Spending over 40 years in the jewelry business, I appreciate quality, fine workmanship, attention to details and a superb finish. Evidently, St. Croix has that same appreciation because the Legend Tournament Bass exhibit all those attributes. Plus, they are made right here in the good ole’ USA. YES!

St. Croix Rods, founded in 1948, is headquartered in Park Falls, Wisconsin. All their premium quality rods are made in Park Falls while their mid-priced series rods are manufactured in a state of the arts factory in Mexico. However, even the mid-priced rods are stilled designed and engineered in Park Falls.

St. Croix re-engineered their Legend Tournament (LT) rod series for 2012 so I had to get my hands on one to see how it could have been improved. I compared my 2011 model to the new 2012 model.”

Read the entire detailed review I wrote on Barry’s Bass Fishing website www.barrysbassfishing >>>

Oftentimes it’s persistence that pays off. I just spent a couple days by myself fishing Choke Canyon Lake, near Three Rivers, TX. The lake is several feet low and still dropping. The weather was very hot and dry, almost no wind, clear blue skies, and the fishing solunar tables showed it to be a couple of the worst days to fish in September.

With all those negative factors, not to mention, water temperature at 88 degrees and much of the grass dried up on the bank, fishing was tough. However, it’s days like this that really test one’s true grit.

Probably the hardest for me, and maybe most, is staying focused when sweat is pouring down my face, staying hydrated is next to impossible, and bites are sparse. The natural thing is to rely on the same techniques and locations that worked in the past. Most anglers begin doubting their abilities, get frustrated, start making excuses, and loss focus, yet they still proceed in the same manner. Or, they give up and go home.

I challenge each of you to use these tough fishing days as opportunities to learn and become better anglers. I know it’s hard! I guide for a living and I never want to have those days with clients, but it happens. Should I just give up or use those experiences to learn and teach others? I choose the later.

On my first day at Choke Canyon, the fishing was tough most of the day, except from about 4 PM until dark. The wind came up suddenly and the bass turned on. I fished one island on the windy point and side and caught over 20 bass. But, they were all small. However, I had managed to scrap out a nice size limit of keeper bass durning the tough time of the day. At the boat ramp, a man approached me, as usual, and asked about my day. In our conversation, he lamented that they hired a guide and they never caught a fish. He, obviously, asked what I had done differently. Then he told me that they fished the banks all day and never tried anything different. So why had I managed to catch some good size bass along with many little ones and they did not catch a thing? I don’t know because I was not with them, but I will share my thoughts, game plan and what I did to catch fish under such tough fishing conditions.

First, understanding that bass are coldblooded and must eat more often when the weather is hot, helped me to develop an overall strategy before ever hitting the water. Because the water level had dropped a lot, I studied my topographical map before going. That’s kind of normal for me when I plan to fish by myself. I am always looking for some new spots and when the lakes are low, there is no better time to scout. I had determined to concentrate on main lake points from about mid lake toward the dam, underwater humps and roadbeds in the same area.

I started shallow, up to 10 feet, for about one and a half hours with only one three pounder on Bomber’s Black Pearl Model A 8’ to10’ crankbait. I was using crankbaits as a searching tool so I could cover lots of water in a short time. Plus, in the summertime, bass will hit a faster moving bait before hitting a slow worm. The one bass came off the side of a shallow, gravel laden point with no deep water near by. That puzzled me. I kept moving from point to point trying numerous techniques, with little success.

So I moved to a deep water point with significant drop off, from 15 to 30 feet, at about 9 AM. Immediately, I hooked up on a couple, seemly big fish, but lost them both. One hit a Texas rig and the other on a Carolina rig. I was using Yum’s Margi Gras 6” Dinger on the Texas rig and an Owner’s Watermelon with Black Flake 4.3 “ Yuki Bug on the Carolina rig. I fished that point for another 20 minutes without a bite.

I then decided to move into a main lake pocket that had some grass on the flat and dropped off quickly forming two points and water depth of 25‘ on the middle of the pocket. Using a Texas rig an a Zoom 6” Watermelon Seed Lizard, I picked up three bass at the grass edge, two were keepers. I moved out and followed one point into the main lake and picked up another three pounder on the same Bomber Model A. I also hung a Gaspergou (freshwater drum) on the same bait that must have weighed 15 pounds or better. The last time I saw the fish it was headed west before pulling loose.

What had I allowed these fish to teach me? They wanted action, proximity to deeper water and grass, if possible. I did not fish the Texas and Carolina rigs in the usual manner. Instead, I swam the baits for a few feet, followed by a quick jerk and then an immediate pause for several seconds. The bass did not just pick it up, they attacked it.

On the crankbait, I dug the ground up out to the break and contacted everything I could to stimulate strikes. After contacting brush or weeds, I paused and then walked the bait for a few feet before speeding up again.

Again, I moved. This time to an island point that formed a saddle and then a hump. The top of the hump was 16’ with 30’ plus water on three sides and a 23’ saddle. The water was a little clearer so I began with a drop shot and Owner’s 3.3” Yuki Bug in Cinnamon with Blue Flake. I used the drop shot like a Carolina rig which produced a couple quick bites and bass close to the top of the hump, and one better fish just at the break.

I switched to a Carolina with a bigger Yuki Bug and caught several better bass on the breaks. Then the wind decided to blow rather hard so I just moved towards the windy point and along the windy side throwing and swimming Texas rig with the Zoom Lizard through the edge of the grass. I caught small bass until I got tired and called it a day.

Now, did I try other baits and techniques that day? You bet! Top waters, jerk baits, several cranks, wacky worms, shaky heads, swim baits, and buzz baits. I tried them fast, slow and everything in between and only caught a couple bass on the wacky worm style. The main point is that I did not just fish one way, I offered a selection in various
ways and patiently waited for the bass to tell me what, how and where they wanted to bite THAT day.

Day two was very much a mirror image, weather wise, as the first. I decided to pull out the fly rod, since the water was calm. Within 5 minutes, I boated one about 5 pounds on a tan colored diving Dalhberg along the side of a grass laden point. I had a few other takes, but could not get another stuck.

The sun rose and the bites stopped. I moved off the point and began with a Luhr-Jensen Tennessee Shad Hot Lips Express 18’-24’. I was fishing along breaks and over deeper water. The first several fish were hybrid strippers so I moved to a main lake point and fished parallel to the drop off.

A few minutes later I boated a big bass on the Hot Lips Express. About that time a boat was flying by so I flagged him down to see if he had scales, as mine were not working. The bass weighed 10 1/2 pounds and was released for another day. The other boater and I fished that area for another 30 minutes without another fish and we both left.

I decided to fish a few spots on the other end of the lake so I made the long run and fished several points without any action. I spotted some grass farther back down the point so I moved into shallower water and started throwing the Carolina with the 5.3’ Yuki Bug. I would just reach the edge of the exposed grass and quickly swim, jerk and pause the rig.

To my surprise, in that hot murky water, I picked up another bass about 5 pounds and a couple other keeps. After several more minutes, I left looking for other similar areas. I fished four or five similar spots and only caught a couple smaller bass.

I moved back to main lake points with my Hot Lips Express and began digging up the ground but did not put another in the boat. I switch to drop shot, used like a Carolina, with the 3.3” Yuki Bug. I hooked a big fish but my knot ( Albright knot tying the braided line to the fluorocarbon line) came lose, my bad. I know the bass was big because it came up trying to throw the bait. I boated a couple more small fish and then decide to get off the water and head home.

Now, I ask you, what made the difference between me and the other guide? Was it my superior skills? Very doubtful! Was it the water we fished? I doubt that, as well, because bass were caught is all depths. Or, was it the fact that I was not set on one kind of fishing and allowed the bass to tell me what, how and where there wanted to eat, instead of me forcing my way on them. I believe the later.

The next time you plan to go fishing, think about the season, weather, water level, habitat and habits. Don’t go fishing with your mind made up how the fish will bite that day or the next. On those tough days, be open minded, focused, and stay positive. You just might learn a lot about bass fishing and catching!

Barry Dodd

Fishing Days iPhone & iPad app

Fishing can be a way to leave technology behind and get back to nature.  However, there are some easy to use applications for the iPhone and the iPad that provide a lot of great resources for your fishing trip.

A recent review of Fishing Days, Solunar, and iSolunar:

These mobile applications help to determine the relative activity level of wildlife for any specific location and date around the world. That means no more paper tables with complicated recalculations for different locations and dates. The question is, are these applications ready for prime time?

To test it out, I downloaded three such apps to my iPhone 4, iPad 2 and iMac. I worked with these application simultaneously on my Apple devices and testing their usefulness, intuitiveness, reliability of data, and helpfulness.

Read the full article and review >>

My mind continued to wander as I linked that transformation thought to Christ’s purpose. God sent his only Son to earth in a miraculous manner to live, die and return to Him in a miraculous way; with a deliberate plan to miraculously forgive our sin continuously when we deliberately choose to trust and obey Him.

Suddenly, a snapping twig interrupted my thoughts. As I quickly turned my head to investigate, a frightened deer, not more than five steps away, broke with a jolting lunge and ran to distanced himself. I tried to count his points but the sheer beauty of the snow exploding each time antlers entangled branches, distracted my efforts. When this obvious fracture of serenity awakened the red squirrels, they engaged themselves in excited chatter within the snow covered trees.

The morning’s observations were tranquil and inspiring, but then I noticed the time which caused me concern. Where was the man who had booked the guided fishing trip? He was more than an hour late and I was sure hoping he had not encountered road closures or worse. Although I was dressed for the occasion, my hands and feet needed some warming stimulation.

With a noticeable amount of concerted effort, I extend my rigid extremities, stood and stretched. I stared at the kayaks tied to a tree on the riverbank and the layer of snow covering the gear. I began to remember the man’s conversation when he booked the trip. He stated that he would have his busiest and toughest work day of the year the day before the trip. But, he told me he’d be there as close to time as possible and not give up becasue he needed a day to relax and unwind. So I continued to wait.

The sun was well above the horizon, the falling snow had ceased and the sun’s warmth was very welcome. Hearing a strange noise, I witnessed a flying object coming out of nowhere descend and land in the snow covered meadow, not more than twenty yards from where I was standing. Then a rather large figure stood, grabbed his fishing gear and started walking toward me. I was stunned. The older gentleman was bearded and dressed in rather unusual attire for a fishing trip, yet walked towards me with a joyful step and upright demeanor. Finally, we met, face to face. He extended his hand for a firm handshake and said, “Please forgive me for being so late. It’s taking me longer each year to deliver presents to boys and girls all around the globe. Let’s go fishing! Ho. Ho. Ho.”

I wish to all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Barry Dodd

Thanks to companies understanding our needs and modern technology, such tools are available on-line. Scientific Anglers has developed multiple ways of quickly narrowing the selections. They include selecting by:

• Water type: blue water, saltwater, freshwater or tropics
• Price: under $100 or over $100
• Rod weight: 2wt to 15 wt
• Sink rate: 1 to 6
• Tinsel: 15 lbs to 60 lbs
• Featured technology: AST, Sharkskin, Dry Tip, etc.
• Primary use: bass, billfish, bonefish, carp, pan fish, redfish, striper, trout, etc.
• Taper profiles: DT, WF

Then you can pick two or more lines to compare. The comparison tool shows all the specifics for each line selected. I just don’t know how much simpler the process can be than what Scientific Anglers has done. Their website and location for this information is: http://buy.scientificanglers.com/lines/fly-lines.html .

The following Scientific Anglers chart illustrates the information on a single line. When multiple lines are selected, each line is compared side by side using the same format for each.

Until next time, take a youngster fishing.

There are some differences in fly line cores but coatings make the most significant differences in modern fly lines. The coating is responsible for taper, weight, slickness, texture and durability. The core is a level line made with braided nylon, extruded monofilament, or braided monofilament to which the coating is applied. Most manufacturers use Polyvinylchloride (PVC) as their base. Yes, this is the same stuff used to make PVC pipes. The other coatings are made with either Polyurethane or Polyethylene.

Coating Process
Let’s look at the process most manufacturers use. A batter-like slurry is made using powered PVC, micro size hollow glass balls (floating) or metal dust (sinking), plasticizers, and other chemicals. This mixture is applied to the line in varying thicknesses to create the tapers needed for each specific line.

Flexibility vs Durability
The flexibility and durability is determined by the plasticizers and chemicals combinations. Cold, heat, fresh or salt water, specific application, and so forth, must be considered in the formulation. Too much plasticizer will cause the line to be more flexible but less durable and the opposite is true.

Slickness
Now, add to flexibility and durability the issue of slickness. If too much plasticizer is added, the line becomes too soft, even tacky. The tackiness reduces slickness plus foreign particles tend to stick to the lines surface which also affects slickness. Some companies apply chemical solution topcoats to their lines to create a very hard, slick and durable finish. While others companies adjust the entire formula to create the optimum blend for each specific application.

Texturing
Fairly new to fly line development includes texturing fly lines. The principle is that adding groves in the coating will minimize surface friction because there will be less surface touching the rod’s eyes. So if one has a slick finish with less surface touching, then the line necessarily will be even easier to cast due to less friction.

Now, this is my advice. Don’t worry about all this stuff. Let the manufacturing companies do that. Buying quality fly lines from Rio, Airflow, Cortland or Scientific Anglers will serve you well. I use Scientific Anglers Mastery Series lines and believe they just may be the best. That’s my opinion.

The next article begins a look at fly rods. Until then, take a youngster fishing.

Most game fish do not spent their entire life at one specific water column; bottom, suspended or top. Rather, they move up and down for food, comfort or other reasons. Therefore, to consistently catch fish the angler must adjust fishing depths for different circumstances. This applies to fly fishing just as much as it does to conventional fishing. To accomplish this, companies make different density lines.

In all, there are five different styles of floating and sinking lines. Listed below are the styles and uses.

Floating:
Like it says, the entire line floats. These lines are, by far, the most popular and easiest to use. Floating line is always used for dry fly fishing. It is also a favorite for fishing with poppers, bass bugs, wet flies, streamers and nymphs. Generally speaking, you will use floating lines far more than any other. I strongly recommend that one learns how to fly cast and fish using floating line before experimenting with the other types.

Partially Sinking:
Sinking-Tip: This line is a combination of floating and sinking, just like the name implies. The first several feet (up to 30 feet) will sink fairly fast while the remainder floats. Anglers using streamers and nymphs often find great value using this line. For our Texas Hill Country rivers and streams, weighting the leader or tippet on a floating line works better.

Fully Sinking:

• Intermediate Sinking: These lines sink slowly and are ideally suited for fishing over submerged weeds or suspended fish. It allows for a very subtle way of presenting a fly slowly sinking below the surface. For example; when bass are in submerged weeds, tie on a floating bass bug and cast over the weeds. The line will sink to the top of the weeds and the fly will float above the weeds. Hang on!
• Sinking: These lines sink at a predetermined sink rate. The sink rate is expressed in terms of inches per second. The sink rate varies from 2 to 10 inches per second. These lines are usually used in saltwater applications or suspended fish. The keys are knowing how deep to fish, the sink rate of the line, and counting the seconds needed to reach that depth after the cast.
• Fast Sinking: These lines get to the bottom in a hurry and are used for bottom feeding fish and saltwater fishing. One thing to remember, salt water is more dense than freshwater so it takes a denser line to sink at the same rate in saltwater than it does in freshwater.

There is no one fly line that will be perfect for all applications. Likewise, there is no single best way of fishing. Consistently catching fish is an art developed more by mistakes and lessons learned than by academic studies. Until next time, take a youngster fishing.

What is meant by fly line taper?
Conventional fishing line is uniform in thickness for the entire length. Science and experience has proven that fly lines perform better when the line is not a uniform thickness or weight for the entire length. Therefore, companies have developed many different fly lines that change diameter and weight at specific locations along the line. This is called taper.

What is the purpose of fly line tapers?
Remember, conventional fishing lines are relatively weightless in comparison to the object being cast. Fly lines are relatively heavy in comparison to the fly, so it’s the fly line, not the fly being cast. The fly only tags along until it rolls over at the end of the cast. For the fly to roll over correctly, fly lines are specifically tapered to account for such factors as:

• Fly size and bulk
• Wind conditions and the fly’s wind resistance
• Line friction and surface tension
• Water density – freshwater or saltwater
• Fishing technique – fishing on top of or below the surface

How does one decide which taper is best?
There are four basic taper groups but you only need to be concerned with the two most important groups for angling. The four taper groups are:

• Level or Level Taper– designated as “L” or “LT”. This line is not tapered at all and you will probably never even need it.
• Shooting Taper – designated as “ST”. This taper’s main use if for long distance casting competition so it’s another one you might never use.
• Double Taper – designated as “DT”. This line is tapered at both ends and thicker in the middle. The line is perfectly balanced from the middle to both ends. As tapering lines developed, DT lost much of its popularity to more highly sophisticated specific tapers. DT is used mostly for dry fly trout fishing because of the lighter tip and ease of gently placing the fly on the water with little disturbance.
• Weight Forward – designated as “WF”. This is the most popular taper group. This taper group is used for big game salt water fishing down to perch fishing. I believe every fly line manufacturer has a complete line of specifically designed WF lines for whatever technique or environment you might fish.

The next few articles will cover floating verses sinking fly lines, importance of coating technology and what is the best way to buy fly line. Until then, take a youngster fishing.

But a line made of one material could weigh as much as 25% more than another produced from a different material, even though they both had the same designation. The problem was further intensified with the entry of sinking lines. A sinking line was obviously much heavier than a floating line with the identical diameters. Finally, it became apparent that the diameter is of secondary importance to the weight of the line, which loads the fly rod.

Understanding the importance of maintaining weight consistencies over measured diameter, the 1959 convention of the American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association’s (now American Sportfishing Association –ASA) Line Division collectively decided it was absolutely necessary to devise industry standards for fly lines to bring order to a chaotic situation. A committee consisting of Art Agnew, Sunset Line Co.; Jack Daugherty of Gladding; Bob Crandall of Ashaway, George Clement of Newton Line Co – and J. Leon Chandler from Cortland Line Co was entrusted with the assignment.

Although not an official member of the committee, a key role was played by the late Myron Gregory, a tournament caster of note with the Golden Gate Casting Club of San Francisco. The members of the committee worked together for months to formalize the AFTMA Fly Line Standards. The AFTMA Fly Line Standards are based on the grain weight of the first 30 feet of line regardless of material density or taper configuration.

Copied from  - http://www.iflyshop.com/Cortlandline-anatomy.htm

The information presented in this article contains excerpts from J. Leon Chandler’s writing “Evolution of the Modern Fly Line”. Mr. Chandler was the recipient of the prestigious 2000 National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Enshrinement Award.
My next article will delve into fly line design and their uses. Until then, take a youngster fishing!

Website: teachemtofish.net Email: barry@teachemtofish.net Cell: 210-771-0123