Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Message from Angling On The Fly...


Happy Holidays and Best Wishes in 2009!


Thank you to all of our subscribers, visitors, and customers for staying tuned into our blog during the past year. In 2009, we will continue to provide you with useful information, on-location reports, and other current news and events. We wish you all the best in 2009 and may your lines stay tight! Fish On!

Best Wishes,
Keith Kaneko

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

HOT FLY! Bill's Baby Bass

HOT FLY for Lake El Salto Largemouth Bass (photo by Bill Carnazzo)

Earlier this month, we had a group of 8 fly anglers return from renowned Anglers Inn at Lake El Salto in Sinaloa, Mexico. The group was hosted by Bill Carnazzo, master fly tyer and fly fishing guide. During this trip, Bill had incredible success with a baby bass pattern he devised for this fishery and its trophy Largemouth Bass that prowl the depths. Bill says that the best retrieve with this fly is a strip-strip-pause sequence, with the bass often inhaling the fly on the drop during the pause. He was fishing the Rio Outbound Short with clear intermediate tip and says that the contrast of the clear intermediate transition to the belly (white color) is the best "indicator" for the subtle grabs. Bill reported that often he never felt the grab, but intently watched the line transition for the soft grab by BIG Bass! Read below for tying recipe and instructions for this highly effective fly.

Recipe for Bill’s Baby Bass

Materials
  • Hook: Tiemco 800S or similar type, size 1/0 or 2/0
  • Thread: White 6/0 Uni-thread or similar type, and then flat waxed white nylon for the head of the fly
  • Belly: Pearl Radfloss or similar 3/8” wide mylar ribbon wrapped around shank
  • Under-wing: White Superhair or similar product
  • Over-wing: Blue-green Superhair or similar product
  • Interior flash: Krystal Flash UV pearl color
  • Side Flash: Gold Flashabou (fine)
  • Topping: Mixture of fine black crystal hair and Krystal Flash UV Herring Back color
  • Throat: Red antron yarn
  • Eyes: Silver 3/8” 3-D molded eyes
  • Head: White flat waxed nylon thread covered with epoxy
Tying Instructions
  1. Cover the hook shank with the 6/0 thread from the hook eye to the back end of the barb, leaving the thread behind the eye. At that point tie in an 8” piece of Radfloss or similar 3/8” wide mylar ribbon. Wrap the thread over it to the back end of the barb, and return the thread to the hook eye.
  2. Wrap the Radfloss forward to a point about 3/8” behind the eye; wrap it rearward in wide wraps, then forward again to achieve a cigar shaped taper. Tie it off and again move the thread to the eye.
  3. Turn the fly over and tie in a throat of red antron yarn. It should extend rearward only to the point of the hook.
  4. Return the fly to the upright position and tie in a bunch of Superhair equal to about two pencils width. Begin tying it in just behind the eye, and rearward to that same 3/8” point (where the Radfloss ends). Make sure it is tied in directly on top of the shank, and make adjustments as needed to achieve this goal. Place a tiny drop of superglue on the top of the thread winds.
  5. Tie in about 12 strands of pearl UV Krystal Flash at the same point by doubling the material around the thread. This will make the interior of the fly come alive. Wrap it down to the rear of the head area.
  6. Tie in a bunch of blue-green Superhair (same size bunch as white) in the same manner as the white Superhair was tied in.
  7. Tie in about 12 strands of gold Flashabou in the same manner as the interior flash, except pull ½ of the material down onto either side of the fly. This will form the side flash.
  8. Tie in about 12 strands of the UV Herring color Krystal Flash. This time tie it down in the middle of the bunch, allowing the front half of the bunch to stick out over the hook eye, with the rear half extending back over the top of the fly.
  9. Using the same method, tie in a similar bunch of fine black Crystal Flash. Be sure to wrap it down all the way to the back of the eye.
  10. Whip finish the 6/0 thread and then tie on the flat waxed nylon thread, wrapping a nice even head. Leave the thread at the rear of the head area.
  11. Take the UV Krystal Flash and the black Crystal Flash that are sticking out over the eye, and pull them tightly rearward. They will mix but that is a good result. Tie them down with a few wraps at the rear of the head and whip finish there. This forms a “stripe” over the top of the head. Place a tiny drop of superglue on top of the head.
  12. After allowing the superglue time to dry, place the eyes evenly onto the sides of the head.
  13. Coat the head with a nice coat of epoxy, extending it rearward about 1/8” beyond the end of the head. Place the fly on a rotating dryer and leave it there until the epoxy is firmly set (the setting time will vary with the type of epoxy used).
Tying Tips
  1. If you want to add a weed guard, tie in 30 or 40# Hard mason onto the hook bend before step 2, and finish the weed guard by tying it in just behind the eye, before step 13.
  2. After the fly is complete and the epoxy is dried, taper the fly by barbering the rear ends of the Superhair material.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Article: Western Yucatan Tarpon by Ken Hanley

(click image above for complete article)

Here is an informative online article on World Wide Fishing Guide about Isla del Sabalo written by Ken Hanley of Pacific Extremes. This article provides a nice summary of the fishing experience while at Isla del Sabalo. Enjoy!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Great News from Nicholas Dean Lodge!

Nicholas Dean Lodge is now offering first class dining and accommodations...

For the past years, Angling On The Fly has been sending many anglers to Nicholas Dean Lodge for British Columbia's renowned Steelhead and Salmon fishing. They have always provided a first rate fishing program, and are now increasing their level of service by offering dining and accommodations at the beautiful Yellow Cedar Lodge on the banks of the Skeena River. Read below for a message from Nicholas Dean Lodge...

Hello Anglers,

This week we are pleased to announce some very exciting news. Actually, we're ecstatic! Beginning April 20, 2009, we will be teaming up with Alf and Simone Leslie of Yellow Cedar Lodge, to provide our guests with the very best in dining and accommodations in northwest British Columbia. Yellow Cedar Lodge is an impressive facility that is situated on the banks of the majestic Skeena River, on the outskirts of Terrace. Here, the lodge sits amidst impressive mountain views and a wilderness setting - an ideal spot for anglers to relax in comfort after a great day of fishing. The lodge itself is appropriately named given its construction of beautifully crafted yellow cedar posts and beams, which give it a unique character and class of its own.

The lodge features a large dining area and adjoining bar, a mixture of private single and double beds with en suite washrooms, a bar/games room, lounge, gym with cardio equipment and weights, a sauna, hot tub and a large covered porch overlooking the river. Dining is a major highlight at Yellow Cedar Lodge, as Alf is a master Red Seal Chef who goes to great length in providing gourmet, home cooked meals. Using the freshest ingredients, Alf makes home made breads and desserts, and prepares sumptuous meals including wild Salmon and Halibut from the Pacific Ocean, only a short distance away.

Tight lines and screaming reels to all...

Chad Black
Operations Manager
Nicholas Dean Lodge

Thursday, December 11, 2008

2009 Hosted Travel Offerings

(click on image to enlarge)

Angling On The Fly works with various fly shops throughout the nation to provide hosted destination trips. We always encourage our clients to support their local fly shop by joining hosted trips when offered. Above, I have listed hosted travel options offered by Kiene's Fly Shop in Sacramento, CA. Have a look and please contact us for information and bookings. Fish On!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Bass-n-Fly Challenge - Fly Fishing Tournament

Angling On The Fly is a big supporter and member of team Bass-n-Fly. With the mission of heightening the interest and excitement of fly fishing for bass, Bass-n-Fly is announcing their 2nd annual Bass-n-Fly Challenge on the California Delta. This exciting event will be held on May 15, 2009 and is open to the public. Please join us for an exciting and fun event! CLICK HERE for entry details.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

2009 Hosted Trips for Mexico Trophy Bass!


Angling On The Fly has secured 2 prime weeks at Anglers Inn for next season. These weeks are scheduled during the prime topwater season at both Lake El Salto and Lake Mateos. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in joining us on one of these trophy bass adventures! Trip details are as follows:

Lake Mateos Trip
December 7 - 12, 2009
Group Leader: Keith Kaneko
Package: 5 nights / 4 days fishing package (dbl. occup.)
Rate: $2,065 USD per angler (from Mazatlan)

El Salto Trip
December 12 - 17, 2009
Group Leaders: Jim Christensen and Terry Thomas
Package: 5 nights / 4 days fishing package (dbl. occup.)
Rate: $2,015 USD per angler (from Mazatlan)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Angling Moment: Yucatan Tarpon

Yucatan Resident Tarpon

I was browsing through my image archives and I came across this one taken a few years ago. I have resurrected this image to post on this blog, since it is one of my favorite. Holding this gorgeous resident Tarpon is Marco Ruz, owner of Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventures. This remarkable fish was landed in the Los Petenes Biosphere Preserve, somewhere between Isla del Sabalo and Campeche.

Tarpon of this size on an 8 or 9 weight fly rod is pure heaven. All floating line presentations with light flies are what this spectacular pursuit is all about. It is a personal favorite of mine... Fish On!