New "boat". A great fishing platform for small water fishing.

Finally the right "boat" for small water fishing. Comfortable, plenty of storage space, anchor system, stripping basket, light and transportable.  Thanks J.M. for making it happen. Thanks to T.I. for the photo.

 A little camping and a quick fly tying lesson. Whip finishing. Thanks E & T. for some fun camping.

Find the boat here.

A few days away. Fishing some. Quilting some. Tying some. Working some.

Smallmouth bass. Donna. All of the fish were in the 14" to 16" range. All were released.

Smallmouth bass. Donna.

Largemouth bass. Donna.

Smallmouth Bass. Wayne.

Smallmouth Bass. Wayne.

Night scene.

Listen.....

A new fly tying space. If I did not know better I swear it was made just for me.

Passing the time on the cold days. Like today!

The last few days I have been passing some "fishing" time tying flies and staying warm.  Winter jigging flies I hope. At least that's what I think they are going to be. I have no idea if they will catch a fish but I plan to use them for panfishing. Perch, crappies and bluegills. I plan to tip the jigs with waxies and / or spikes. As soon as we get a little warmer weather I'll test the jig and report back.

Small Ice Fishing Jigs.
For what it's worth here is the materials list.
1. #14 Nymph hooks
2. Wing. Flashabou. Glow in the dark. Assorted colors.
3. .020 lead free round wire. To weight the jig. 10 wraps.
4. 3/0 thread for the body. Assorted colors.

Time to vote. "What shall we call the fly?" .

UPDATE:

The polls are closed and after an overwhelming response the votes have been count and the results are: The little guy on top is the Hairy Fodder and it's big sister below is the DonnerFly.



Stay tuned: In production a cousin... described by the R&D department as... nearly white with features of the Hairy Fodder and the DonnerFly. Code name Jambie.

From my July 14, 2009 post.

It's time to vote.
The choices are clear.
The poll is set.
Take the poll right NOW so your voice is heard.


No voter fraud will be tolerated. :) Unless as specified below.
Management reserves the right to skew the numbers, alter the data or otherwise distort the counts to achieve our pre-determined result.

First ice fishing trip 2009

Lots of firsts in these photos. Beside the obvious....the first perch of 2009 it's also the first fish I've ever caught on a fly (bait) that I tied myself.

Thanks again to Rick my friend and fly tying mentor.




I found the pattern for this small, mostly eye, fly on the web. It was for "catching perch" and it sure seems to have lived up to it's billing.




Speaking of firsts...this is the first time I've seen a perch with this obvious parasite (?). Does anyone know what it is. We caught several perch today with these parasites / tumors (?).

01/29/09 UPDATE: Via Fish Health Specialist in Madison says:

"I am 99% sure that the fish has Lymphocystis. In addition to infecting skin and causing growths on walleye, I have seen the growths on y perch and bluegill.

Lymphocystis is caused by an iridovirus (same kind of virus that causes LMB virus disease). The growths tend to slough off when the water temps increase in summer. Not visually appealing, but are not thought to harm the fish or people."

Thanks RB for facilitating the communications.

Straight out of a magazine. Thanks again to Rick.

This fly was from and article in a fly tying magazine. It focused on a fly you can tie from craft store ingredients.

The eyes are from common (sewing) pins cut at 3/8" long. The cut pin are tied together. The eyes are then tied perpendicular to the hook (Size 10 2x).

The body is made from sticky back foam bought at a big box store.

The tail and wings (legs) are suppose to be from metallic embroidery floss. The floss was not available in the big box store. So I cheated and went to the fly shop in town and purchased Flashabou.

I'm planning some smaller sizes and some different body colors.

I guess now I'll have to return Rick's magazine.






Griffith's Gnat

Griffith's Gnat. My second pattern. I feel like all thumbs.

Griffith's Gnat on 16 hook.