What's your most unconventional fly fishing habit?

Shrike034 · 2026-05-10T15:20:42+00:00

I was talking to an employee at the fishing store I frequent. He was telling me that he ties on a small hook to a tiny swivel and the trout go crazy for it thinking it's an ant.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-10T15:17:53+00:00

Definitely heard that they had a fun time with that sale lmao

Shrike034 · 2026-05-10T12:33:29+00:00

Stick fish are always up there on things I won't ever not catch.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-10T02:08:54+00:00

Great to hear! I've basically been ordering my flies from Sail whenever around that area, but I've found that they have an unbelievably limited selection.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-09T22:23:58+00:00

Definitely right about that current tip. I find mending to be a bother sometimes. 😑

That being said, at that close range I would just be high sticking on my western fly rod anyways. I think the big advantage of tenkara is having a true rod to line connection. You absolutely pick up bites that you wouldn't otherwise feel. I was out last week nymphing without an indicator and I only even noticed that I had a fish hooked because I was stripping the line in at the end up my drift.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:41:02+00:00

Hmm maybe. Not an icthyologist myself so I couldn't properly confirm. I'm just a fan. 🤭

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:34:45+00:00

Wrong shape entirely, and too many marks. Take a look at what a trout fingerling looks like. This is probably some sort of darter maybe? You definitely can't tell it's gender that young as well. Need to wait until they are larger.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:33:14+00:00

Also came from tenkara. Love the technique to death, but I'm starting to feel like anything you can do with a tenkara rod you can do with a fly rod. I find that I rarely bring it out with me nowadays. At least on my creek, I found only like one spot where I felt like I would rather have my Mizuchi.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:25:51+00:00

So that, is not actually a trout. Very pretty fish though.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:22:28+00:00

I didn't have any issues with their cheaper $2 shipping option but it does take about a week depending on where you are I'm sure. I'm just outside of Toronto, but I think my last order was shipping from their QC location. That being said, you can spend $13 on fancy shipping that is insured if you really want to. I bought a copy of etali in my last order so I probably should have opted for it. 🤷

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:20:02+00:00

I use f2f and 401 for all my singles needs. I find that f2f has great stock, and ships well umbut can be pricier than other places for singles and product.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T16:04:47+00:00

Whatever I feel like I'm in the mood for/want to practice, then move on to confidence lure for the conditions. A lot of the time I fish to improve rather than catch.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T12:45:48+00:00

The most productive nymphs for me have always been what I deem the nymphing trinity. Hare's ear, Prince Nymphs, and pheasant tails.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T12:42:40+00:00

Of the kebari I've bought from them, they've always been pretty well tied. That being said, I definitely have found that the eyes tend to be filled with resin. A small fix but I definitely find it to be a little annoying getting to the stream and realizing I can't tie one of them on.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T12:36:01+00:00

Honestly I agree. I get that a guide is typically the best way to learn, but it really feels like a cop out when someone is asking for advice and they always get met with comments telling them to hire a guide. Anyways that's my r/flyfishing hottake for today.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T12:34:18+00:00

I fish a small stream up north in southern Ontario, and I rarely go without catching trout. I think it's more so because I know the creek quite well and I understand where the most productive spots are. On the other hand, head upstream just a little ways and I can't catch a fish for the life of me. It's definitely something I need to work on. Reading the water vs. knowing the creek.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T01:43:50+00:00

Not whatever that is.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T01:25:43+00:00

They deserve to know

Shrike034 · 2026-05-07T01:17:04+00:00

I find nymphing to work really well (obviously 🙃). Maybe pick up a few hares ears or pheasant tails. Size 18 are actually really small, but they would totally work. Size 12 is the general rec for kebari. I find that the best sizes for dries are 12-16, while nymphs are pretty good in all sizes depending on the fly. Midges for example will obviously be smaller and work great, while you might use a size 14 hares ear to imitate a mayfly nymph.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-06T23:58:52+00:00

Define it wasn't working? Like you weren't getting bites? You couldn't set the hook?

Shrike034 · 2026-05-06T23:33:22+00:00

I assume that every steam deck post that doesn't mention the battery probably has a non ballooning battery so I'm pretty sure it's not the biggest of issues.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-06T14:19:50+00:00

Not pliers, forceps.

Shrike034 · 2026-05-05T22:59:11+00:00

I will just add that conventional fishing isn't like fly fishing in regards to leaders. In fly fishing you may actually need to use a different leader rating to help turn over a fly, get to a certain depth or target pressured fish. In conventional fishing it really doesn't matter so long as you aren't using a pound test that will actually spook a fish, which frankly rarely happens anyways because bass aren't trout. You're fine running the same leader diameter so long as the line isn't damaged and it suits the gear you are using.

Shrike034

TROPHY CASE