I am going back to the darkside....... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Flaptail · 08-01-2005, 10:02 AM

Well, it's been 3 years plus now and I had been thinking about a change so I went to the Orvis Shop yesterday and turned in my 9 ft, 8wt for a trade up to a "newer" model and then went home and dusted off the other five rods and reels and extra spools then tied 16 new flies ( Hi-Ties and Clousers). Treated my Airflo's to a little line cleaner and my Depth charge lines as well and repaired my old shooting basket. Yep, I am going to flyfish again. I found that this last spring I really missed it and some of the friends I used to fish with that don't plug. I really enjoyed actually tying again. The old Regal works great still and I found the little spring thingie that hold the materials back which had been lost for two years. Hell I even got one of those turnstyle thingies for holding tinsel, Crystal flash and the like and a brand new ceraminc bobbin and new threads. Figures I would have spent over two grand in new surf rods and reels and junk then go back to flyfishing. The plugging is great but it got old lately. I dunno, maybe it's just me, sides, I want a tarpon on the fly before I die. Even more than I want a fifty pound bass, and that's the God's honest truth. Don't hate me.

ProfessorM · 08-01-2005, 10:08 AM

Will you be targeting that hatch we discussed the other day. P.

Flaptail · 08-01-2005, 10:11 AM

ProfessorM · 08-01-2005, 10:22 AM

Will you be stopping by the shop, hell hole, this week or next or do you want me to send them in the mail? If so I need an address. PM me. Paul

BigFish · 08-01-2005, 10:25 AM

Man....thats one of the 7 signs isn't it?

What ever gets your line tight Seve! You sound as if you enjoy it so do what you like and tight lines to you!

Are you selling your plugs?

fishweewee · 08-01-2005, 10:25 AM

I love flyrodding.

I suck at it, but one of the nicest things about flyrodding is that you can PACK LIGHTLY!

One rod, one reel, maybe a spare spool to swap out lines (floating vs. intermediate), flies, leader, waders/belt/pliers, a vest, and a flashlight, and that's pretty much it!

There is a zen to casting the long wand, I find it very relaxing.

Lately though, given the choice between flycasting and plugging, I would have to put a gun to my head to take the flyrod out.

BasicPatrick · 08-01-2005, 11:02 AM

Flap et al,

I have never understood why some of us that put in above average amounts of time fishing seem forget about the fly rods from time to time. I have adopted the routine that the fly rod is just another weapon in the buggy. Ther are times when it is the right weapon for the circumstances and other times when it makes smaller fish a challenge. Why decide to do one or the other. Why not just keep a variety of tackle in the buggy and mix it up a bit.

An example is a creek on Cape cod that is just a romantic place that I love to fish. Most oftern the fish there are small and the fly rod makes the experience so much more satisfying. This time of year I take the 1204 Arra and some eels in that spot.

My point is that it is all good and that is what makes a "fisherman" in my book. Variety in both location and technique keeps me into positive fishing and a high catch rate.

Flaptail · 08-01-2005, 11:04 AM

I will stop by Paul. Anytime after 7pm? I think the upcoming funny fish season is what really got me thinking. A flyrod is the only way to catch false Albacore. I will still surfcast but the flyrods will be with me ( at least two) Just another weapon that I should have been packing when out fishing. There are nights on the beach when the fish are eating tiny bait and a 7 inch needle isn't going to interest them. So if faced with a choice of not catching or catching then the flyrod should be in your arsenal. And as ben put it there is a Zen thing about it. I love casting them as much as catching fish on them and when the wind blows break out the spinning rods.

I used to organize a winter flyrod seminar series for the Osterville Anglers club. We did 7 or 8 each winter. People like Page Rogers, Dr. Dave Ross, Harry Koons, Art Crago, Al Brewster, Peter Alves, Dave Peros, Capt. Ron Murphy, Gene Bourque and many others spoke and presented, free of charge. They were always fun and informative but I always told everyone, when I was asked how to take a really big bass, to put down the flyrod, pick up a ten foot conventional loaded with 50 pound braid and toss a 18 inch live eel into the surf or from the boat! You have to know your limitations. My biggest bass on the fly was 32 pounds, I had fish I know would have gone forty but it was never to be for some reason. I am going to renew that quest for one thing. Art Crago has two fish already near that size this year alone from his Jones Bros along the Elizabeths on the fly. That piqued my interest again.

ProfessorM · 08-01-2005, 11:37 AM

Yes anytime after 7PM except Fri. Paul

Flaptail · 08-01-2005, 12:20 PM

Thanks Paul and Patrick, you nailed it buddy!

Karl F · 08-01-2005, 09:09 PM

Flap, swing by the store sometime, check out the funny fish pictures from Monomy, caught on fly-rod... they are in there every fall for a spell.

Slipknot · 08-01-2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Are you selling your plugs?

he's giving them to me

justplugit · 08-01-2005, 11:03 PM

"Thank you Jerry" - just noticed.

Waaay to funnie.

bassmaster · 08-01-2005, 11:08 PM

Dear Steve,
Like You Your boat has a special place in Your heart and I know the reason why.
Like You I will Have a 12'Tin Boat ,it was my brothers and I am going to use it with pride in B harba and maybe a shove of the sand,
grantid it can only handle a 5 hp motor but the mojo and My brother will be with Me when I take it out.
see You in woods hole...........................
My old Haunt

Flaptail · 08-02-2005, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassmaster

Dear Steve,
Like You Your boat has a special place in Your heart and I know the reason why.
Like You I will Have a 12'Tin Boat ,it was my brothers and I am going to use it with pride in B harba and maybe a shove of the sand,
grantid it can only handle a 5 hp motor but the mojo and My brother will be with Me when I take it out.
see You in woods hole...........................
My old Haunt

He will Dave, he will. I feel that way when I take my fathers Old Shakespeare Presidential spinning rod out of the case and use it at my camp in Charlton, I am taking my Dad fishing. I feel that way when I take the skiff out. I wonder what Old FW would think? I hope he would be happy. LaPorte says I should name the boat "Still Fishing", In 4 years it will be 40 years old. Not bad and still does not leak one iota.
\
Karl, been funny fishing at Monomoy for years. Me and Eric had a day ( my best Albie day ever) three years ago in mid September where we caught and released 28 in one day , all while wading in three feet of water. They had sand eels just bunched up in the bars on the west side just south of the cut and you could see them coming right at you like little torpedos. Eric got 15 and I got 13. Up to twelve pounds. We probably had near forty on. It was just unbelievable. I will introduce you to Eric and you can ask him how good it was. He gets a twinkle in his eye and a wry smile when he thinks about that day. Last year me and LaPorte had 'em good at Monomoy point on Saturday and up off of Hardings beach too. I had a great day two years ago right at the entrance to Stage and over in all the pots just west of N. Monomoy. Karl I went by your shop last night about 6 but you were gone. I went to the race and backside to ( I can't believe it) Bluefish. I f I was a tuna guy I would be right in the RP rip and livewell every 3 and 4 pound blue to take out and live line 'em for Bluefins. Perfect size. I just needed an night on the sand by myself. No bass and light mung to the east and south. Eels would be the ticket in the light stuff.

Edge Sportfish · 08-02-2005, 11:12 AM

Let me know when you're ready for a 'Poon trip to Jupiter Flap-

G.L.

Karl F · 08-02-2005, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flaptail

I just needed an night on the sand by myself. .

Best Medicine in the World

Striperknight · 08-02-2005, 11:43 AM

Flap,

I understand. I go between plugging and tossing flies as well.
It's a horrible illness that can only be comforted by more time on the water.

- - SK

ThrowingTimber · 08-02-2005, 12:51 PM

Cant agree more with what Patrick said.. Its another tool in the arsenal for sure.

Steve if you find yourself down my way let me know we'll chase 'em

I love the fact that I can imitate 20-30 species of baitfish with one fly boxes worth......

UserRemoved1 · 08-02-2005, 01:46 PM

So Steve does that mean you don't want one of these pearl white Sheriffs I just finished last nite?

ThrowingTimber · 08-02-2005, 02:02 PM

Scott send them out to me he dont need em

Backbeach Jake · 08-02-2005, 04:36 PM

Flyfishing sure ain't the DarkSide. I can't tell you how many times the buggy-whip crowd caught while I skunked. A 50 on a fly? Lofty ambition,but I think if anyone could or should it, will be Flaptail. BM, that tin boat has no mojo, only the magic a brother could supply. I choke every time I think of your loss...

TheRattBoy · 08-02-2005, 05:03 PM

I always thought boats were the dark side and fly rods were the yuppie side...

Slingah · 08-02-2005, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backbeach Jake

I choke every time I think of your loss...

me too after reading your tin boat post...God bless you and that tinah and I hope you have many great days on that boat

Flaptail · 08-03-2005, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&

So Steve does that mean you don't want one of these pearl white Sheriffs I just finished last nite?

Are you nutz? Of course I want it and send it quick cause Spetember breaking tides in the canal will be coming soooooon!!!!!!

UserRemoved1 · 08-03-2005, 05:58 AM

I'll send you one this week Steve. I had about 5 guys ask for them so I did about 4 dozen

Flaptail · 08-03-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge Sportfish

Let me know when you're ready for a 'Poon trip to Jupiter Flap-

G.L.

George, when I am able to go you are the guy I will call! Thanks a million! Same goes in reverse for up here cept we got no poons ( well they do occasionally after a hurricane show up A young jid caught a 70 pounder on a roberts plug from the Wychmere jetty years back and they found one dead on the MV shore about the same time. He weighed the fish at the Goose.