Folks,
I'd like to comment that I really like this board, even more so than the new reel time configuration. I don't know if you have it, but a spell checker would be nice.
Anyway, I broke out the vise last night and started to tie up some patterns. I was spurred on by a trip to the craft store that yielded some sheets of closed cell foam and glass beads. After tying up some glass-bead caddis larvae and a couple of Chernobyl ants I was ready to tie up some saltwater patterns (the bigger patterns are easier after an extended layoff!).
I'd like to know if anyone has used the pattern featured in the most recent FlyFishermen Magazine, specifically the SW patterns by Dave Whitlock? They are tied on hooks that are bent back and resemble juvenile herring or shad, and can be modified to fish shallow or deep. I thought they looked pretty good, and was interested in opinions of people who fish them, or have used them.
In the course of tying the small caddis flies, I inserted a size 16 caddis hook in the vice and launched it across the room. My wife wasn't all that impressed with my trick shot and went looking for some safety glasses to continue watching TV with. When I went to re-insert the hook I noticed that the ends of the jaws were chipped. This has happened before with really small hooks (sz. 20-22 dry fly hooks), but never with a hook as big as this. I have read other threads regarding this problem and am considering sending the vise back for a replacement set of jaws. Have any of you had the jaws chip on your regal, and how was the manufacturer to del with?
The last question for the night is the identity of a blank on my LL Bean Quest 9wt rod. I really like the action of the rod and how the rod casts. However, I put a nick in the blank, probably with a lead-eyed clouser and don't think the rod will hold up under a good fish. I could replace the rod under the warrantey, but they indicated they no longer offer that model. The reel seat and cork grip were nothing to write home about anyway, so I'd like to look into getting the same blank and building it up with better components. It would be a great back-up/buddy rod. I know that G. Loomis manufactures a lot of blanks for companies like Cabela's, LL Bean, etc., so I suspect it maybe one of theirs - but LL Bean won't tell. Do any of you know where I could get this med-fast action burgundy-brown colored blank? I thought it might be similar to the Pac-Bay blank. Your help would be appreciated.
Thanks for the time,
Pete
I'd like to comment that I really like this board, even more so than the new reel time configuration. I don't know if you have it, but a spell checker would be nice.
Anyway, I broke out the vise last night and started to tie up some patterns. I was spurred on by a trip to the craft store that yielded some sheets of closed cell foam and glass beads. After tying up some glass-bead caddis larvae and a couple of Chernobyl ants I was ready to tie up some saltwater patterns (the bigger patterns are easier after an extended layoff!).
I'd like to know if anyone has used the pattern featured in the most recent FlyFishermen Magazine, specifically the SW patterns by Dave Whitlock? They are tied on hooks that are bent back and resemble juvenile herring or shad, and can be modified to fish shallow or deep. I thought they looked pretty good, and was interested in opinions of people who fish them, or have used them.
In the course of tying the small caddis flies, I inserted a size 16 caddis hook in the vice and launched it across the room. My wife wasn't all that impressed with my trick shot and went looking for some safety glasses to continue watching TV with. When I went to re-insert the hook I noticed that the ends of the jaws were chipped. This has happened before with really small hooks (sz. 20-22 dry fly hooks), but never with a hook as big as this. I have read other threads regarding this problem and am considering sending the vise back for a replacement set of jaws. Have any of you had the jaws chip on your regal, and how was the manufacturer to del with?
The last question for the night is the identity of a blank on my LL Bean Quest 9wt rod. I really like the action of the rod and how the rod casts. However, I put a nick in the blank, probably with a lead-eyed clouser and don't think the rod will hold up under a good fish. I could replace the rod under the warrantey, but they indicated they no longer offer that model. The reel seat and cork grip were nothing to write home about anyway, so I'd like to look into getting the same blank and building it up with better components. It would be a great back-up/buddy rod. I know that G. Loomis manufactures a lot of blanks for companies like Cabela's, LL Bean, etc., so I suspect it maybe one of theirs - but LL Bean won't tell. Do any of you know where I could get this med-fast action burgundy-brown colored blank? I thought it might be similar to the Pac-Bay blank. Your help would be appreciated.
Thanks for the time,
Pete