Quest, With a little help from my Friends

[Greg McWilliams]

This quest began with Tommy Winton, of Florida. He was posting pictures of MASS QUANTITIES of Blue Gill and Red Ears. The picture that got the ball rolling was his picture titled "86 Gill and Shells". Reading thru the comment found out he had caught them on crickets fished in 12" of water on bottom. One of Tommy's quotes is " If they not hitting CRICKET they are not going to touch anything!"

I am a flyrodder so live bait is not an option and began working on a sinking cricket pattern. Without much success.

I turned to another Cricket Man, the Cricketmiester, Bluegillboogieman from Alabama. We had discussions and asked him if he would send me pictures of cricket for a pattern. His quote "Cricket rule down south! I wouldn't be caught dead near the water without them." He is the Cricketmiester because he got them to pose for some SEXY pics. They can be seen on my wall of comments on page 2.

Zack Thomasson, from New Jersy started Bluegill Fly Tying, a forum for tiers to come together and share ideas and tips.

Shooter from Loisiana starts a discussion " What is you most favorite bluegill fly"

John Welch of Wisconsin, replied to this discussion with Skip Morris's "Morrisfoam Preditor". Finally found the fly with a little tweeking this could be it.

Jen of Oklahoma, came up with material suggestions and technical support.

The results were this

This is not a real pretty fly or even an original. I don't even know if it will catch fish, but it and the dozen or more prototypes will be hitting the water.

It was a group effort of 7 people from 7 states that have contibuted to this endevor an I thank you.

This is the best WEB SITE on the internet, with the best folk, who are willing to share ideas, tips and encourage us to catch more and bigger BLUEGILL.

Last but not least is to 2lbgill, Who inspired Bruce Condello to start this web. That gives us this forum, and new FRIENDS. Thank You!!!!!!

[bluegillboogieman]

Is that cricket PINK?????? Greg, the lengths you have gone to fashion a cricket for a flyrod. I must apologize. I should have told you you could use REAL crickets on a flyrod. # 10 hook, single "B" sinker, small float, rollcast. I've read Shooter's description of under trees roll casting and overweighted line. He never said what was on the end of his line. It might have been a labor of love like yours. It could well be a live cricket though. Live ones won't last through a hundred catches, or casts. But you've got a hundred of 'em chirping right there in your cricket can. Now I ain't seen a live cricket since I got them to pose for you. I'm going to renew our acqaintance this weekend. I think I'll feed 'em strawberries overnight. They'll bleed pink when I hook 'em up for their highest and best use.

I like the look of the hind legs. I know pink is a hot color for fishing, it might be just the ticket for crickets. We'll know when we see the pic titled "86 Gills and Shells On One Cricket"!

Boogieman

[Jim Gronaw]

That cricket looks so good...I'd eat it myself!

[Derrick]

Looks promising Greg. I'll go as far as to say sexy.... I'm still working on the wax worm, haven't been satisfied with any I've tied yet, but with a little extra effort and some extra time I hope to get it done this weekend.

[Jen Nayfly]

You are too kind to mention me, however I do enjoy tossing around ideas with you. I will be trying your cricket soon I hope. Hurry up spring!!!!!!!!!!!