OT: Thread About Nothing (part # who cares)

[JimEIV]

I’m just teasing. He’s very dedicated to raising a very niche skill to an art form. It’s beautiful work. Just obsessive. Like a mad scientist.

The brown and yellow materials in the picture above are from a small businesses in Montana named Fly Tyers Dungeon...the owner creates all kinds of and innovative blends and he calls himself the Mad Scientist.

This is his actual email address
[email protected]

Fly Tying Materials | Fly Tying Recipes | Fly Tying Supplies | Fly Tyers Dungeon | Fly Tying Supplies

Fly Tying Materials, fly tying supplies and many fly tying material tips and tricks, fly tying recipes. Fly tying closeout materials all at Fly Tyers Dungeon!

www.flytyersdungeon.com

 

[JimEIV]

Jims not insane, what he does is actually quite therapeutic. I enjoy making my own fluke rigs using a vice and a bunch of stuff that he uses but not to that level. They're quite simple cause they're much bigger hooks and theres not a very diverse amount of things that a fluke eats.

Freshwater flys are an endless rabbit hole of a bazillion insects a trout may feed on all depending on what fish you are targeting, where you are and what time of year or even day or even down to weather and light conditions. I'd imagine it's kind of an endless pursuit.

I have some saltwater flies I tied for bonefish that I would love to try and beach fish for fluke with. Maybe this is the year.

One of the most world renowned saltwater fly tyers was from Seaside. He just died last year after being hit by car.... I truly regret never getting to meet him. He was truly a legend taken away too soon.

https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/bob-popovics-dead-at-75/509633

Obituary for Robert "Bob" Popovics | Timothy E. Ryan Home For Funerals

Share memories & support the family

www.ryanfuneralhome.com

And if you have a little bit of time The Millhouse Pod Cast with Andy Mills is worth listening to.

 

[My3Sons]

Haha I know you're teasing, I just wanted to emphasize what he's doing, it's awesome and I love it. However it's better and less crazy than making a skin suit.

Barely but yes.

 

[JK3]

I have some saltwater flies I tied for bonefish that I would love to try and beach fish for fluke with. Maybe this is the year.

One of the most world renowned saltwater fly tyers was from Seaside. He just died last year after being hit by car.... I truly regret never getting to meet him. He was truly a legend taken away too soon.

https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/bob-popovics-dead-at-75/509633

Obituary for Robert "Bob" Popovics | Timothy E. Ryan Home For Funerals

Share memories & support the family

www.ryanfuneralhome.com

And if you have a little bit of time The Millhouse Pod Cast with Andy Mills is worth listening to.

Oh cool thanks, I'm going to watch this tonight. I fish LBI mostly, I probably ran into him or one of his buddies for sure. I can't believe he has a bunker fly holy crap.

If I would ever fly fish in saltwater it would be for weakfish, they are pretty much saltwater trout that look like rainbows, really pretty fish. We would catch them chumming with grass shrimp. Light saltwater tackle with really long and light leaders, floating out grass shrimp on small hooks, maybe a tiny splitshot to get it down a few feet. I swear they are freshwater trout cause they spook really easily. I've seen guys killing them at the Barnegat Lighthouse flyfishing.

I know you don't take fish but here's a few. Unfortunately they loose all their color once you keep them.

 

[My3Sons]

Oh cool thanks, I'm going to watch this tonight. I fish LBI mostly, I probably ran into him or one of his buddies for sure. I can't believe he has a bunker fly holy crap.

If I would ever fly fish in saltwater it would be for weakfish, they are pretty much saltwater trout that look like rainbows, really pretty fish. We would catch them chumming with grass shrimp. Light saltwater tackle with really long and light leaders, floating out grass shrimp on small hooks, maybe a tiny splitshot to get it down a few feet. I swear they are freshwater trout cause they spook really easily. I've seen guys killing them at the Barnegat Lighthouse flyfishing.

I know you don't take fish but here's a few. Unfortunately they loose all their color once you keep them.


View attachment 1032374

As long as you eat them. I just oppose killing anything on a wasteful basis although I realize invasive species have to be controlled.

 

[njdevils1982]

Haha I know you're teasing, I just wanted to emphasize what he's doing, it's awesome and I love it. However it's better and less crazy than making a skin suit.

i've never had the desire to make a skin suit nor play a flesh flute

 

[JK3]

As long as you eat them. I just oppose killing anything on a wasteful basis although I realize invasive species have to be controlled.

Oh for sure, yes I eat them and tons of other family and friends do too. Fish, crabs, clams, oysters etc. It's all enjoyed by them for sure and nothing goes to waste, I take it very seriously. You might think I'm crazy but I say a little prayer and am thankful for every animal I keep, it's just a show of gratitude.

NJ has very strict regs on what you can and cannot keep regarding size, species and time of year, I vehemently adhere to that stuff. Jim will tell you individual fisherman are the biggest stewards of the environment and the continuing of others to enjoy this stuff. Weather it be a beach clean ups, picking up more trash than you bring on a trip or even all the fees in various licenses go a long way.

 

[JimEIV]

i've never had the desire to make a skin suit nor play a flesh flute

You a regular Dr. Seuss

Jam my ham I am.

 

[My3Sons]

Oh for sure, yes I eat them and tons of other family and friends do too. Fish, crabs, clams, oysters etc. It's all enjoyed by them for sure and nothing goes to waste, I take it very seriously. You might think I'm crazy but I say a little prayer and am thankful for every animal I keep, it's just a show of gratitude.

NJ has very strict regs on what you can and cannot keep regarding size, species and time of year, I vehemently adhere to that stuff. Jim will tell you individual fisherman are the biggest stewards of the environment and the continuing of others to enjoy this stuff. Weather it be a beach clean ups, picking up more trash than you bring on a trip or even all the fees in various licenses go a long way.

Me thinking you are crazy has nothing to do with you praying

 

[njdevils1982]

sweet cage for free...going to flip onto side and use it to stack firewood...the plastic has already been 'sawzalled' and put in the recycles bin

 

[My3Sons]

sweet cage for free...going to flip onto side and use it to stack firewood...the plastic has already been 'sawzalled' and put in the recycles bin

View attachment 1032414

If I can get my wife’s sister shipped to you can you lock her in the cage?

 

[njdevils1982]

Oh for sure, yes I eat them and tons of other family and friends do too. Fish, crabs, clams, oysters etc. It's all enjoyed by them for sure and nothing goes to waste, I take it very seriously. You might think I'm crazy but I say a little prayer and am thankful for every animal I keep, it's just a show of gratitude.

NJ has very strict regs on what you can and cannot keep regarding size, species and time of year, I vehemently adhere to that stuff. Jim will tell you individual fisherman are the biggest stewards of the environment and the continuing of others to enjoy this stuff. Weather it be a beach clean ups, picking up more trash than you bring on a trip or even all the fees in various licenses go a long way.

very nice upright bass intro....

 

[njdevils1982]

If I can get my wife’s sister shipped to you can you lock her in the cage?

for you it's pro bono

 

[JimEIV]

Oh cool thanks, I'm going to watch this tonight. I fish LBI mostly, I probably ran into him or one of his buddies for sure. I can't believe he has a bunker fly holy crap.

If I would ever fly fish in saltwater it would be for weakfish, they are pretty much saltwater trout that look like rainbows, really pretty fish. We would catch them chumming with grass shrimp. Light saltwater tackle with really long and light leaders, floating out grass shrimp on small hooks, maybe a tiny splitshot to get it down a few feet. I swear they are freshwater trout cause they spook really easily. I've seen guys killing them at the Barnegat Lighthouse flyfishing.

I know you don't take fish but here's a few. Unfortunately they loose all their color once you keep them.


View attachment 1032374

You probably definitely saw him on LBI for sure.
His Bunker flies an insane. They're 9/10 inches long.

Crazy.

He calls them Beast Fleyes

 

[JK3]

You probably definitely saw him on LBI for sure.
His Bunker flies an insane. They're 9/10 inches long.

View attachment 1032422
Crazy.

He calls them Beast Fleyes

That's thing is nuts, the color and tail is perfect. I wonder what it looks like in the water. I guess you fish it like a popper or a plug and just keep chucking it out there.

 

[The 29th Pick]

Just tell us you are clinically insane without telling us you are clinically insane

 

[JimEIV]

That's thing is nuts, the color and tail is perfect. I wonder what it looks like in the water. I guess you fish it like a popper or a plug and just keep chucking it out there.

Cast out and strip it in. Most bait fish flies are fished the same way.

There is a fly called a gurgler that works just like popper

Then there is Popovic's "Bob's Banger" which is an actual popper

Bob is probably most famous for his Surf Candy though.

I don't know much about striper fishing I have only done it a couple of times but I do know a lot about the flies.

 

[JK3]

Cast out and strip it in. Most bait fish flies are fished the same way.

There is a fly called a gurgler that works just like popper

View attachment 1032436

Then there is Popovic's "Bob's Banger" which is an actual popper

View attachment 1032437

Bob is probably most famous for his Surf Candy though.

View attachment 1032440

I don't know much about striper fishing I have only done it a couple of times but I do know a lot about the flies.

Those are sweet. Yeah other than all sorts of live and cut bait, a lot of guys have great success just throwing plugs/poppers and just jigging them in. Mostly all top water, those would be a blast with a fly rod.

 

[njdevils1982]

missed opportunity to use the dot in the i to show where this hole is ... but it's near charlotte as is

 

[TheUnseenHand]

I've got a few fishing rod builds in the queue for some folks. Looks like I'm going to have to start charging a bit more :/

I got several long winded emails from the company I buy rod blanks from about how they are fully American made and how I would avoid tariff prices by continuing to source from them. Then they raised their prices anyway Actually, let me rephrase that: They have not offered any kind of sale prices I've noticed in some time. I'm not certain they raised their prices, but they stopped offering any discounts or deals.

 

[thebeernerd]

I've got a few fishing rod builds in the queue for some folks. Looks like I'm going to have to start charging a bit more :/

I got several long winded emails from the company I buy rod blanks from about how they are fully American made and how I would avoid tariff prices by continuing to source from them. Then they raised their prices anyway Actually, let me rephrase that: They have not offered any kind of sale prices I've noticed in some time. I'm not certain they raised their prices, but they stopped offering any discounts or deals.

Here's a helpful tip: if the company doesn't have a tariff fee at checkout, they're raising prices because they want to. As of now, the only place I've seen doing that is a bamboo clothes company my wife keeps buying from (against my better wishes, although she's been more restrained of late).

Every price shock in the last five years, shockingly, has not resulted in companies walking them back when the crisis is over. Those exorbitant fees for online delivery apps during COVID? Still there. The supply chain crisis raising prices all across the board? Why, lowering them after it's passed is just neglected profit. Do you really think that we're going to get a dozen eggs for $3 again once the bird flu goes away? Hell no! We don't live by the law of supply and demand anymore, we're under the Cult of Line, and the golden rule of that is "line must go up."

 

[JimEIV]

I've got a few fishing rod builds in the queue for some folks. Looks like I'm going to have to start charging a bit more :/

I got several long winded emails from the company I buy rod blanks from about how they are fully American made and how I would avoid tariff prices by continuing to source from them. Then they raised their prices anyway Actually, let me rephrase that: They have not offered any kind of sale prices I've noticed in some time. I'm not certain they raised their prices, but they stopped offering any discounts or deals.

Archery companies are going crazy with their prices especially on accessories. They are trying to blame tariffs, only problem is that I've watch the same Chinese sourced stuff go up about 10% every year for the last 10 years.

I bet the blank companies are full of it too. I don't think their inventory turns over fast enough for tariffs to have effected prices in a month ...The high quality carbon and resins used to make carbon shafts have been the same technology for the last few years too. I'd bet the blanks you buy today were made last year at least, probably a lot longer ago.

I remember when I used to work in the bait shop we used to go to Garcia in Fairfield NJ and Newark Sinker in Wayne to pick up inventory for our shop....they both were on RT 46. Newark Sinker had racks and racks of rod blanks. The couple of rods I made for myself I hand selected the Fenwick HMG blanks, those things were sitting on that rack for least a couple of years based on the dust

 

[TheUnseenHand]

Archery companies are going crazy with their prices especially on accessories. They are trying to blame tariffs, only problem is that I've watch the same Chinese sourced stuff go up about 10% every year for the last 10 years.

I bet the blank companies are full of it too. I don't think their inventory turns over fast enough for tariffs to have effected prices in a month ...The high quality carbon and resins used to make carbon shafts have been the same technology for the last few years too. I'd bet the blanks you buy today were made last year at least, probably a lot longer ago.

I remember when I used to work in the bait shop we used to go to Garcia in Fairfield NJ and Newark Sinker in Wayne to pick up inventory for our shop....they both were on RT 46. Newark Sinker had racks and racks of rod blanks. The couple of rods I made for myself I hand selected the Fenwick HMG blanks, those things were sitting on that rack for least a couple of years based on the dust

Oh I know it. I work in manufacturing. I know the game. I just hate that this thing I do for fun and literally only charge people the price of the components for is going to turn into something that might be out of reach for them. Hell, maybe for me too. It really makes it difficult to want to support American businesses.

 

[JimEIV]

Oh I know it. I work in manufacturing. I know the game. I just hate that this thing I do for fun and literally only charge people the price of the components for is going to turn into something that might be out of reach for them. Hell, maybe for me too. It really makes it difficult to want to support American businesses.

I have no allegiance to American companies "just because" they are American.

Some definitely deserve that consideration though: Small craftsmen like traditional bow and wooden arrow makers are definitely worth every penny...some leather workers that make quivers, arm guards and accessories I love to support.

Some fly reel companies are pretty awesome too. Nautilus, Hatch, Galvan and Lamson come to mind. All machined in the US.

My favorite fly tying vise Renzetti is made in Florida. Their quality is just unbelievable.

Easton Arrows is another. Easton does a lot of things now but they started as a wood arrow company that figured out aluminum was a viable arrow material. All their arrows shafts, now mostly carbon are made in Utah.

Most of these things have cheaper alternatives but there is a significant quality difference and I'm always happy to pay a premium for quality....but when companies are just putting their branding on the inferior quality stuff but want to charge the same as the small craftsmen or the the American machined fly reel I get super offended.

 

[JimEIV]

The worst is the trust fund kid who got a bunch of millions from daddy and sources a fly reel from China for dirt cheap and then puts on a blitz marketing campaign and get all his friends in the industry to hype it up...

$450

$89.99

I'd bet lots of money both of these reels come from the same Chinese factory.