flies bluegill

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Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on July 5, 2013 at 2:23pm

One other thing....I have used many poppers for gills with only hackle and no tail. They seem to work just as well and maybe better.  

Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on July 5, 2013 at 2:17pm

I assume that you are asking about the popper body. I just cut a slit in the bottom of the cylinder and kinda spread open the slit and put some CA glue in the slit and insert a hump shank or kink shank hook and just squeeze the slit together for a few seconds. In all fairness I use to use epoxy and it holds very well. I have not yet properly tested the CA glue but I think it will work almost as well  with a lot less mess. You can use a regular shank hook but it is best to pre-wrap the shank with thread and epoxy is advised. I prefer the kink shank hooks. They are a longer shank and better to use for several reasons. Better hook gap. Stronger bond for the body. Easier to remove from fish. If properly assembled these poppers will last most of the summer or until you lose it to a tree or a Bass. I use hooks from 12 to 6 mostly. One piece of advise is to only insert the hook up to where the hook eye and shank is about level to the bottom of the popper body. It will keep the hook gap clear. I usually tail with calf tail and then wind a hackle close to the rear of the body. I like red tails but I doubt it really matters what color the hackle or tail is. Unless you fish everyday a dozen poppers will probably last at least one season and maybe 2 or 3 seasons. The thin wire of the kink shank hooks  will straighten if you get it hung in a tree and usually 6# tippet will straighten the bend enough to get it loose and you can re bend with needle nose. Just point your rod at the popper and pull the line slowly until the popper comes loose. Doesn't always work but it will most of the time unless you wrap the line around the limb.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 10:35am

How to attach the body to hook?

Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on July 5, 2013 at 9:25am

I should have added that I tie the spider in only yellow. It is easy to see and the fish seem to like it almost every day. I tie the popper in yaller only also but I do make different sizes. 1/4, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2" diameter. Both are made from craft foam. For the poppers I just punch out disks and CA glue the disks together to get the length that I want.

Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on July 5, 2013 at 9:18am

I guess #6 is kinda a beetle but I call it a spider because I normally leave the legs fairly long to get more movement. Sometimes I use a tiny chenille to cover the hook shank and other times I just use different colored thread on the hook to create different looks but I don't think it makes any difference. I just like red thread. #1 is a Wooly Worm tied on a bent shank hook with beadchain eyes to help it get down. It can be tied in many ways. No eyes, mono eyes for no weight and in different colors. I just like the grisly in my clear creeks. The tail is red. I like a little red on most any fly. #4 is called a Blind Squirrel. I use a bright orange dubbing and a grisly hackle wound over that. I use a pheasant tail shell back and the wing is fox squirrel tail hair. It can also be tied with beadchain but I don't have the need in my shallow creeks. This thing will catch any fish in my creeks. I found it while searching for carp flies and I bet it will work on them too but there are none where I mostly fish regretfully.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on July 5, 2013 at 8:32am

so, what do you have there?
I sew a McGinty Improved at no. 3, and a popper at 5. Looks like a foam beetle at 6.
And you called #2 a 'soft hackle nymph'... just kinda generic,
How about those other, shaggy ones @ 1 & 4?

Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on June 19, 2013 at 8:29am

Ranbling......hahaha......If there is one thing that I am good at is rambling. hehehe

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 18, 2013 at 6:00pm

Ditz - by the way, I liked your rambling... SUPER informative.

Thanks.

Comment by David, aka, "McScruff" on June 18, 2013 at 9:50am

I'm lucky, because I do have a small pond right by the house.
It'll make as good a practice ground as any.

Comment by Ray Ditzenberger on June 18, 2013 at 9:28am

It may take a couple of short trips to get the feel but it won't take long. Good luck

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