The weather seems hardly anything but. The end of July seemed like it was priming us for a hot finish to the summer but it hasn’t happened. Thunderstorms, torrential downpours and wind have been the norm. Fire, smoke, oven heat and dry lightening, the usual August stuff are nowhere to be found. I did have a plan for a “normal” August, put off indefinitely finishing my patio project when the “dog days” kicked in and put the fishing off. I should have known better.
So, now I’m chained to my patio project (“or else”, I think I did hear that), meanwhile good fishing continues and now I am faced with a double deadline, get it done “or else” and woodcutting before the fall fishing run takes off. Talk about pressure.
During my hiatus with shovels, cement and pavers I have managed to sneak in a some experimental tying forays and foraging around the blogs to help keep my sanity and head in the game.
I did get a chance to try this, a Pike of a size hardly worth mentioning thought highly of it. I didn’t get to throw it out to the big ‘gators. The upturned hook kept me mostly weed free but the beast has a habit of landing on its back, more weight on the belly side I guess. A line mend not unlike the move one uses to untangle the garden hose from a distant point got him upright.
Nothing new here. Dremell tool attacks bottle cork.
A Morrish Mouse with legs and weedless LARGE hidden hook. The new issue of Fly Tyer has a new mouse pattern that looks awesome.
Simon, over at pikefishingarticles put up an interesting post on some fur material that’s new to me, Fin Raccoon. I’m not sure what a Finnish Raccoon is but this fur is rabbit on steroids. This stuff should put any Pike over the edge and could even get me into the beastly Bass that has eluded me all summer. Thanks Simon!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Wayne,Hope you are well mate. Nice looking flies by the way. To alleviate The plipper from landing on its back I used Christmas garland bought from my local craft shop. the one with the wire in it. wrap that on next time and it should work a treat.
With regards to Raccoon fur it truly is amazing stuff. Try and find a Eumer tube accessories stockist over there that has the stuff in stock. Its not so cheap but its worth it. I have actually been using in on many of the new walleye and perch jigging flies from last month.Just go to my Archive. The Tube trawler from the 1st post of this month was mainly made using raccoon fur. And stay tuned mate I have been tying some insane flies over the last few days and some new walleye developed flies that have been bagging the chaps over here plenty of fish with.
With regards to Raccoon Dog here is a link for you to read up about them. They are extremely common over here and in northern Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_Dog
Anyway hope you n the family are well
Tight lines
Si
It was nice to find your blog. I’ll be back for more reading and go through your archives.
Summer here in Ontario has been pretty weird too. Very cool and damp June and July – I think we had about 10 days where it did not rain. Warmed up a bit in August, but still lots of rain!
Thanks for the tip to flip the plip! Will give it a try. Will be looking for those new patterns too. Kaufmann’s Streamborn on the coast, is the closest place to me here in Montana that I can order Eumer stuff. I’ll be having a go with the ‘coon dog soon.
Thanks, Ian. Was back at again today. Bucket loads on my run between here and the canadian border. I think fire season is pretty much toast in these parts for the year.
I like the popper made with the Dremel. I have done the same thing, but the paint ends up chipping off after a while.
I slopped on a coating or two of gloss nail polish. It makes them a little more durable.