Tom S

Lol. That's true, I remember addressing the box to 'Loony Tuber' or something like that. Gives me great pleasure to have seen them used up and where you have gone since then. It's interesting you mention these being used on tribs. Do you tie them differently than the bugs you use while ice fishing? I would think that in the faster running water you would want to use some materials that would hold their shape a bit better, be a bit stiffer, so that the bug doesn't loose it's profile in the flow. But while ice fishing you usually aren't dealing with any or very minimal current, so using softer and more flexible materials could be used to give an appearance of the bug moving without it actually moving (if that make sense).

Are you using Silly Legs for those? Have you ever thought about trying it with something like Lady Amhurst pheasant tail? I bet that with the silly legs you would get some extra bounce if actively jigging, but with the pheasant tail you would get more subtle movement if the jig is just sitting there. Might be a cool comparison to do.

I like to break down any used reels and give them a good clean and lubrication. For grease I use Cal's Universal Reel and Drag Grease. It's available in 2 formulas, tan and purple. Tan is the general purpose one I use, purple is for small reels and cold weather use. It's fantastically smooth and not overly viscous, yet very sticky. It stays where it's put and keeps things running smoothly. Plus one of it's recommended uses is the greasing of certain drag washers in order to keep drags running smooth and to retain drag force ratings. For oil I use Super Lube oil with a needle applicator. I use it sparingly on high speed parts.

$100 free shipping is hard to beat, but it is nice to be able to browse the the packages to find what works best for your needs. Here's a couple I also like. flymart.ca -> $350 free shipping, has some good sales, really good selection of materials canadiantubeflies.net -> $50 free shipping, less selection but they have some products that are hard to find elsewhere

There used to be a flylines.ca website that sold over-run and unbranded lines for great prices. Website looks to have shut down, but I think I still have the owner's email address. Lines were around $20-$25. I can PM it over if you want to try to chase that down.

Less is more with dubbing. If you apply it to thickly it won't twist properly on the thread and won't sit nice on the fly. Try using half of what you're using right now.

I like Skip Morris' version, adds a bit of hackle to give the illusion of legs and movement. http://www.skip-morris-fly-tying.com/hackled-skip-nymph.html Those look real nice Gil. Did you use lacquered turkey feathers for the wing cases?

Not exactly a product that's going to apply to a lot of people here, but if anyone is looking to build themselves a fly rod I have started to produce acrylic inserts for fly rod reel seats. They're available through Proof Fly Fishing (https://www.proofflyfishing.com/collections/acrylic-inserts-reel-seats), and at time of ordering can be paired up with a couple options on the reel seat hardware. Each insert is turned and polished by myself, then sent to Matt who takes a photo and puts it up on the website. This allows you to see exactly what you're purchasing. Matt also has a great selection of blanks, guides, cork, thread, and any other supplies you may need to build your own fly rod. Some examples: Also, if you would like something custom turned for a different reel seat feel (fly, spin, or casting) free to reach out to me and I'll see what is possible.

Trust me, I most definitely don't have communist leanings and would put forward that communism is a terrible system that also removes purpose and motivation from people's lives. If the government is going to take care of you just the same whether you're a productive person or a lazy person, what's the point in putting in the extra effort? Might as well do the bare minimum. There's a reason you don't see innovations coming out of communist countries - it's better not to stick your neck out. Equality of outcome is not the solution - it holds back people who could do so much more. Also one of the reasons I oppose UBI. Capitalist systems (despite their flaws) are the system that allows the greatest number of people the ability to have a good life and to further themselves and their children. When asked why he chose to move to America one immigrant stated 'I want to live where the poor people are fat'.

While I would give you the point that there are likely some people predisposed to being susceptible to substance addition, that argument cannot be used to account for the massive increases in substance abuse and deaths that have been seen in middle america and are making their way into Canada. Predisposition would account for a stable or slowly increasing problem, not the explosion that is happening. I believe that purpose, or more correctly a lack of purpose, has more to do it than anything else. Since the great depression the standard of living for middle america has steadily increased with each generation. Thanks to an economy put into high gear by a war America pulled itself out of the depression and became a manufacturing powerhouse. Steel mills, the automotive industry, and white goods were strong - you could come out of high school, get a good paying job, buy a house, start a family, and do well. Later generations received more and better education and could become professionals, making their blue-collar parents proud. But then that manufacturing faded out, moved out, and died. You need a university diploma to get a job with a decent salary. A house now costs 8-10 years worth of salary, instead of 2-4. You have massive student debt to pay off before you can even think about that house. This generation in middle america is facing the reality that they may very well end up being worse off than their parents. So they're in the situation where they have no job, crippling debt, no future, and thus feel like life has no purpose. Move to the city? Heck, housing becomes ever more expensive and you will still be fighting for a job. When you feel like you have no purpose and no future it becomes very easy to turn to substances for escape, and it leads down a dark path. You're right - those who really want work will always be busy, but there's also a lot of people who will turn to substances in the meantime. I believe this also to be a big reason you're seeing the suicide rates among native communities. It's tragic what's happening, but these kids are growing up and don't see a way out. And they feel like they have two options - live their whole life like that or escape from it now. And the government can throw money at the problem all they want, but until they realize that they need to give these kids a reason to live and a future to look ahead to the tragedy will continue. But I digress. Enforcement is only one part of the solution. You can (and should) crack down on smuggling but as long as the demand and the money are there drugs will be imported. Opiates may be more deadly, but people who want to escape can and will turn to whatever means available, whether that be huffing paint or gas or aerosols or turning to meth. You need to eliminate the demand.

I think it has to do more with market forces than anything. Muskie-sized baits are a niche thing already, much smaller market than bass-sized baits. There may be a niche within the niche for super-realistic muskie baits, but it's not something a larger-scale manufacturer will pick up. More likely out of someone's garage. Also, the bass angling market is geared towards people looking for fast action, large numbers of fish. They're told they need the edge with the latest and greatest of boats, electronics, baits, and tactics. Muskie anglers tend to be the opposite - they realize they'll have a lot less fish but will patiently wait for the ones that are worth it. They could spend the whole day without a follow. That mentality is going to lend itself to throwing proven baits in situations where you know it's going to work.

Can I ask the reasoning behind the 10 coats of clear? Wouldn't it be faster and more reliable to glass and vacuum bag it? Or is it a matter of keeping things simple?

I believe you can order right off their website these days.

You come prepared. Like Mr Numbers and Mr Wrench from Fargo.

Looks like they get a bit bigger than your typical sunfish. Probably lots of fun on light tackle. https://www.bigcatchflorida.com/eligible-species/mayan-cichlid.aspx