Busy tying new flies

[Illinoisgiller]

Thanks to Gofish's suggestion of tying slightly larger flies to target larger fish.:) I found a Clouser type known as Al Campbell's Crappie Candy.
Now I may have been the last one in the country to try this pattern, but I sure like the looks of it . I want to give it a try on the local crappie here.
I tied it on a 6/0 streamer hook, and just tried a smaller version on a 8/0 fly streamer hook.
Untill I learn to attach a photo, just Google up [ Crappie Candy] to see the pattern.
Has anybody else made use of this one? Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

Thank you for the offer Chris, I'll see if I can figure out the close up feature on our digital camera.
When it comes to these electronic things ,I'm not the sharpest tack in the carpet. ;)

[Schoe]

Illgiller, if your old enough, do you remember the old Earnie Minnow that was sold around the Quad Cities back in the 50's and 60's? The original ones had a flat round lead head with white Buck-tail tied on the hook. They were only about 1 1/2" long and were killer for Crappie, Bass, and we tore up the white bass with them. I haven't seen any around for a lot of years but I bet Ms. Pankey out in Carbon Cliff knows the history.
Anyway, those were the only thing I ever used as a "fly" for Crappie until the lead headed jigs came out. Schoe

[Illinoisgiller]

http://www.whereifish.com/thepond/http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/Illinoisgiller/Whitefly.jpg This is an image of the latest fly I tied. Sure hope this works. :confused: Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

http://www.whereifish.com/thepond/http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/Illinoisgiller/Whitefly.jpg

[gofish]

good job! is that a brass eye(wieghted) theres a bumblebee pattern i used to use when i was a boy. it was easy to tie(mostly chennille) and bedding bluegill couldnt stand it. meant to mention this before but i tie my own spongebugs but make sure you use a straight eye hook not downturned. downturned eyes make your floating fly want to dive a little

[Illinoisgiller]

Thank you gofish. These are mono eyes but I've got weighted eyes now , I'll take one down to the canal and see how it sinks. The body called for a floresent wool that I have ordered. I use a sparkle tinsle instead. The downturned eye info is interesting. I wonder if it breaks the surface tension faster. I did wake up to the fact that I need to tie any new patterns on and try them instead of dropping them in a bowl of water like I am now. DUHH Thanks again, Mike

[Schoe]

Fellas, fine job on the Fly and picture, and I bet the Crappies will love it. Schoe

[gofish]

illinoisgiller thats exactly right on the surface tension. another thing is the way the hook sets. turned eyes are really supposed to be used in snelled applications for top hooking power.has to do with the way the line pulls on the shank of the hook. some hook styles are affected more than others when it comes to this though.your package is on the way.i tied those using a synthetic commonly used for large streamers(saltwater) i like it for small jigs because it stays full underwater and doesnt collapse as bad as maribou. but still gives good hookups. the all tinsel is especially good in muddy/dingy water .its made from firefly jig skirts the thicker tinsel seems to be better for that one. one jig i layered craftfur in it traps air and will make it fall a lot slower. dont be afraid to trim the skirts shorter i trimmed them some (1/2 to 3/4")to show you the rough profile to shoot for but i leave them long and carry a pair of scissors with me and do the final trim on the water. have fun!

[Illinoisgiller]

Colbyjack- I don't sell flies and don't plan to in the future. At the speed I tie I wouldn't make a dime. ha ha You WILL get some though. Caution though ,I haven't fished these yet so they aren't proven.:confused: I think they will work because the canal water quivered some just from driving by with the supplies to make them. ha ha There must be another nice crappie at the tube.
Gofish- I don't even get excited at Christmas at my age ,but I am on the edge of the chair awaiting the mailman today. :D It doesn't sound like I will have trouble finding the materials for a change. Later, Mike

[gofish]

dont get too exited illinoisgiller theyre crude but work. besides the mail always runs quick delivering bills but when its something you want.......lol

[Annie]

wow, impressive!!!

[gofish]

illinoisgiller have you got them yet? im leaving at 5 am to go to mill creek and wont be back till dark but i can have my wife put a trace on the package.

[Illinoisgiller]

Gofish- Na, not yet. We have a new mail delivery guy. I'll call the FBI and have him checked out. ;)
Dead bite today. The water warmed from 42 up to 44 with the sun. but the wind was cold after noon. We only had 9 smalish keepers between us so we poured them out.
First fly test was a bust, but they didn't want anything else either. We'll gettum next time. Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

Thank you gofish. I can see those jigs catching fish! Do you pour your own jigs? I like the head style. I'll look around and see if I can find the mould. Thanks again, Mike

[gofish]

i dont bother pouring the smaller jigheads anymore.those are off the shelf bass pro brand

[Illinoisgiller]

Chris, No I got caught up in trying the little jigs. I think I'll try to slip out this am for a bit and try the Crappie Candy. :rolleyes: Mike

[Illinoisgiller]

It is official!!! The "Crappie Candy" flies work great!!! Slipped off for a bit this am and got a couple gills and (3) 10" crappie. Yea, I know, those are not large crappie, but that is what they are running in most of the lower canal. I'm just tickled that my efforts were not in vain. lol
Chris, Shoot me a pm w/mailing add. and I'll get some to you. Mike

[gofish]

congradulations illinoigiller nothing at all wrong with 10" crappie best eating size if you ask me.any luck on the jigs yet?

[Illinoisgiller]

gofish, I made a couple, but I'm having a time of it getting it to look "right". I got some stuff they call polar fiber at BP. It's a lot like fake fur but different length fibers. I also found the sparkle ribbon stuff. I think I'll jump off here and go give it another try.
One of the grandsons is here and we are going up the canal tmw.We just lost over half of our warmth in an hour or two this afternoon so hope they don't get the dreaded lockjaw. Mike

[gofish]

try tieing shorter fibers first for more body,really cinch it down so it spreads some then add longer ones.more towards the hook sidethat way when you trim it gives that little tail.a lot of times ill use the main color as the shorter fibers(craftfur)then dubb in the longer colors