Bass bug

[Darian]

Hey Mike,.... I've been thinking about the Rabbit strip tail on your Tap's variation.... It looks great.

I'm curious, tho. Won't the fly float vertically when the tail becomes saturated If my thought is correct, the fly probably won't "pop" when strip retrieving.

Also, by adding rubber legs, isn't the bug heavier. Seems like that construction is better suited for a diver.

[Richard]

I appreciate the comments on my bugs, but I will admit that they are intended to catch fish, not anglers, as you would see if you saw them up close. I have a stacked hair bug that KD gave me that is so beautiful I can't bring myself to fish with it. I sure don't have the same feeling with the ones I tie.

I have two primary reasons for spending so much time packing them tightly. One is that they float better for a longer period of time and the second is that they hold up better to catching fish. Assuming that I catch any fish on any given day. I have found that a diver that works for one fish will work for others even though it stops being "pretty". As long as it holds its basic shape and stays on top it will catch fish. Didn't say that I could catch fish only that the bug can.

I am looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it to Bethel Island on the 22nd and seeing your art work in action.

[Flyjunkie]

Here's the Big Muddlers :

The Heads are Tightly Packed, There is no additional weight applied to the Hook..they do float in the surface nicely... But I Only fish them on Shooting Head Lines... get a seductive Diving action going that way...

And Here's a five pound(Or better) Bass from Westlake that found such Big Muddlers too damn Tasty....


Have Fun at Bethel Island....

DEAN....

[Darian]

Hey Dean,.... At's a nice Bass!!!! Never even thought to fish a muddler as floater/diver in still water. Keep the info flowing.

[Flyjunkie]

DARIAN,

A better explanation of the "Sinking Line, Floating Fly" method is this:

I fish a 250 grain Streamer express integrated Shooting head on my 7wt. rod.. a Leader of 6 feet tapered to 8lb. test is used.. The Fly is either a Muddler Minnow or a Marabou Muddler (in white, Olive or Chartreuse) I tye these with Big, Bulbous Heads and trim them "in the Round", not the "Sculpin Profile" I use on the same patterns for Trout. I want these Monsters to float or bob back up following a short strip. I pitch back into the shoreline, around the Various Docks that Line the Lake (Any Structure would be applicable) I let the line sink to the Bottom, the Muddler will set in the surface film, with it's "tail end" down in the water. a Strip of the line, up to a foot, is then imparted.. the Shooting Head will pull the Muddler downwards- the Bulbous Head causes the Muddler to wiggle on the strip. After the strip is completed, allow time for the Muddler to wiggle back up as the Deerhair head causes the fly to bob up towards the surface. Watch Your Line during this assent Often this when the Bass will slide up on the Muddler and oh soo gently Suck it in You usually feel no "Take" only suddenly notice there is resistance on your Line.. I side arm strike set when i notice Any Resistance at this time.. usually it will be a Bass on your Line...
The Advantage of the Bulbous head on the Muddlers is that the head will feel natural and the bass will hold it longer, allowing you to notice the take.. Often I feel the resistance when I begin the Next strip... the Bass has held onto the Muddler that long...

Here's another Bass caught the same day as the previous one.. it's "abit" smaller, Note the Marabou Muddler in it's Mouth???


I've also used Dahlberg divers with this same method of fishing them.. the Dahlbergs are great because you get alot more Wiggle during the strip and on the Drift.. often it's what is needed...

The Great thing about this "Sinking Line/Floating Fly" method is that the fly can actually be fished over Weeds and rarely hang up...

Give this Method a Try, I Know it will Produce for you...

DEAN......

[Darian]

Dean,.... Actually, I've used a variation of your method, myself. Always with a Dahlberg Diver, tho. I use an intermediate or slow sinking integrated head. haven't tried a super fast sinking head, yet. Good method

[Flyjunkie]

Dean,.... Actually, I've used a variation of your method, myself. Always with a Dahlberg Diver, tho. I use an intermediate or slow sinking integrated head. haven't tried a super fast sinking head, yet. Good method

DARIAN,

You can vary what the Grain weight of the Integrated shooting head line.. it happens that the Sage RPLXi 7wt. in the two pictures was being fished with a 250 grain... But I've been know to fish a 225 or a 300 grain on the same rod...
The Advantages of the Integrated shooting heads are that if you can cast far enough, you can actually fish from the edge all the way out to drop offs..and even down the drop off face...
I like your use of Intermediate or Slow sinks.. in shallow Environments (With no steep drop offs) they would prove the better choice... But if you want that Muddler/Dahlberg Diver to Really Dive down, the Heaver Grained Lines would prove the better choice...

Another excuse to buy a spare spool and some more flyline....


DEAN......

[Darian]

Amen!!!!!

[Chris V]

Great looking fly's guys!

I've been tying divers (though not dozens) and gurglers (with the same type of weedguard as yours, Richard) for the upcoming delta trip. Maybe I'll try a few Muddler Minnows or a Marabou Muddlers- they certainly look like they produce! NICE FISH