Comments for caseysmartt.com

Comment on Nose Job: Fly Fishing for Black Drum by Finly

Finly — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:30:54 +0000

hi!!!

Comment on Tying the Chrome Minnow by Chadd

Chadd — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:28:41 +0000

Nice looking fly — great photos!

Comment on Flies by Chris

Chris — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:32:54 +0000

Please teach us how to make those killer glass minnows. I know a spot the would be deadly on Tarpon.

Comment on Spanish Macks by paul sparks

paul sparks — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:04:49 +0000

awesome pics

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by exexangler

exexangler — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:31:47 +0000

great. thank you for being so helpful. i will do the test and let you know. i am thinking it might have to do with it reacting with adhesives, particularly super glue. i used the glue to build up a pearl braid body, before coating with AFF. i’m going to test that as well. thanks again! (btw…love your posts and flies!)

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:06:23 +0000

I have not noticed any yellowing on my flies. But, I usually lose them or replace them after a few months so I suppose it is possible. It seems, though, I remember reading on Duncan Craft’s website that AFF is acid-free which would suggest it does not yellow over time. A good test would be to apply some AFF to white paper and leave it in a window for a while, then apply a new drop after a month or so and compare the opacity/color.

Casey

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by exexangler

exexangler — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:10:27 +0000

have you noticed that the AFF starts to yellow after some time? i tied a bunch of albie flies with them and i’ve noticed some yellowing (it’s been about 4 months since i’ve tied them). also, it looks like it is yellowing in the bottle as well.

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by exexangler

exexangler — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:10:28 +0000

great, thanks!

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:13:54 +0000

Thanks, glad you liked it. Yes… Those eyes have 2 beads. Also, the AFF is available in a pen which makes application easier.

Casey

Comment on Aleene’s Fabric Fusion by exexangler

exexangler — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:37:23 +0000

great article. i can’t tell from the picture, but do you have both an orange and a black bead in the eye?

Comment on The Ultimate Edge: Fly Fishing the Texas Surf by Bill Skinner

Bill Skinner — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:00:14 +0000

Thanks for the information. I’m going to the north coast of the Dominican Republic in January and will try this. Just 2 1/2 weeks.

Comment on Freedom by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:07:06 +0000

Thanks Chris!

Comment on Freedom by Christopher Streetman

Christopher Streetman — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:42:03 +0000

Great article Casey. It makes me feel like I can almost smell the coastal air with the colors and textures that you created!–I am looking forward to fishing the Padre surf soon…..You will have to come to NorCal and fish the lower Yuba River with me for rainbows,steelhead and salmon….

Comment on The Lure of Photography by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:25:37 +0000

Allen,

When I get some time I will post them. Similar to Deadhead Minnow with no skin over head and eyes glued flat to head.
Casey

Comment on The Lure of Photography by allen hulsey

allen hulsey — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:09:13 +0000

are you gona have tying info on your silky minnow? thanks. allen

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:49:53 +0000

Great!

Glad you got started on it and found a “dubbing” method that works for you. I have had very good luck on the trout using a solid chartreuse version of this pattern. They do like that chartreuse!

Regards,
Casey

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by R Romeis

R Romeis — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:35:19 +0000

thanks Casey.. I’ve been experimenting and found the Tulip’s fabric paint does work better than the Aleene’s You are right the ep does make it a little more difficult to work the paint, but it makes the “dubbing” step easier for a beginner like me. However, my version does behave nicely in the water, it does still hover nicely and fooled some east bay trout this weekend. I used Aleene’s in my first versions because I had it on hand, but I definitely like the Tulip’s better.
I’ve been tinkering with some other flies that are similar to your fly and using the paint to create a skin on the head of the fly. I’ll let you know how well they work.

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:24:06 +0000

You can do that with a decent result, but there are a couple of things to consider. First, the EP is a stiffer fiber and will not smooth down as easily as craft fur and the glue job will be a little rougher. It also has less fluid motion than craft fur. Second, it will be a more translucent fly. The Aleene’s will work fine as a coating for the head. When applied thin, it remains somewhat flexible.

Overall you will end up with a stiffer, clearer fly.

Casey

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by R Romeis

R Romeis — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:35:32 +0000

what would you think of using ep shrimp brush for the dubbing and aleenes for the skin material…

Comment on Fly Fishing Canyon Lake by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:50:28 +0000

Glad you liked the site. I am familiar with your organization through posts on the TKF website.

I have fished Canyon for many years in both skiffs and kayaks. Most of the public boat ramps and the shorelines within the different park boundaries are “kayak friendly.” The ramps are a bit steep but not that bad. Parking is generally not a problem. BUT, traffic on the lake in the warm weather months, especially on the weekends, becomes congested (along with the ramps and parks) and makes it what I would consider a sometimes not-so-safe place to paddle. You can stick to the shorelines and avoid the traffic mostly, but wakeboarders and jetskis will be buzzing everywhere. I always avoid Canyon on the weekends.

Carp can be found mostly in the backs of coves (Jacob’s Creek, Comal Creek, Potters Creek, Tom Creek) at first light during the warm weather months. They will feed on small black or dark brown-orange flies presented on or near the bottom with a slow retrieve. You’ll see them tailing and digging in the silt/gravel, but the cruisers are often easier to catch. Have had some terrific days fishing for them on the shorelines on either side of the narrow road that leads into Canyon Park on the N. side of lake. These areas are some of the few spots with gently sloping banks and soft mud/gravel bottoms the carp like.

Largemoth bass are scattered around the lake. Most of the shorelines mentioned above are good spots. Fish a sinking line and try to get deep. Some of my best catches have come in 10-15 feet of water along steep rocky shorelines. The largemouth in Canyon, for whatever reason, seem to fight disproportionately strong for their size. They are good fighters.

Good luck,
Casey

Comment on Fly Fishing Canyon Lake by R Romeis

R Romeis — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:00:31 +0000

I noticed you kayaked from a launch near the dam. Are there other kayak friendly launch spots on the lake. I’m most interested in carp and black bass on the fly rod.

Have thoroughly absorbed your website tonight and find a lot of terrific information.

I’m currently president of a kayak fishing club in Houston and we have monthly meetings with speakers. Check out packtx.org to get a feel for who we are.
Also a relatively new TFF member. I’ve heard many of those guys refer to you and that is what led me to your site.

Very informative articles and very generous of you to share your fly recipes.

Comment on The Lure of Photography by Stef

Stef — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 03:19:46 +0000

These images are beautiful – what a lovely blog post to stumble upon =)

Comment on The Lure of Photography by KatiesCameraBlog

KatiesCameraBlog — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:38:22 +0000

I adore photos of activities by those who actually do those activities–fishing/surfing, etc. There’s such an intimacy to photos. I love it! So glad you enjoy photography and enjoy learning more about it. Also having the appreciation for professional photographers also. A lot of people don’t. So i wish you lots of fun and enjoy taking photos! Great post!

Comment on The Lure of Photography by allen hulsey

allen hulsey — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:56:23 +0000

really nice pics. what pattern is the fly and do you have tying steps?
allen

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:59:02 +0000

Thanks Ted! I am glad to hear you are having good luck with this pattern. Sounds like the wool and fine flash is a good combo. Like most patterns, this one has gone through several evolutions in hooks and materials and the ideas behind it were inspired by other flies and fly tyers.

Casey

Comment on Tying the Deadhead Minnow by Ted Murphy

Ted Murphy — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:40:04 +0000

Casey,
I have been tying this fly for a while now and although I “tail” it with an icelandic sheep sandwich with core of flash it is essentially the same fly. Since your deadhead predates any other version I have seen to date I would like to commend you on an excellent pattern.
I think the sheep gives the tail section a more flexible motion and allows the flash to show through a bit better. (I also prefer wing n flash in this portion, cored and veiled)

My best color combo to date is electric chicken & reverse and while I’m throwing sweet water I expect it would also perform very well in salt. Some flies are worth the extra time it takes to tie them. This is one of them.

Good fishin’ on ya!
Ted

Comment on Tying The Meaty Minnow by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 22:05:15 +0000

Hello Allen.

Glad you liked the site. The craft fur I use is Rainy’s brand. It has long fibers and good texture. Years ago I used craft fur from Hobby Lobby, in white, brown, and black. It was OK, but the fibers were too short to make large patterns. My suggestion is to order some Rainy’s craft fur from http://www.saltwaterflies.com or another online retailer in the colors you want.

The Meaty Minnow is a terrific fly for largemouth, smallmouth, and stripers. Solid chartreuse seems to be the best overall color, with grey/white or solid tan a close second. I will try to get a tying step-by-step posted soon.

Thanks,
Casey

Comment on Tying The Meaty Minnow by allen hulsey

allen hulsey — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:46:09 +0000

awesome web site. are you gonna post tying instructions on your meaty minnow? also just wondering if i could use craft fur from hobby lobby. is it the same stuff? if it is they have three or four colors to choose from. i think its long enough and could probably die it for other colors. let me know what u think. i live in oklahoma and do mostly bass fishing. thanks alot.
allen

Comment on Spanish Macks by caseysmartt

caseysmartt — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 03:26:50 +0000

Thanks Jon!

Hope you bought several of each.

Casey

Comment on Spanish Macks by JFish

JFish — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:11:58 +0000

I found the cards at Gruene Outfitters yesterday. They turned out really well.!