Slip/Float/Fly/Waxie Set-up

[Slip Sinker]

Here’s a little set-up I want to share that has been causing some excitement for me with the shallow gill lately. It’s a set-up that is not new and was learned when I was just a young lad from two fishermen I loved very much… my Dad and Uncle Clare. They used to put flies tipped with worms behind everything… my favorite was under the float.

I was tossing the slip float into a bunch of fish the other day and I was flatly being rejected with a crawler bit or waxie. With my polarized glasses in the calm water I witnessed it right before my eyes. A few gills would approach and kiss the split shot… that was it!. Then I remembered the fly and bait trick.

Once installed and dropped into the water the split/shot drops first and quickly while the fly and waxie bit descends like a parachute… drives the gills crazy!. The fly and bait bit is in motion while the split shot is still and motionless is the best feature. Its been so successful ive left it setup on my slip/float rig for the past week.

with the waxie bit the fly is in more of suspension while the crawler bit sinks the combination more quickly... the suspended fly/gulp waxie was more enticing then the quickly settling crawler bit/fly in the long run but both baits caught fish. another argument for to carry that jar of waxies in your tackle box.

since it is mainly in suspension around the split shot pay careful attention to the bobber for the slightest movement to prevent swallowed hook. Pinch the barbs before hand for easy removal.

note: barb was not pinched in this photo

[Allen Morgan]

I typically buy the bulk of my fly hooks and beads from Wholesale Fly Company.

http://www.wholesaleflycompany.com/

I bought the unpainted tungsten jigs from eBay.  Some outfit in Canada.

[Bruce Tomaselli]

I bought beads and hooks from Wholesale and I was very happy with the products.

[Allen Morgan]

I've found that their small brass beads typically have a burr on the small hole on the "front" of the bead.  I've learned to live with it.  Their Tungsten beads are fine.  I've found that their hooks are identical to the White River brand that BPS sells, but at a fraction of the cost.

[Allen Morgan]

Got my order in today.  Probably start tying some stuff up here in a day or two.

[jim cosgrove]

How's the quality of the hooks Allan.I lost a monster carp on the fly when the hook broke.6lb tippet should have broke first.Some of the chinese hooks,i know even mustad is chinese made,were very brittle.Broke a couple in the vise too.These were streamer hooks from BPS,Most dry fly hooks are wire and not a problem as they will bend.Really frustrating as big carp are hard enough to catch on a fly .

[Allen Morgan]

On my initial visual inspection, they look good.  I don't have the equipment to do strength tests on hooks, so the only way I have to test them is to fish them.  I don't have Safe Ice around me, yet, so it will be awhile.

[jim cosgrove]

I only go barbless on flies for gills as i hate digging little bugs out of them.Those little mouths they almost never spit the hook.Barbless vs pinched work better because the made baebless has a much longer point.

[Slip Sinker]