Recent comments

Submitted by Rod on

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I am one of the people who fished these areas including Kariba in the sixties, seventies and up to eighty nine, before during and after the Independance Fiasco, you can keep modern Zimbabwe. Our wives also fished during the time we were out there, we had the use of a fishing camp which belonged to good friends, we also had home made coolers and generators. Crocs Hippos and Elephants all good fun and part of the attraction. Boats we had also and the best airline in the world who brought them in free of charge. All our friends moved down to South Africa in the nineties. My family and I came back to the UK, and settled here after thirty years of traveling in foreign parts. NB: We swapped Zimbabwe for Canada and the US spending six weeks a year in one or the other fishing the fly with good buddies who moved there some years ago. We got more memories than you can shake a stick at.

Colin,

It sounds as if you and your sons are about to have a great time together!

Regarding rods my personal preference is a fairly sturdy style when it comes to spin fishing. I have never really been an ultra-light type when it comes to spinning. Light means the fly rod for me, so when I dig out a spinning rod it's to get distance and being able to cast some weight in rough winds and to cover a lot of water - both on distance and in depth.

I favor 9 or 10 foot rods that can cast about 20 grams. I like the rods to be light, but fairly stiff, and also prefer those that break down to three or four pieces. A long rod is nice for the bubble because the length of the rod decides how close you can get a fish on a certain length of leader.

I use the spinning rod for the bubble as described above, but also like solid, cast metal lures of the type where the line runs through and attaches to a loose hook. I always fish single hooks on my spinning gear. It makes it so much easier to avoid (and get out of) snags and in my experience they hook just as well and come out a lot easier if you want to release a fish.

When it comes to line I have long ago switched to the braided or fused lines, which in my opinion is one of the best things you can do for your spin fishing. They cast very well, are much stronger than mono and first and foremost have very little stretch, which means that you have much better contact with the fly or lure at the terminal end - even with a lot of line out. Contrary to what you might hear they work fine with stiffer rods.
I use a 0.12 millimeters Berkley Fireline with an impressing breaking strength of about 7 kilos. A monfilament line would have to be twice as thick or more to have the same strength and feels quite thick and clumsy once you have tried the braided or fused lines.

Hope this helps and good luck with the fishing!

Martin

Submitted by Colin Matheson on

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Hi Martin
this is another very interesting article and a method I and my sons will be trying this year as we embark on our first attempts at saltwater fly fishing. We will be targeting sea trout and bass so I wonder if you can recommend a length/casting weight of spinning rod to use as well breaking strain of mono for the reel.
thanks and congratulations on a fantastic site

Jeff,

You can use silicone spray, Amorall or plastic conditioners of all sorts as long as you are careful that they don't harm the line. Some of the solvents in these conditioners may have unwanted effects on the coating of your fly line like softening or simply dissolving the surface.
Try it out on a small piece of line before you embark on a full treatment. Most fly line manufacturers warn against using any odd treatment and of course endorse their own brand name solution.

If in doubt use soap, water and a cloth and nothing else. You'd be surpirsed how big a difference it makes.

Martin

The taper is tricky. I've attempted Oatman flies on a number of occasions and never really been satisfied with the results. Even if i happen to get a decent taper, wrapping the rib without it slipping is a big challenge.

Submitted by Jeff Campbell on

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Why not just use plain old silicone spray...
I've been using it for years on my wifes rubber hip boots...
It has prevented any dry root or cracking.
We bought them in 1982....She still wears them today.

Submitted by Stuart Anderson on

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Just when I thought Bob was done with epoxy, he takes it even further. Loved the article, a crazy fly from a mad tyer. I can only imagine how many times the prototypes were literally tossed out the window in frustration!

Thanks for sharing :-)

Ronald,

Steve didn't mention hooks size, but it seems fairly large for a dry fly, and my guess is that the hook shown is a size 10 or 12. You can of course tie Comparaduns smaller - depending on your dexterity and skill.

Martin

Submitted by Ronald S.Gillis on

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what # hook did you use to make this Compara dun i just started making my own flies ,so anything you could share or tell me it would help Thanks Ronald

Submitted by vk on

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Lots of people asking about the best time for fishing. You can get good fishing any time of the year but winter months are not as good as the rest of the year. But more important are tides. If you want to plan a trip specific for bonefishing, then check the tide calendar, and ask your guide to recommend the best tides. And of course weather/wind is a big factor but not much you can do about planning for that.

Submitted by Larry Jurgens on

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Great article and patterns.
They are tied well.
Luv the old timey stuff.
I am going to tie some up now.

Submitted by Bill 1737246338 on

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This is a piece of art.
Can I ask you for a fuller explanation on how you used the router cutter.

Submitted by Charles Mann on

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Mick: wonderful Blood Brother creation. Mick I still enjoy your small booklet on your streamer. Please say hello to at UFT. Your long time friend Charlie Mann

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