The other day decided to demo casting a quality fly line using a bamboo stake pole normally used for gardeners to support tomato plants.
This round, fished a local pond and caught a fish or two using the bamboo stake pole as a fly rod, weight forward floating 6 weight fly line, and a Near Deere fishing fly.
Fun stuff!
Number 19 in the “Little Red Book of Fly Fishing” podcast series where I review fly fishing tips in parallel to the current Winter Trout Stocking Season in our area.
This week it’s tips 82 through 87!
Tip 82: That Vision Thing
Tip 83: Timing the Rise
Tip 84: Be a Sneak
Tip 85: Off Broadway
Tip 86: Downstream and Dirty
Tip 87: How Dry am I?
Do check back on our next episode in the series where we discuss tips 88 – 93.
Tip 88: Getting to the Bottom of Things
Tip 89: Time on Water Equals Fish, Part 1
Tip 90: Time on Water Equals Fish, Part 2
Tip 91: Switch Bugs on an Obvious Refusal
Tip 92: One at a Time
Tip 93: Stack Mending for Drifts
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
Book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QczofU
That time of year when fishing questions start coming in. This one relates to getting started in fly fishing – specifically, our thoughts on budgeting for a fly rod/reel combo.
In this video, the introduction has a past video playing in the background… yours truly is casting a OPST Commando Head and no rod or reel at the local pond. It’s a quality line that makes for some nice casting especially when our back cast is clobbered.
Then, I describe a fly line that I will demo casting using a bamboo stake like the ones used to support tomato plants in a garden.
If a quality fly line can be cast using a stiff bamboo stake, then a good fly rod should easily cast the same fly line.
PS: Our suggestion has remained constant over the years… in general, we like to first purchase a quality fly line, then will buy the fly rod, and then either buy the reel last or repurpose one we already have.
That is, unless we are planning to use the new fly rod/reel combo for larger fish that require a good drag for fighting on the reel, then we will buy the reel before the rod or repurpose a rod we already have.
Planned to fish Bait Finesse System with the Kastking Zephyr Reel, but it Bass were not cooperating. Switched to the Micro Fly Rod and mounted the Echo Ion 2/3wt Fly Reel in short order. No worries managed a couple of Bass to keep from striking out!
Fishing updates and related activities from the Team! Fished the local pond for Bass. Decided on fly fishing gear instead of BFS.
Recalled past trips where I fished the flats at Bethany, no luck there and lost my foam spider. Luckily, did remember a Near Deere worked well on Bass in the Main pond.
Tied on a Rubber Legged Near Deere and caught several Bass, most were larger than the Bass caught earlier in the week!
Longer than normal video to answer the mail concerning more information related to the Micro Fly Rods we have been using, their fly reels and lines used. Do check it out; got lots of info to step through!
Out and about yesterday trying for Bass using the Cedar Plank Lure. Temps still too cool for a consistent top water bite. But, all was well BFS fishing a Rapala Husky Jerk for little bass! Key retrieve was to use a jerky action and pause waiting for strikes on the pause or shortly after resuming the retrieve again!
YouTube Shorts video of a quick trip to the local pond testing the DIY Cedar Popper made using cedar fence planking. Quick build and a quick paint job for a quick trip to test the popper. Had one Bass take the lure, but missed the hookset. Do check back as we try to catch a fish with this BFS lure – weighs 1/10oz!
Fishing updates and related activities from the Team! Back out to the local pond for more BFS fishing with the DIY Dual BFS Micro Fly Rod. This time, we opt for the Kastking Zephyr BFS reel. Do have the Echo Ion 2/3wt and fishing flies handy in case we want to switch to Micro Fly Fishing!
First trip using the DIY Dual BFS and Micro Fly Rod as a micro flyrod, fishing for Bluegill at a local pond. After a slow start was able to catch a few fish using a Near Deere. Used a strike indicator at first, and then removed it once I noticed the fish were chasing the fishing fly.
The Echo Ion 2/3wt fly reel with 2wt WF fly line worked well. Able to cast for distance as needed and maintain control. Do have to wait on the backcast as the rod has a slow action.
Also, had to use the left hand to increase line speed much like I do with other micro fly rods.
Overall, liking the DIY Dual BFS and Micro Fly Rod. Plan to keep the Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel and the Echo Ion 2/3wt in my fishing jacket for these local ponds. Can switch from BFS to Micro Fly Fishing and back again in short order!
PS: Slowed the video at several points to demo how I watch the line to set the hook when not using a strike indicator.
Fun time at TRWD Flyfest yesterday, saw some nice trout caught, and met a few viewers of our YouTube Channel. This video talks about the area fished during the contest!
Back to the local pond for bass fishing using the DIY BFS aka dual micro flyrod and Kastking Zephyr BFS reel. After a slow start caught several Bass as well as lost a few while reeling them in.
Impromptu test of the dual DIY BFS Rod and Micro Fly Rod… mounted an Echo Ion 2/3wt fly reel with 2wt WF fly line and did a lawn test. Looks like the dual rod can cast a fishing fly no problem!
Video that demos the DIY BFS rod worked in catching bass at the local pond. Mounted the Kastking Zephyr BFS reel on a rod I made using an ice fishing rod blank, rod handle, and fly rod guides.
In short order, it can do double duty as a Micro Fly Rod, too. Makes for a versatile setup when fishing in the warmer months to come!
Three Bass caught and released this round!
umber 18 in the “Little Red Book of Fly Fishing” podcast series where I review fly fishing tips in parallel to the current Winter Trout Stocking Season in our area.
This week it’s tips 76 through 81!
Tip 76: A Cure for Nymphing Neurosis
Tip 77: Staying Humble
Tip 78: Sunny Side Down
Tip 79: Look Beyond Your Indicator
Tip 80: The Down-Current Hook-Set
Tip 81: Where the Trout Are
Do check back on our next episode in the series where we discuss tips 82 – 87.
Tip 82: That Vision Thing
Tip 83: Timing the Rise
Tip 84: Be a Sneak
Tip 85: Off Broadway
Tip 86: Downstream and Dirty
Tip 87: How Dry am I?
Good Luck and Good Fishing!
More BFS fishing with the Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel zip-tied to the Orvis Practicaster Fly Rod. Caught one Bass today had other strikes but ended up losing the suspending minnow to a snag.
Had to make the emergency run to Cabelas to stock up on ultralight lures. Picked up several lures but none matched the minnow we lost. If someone recognizes the lure, let us know in the comments. Will plan to buy more; really like it.
It’s two inches long, weighs 1/16oz, and suspends. It has a blue back, white undersides, with a trace of chartreuse on the side, and a prominent black dot on each side!
Fun stuff!
Rain delay has us sidetracked but was able to make it Saturday afternoon for a round of Texas Rainbow Trout fishing BFS Fishing style – Bait Finesse Systems fishing, at Frisco Commons Pond.
Went with ultralight gear that included the Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel, Berkley Lightning Rod, and 1/16oz Roostertails! Trout were active and did manage to catch three trout for dinner.
Reel is casting nicely plus keeping only 100 feet of line on the reel helps with clearing backlashes as yours truly re-educates his thumb to baitcasting again!
Trout were active and did manage to catch three trout for dinner.
Fun stuff!
Another YouTube Shorts video… this one shows the two piece micro fly rod handling a nice catfish! See article on how to make one… Modifying an Ultralight Rod for Micro Fishing: https://skyaboveus.com/fishing/MicroFlyRod
Fishing with the Kastking Zephyr BFS style… casting a 1/16oz Roostertail with ease once I figured out the issue. Had missed a rod guide, so would get a backlash after setting the brakes and spool tension.
Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel delivered yesterday. Was able to take it fishing to the local pond. After a few tweaks was able to cast a 1/16 oz Rooster Tail without issue, even caught a little Bass. Here’s to more fish caught using this BFS reel. More to come from an Average Joe’s perspective on BFS fishing!
PS: In keeping with our “Learn to fish by our trials and errors” motto, here are thoughts for this round.
LEARN BY OUR TRIALS AND ERRORS
THOUGHTS
Gotta keep fishing more but first impression from an Average Joe…
