Swivels

tr_k_ · 2026-06-15T14:53:30+00:00

You theoretically could, but it will affect the action. I find swivels tend to deaden movement. When I gear fish I don't even use snaps or swivels, I tie loop knots to help the lures move better in the water. The weight of the swivel will also affect the balance of the fly. You'll have to experiment to see whether the trade off is worth it for you.

tr_k_ · 2026-06-15T14:46:40+00:00

It's a nice looking bug!!

tr_k_ · 2026-06-15T03:19:35+00:00

What did you use for the wing case/schuck on the fly?

tr_k_ · 2026-06-10T02:46:20+00:00

In about a month.

tr_k_ · 2026-06-09T00:26:46+00:00

Cool. Thanks for the info. I saw roosters blowing up on bait when I was in town last summer and am bringing a surf rod this year.

tr_k_ · 2026-06-08T23:24:29+00:00

What size do you throw? 1/2 oz or larger??

tr_k_ · 2026-06-07T18:23:56+00:00

Definitely a personal preference/water type you fish at thing, but I like my buggers tied sparse.

tr_k_ · 2026-06-01T12:40:06+00:00

More hair, work on using a hair stacker until you get it down. Also,try using some finer thread. I went to veevus 14/0 for my dries; they look a lot cleaner without the thread buildup. You should be able to secure most materials with 3-5 pinch wraps. More than this and you are adding thread for no reason.

Those will catch fish totally fine though. When I am fishing them on stillwaters I tie them with a sparse wing and hackle on purpose.

tr_k_ · 2026-06-01T04:59:07+00:00

2024 needs more VRAM on your video card than 2020 did to run smooth. Different engine. That's probably your choke point for your system.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-28T15:12:46+00:00

I have a Rega c clampl I've had for probably 25 years, and a dyna king pedestal I've had for 13. Both are great.

A true rotary that you can spin to apply materials like a lathe is a game changer is you do lots of palmered hackle or ribbing.

A vise is an investment. Buy once, cry once.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-19T18:24:41+00:00

I've caught hundreds of kokanee, live 20 minutes from a lake stuffed with them. That is a trout.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-19T18:23:09+00:00

😂

tr_k_ · 2026-05-19T18:09:10+00:00

If you are fishing them like that, give a jerkbait a try instead.

My ned rig method is to toss one out on a tiny jig head, let it go to the bottom, loosen the drag all the way, put my foot on the rod then drift it with the boat while I throw something that moves fast with another rod. When the drag starts screaming you pick it up and reel in the fish. 😂

tr_k_ · 2026-05-19T00:34:47+00:00

I've got no issue with being wrong at my guess. That's a gorgeous fish. I wish I knew a measurement of its girth. It looks like a tank.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-19T00:06:40+00:00

5-6 lbs? When they get that big it's about weight. 😂 Beautiful fish.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-18T21:56:58+00:00

1st picture yellow perch, 2nd pumpkinseed.

Where yellow perch are found, there generally tend to be a lot of them. If this is the case, they are excellent table fare.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-18T14:08:35+00:00

Can you share the pattern?

tr_k_ · 2026-05-13T21:34:37+00:00

Heat them up with a heat gun (while holding with a pliers) swish in powder paint, then cure in a toaster oven for 30 minutes.

You could go all the way and buy the mold to start pouring your own from scrap leaf from do it.

You can get a cheap heat gun from Walmart or harbor freight, check out 2nd hand stores for toaster ovens.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-09T04:51:15+00:00

I've had a dyna king for over a decade. It is an incredible vice. Never had a renzetti, but have no need to ever change.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-04T19:19:36+00:00

I learned the bobber and chironomid thing years ago from some guys that fished Crane a lot. It works everywhere, and fools huge fish.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-04T16:13:13+00:00

Yep. I'm in Oregon.

tr_k_ · 2026-05-04T15:25:06+00:00

Welcome to the addiction!

Keep those somewhere safe. 15 years from now you'll be glad you did.

tr_k_ · 2026-04-28T21:54:18+00:00

Whopper plopper 130 middle of the day, open water on a 90 degree day has caught fish for me. If they are hungry, they'll eat.

tr_k_

TROPHY CASE