Slow at Smithgall

[spinboy]

Fished hard for 4-5 hours at Duke's today...6 bows, only 1 good fish about 19". I did have a monster straighten a hook (pink San Juan worm - strikingly similar to my plastics) for me though and let a couple of nice brownies get loose before the net. I'll take that every time though. I focused on section 4. I prefer that seclusion. Took the wife for her first trout fishing adventure (why I didn't stay for the whole day) and it worked out well. She actually beat me to the first fish. I told her what to do and she had set the hook before I could get my hook wet...A little 6 inch bow baby.

You fly tying enthusiasts, I need some advice. I need some better barbless hooks. I have been buying them various places online but the only ones I can find out there are Mustad and I'm not happy with their performance. Maybe I'm just being rough on them but I use minimal products when preparing lures. Does anyone have input?? Is there a better place to buy? I couldn't even find a decent pack at BPS.

Also, anybody know where to get a waterproof case for digital cameras?? I'm sick of not having mine on the stream.

Thanks all.

[Chuck Morris]

In response for your quest for barbless hooks and a waterproof camera bag.
Waterproof Camera Bag: Check out AQUAPAC they are a water proof camera bag with a clear cover that you can shoot your pictures through without removing the camera from the bag. I have no experience with these , but they may be what you are looking for. Several of us on this board have waterproof digital cameras. Mine is a Sony DSC-U60. It will even take picture underwater.
Barbless hooks: Most tiers that I know debarb their own hooks. This can be accomplished in several ways. One is to mash the barb down with pliers, hemostats or the like. Another way (the method I use) is to use a dremel type tool and a finishing stone and grind the barb off. Or you can file the barb off using a small jeweler's file. If you debarb your own hooks you will save money as readymade barbless hooks are more expensive than their barbed counterparts. Also you can debarb any hook, therefore you can get any brand, style etc. that you desire.
Hope this helps.
Chuck

[Gillseeker]

But the problem I have is that sometimes the bend is too small for the bit and I have on more than one occasion spun the hook into my finger. I have tried to find a smaller bit but so far no luck. If I buy a fly from the store already made sometimes I grind off some of the fly. If there is a better way please let me know. I always over compensate because I saw a guy get checked last year and he had to take a second mortgage on his home to pay the fine. I bet he had 30 hooks on him. He was telling the ranger that he bent the barbs back but they snagged on the ranger's shirt which is a no-no. I felt sorry for the guy but the rules are the rules.

Hey Spinboy...did your guy back out on you? I would have liked to go. Remember me next time.

[Chuck Morris]

Dad of 7
If you have the grinding stones, get a dressing stone. What that is, is a stone on which you can shape and condition your grinding stones. Most places that sell Dremel accessories carry them. You can shape your stone down to a very fine point, but you must remember that when you grind with this fine point it will be fragile. I have used these stones to take barbs off of hooks down to size 26. Another way to dress a stone, or shape it, is to use a diamond file or even an inexpensive diamond fingernail file.
Try holding your hooks in a hemostat and use gentle pressure while grinding.
Sorry, but I don't know of any way to debarb with a Dremel on flies that are already tied except by using extreme caution to avoid touching the material.
Hope this helps.
Chuck

[VicK]

Simms came out with a couple of waterproof bags this year that you should definitely look into.

I haven't used either one so I can't give you a review, but depending on how big your camera is the Dry Creek Chest Pouch could work. If it is too big for that, then certainly the Dry Creek Camera Bag will do the job.

The smaller one lists for $12.95 and the larger one at $29.95.

Check them both out at www.simmsfishing.com

[spinboy]

I offered you the slot but you declined. Remember? I had assumed that he wouldn't go and later in the week my wife decided she wanted to go so I took her.

Thanks for the info on the hooks and cameras. I have found a couple of cases but the good ones are pricey; so are the cameras. My wife will kill me if I invest that kind of salad in a camera just for that considering how much I have invested in trout already. I think I will go the Aquapac route or buy one of those Pelican hard cases.

[TheEndlessEnigma]

never thought about that .... but that is a good idea. i better go try that

[Gillseeker]

I use those everytime I go. Sometimes, depending on the temp the lens gets foggy but for 10 bucks what do you expect?

I know, I know..I turned down the spot...don't rub it in. You have no idea how bad I wanted to go. Turns out that we had a surprise birthday party and I couldn't go anyway. I did spend about $900 at BPS for Christmas presents and picked myself up a new flyrod. A Temple Forks 4wt 8ft. I'm excited to try it out. I'm thinking of going up to Smith's Creek Sunday after church.

Not going to totally give up spin fishing, though!! :D