Fishing with Your Own Flies

[millsboy79]

I recently started fly fishing and tying flies. This was actually my first "set" of flies I had tied during night shifts at work.

I have to say some turned out better than others.

Today I decided to head down to the river and test my luck. I was determined to only use flies I tied myself.

My first hook set turned out to be the largest white fish I have ever caught!




After her release, a few more fish landed and then a tangle bad enough to cut and retie I decided to switch it up and try some other flies to see how they faired.

I couldn't find the small package I put them in. Apparently it fell into the river while I was casting, and floated away before I noticed, so a week worth of work and I didn't even get to test them to see if they were worth replacing.

If you ask the people on the forum that know me. A fishing trip is never complete unless I sacrifice something to the fishing gods.

Forget my rod, loss of expensive lures or apparently a full package of hand tied flies. At least the gods must be appeased because my hook sets are improving and my double haul is getting more reliable.

All in all its was a great day! Hope to make it down again before the season closes.

Always torn between fly rod or fall pike. Will see which one wins next time.

[Flieguy]

Congratulations!

Originally Posted by millsboy79

Always torn between fly rod or fall pike. Will see which one wins next time.

Why not combine them? Pike are a LOT of fun on a 7-9wt with some great big streamers. easy to tie

[millsboy79]

Originally Posted by Flieguy

Congratulations!




Why not combine them? Pike are a LOT of fun on a 7-9wt with some great big streamers. easy to tie

I only have one fly rod and it's not "pike" worthy ... that white fish almost bent it in half lol.

[fishinhogdaddy]

Good for you for the experience of tying and catching. I find it very satisfying myself.
FHD

[Myles]

There is one problem with using your own flies ... you won't want to use store bought ones EVER again. But maybe that's a good thing!

[lds]

Originally Posted by millsboy79

I only have one fly rod and it's not "pike" worthy ... that white fish almost bent it in half lol.

I caught lots of pike on my 5wt before I got my 8wt. Not sure what you have but you would be amazed at what those little rods can do.

[Stryker2]

WTG!! I started tying flies before I learned how to fly fish, I broke my knee and couldn't do much so as a hobby I taught myself how to tie flies, then when I was able to walk again someone taught me how to cast a fly rod and the rest is history!
I've never used a store bought fly and in 2 years I've caught a lot of trout! To me there is nothing as satisfying as catching a nice fish with your own flies!! Keep up the fly tying, I loved your post! Cheers!

[Bubba2u]

You don't need a 7 or 8 wt for the fight of a pike, it's more for the ability to cast monster flies. I've used my 5wt with 6wt line to cast decent sized flies. Never an issue fighting them. I have a smooth drag set light though.

[Deadl1fta]

catching fish on your own fly is the best!

[millsboy79]

Lost all my first batch of flies when fishing last time.

Here are a couple pics of my most recent attempts.

[millsboy79]

Sorry for the poor photos.

[KWDK]

Those are some decent looking ties. Definitely going to catch some fish!

[Pikebreath]

Well done, the hardest part of fly tying for many is learning proportions. You have already got that down pat. Those will most definitely catch fish!!!