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?

Slipknot · 08-01-2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigFish

Are you selling your plugs?

he's giving them to me

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.