Testing, testing…video page!

     I’ve recently added a new page to this blog which contains a “test video” feature. I’m referring to the “EM Minnow” page located on the navigation bar above the Boa Minnow eating steelie!  Now, it’s your chance to preview the footage and give me some feedback!  Please click on the page link then enter the words “video test” as the password to view the TF tying segment!  After you have watched the short “slide show” video tutorial…let me know your thoughts?  It’s that simple…just enter a comment on the video page or send an email directly to me at info@tpagsco.com!  Thanks, TP

Cleveland Rocks!

     Last month Jim Bedford and I made a visit to the Cleveland Ohio region for a seminar appearance and to fish the Northeast tributaries for “drop-back” steelies and lake-run smallies.  Our visit was a blast and the welcome we received by the Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders was first class.  This large group of steelhead fanatics is well organized and managed to say the least.  If you live in the Cleveland area and are looking to get involved with a local club then you need to make an appearance.  Here’s a link to their website for more information- http://www.ohiosteelheaders.com!   Jim and I would like to personally thank OCBS President Joe Morevac and Vice President Tom Blotzer for the invite to guest speak.  And, a special thanks to Jerry Darkes and Jeff Liskay for organizing our appearance and taking the time to share some of their favorite fishing locales with us!

     I did mention we fished…right!  Good friend and colleague Jerry Darkes and his loyal D9 companion Aspen put us immediately on steelhead in the upper section of the Chagrin.  The Chagrin River is a medium size steelhead river, winding through the suburbs on the eastside of Cleveland.  This watershed has a variety of scenery not to mention all the favorable pools, runs and riffles you want to encounter on a “steelhead alley” tributary!  It was truly my favorite on the tour and a great place to swing tube flies too!

     Success came early for Mr. Darkes who was fishing his Boa Minnow TF on the swing.  I had some luck field testing the new Nuke Egg Leech on these Little Manistee strain steelhead.  It’s kind of fun to be fishing in Ohio waters (Lake Erie) for wild Michigan born brood stock (Lake Michigan strain) but it is what it is and they fight like crazy ask steelhead guru Jim Bedford!  He added four new steelhead rivers on this trip (a river is added if he successfully lands a steelhead in that particular watershed) to his lifetime list which is approaching the one hundred mark!

     Steelhead Alley is remarkable and sometimes underrated in comparison with our wild steelhead fisheries of the Northwest.  But, for those of you who get a chance to fish these waters on a regular basis…consider yourself the luckiest steelhead angler in the world.  You have a gift from the steelhead gods that needs to be appreciated, protected and preserve so future generations can enjoy what you currently have which in my opinion is second to none!!

 

More Spinfly News!!!

     I just received this info via email from a good friend and tube fly enthusiast, Rob Taylor from Lansing, MI.  Rob has embrassed the whole “tube fly” concept and is adapting applications to fit his fishing style and needs!  I want to share his excitement with all of you!

Rob wrote:

Hey Tony,

     Here is a sneak peek at my collection of spin flies. I only included the spin flies that have been successful for me. I’m not an advocate of promoting or recommending colors that have not produced results.  Color combinations are endless, just depends on the species of gamefish you are after!

     I have been fishing conventional spinners for about 15 years and have had great success. The only thing that left me feeling uneasy about the conventional spinner is that once you have formed the eyelet you are married to the color of the body, blade size and blade color. It never seemed to fail that with my conventional spinners I seemed to almost never have the proper blade size, color or finish that was needed to fish the area I was in properly or should I say productively.

     With the interchangeability of the spin fly I can now go at the drop of a hat to any body of water and with confidence be able to fish it productively. All of the blade sizes, colors and finishes can be changed in a matter of seconds without needing to replace the body. This is a tremendous advantage. Not only does retrieval speed change the depth, blade size has a bigger impact on depth.

     I have also found that a smaller blade is fished easier in fast runs. It seems to allow the spinner to maintain a deeper run, also putting less flex in the rod when retrieving makes for less effort resulting in less tired body parts when the day is done.

     Another advantage to the spin-tube fly is that there is not wire for the fish to get leverage on. When hooked up the fly body and spinner blade slide up away from the hook and give me more raw fighting power. Its easier to land fish when all you have to fight is the fish and not your tackle too!

    I have caught almost every thing that swims on my spin-tube flies. They seem to trigger a uncontrollable instinct in predatory fish. The instinct to “chase” and “consume”! I most recently had one of the most productive days of fishing that I have had in a long time. In the span of about 60 minuets I caught 7 above average size river smallmouth bass and a walleye on one of my favorite rivers…the Grand.

     I have no doubt in my mind that these spin-tube flies are going to be my go to approach all year round. If the smallies are slamming them with 55 degree water hold on to your rod tight once the water warms up!!!!!!!

Robert James Taylor