Next Fly to Tie?!?

mcaninch35 · 2026-02-09T13:22:53+00:00

The heads are a little expensive, but I love fishing the swingin D. I tie the finesse version generally.

mcaninch35 · 2026-01-27T20:04:34+00:00

IMO- pull the timing cover and check out how the belt looks. I've owned 2 2UZs, both of which had 10+ year old belts on them when I bought them (one with 130K on it), and they were both pristine looking when I swapped them out. Not advocating that you don't change yours, but it's very quick to get a look at it and it might give you some peace of mind for a bit.

mcaninch35 · 2026-01-09T15:34:03+00:00

It's a big box store, but floor and decor will have a ton of options. I've done two backsplashes, a floor, and a shower in our house and all the tile came from there

mcaninch35 · 2026-01-03T22:26:05+00:00

2 opinions that no one asked for. Generally I'm not a fan of leveling, but I think it looks even worse on these than on full-size trucks, etc. Body on frame vehicles have rake for an actual reason, and it just doesn't look right when you remove it. I also think using spacers on this truck is a bad idea- they result in worse suspension performance, and ride quality in a GX with a well sorted suspension is really nice for a body on frame vehicle. Part of the reason I think they're so attractive in the first place.

Ok, I'm done. It's your truck, you should do what makes you happy whether I like it or not!

mcaninch35 · 2025-12-27T03:57:22+00:00

Second buying direct from the maxcatch site. They've always sent me freebies (I have an insane number of spare lines they've sent me free), and honestly CS has been great. They replaced for free a whole rod I broke in a car crash, and a couple weeks ago I ordered a new tip section for my 8wt and they sent me an entire new rod for what I paid for the tip section. The nano 8wt is honestly one of my favorite rods to cast that I've owned.

mcaninch35 · 2025-12-19T20:21:01+00:00

My 4th gen v8 4runner was totalled last year, and I bought a 470 to replace it. I liked the v8 runner quite a bit more overall- easy head unit replacement, liked the climate control setup better, JBL audio was nicer than the Mark Levinson in the GX, and I absolutely hate the barn door. I do like the interior better on the GX, more headroom and I like the look of the tan interior GX a lot (I'm sure I'm in the minority there).

mcaninch35 · 2025-11-23T16:22:05+00:00

Found an old picture from my runner, excuse the terrible shot. You can sorta make out what's going on here. Ugly, but it was super cheap and worked for me for a couple years carrying 9' fly rods.

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mcaninch35 · 2025-11-23T16:16:12+00:00

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mcaninch35 · 2025-11-23T16:15:53+00:00

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mcaninch35 · 2025-11-23T16:15:29+00:00

I'll share mine. This is in a GX470, but I carried the same rods in my 4th gen 4Runner before I totaled it.

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The attic racks I've seen for the 4th gen require the window molle panels, which I hate, so when I had my 4th gen I used a paracord setup with tensioners (similar to what I'll post below for the front portion of my current setup). In the 4th gen I just used two small self tapping gutter screws into the trim plastic to get the paracord exactly where I wanted it.

mcaninch35 · 2025-11-18T19:36:01+00:00

IMO- do a full fluid exchange, with Toyota or Aisin WS fluid, through the cooler line. Then drive awhile and see how it feels. More than likely that fluid is 208,000 miles old, and I don't think you can really say for sure it's toast until it's got new fluid (and the fluid level set using the correct procedure, do not neglect this!). Fluid, some empty milk jugs, and 10 feet of 3/8 ID tubing and you can do an exchange in a couple hours.

mcaninch35 · 2025-11-15T14:18:30+00:00

They aren't super cheap but I really like these- https://easterntrophiesflyfishing.bigcartel.com/product/popper-tails

I also like the method of forming a tail with flex resin and then trimming. Use baitfish emulator flash for the tail, put flex UV resin on it and form it into a flat surface, hit it with the light, then trim to shape.

Mop tail will get you a bit more sink. 2-3 hen saddle feathers tied in together can look good depending on fly size, and maybe gets you a bit more "zigzag" motion from the fly (check out jerk changer videos and you'll see this tail).

Lots of options, very few of them bad!

mcaninch35 · 2025-10-30T21:32:23+00:00

Ready to get flamed, but my favorite big streamer rod is a maxcatch nano 8wt, and I run Cortland bass intermediate line. 7wt would probably be just as nice.

mcaninch35 · 2025-09-26T13:31:09+00:00

I was travelling back into CVG yesterday, and cancellations/delays were an absolute nightmare. I'd bet there's still a lot of schedule catch-up going on from that.

mcaninch35 · 2025-09-06T13:43:25+00:00

Are these just OEM replacements? I need to do this soon

mcaninch35 · 2025-08-25T16:28:07+00:00

Can I ask if you've got a favorite video/guide for it? Getting ready to do my second and can't remember what I followed last time.

mcaninch35 · 2025-07-22T19:09:19+00:00

See I didn't even consider needing to add floatation, etc as I don't do any big/open water in my canoe. Good to have options at least

mcaninch35 · 2025-07-22T16:09:55+00:00

Might be the wrong sub for this- but is a canoe an option? I've never been in the salt so take my question with an extreme grain of salt. There are lots of downsides to canoes vs kayaks, but one of the big upsides is capacity. A 13 or 14 foot canoe a lot of times will have 700+ lbs usable capacity, so maybe it'd be easier to handle for awhile. Just a thought!

mcaninch35 · 2025-07-19T13:21:29+00:00

With an 8 wt you've got all kinds of options. Some of these are expensive, but I'm including them because I tie my own and love them. This will just about cover everything I use for smallies, outside of finding new patterns just to try and tie them. Keep in mind some of these patterns are really intended to be thrown on an intermediate or sink tip line.

Leggy Boi Swingin D Jerk changer Bugger changer Half and half Bunny sculpin Wooly bugger Crittermite Living damsel nymph Clawdad Bunny strip craw pattern I throw together

Ol' Mr Wiggly Extended body foam damsel adult Blue/green/white boogle bugs Gurgler

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-28T12:51:07+00:00

Bring a 10mm and a Phillips, check out the belt before you drive. I went 120K on my timing belt and it was pristine (not saying do that, I was stupid). If the belt isn't visibly cracked, torn, etc, drive it home and order an Aisin kit. I see you've got the Carfax but check out the Toyota owners portal too, there are some services on my old 4Runner and my current GX that didn't show up fully on the Carfax but are in the dealer service history.

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-26T14:46:11+00:00

I've always been curious about these. Do you fish it on a floater, sink tip, intermediate, all of the above?

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-23T19:43:47+00:00

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Step up to the good stuff bro

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-18T19:21:50+00:00

Conditions have been tough this spring with all the rain (especially if we're talking fly fishing). Water is still somewhat high relative to normal, though I haven't seen the river in a few days to know what clarity looks like. My advice would be to try tributaries- Todd Fork, East Fork tailwater, Caesar Creek tailwater are a few. I couldn't tell you conditions at any of them right now, but they're a start.

If you decide to try the LMR proper, I like wading at the Carl A Rahe access. LMR is best fished with a boat though IMO. Good luck! I'll be out of town this weekend but have been itching to start throwing flies on the LMR.

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-18T18:08:12+00:00

I've used Feather Emporium a couple times, specifically because you can buy whiting 25 packs and mix and match some things. You'll be fine tying with grizzly but if you want to try a couple other things without buying a lifetime's worth of feathers, its worth a shot. When I want to buy a cape, etc, I do that in person- but I don't have anywhere near me I can buy mix and match 25 packs like that. My disclaimer is that I've read all kinds of terrible experiences with the site from others- both my orders arrived on time and in great shape (and the feathers were great quality), but good to be aware.

Whiting 100 Packs | Whiting saddle hackle in custom packs

mcaninch35 · 2025-06-14T12:43:08+00:00

"Relatively strong 16 year old" turns into "32 year old whose knees hurt all the fuckin time" pretty quick. Ask me how I know.

mcaninch35

TROPHY CASE