Friday, May 11, 2012

Bohen's Hangtime Gets It Done

  Lately I have been tying a lot of warm water flies. I have set a personal goal to try and accomplish the feat of catching as many different species of fish as possible with a fly rod. It is a personal challenge that keeps me on edge as an angler. I like standing out in the crowd of fisherman, and doing what most would not try.  This is how I felt last night as I stood on the casting deck of the old Sylvan casting my hand tied fly. People in other boats would drive by staring with a dumb founded look." What the hell is that guy doing?" I heard coming from a passing boat. I even noticed some come out of the house to sit and watch from their piers. It was frankly kind of weird getting that kind of attention while fishing to be honest. Doing something different than the typical angler will bring that kind of attention I suppose. In the end though I performed and proved trying something different can catch fish.


 This is a variation of Brad Bohen's Hangtime Musky fly that I had tied a few weeks ago. It is a little smaller than what Brad would tie, but I was working with what materials I  already had. Last night when I set out at 6pm, I was in search for a pike or a musky. I found neither! What I did find was a fat little Largemouth that pounded this fly in the hang stage.

 When tossing the Hangtime, there is a number of ways for retrieval. If you have watched Musky Country:Zero 2 Hero before, then you may know what I am talking about. You can do small strips, big strips, or a constant strip with no pause. I wish I would have had the video cam with me last night to show the different action this fly gets when doing these retrieves. I personally like doing 2-3, 6"-8" strips and then a long pause. During the pause it almost seems like the fly just sits there suspended and then slowly starts to sink. The action of the feathers in the tail section of this fly also gives it one of the most realistic swimming looks of a fish, that I have ever seen. Who would of thought a couple of feathers and some deer tail would create such a realistic looking bait.

 When I caught this bass I had done a few strips and let it hang, and then bam! Through my polarized lenses I saw the fish take the fly. I set the hook and it was game on! He put up a nice fight digging into the weeds, and then giving me an acrobatic show a couple of times. I got him to and then in the boat. Snapped a few pics and sent him back on his way. As I looked up I received a thumbs up from an older gentleman sitting on his pier watching me. It felt great to catch a fish on this pattern, it just wasn't the fish I was looking for though. I moved on awhile later to a different spot in search of the bigger toothy fishy. I never found the teeth , but I did set the hook into another bass. This one was way bigger. If I had to guess 17-19 inch range. I fought him for awhile, but he came unhooked at the side of the boat. Bummer! The sun was setting on the horizon, so I called it a day.

 It just goes to show trying something different can pay off. I think this is an aspect of fishing that most anglers, including myself overlook a lot of times. Get out and Fish!

Here is a link to the Fish Skull Headz   http://flymenfishingcompany.org/products/fish-skull%E2%84%A2-products/fish-skull/

14 comments:

  1. I'm with you on the weirdness of being watched while fishing, but I am always doing something that others don't normally so I expect to get some kind of reaction like what you recieved. It's always a good feeling though, when you catch a fish on a new method, and can think to yourself, "this is what I was doing!"

    Great post! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ashley! It is kind of odd when you have an audience.lol. I guess we know what the bassmaster guys feel like now.lol

      Delete
  2. could you post a link to the skull candy heads?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://flymenfishingcompany.org/products/fish-skull%E2%84%A2-products/fish-skull/

      Here is the link. I bought the ones I had from Cabelas when they had a sale going on. I have used there bead heads many times before. All great products from these guys.

      Delete
  3. Brian
    I get those looks all time when I am out on the water fly fishing. In fact like you I have had numbers of fisherman in boats or on the bank to set and watch me cast and even land fish. I usually get negative comments like I would never deal with all that dam line all over me, or I sure as hell would not want to cast a tiny lure like that, because all you are going to catch are little fish. I usually tell them that it takes a lot of patience and skill to fly fish and it is not for everyone. I also tell a lot of individuals that it takes a lot more skill to land a big fish with the fly rod as opposed to the a 7 ft. heavy action casting or spinning rod. In other words I let them know that anyone can jerk a fish overboard with a stiff stick, but patience and skills must prevail when fly fishing is involved. The pattern you are fishing with is exceptional because it is not a pattern you see everyday. Like you I love to try something different and unusual and most of the time for me it works. A 17” to 18” largemouth is a haul on the fly. What length and wt. rod are you using with this pattern? I have gone to 9 ft. rods when fishing with larger flies, because of the distance and I can handle the fish better. Great Post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bill! I think the big miss conception with fly fishing is that most people think you can only catch trout with a fly rod. Not the case as most of us know. For tossing that big fly right now I am using a 9' 8 wt. Which is probably a little overkill, but that's all I have right now. I had a little miss hap this past week. I broke the tip off my 4 wt. I have been a little on edge this week to say the least.lol. I think a nice 6 wt. for catching bass on this fly would be good, but if you where to hook into a nice pike or musky then you might be in a bit of trouble with the 6 wt. It is a super nice pattern. I tied a few color variations this past week or two. Maybe I will do a little how to video for tying up this fly. Thanks for the comment Bill!

      Delete
  4. Brian
    I use a 6 wt 9 ft. fast action and have landed 3 1/2 spots and 5 lb largemouths. The fast action is like moving up to a regular 7 wt, but with the 6 you get the best of both worlds lightness with a stiff butt section and a forgiving tip.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Large Mouth is not a bad alternate to Browns. I've been catching them at Ted's lake on top water bugs for the last week or so. Thanks for the story!.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment Kevin! Any thing with fins is always a nice alternative in my book.

      Delete
  6. I've been the "oddball" with the fly rod for the past 10 weeks since ice out and take pride in puzzling the meat fishermen with catching crappie, gills and perch almost at will on a size 14 fly. I got some Fish Skulls a few weeks ago and have to admit that they even make my poor tying attempts look good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John, The fish skullz are a nice add to the head of any fly. I like em. They give it a nice fishy look. I like stumping the other on the lake with the fly rod. What can I say I am different.lol.

      Delete
  7. I love that fly, but have yet to actually tie one. I need to get on that for my next musky outing...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brookfield, Get to tying one, they are fun. It's nice to tie something different. Give yourself some time though. I think I spend a good 15-20 mins on each pike fly. There is also a lot of material you will go through as well. Happy tying!

      Delete
  8. That is a killer looking fly! Can see why the fish seem to like it so much...

    ReplyDelete