How many fly fishermen on here.

[deer farmer]

I have been into the fly for the past 10 yrs. Fishing fresh and salt. Made Alaska salmon run on the fly this past summer. I am always ready for a little fly fishing.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by docmay

I have a sage 1 weight I bought years ago. Caught a 20 in cutthroat in the Valle Vidal with it. That was awesome. Caught some big rainbows in a spring creek in Montana on it. That one weight makes a 6 in fish feel really good!

20" cut in the Valle Vidal is a heck of a trophy. Rio Costilla?

[docmay]

Originally Posted by Shane

20" cut in the Valle Vidal is a heck of a trophy. Rio Costilla?

Yes, rio Costilla. Pretty sure it was a snake river cutt that came from the lake on vermejo. Looked different than the ro grande cutts that are native. He ate a blonde wulff in a beautiful little run. Should have heard me yelling to my buddy so we could get a pic. That was years ago and I have no idea where that photo is. I am a cutthroat nut.

[Shane]

I've caught a lot of cutthroat in Latir, but they're not anywhere near 20" there. Fun little creek to fish though. Costilla used to be a lot better 20 years ago. There was hardly ever anybody else there, and they didn't jack with the flows out of the lake so much like they do now.

[mrbman]

I started in 1985. Mostly creeks and stock tanks until 2002. Fished Alaska a couple times, silvers, pinks and dollies. Grayling were fun too. Best time was being with my daughter when she caught her first cutthroat on a dry fly in a little creek in the Tetons after she finished a summer internship at the park. For me fly fishing adds a lot of spice to the sport. Fly-tying adds another dimension to the art similar to hand-loading for me. Great thread!

[chrisgunguy]

Originally Posted by austinRecurve

Is that Brushy Creek?

Yep. Was a bit slow.

[TimH]

My wife told me the other day she has always wanted to learn how to fly fish.

What's a reasonable amount of money to spend to get two people setup with rods and reels?

[Terrychester]

I am looking for a buddy to fish with to help me get more proficient. But yes I flyfish or at least attempt it.

[npe001]

I do some fly fishing. Don't have many pictures. Most were from when I was younger and I just threw them in the cooler. I use to catch some decent trout and redfish when I was younger and the family still had a house on the coast. Starting to get back into it. These were before I had any decent set ups to fish with.

[ghenson82]

I'm not very good at it, but it gets me to the mountains.

[CTR0022]

todays outing

Chain Pickerel are the only Esox sub species found in Texas. The fish can be found naturally in the Cypress River drainage of Texas and popular lakes including Pat Mayse, Caddo, Lake O’ the Pines and Dangerfield. During the Texas winter, when very few warmwater species are in shallow water, the chain pickerel can be found cruising the quiet backwaters.

The largest chain pickerel on record was caught in Homerville, Georgia in 1961. It was 29.5 inches long, with a weight of 9 pounds 6 ounces. Although the national record is over nine pounds, the Texas state record is 4.75 pounds (23.75 inches). Like its close relatives, northern pike and muskellunge, the chain pickerel is equipped with a large mouth, well adapted for piscivory. The lower jaw, which extends further forward than the upper jaw, is equipped with four sensory pores on the underside. The dorsal and **** fins are set well back on the body. There is a distinctive pattern of interlocking dark bands on the back and sides that is reminiscent of a chain-link fence. During their first year they may reach 12-14 inches in length. Growth slows somewhat during the second year when they may attain lengths of 1.5 feet. In Texas they typically reach sizes of 3-4 pounds and about 2 feet in length.

Leaving Dallas at 6am for the 2 hour drive to Daingerfield State Park I was greeted with air temps in the mid 30s and light rain. It felt more like a morning to be heading out to hunt ducks instead of fishing. The predicted high for the day wasn't much more than the current temperature. I was a little hesitant about how the fishing would be, I was afraid the cold rain/weather may have dropped the water temps to fast and the fish would have lock jaw.

Lake Daingerfield is relatively small and is perfect for kayaks and small watercraft's. The park has a 5mph speed limit if you do decide to put a gas powered boat in the lake. The state recently put $5 million into this park renovating cabins, swim beach and nature trails. There is a $4 per person entry fee to enter the park and the cabin rates and availability can be found on the Daingerfield State Park website.

Once arriving at the parks' boat ramp; getting the kayak unloaded and getting my rods rigged up I was ready to hit the water. The lake is surrounded by 50-60' tall pine trees making this lake beautiful. With light winds out of the North-North/East I made a short paddle to a protective cove full of lily pads. Chain pickerel and weeds go together. Masters of the art of ambush, pickerel lie in or just above aquatic vegetation such as milfoil, cabbage, and lily pads, often facing outward toward open water, watching for unsuspecting prey. I started tossing a deer head zonker fly around the floating lily pads and submerged vegetation. It wasn't long before a fish quickly swirled and engulfed the fly. As you can see from the picture below there is flash hanging out of the gills along with fur and hair all wrapped up around the fishes jaws.


Continue Reading Here

[540 MM]

Started fly fishing while vacationing with parents in Colorado, then went to school in Wyoming and fly fished all over the territory. Came home and have been saltwater fly fishing ever since. I go most every weekend if the sun is bright/clear and fish exclusively out of my airboat. Landed 14 large reds two weekends ago and saw close to 200 fish. With the airboat I can get to where they are. Robert.

[ajcarricktx]

Awesome I didn't know there were any members of the pike family here in Texas. I grew up on Lake Superior so poke and muskey were some of my favorite fish to catch.

[lovemylegacy]

Originally Posted by CTR0022

All I do is Flyfish; got a lame blog about it to http://2flyfish4.blogspot.com/

how many of yall are in the Dallas area?

I meant to say something the other night, but that is an awesome website you got there, I put it on my screensaver several weeks back. Yall need to check it out.

[dustoffer]

Originally Posted by WBT

Absolutely. I grew up fly-fishing spring creeks and tailwaters in Missouri.

WBT--where in Missouri? I'm originally from Poplar Bluff down in SE corner and fished a bunch of creeks, ponds (tanks to Texans), lakes and rivers.

I fish local places where I have access, and will get started again in another month--had a pic of a 5+ bass I caught on the fly rod couple of years ago but can't find it now

[CTR0022]

Originally Posted by lovemylegacy

I meant to say something the other night, but that is an awesome website you got there, I put it on my screensaver several weeks back. Yall need to check it out.

Thanks man

[cmh2007]

Yo...I will fly fish anywhere there is water. I also build them for a little extra side money. In fact I'm going to be building one in a couple weeks when I get home. I'll post pictures as I go.


Forgot to post pictures of my state record snook and some others










If you want to see my rod building look me up on Facebook under rods by chris

[gdawg]

A really nice Dolly Varden from recent September trip to Kenai Peninsula AK

[Anvilheadtexas]

Awesome pics.... I have been a fly fisherman my entire life.

[CTR0022]

Originally Posted by cmh2007

Yo...I will fly fish anywhere there is water. I also build them for a little extra side money. In fact I'm going to be building one in a couple weeks when I get home. I'll post pictures as I go.


Forgot to post pictures of my state record snook and some others










If you want to see my rod building look me up on Facebook under rods by chris

Awesome fish Chris! Texas snook on on my list this year, Gunna try to spend a week down in Port Isabel in September or October. Any tips you mind sharing?

[lovemylegacy]

This thread needs a shot in the arm,,,ttt

[CTR0022]

there was a very similar thread a few months back. unfortunately it died out pretty quick.

[CTR0022]

ttt

so where is everyone located?

[cmh2007]

I'm in Houston. Sometime later this month I'll put up pix of my next two builds

[MeanGreen1]

Burleson, near Fort Worth.

[quarterback]

I'm just a little east of Dallas. Besides fishing Colorado and Wyoming in the summer, we like to fish the rivers in southeastern Oklahoma for smallmouth, largemouth and goggle eyes with the fly rod out of canoes. We've had some epic fishing trips.

Terrychester (or anyone) you're welcome to come with us. We usually go in late April and again in mid May.

[thegrouse]

I fly fish from time to time. Mostly Arkansas and the Rockies. I do not do much close to home

[lovemylegacy]

Just bought a TFO PHW and an OKUMA Arbor reel, looking for flyline right now. What do yall use for backing. I was thinking about using some type of Braid. What say yall?

[Limbwalker]

Lots of great "hero" pics here. Could make a weak man jealous. LOL!

Here are my "trophy" pics from Monday. Weather was beautiful and I bought my youngest daughter her first pair of waders and spent the day teaching her to fly fish.

She loved it, and I can't remember being more proud. One of my best days fishing, ever.

[cmh2007]

Dacron braid is best with a weight forward line, I recommend a Rio red fish

[lovemylegacy]

Originally Posted by cmh2007

Dacron braid is best with a weight forward line, I recommend a Rio red fish

Thanx.

[lovemylegacy]

Got my TFO PHW 8wt 9footer today. Looking for flyline now. Getting good recommendations on here. Getting close to using it.

[SwampRabbit]

Missed this one; glad it was bumped.

I started fly fishing this past year. Here's a thread on the ongoing adventure of what I called "trad fishing."

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.co...d.php?t=465591

[Red Wing R/C]

Using a Fly rod takes practice. Lots of combo`s. Line, rod weights, tippets, terminal tackle. Different ball game from spinning, bait casting. Once you`ve conquered the "art" of properly getting all phases to work together, It is very rewarding.

Lots of fun going after Little guys (Blue Gill and the like. )

[DTala]

for you snook lovers....42# from the St Lucie River Fl on an eight weight...thats me with the snook/Florida Sportsman Magazine

[BowDude]

count me in! I started fly fishing last summer. agree with the analogy of the "bow hunting of fishing"

[El General]

Originally Posted by Shane

20" cut in the Valle Vidal is a heck of a trophy. Rio Costilla?

20" cut is a trophy everyhwere.

[Hector7]

Just started last year also. Love it so far. A lot of great pics on here.

[lovemylegacy]

I flyfished for years, been out of for a few...hope its like riding a bike.

[CTR0022]

Originally Posted by lovemylegacy

Just bought a TFO PHW and an OKUMA Arbor reel, looking for flyline right now. What do yall use for backing. I was thinking about using some type of Braid. What say yall?

Braid is good. Use some 50lb or 60lb power pro and you'll never have to worry about it breaking or deteriorating. The color will bleed into your fly line some but its not a big deal.

[huntinfool]

So many of these fly fishing threads, I can't remember which ones I've posted to.

I'm a hard core bowhunter and fisherman. I started fly fishing in about 2000. No clue where all my pics wound up, but here are a couple I have on my phone.

[Limbwalker]

Awesome Damian!

CTR0022, great write-up on a cool, but little-known Texas game fish. I caught a TON of chain pickerel when I was a teen living in Massachusetts. We wore them out on all the small ponds and lakes in central NE. They are a great sport fish, but don't let those teeth get you. Worst throbbing thumb I've ever had was after a chain pickerel bit down on my thumb while I was trying to remove a hook. I still remember how that felt!

But yea, what a great fish. Very cool.

[Speedgoat]

I have caught every freshwater fish you can catch in Texas on a fly. I have dabbled at tying my own as well

[lovemylegacy]

Originally Posted by Speedgoat

I have caught every freshwater fish you can catch in Texas on a fly. I have dabbled at tying my own as well

Catching them on your on fly is very rewarding.

[deer farmer]

just thinking out loud here, but talking about the chain pic I am thinking I am going to have to target the Texas Grennel on a fly. That has to be a good fight and easy to find them on Caddo when they spawn. Haha new fly fishing for Grennels

[Hawkpuppy 1]

Reading through this thread makes me want to go to either the coast, or Colorado! Been buggy-whippin' since I was about 10-12 years old. Love to do it almost over any other kind of fishing. Fish mainly in Colorado with it but also her in Texas more and more every year for bass, whites, hybrids.... Here's a few older pics.

4lb rainbow private water put and take


Big ol bluegill


S. Platte Brownie


Roaring Fork rainbow


Hooked up on the Colorado near Glenwood Springs


Roaring Fork brown


Brother in the Upper Colorado near Kremmling

[ATXBowhunter]

Grew up flyfishing in Ohio and Michigan...only done it a few times since moving to Texas but it's a great sport.

[staplehawk]

Came for the fly fishin, stayed for the deer lakes pic. I grew up fishing that same spot with my dad. We always stayed at the Texan cabins in Lake City. Fishing the waterfall there is the best.

[LonghornTX]

Originally Posted by cmh2007

Yo...I will fly fish anywhere there is water. I also build them for a little extra side money. In fact I'm going to be building one in a couple weeks when I get home. I'll post pictures as I go.


Forgot to post pictures of my state record snook and some others










If you want to see my rod building look me up on Facebook under rods by chris

Rod building? You should do a photog of a rod build and post it in the DIY section. I bet some of us would love to see it.

[txlongshot]

I love fly fishing