Neal Osborn
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Classic . . . Scott. Although I get grumpy when my dog goes “shopping” in the feathers, I secretly chuckle because it somehow seems to be a natural act. However, my little white dog once got in my green saltwater cape and we found her with a green face for a few days later.
I bet you have been tying a lot lately with the water conditions on your local waters being so out of whack?
Brett, you weren’t kidding when you told me the tropical storm would clear out the flats and bring in the reds. Nice post. Interesting restaurant scenary 😉
that picture of your son looks like a cover shot for a fly fishing magazine! He’s got the stooped pose, the rod hand out laterally, the smile, the grip, the lanyard, and the attitude. Looks like he is on his way.
Dusty . . . I buy my crosscut rabbit strips at the local fly shop or online. Bearsden http://bearsden.com/page106.html has some of the best selection of fur available on the internet IMHO. LOTS of colors and specialty stuff, shop around and have fun. They have a great selection of two-toned rabbit strips that are crosscut and these are what you see in the pictures above that give that “multi-colored” look to the fodder flies.
You can get some really cool outcomes with the two toned natural colored strips.
The rubber head tubing is a specialty product that Craig has developed. It is my understanding that he is trying to market the material but I have no details as of yet. He gave me a bunch to play with so I’m set for now. Sorry, lame answer I know. Email him if you have any questions about how to get some. Hopefully he will have a manuscript out soon with full details.
Tim, that is a good first attempt at the fodder fly. A couple of comments . . . avoid wrapping the rabbit strip in front of the eyes b/c that will create a whole different profile underwater. You want to wrap the crosscut strip in even wraps until you get behind the eye and then take one extra wrap/turn to give a “liitle” extra bulk and then tie off. Also, it is best to use mono tying thread for this fly. Hint, coat the shank with superglue before you start wrapping, it’s kind of an important salient feature of the fly and keeps the fur from slipping over time. Finally, you need to tie in two different lengths of legs, one group longer than the other – this creates the tapered body profile underwater. If all the legs are the same length, the fly just looks tubular and thus less alive.
Larry . . . my previous hobby (addiction) was Cichlid fish breeding. Although I have sold all my tanks and filters I still know quite a bit on topic. For what it’s worth . . . The Texas Cichlid (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum, http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/cichlid/) is the only cichlid native to North American waters. They are very aggressive, even by Cichlid standards. They defend their territory vehemently against all intruders. They will dig massive holes in the sand and will rearrange a tank in less than a day. Once I put a small Rio in one of my aggressive community tanks and he tore the place up and I had to get him out asap. They look a lot like the Frontosa Cichlid from Africa (Cyphotilapia frontosa, http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_front.php) and they grow a nice frontal bump.
I would have a hard time killing such a lovely creature.
From what I understand the Rio are great eating! In general Cichlids can be good eating but most Americans consider them a “tropical” pet fish and tend to shy away from eating them. However, many of the fish we eat (ie Tilapia) are Cichlids. Since this is a native fish and not an aquarium transplant to the system (ie Peacock Bass in Florida) I would not have a problem with one on my plate.
Distribution: (see fact sheet http://nis.gsmfc.org/nis_factsheet.php?toc_id=174)
Its natural range extends from the vicinity of Veracruz, Mexico northward into southern Texas.
The Rio Grand Cichlid is the only cichlid native to the United States. It was originally restricted to the lower reaches of the Rio Grande drainage, but has been introduced into the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas and into Hillsborough, Polk, and Dade counties, in Florida (Courtenay et al., 1974; Lee et al., 1980; Shafland, 1996). It is also widely distributed in the canals on the southern end of Lake Ponchatrain in New Orleans (R. Cashner and J. Humphries, pers. comm.).Seeing one caught on a fly is very very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Tim . . . is that an 8 or 10wt rod with that V2 reel? Big setup nonetheless. Did he hit the mouse pattern in open water or up on the bank?
Aaron, I know that location well. I trained in Scottsdale and used to hike that location with my girlfriend at the time. I actually have some pictures of that same water, cool. Thanks for posting. However, your pictures are much better than mine, I love your style and somehow I find that your pictures have a certain tint or color or something that I find old-school and very relaxing.
Henry Cowen Coyote fly uses a nice colorado blade adn I’ve seen the fly in action http://www.henrycowenflyfishing.com/flies_08.html. I want an in-line low profile blade and not one on an angled arm like that mentioned above. I want to tie this in at the head and avoid bulk. Here’s what I’m going to order.
Barrel Swivel Size #12 (black)
http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodsnapswivel.aspx?c=239Split Ring Size #0 (nickel)
http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodsplitringclev.aspx?c=150Spinner Blade Size #00 (Hammered Colorado style in either gold or nickel)
http://www.do-itmolds.com/prodblades.aspx?c=138Thanks Tim. Also, found tons of blades at Do-It molds http://www.do-itmolds.com/category2.aspx?c=117. I use this company often and they have good customer service. Wow, only about $5 for 25 blades, looks like I will be making an order tonight.
you put a spinner on that and you have a spinnerbait
Mike . . . I am going to try the spinner. Look at this fly from Dan Blanton’s site http://www.danblanton.com/spinsterstory.html. I have been wanting to try the Spinster Fly (originated by George Glazener) and the Pigboat would be the perfect fly for such an application.
Anyone know where to get some spinner blades for fly tying?
