddling with the page size, blurry text, clunky controls, etc. I hope that they will improve that with time. Though I am no luddite, reading any more than a few paragraphs, on any type of electronic book reader, iphone, Kindle, PDA, or computer screen, is not my cup of tea. None of them can match the perfect back lighting of the printed word on paper as far as eye ease is concerned. Not to mention true portability, and cost. I mean what would you rather lose, a $6 paperback, or your Kindle? Don’t get me wrong, I consume a lot of electronic media, but anything beyond 2000 words or so, print is the way to go IMO.

[deanf]

http://www.flyfishinsalt.com/wallpapers.jsp

[deanf]

Take a look at this. Conehead Combo I save my left over butts, and use the dubbing loop method described in the article. A very simple fly. I often don’t even bother with a tail. A combination of rust, brown and olive marabou butts, makes a very respectable leech.

[deanf]

I know zero about saltwater fly fishing, so I’ll be flying blind, but these and the aforementioned shminnow are considered must haves from what I understand. Here is another one I stumbled upon.
Snook Snack
I plan to carry a variety of deep clousers too. I have been told any color works as long as it is white. Just to cover my bases I’m packing some clouser floating minnows, and a few gurglers.

[deanf]

http://floridasportfishing.com/magazine/tips-and-tales/fly-fishing-florida/dt-special.html
http://flytyer.wordpress.com/2008/01/17/dt-special-tuffleye/

Just in the process of tying up a few for a trip to the Naples area in early March.

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