<h1> No fish were caught in the writing of this post </h1>

Well I guess I should add to the title of this post - "not yet hopefully."

I'd like to take a little bit and tell you about something I've been doing recently regarding "fishing tactics or techniques." As I mentioned in my "2016 Year in Review" post, I've been spending some time at the bench trying to learn how to "tie flies." My setup is very crude in the fact that I am using a utility clamp and ring stand from my classroom. I don't have a bobbin or a "whip finishing" tool. But I think my creations, as I like to call them "Mr. Ugly Flies," are at least functional. I know that they work as I have caught fish on them. So let's talk about my latest project.

A couple of weeks, maybe even a month by now, ago I was paddling back to the launch on Lake Lariat. As I came across the main portion I spotted something sparkling in a tree limb, just above the waterline. I headed that way to find a "Booyah" spinnerbait minus the plastic skirt or any other trailer. I brought it home and placed it on my fishing bench. Monday night, when I couldn't get to sleep, I headed down to the bench and took a little sandpaper to the hook itself to remove most of the rust. After that I grabbed some thread, I'll remind you I'm a beginner and haven't gone out and bought expensive supplies yet, and I laid down a base trying to raise up the area just behind the head. I continued the thread base back until the point of the hook began to be a problem.

Now as mentioned in the "year in review" post, I still had a little bit of buck tail given to me by a student. (And I've got a story about that for later.*) I figure most bait fish have a light colored underbelly; so I used the last bit of the white tail for the underside of the spinnerbait. Now I'll admit that I may have used too much thread on making sure the buck tail stayed in place. But as I've mentioned I'm a beginner.




After I had the buck tail in place I cut a couple of pieces of "Flashabou" from the package and added them. I tried to fold them over so that I'd have two strands on each side. Once again it was difficult to work with them as I was also trying to keep the wraps tight and other material from getting in the way.

The "Flashabou" is a silver tinsel type of material so I hope attracts some attention. It's hard to see in the photo but again I hope it helps.



At that point I turned over the bait, remind you a spinnerbait, so that I could add some chartreuse "unique hair." I cut some off of the stock and did my best to tie it in so it covered most of my thread on the later half of the hook.

I cut it so that the ends of the chartreuse and the white match. But I may go back later to try and add a little shape by curving the white to the chartreuse.

Not having true "head cement" I used a touch pick to apply a couple of small drops of Super Glue. And I left it there to dry. I'm not sure when I might use it for the first time. In fact I'd love to see it in action under the water. But I'll keep everyone posted on how well it works. Until then... Tight Lines!

* As a footnote, or the story I mentioned: As a teacher I have spoken to multiple students who I know are "outdoorsmen" shall I say. I have mentioned that I would be willing to pay them a nominal fee if they brought me the tail of a deer that they harvested this season. Unfortunately they have either forgotten or haven't taken any deer. One day a former student who I know well walked by and asked if another student had brought one by recently. My answer was "Not yet, and I need some tail." Now I'm a 48 year old man working in a public high school. That wasn't the best expression to come out at that time, especially in the middle of the hallway. Fortunately, or at least I think fortunately, no one else heard it. Or at least I can say I don't think they heard because I still have my job. Enjoy your time on the water everyone...