BigFoamy
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Posts posted by BigFoamy
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Oh man thats so messy. Then when you see the guy in the second video, its not a surprise...
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40 minutes ago, Bron said:
Ya I’ve tied some tan and some green caddis soft hackles and also some that are a soft hackle version of a sparkle pupa. I love the idea of sparkle pupa and they usually clean up, but I hate how fragile they are. Handful of fish and the body fibers start to tear out.
Try tying up some Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles with a red thread head. I posted a pick in fly tying 2018, its a deadly pattern.
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12 hours ago, Bron said:
Guess we could always piss into the wind together.
a Couple friends blasted some partridge so I’ve got it coming out the ying yang. Been making a new box and running out of ideas. Not sure how I feel about the attractor versions and was hoping someone could chime in on them for different fishing conditions.
See Leisenrings Lift. It works deadly when using a soft hackle. If you dont mind a bit of read...
Just What Is A Leisenring Lift?
James ("Big Jim") E. Leisenring of Allentown, PA, was a tool maker by trade whose expertise at fly fishing led to him becoming known as the Wet-Fly Wizard of the Brodheads. He published The Art of Tying the Wet Fly in 1941 and died ten years later. His name has endured among fly fishers because he invented the "Leisenring Lift," a technique of fishing a wet fly or nymph underwater.
I thought I understood this technique: you fished the fly in the typical manner, casting it upstream and letting it drift down as drag-free as possible. At the end of the drift, you raised your rod tip so that the nymph rose in the water column, thereby imitating a nymph swimming to the surface to metamorphose into a dun. I had tried this lift from time to time, but never had enjoyed success with it.
Earlier this spring, while reading William C. Black's engaging survey, Gentlemen Preferred Dry Flies: The Dry Fly and the Nymph, Evolution and Conflict (Univ. of New Mexico Press, 2010), I came across a quotation from Leisenring that stopped me in my tracks. What I thought I knew about the Leisenring Lift seemed to be altogether mistaken, so I decided to read what the Wizard himself had written. Leisenring's book was reprinted by Crown with additional material by Vernon ("Pete") S. Hidy in 1971 as The Art of Tying the Wet Fly & Fishing the Flymph ("Flymph" is Hidy's coinage for a nymph near the surface or in the surface film that is about to become a dun).
Leisenring describes the lift in his last chapter, "Fishing a Wet Fly". His technique is based on first spotting a trout and then casting a fly upstream some fifteen feet or more above the trout. As the fly sinks to the bottom, the angler follows it with his rod, allowing no slack but being careful not to make the fly move unnaturally.
"Now watch the fly," Leisenring instructs the reader, invoking a dramatic scene: "It is almost to him, and would only have to travel about four more feet to pass right by his nose without his looking at it unless it can be made to appear alive and escaping. At this point the progress of the rod following the fly is checked, and the pressure of the water against the stationary line and leader is slowly lifting the fly."
As the fly rises in the water current, Leisenring continues, its movement attracts the attention of the trout. As Leisenring explains, "Now the fly becomes slightly efficient or animated and deadly, and the trout notices it. The hackles or legs start to work, opening and closing, and our trout is backing downstream in order to watch the fly a little more, because he is not quite persuaded as yet. Now you can see the fly become even more deadly. As more water flows against the line, the fly rises higher off the bottom and the hackle is working in every fiber. It will jump out of the water in a minute, now, and the trout is coming for it. Bang! He's got it" (p. 123).
The Leisenring Lift, then, is not caused by the angler raising the rod tip after the wet fly or nymph has come to the end of its drift. Instead, the angler stops tracking the nymph's movement with his rod tip partway through the drift, some four feet or so upstream from a specific trout's position. Stopping the rod makes the current begin lifting the fly to the surface. From the trout's point of view, it seems to be alive and to be escaping, and so the trout goes after it.
In the next to last paragraph, Leisenring repeats that elevating his rod tip is not what makes the fly seem alive and therefore desirable to the trout: "I do not try to impart any fancy movements to my fly with my rod but simply allow the fly to advance naturally with the current over the stones and gravel until I check its progress gently by ceasing to follow it with my rod. Then the slight tension from the water pressure flowing against my leader and line causes the fly to rise slowly, opening and shutting the hackles, giving a breathing effect such as a genuine insect would have when leaving the bottom of the stream to come to the surface. The water will do all that is necessary to make a fly deadly if it is properly tied" (p. 124).
Twice, therefore, Leisenring states that checking his rod's movement causes the water current's pressure to move the fly upwards. He does not elevate his rod tip to perform the Leisenring Lift.
That much seems clear. One complicating factor is that apparently Leisenring practiced other techniques as well. Dave Hughes knew Pete Hidy, commenting in Wet Flies (Stackpole Books, 1995) that Hidy had told him that Leisenring and he had meant to write another book on fishing the wet fly. "'The Lift,' Pete said, 'was just one of many techniques that Jim used. It's too bad that today everybody believes it was the only method he used'" (p. 29).
I believe we can see another method in an account by Ed Zern. Leisenring gave Zern a demonstration of nymphing one day on the Brodheads. As Zern tells the story in The Masters on the Nymph (ed. J. Michael Migel and Leonard M. Wright, Jr.; Nick Lyons Books, 1979), he was sitting on the bank, fishless, when Leisenring appeared (pp. 257-58). Zern told him he had been reading The Art of Tying the Wet Fly and didn't understand how one could let the fly drift freely in the current and still maintain contact with it. "I'll show you," Leisenring said.
Leisenring then proceeded to stand quite close to a run and flipped the fly upstream, holding the rod tip high as the fly swept down beside him and then downstream. Zern comments that the fly traveled no more than fifteen feet. It was obvious to him that it drifted freely and Leisenring would have felt, and probably seen, any trout that touched the fly. The demonstration over, Leisenring went on downstream. Zern stepped into the river, cast as Leisenring had, held the rod tip high, and proceeded to catch one brown trout after another!
Several points seem worth noting about this episode. First, Zern did not ask Leisenring to demonstrate the Lift (perhaps because the term was as yet unknown in the early '40's?). Instead, Zern asked him how he maintained contact with the fly as it came drifting down the bottom. We can't tell from Zern's description whether Leisenring let the water current raise the fly or not. I'd say perhaps not, as the fly continued to drift downstream. He wasn't trying for a specific trout but fishing the water. So why was the rod tip high? I'd guess, and it's no more than a guess, that first Leisenring and then Zern had to hold the rod high to avoid drag from other currents, much indeed as one must when fishing a dry fly.
It's a shame Leisenring and Hidy never managed to write their book on fishing the wet fly. We have Leisenring's own words describing the Lift, and we can extrapolate from Ed Zern's account that Leisenring also fished a nymph on a short line with rod tip held high when he was fishing the water and not targeting a specific trout. What his other techniques for fishing a nymph or wet fly consisted of is a question that can't be answered.
But now I know that I was wrong about how to do the Leisenring Lift, I'm going to see what happens when I do it the right way. What worked once should work again. I'd also like to hear from anyone who has used the Lift successfully. Please comment. Stay tuned, and tight lines!-
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Looks great!!
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1 hour ago, threepwood said:
I'm guessing there aren't many of those posting on this board
regardless, theres still people here that think what they do is it and feel the need to complain about others.
I actually have a good idea of who one of my complainers is.
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1 hour ago, aaa said:
On my large 24" monitor, the waterline around the fish's mouth and head, (rest of fish submerged) and the depth of the water, are plain to see. I can even see the waterline against the rock next to it, showing the fish is resting in 8"-10" of water. Maybe viewed on a smart phone screen, these details are not as easy to see?
I am a Sumsang Rubgy flip phone guy, so I dunno.
Yeah I found it very easy to see. Mind you I was there lol so I wasn't trying, I knew there was nothing wrong.
Thats why I reposted a made a thing out of it. For these guys that complained, why? if you couldn't tell what you where looking at, why complain first? If you could tell what you where looking at, why? I guess some people really have nothing to better to do. Whats funny is not one of them has come onto this thread and openly said "I did, this is/was my reason" I personally cant believe a moderator looked at and removed it.
Its over now and Im sure the complainers that have nothing better to do, will continue to complain.
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1 hour ago, reevesr1 said:
If people only commented on things they know about or understand, 95% of the internet traffic would cease, at least the not trying to sell you something part. Take away misunderstandings and we'd be up to 99%! Ok, minus cat pictures as well.
Im okay with misunderstandings, disagreements and debate.
If you misunderstand something, seek knowledge. If you disagree, go away or a have a healthy debate. No need to be tattle tailing
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It rained the other night when I hung that fish and dragged it across the rocks after gilling it
And then this happened 
I picked up this beauty last night, thought it was nice enough for a quick pic. I hope you can see the water all around this fish, its almost completely submerged with exception the two fins sticking out. They seem to be pretty fat and healthy coming out of winter! If your eyes dont work right then please
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7 hours ago, lorney said:
Haha I wasn’t serious. I got no problems with the pic.
Its all good man. I actually laughed out loud when I read "bet that fish didn't swim straight for a week" is that a reference form the movie "The Bad Santa" by chance?
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1 hour ago, jgib01 said:
Just curious... was it missing a chunk of its gill plate, or is that an optical illusion? I didn't notice that the first time round, but thought this upon looking closely again due to the nature of this thread. Hoping our local pond gets stocked soon, as I'm itchin. What I remember thinking to myself the first time I saw the pic was that I am going to try some similar ones this year, but maybe put my rod next to the fish for perspective. Size matters, sometimes
Thats what ... said
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1 hour ago, BowLurker said:
BigFoamy, I didn't object to this photo, because you obviously know what you're doing.
It does seem, however, that the upper green fly is hooked into the fish, by the rear fin, if you look quickly. I haven't looked at the photo up close, but it kinda looks that way. *...Upon further inspection, it's clearly above the fish...*
Maybe that's why someone had a knee-jerk reaction to a fish in super-clear water. Weird.
-M.
Yeah def above the fish.
1 hour ago, jgib01 said:Just curious... was it missing a chunk of its gill plate, or is that an optical illusion? I didn't notice that the first time round, but thought this upon looking closely again due to the nature of this thread. Hoping our local pond gets stocked soon, as I'm itchin. What I remember thinking to myself the first time I saw the pic was that I am going to try some similar ones this year, but maybe put my rod next to the fish for perspective. Size matters, sometimes
I thought the gill plate was damaged as well but, it was the same on both sides.
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3 hours ago, bigbowtrout said:
The funniest part is the fish was caught in a stocked Calgary community lake. It could have been bonked and on the BBQ so who gives a flying f about the pic.
I dont care where Im fishing or for what species, I always try to be as fish friendly as possible. Thats why it bothered me that anyone complained about it in the first place.
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3 hours ago, lorney said:
I think the way you are pulling up on the line, pulling his head out of the water is kinking his neck. Bet that fish didn’t swim straight for a week.
Not pulling on it, that fish is basically flat, simply holding the line. I was pulling on it while fighting the fish after it ate the fly. Thats how you fight and land fish, you keep your line tight while stripping line/reeling it in, while the fish fights to try and get away. Fishings a bloodsport homie. How do you do it, whistle and hope it swims into your net…come on now
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4 minutes ago, 1961flyman said:
Photo looked good and respectful.
Not sure why anyone would get bent..
I haven't been here that long, but it seems like a good core of Sportsman, and a few anal dickheads..
I have always been catch and release, but also my view on fish, was that for those who like to harvest.. Okay by me as long as within the regulations.
Everybody should try to do a good job and return the fish to the water unharmed..
Keep in mind that we live in a society filled with **** ups and malcontents..
Word brother!! The only time I would have a fish on the rocks is if I was gonna bonk it!!!
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1 hour ago, TroutPanther said:
Bigfoamy - I didn’t complain, but like scel I didn’t realize the fish was in water until your repost. I almost always read the forum on my phone, where the pics are smaller. Could have been an honest mistake. Either from a millennial like me or an old dude with bad eyes. Nice fish.
Its all good brother. I don't mind the opinions of others even if they're not the same as mine.
What bothers me is the attitude one needs to assume they're the website police and have nothing better to do than really/actually complain, its pathetic
Ive been around here for awhile and do understand that this is a fairly delicate group, I wouldn't post anything that would offend anyone or warrant being removed...
except for this emoji
I think it should be removed, I don't like its technique -
For anyone that cant see or are confused. Dont automatically assume the worst or go blindly ahead guessing. You know what they say about people who assume things, it makes an ..s out of you...
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54 minutes ago, scel said:
Actually, it is not obvious that it is submerged.
My thought process was: it was banned because it is laying on bare rocks. No. Wait. I think the tail is under the water. No. Wait. The whole fish is nearly under the water. Where did BF find water so clear?
Lake water
Mckenzie Lake. Caught this fish and had one nibble. Not much was happening. May go back for awhile this evening.
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1 hour ago, Bron said:
The troll in me Has to disagree a bit.
some people post some real bs handling and shouldn’t Be proud of it nor promote
it on community forums. Plugs
need to be called out. Gently at first,
of course.
I guess some are too scared to just call out the person on the forums or forever be labelled a troll haha...so they whine privately to a moderator. Although, not sure why the mods deleted it.
I agree.
Just bothers me that on a fishing website, someone took the time out of their day to complain about my photo and the mods thought they needed to delete because of the OPINION of a couple people. There was absolutely nothing wrong with that photo or how that catch and release was handled other than the fish was caught in the first place. Which Im assuming the person/persons that complained do themselves.
The questions needs to be asked, will the admins delete all posts that they get complaints about? Or only the ones they get from say particular members?
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Helpful Hint For The Day:
If you don't like the content of a post, ignore it or go away completely. We're all adults here (to a point) , complaining to the Admins is the equivalent of a 5 year old telling their mom on someone.
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7 hours ago, reevesr1 said:
Clear water is confusing?
So is knee jerk complaining
I would suggest that if one doesnt know what they're looking at, maybe inquire some info, or ignore it or just plain go away. I would appreciate a heads up or a question or some sort of reason. We've been around here for a long time and know the ins and outs of this forum. I wouldn't post anything wrong or with intent to piss anyone off…anymore
Does this mean that I can have any post removed that I don't like, because of my opinion?
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7 minutes ago, jksnijders said:
The sarcasm is heavy on this site....... just a heads up.
Sarcasm is good, helps to keep things lite! Unfortunately theres always a tightass or two that dont have any.
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8 minutes ago, Bron said:
Lol I’m just kidding.
Some putz probably thought it wasn’t in the water. Probably the best pic of a fish posted here for a long time.
Apparently there was "several" complaints. You can clearly see that this fish is nearly fully submerged. Only the left side of its head is out of the water, the right side and gills are still making contact with the water and the entire body is fully submerged. Ive got the line in my hand as I was bringing the fish in ad the fly is still in its top lip (perfect hook set) Ive posted many pics exactly like this one before.
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43 minutes ago, Jayhad said:
I complained.
Why, because rainbows suck and you should be embarrassed and shamed into only posting pictures of Germans and Scots
I'll do better next time
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5 minutes ago, Bron said:
Cultural appropriation
Can you explain that me please.
Alaska: Aniak River Lodge
in Photo Posts
Posted
Awesome photos. Looks and sounds like it was the perfect trip!!