Is size that important?

[cpierce]

I knew that title would catch you![laugh][laugh]

I am trying to decide if I want to invest in some smaller hooks and a better magnifying glass!

I keep seeing where some are fishing midges etc. that are smaller than a size 18 or 20. I can barely see the 18s, so is smaller than 18 that much better for catching fish? Is an 18 not going to catch anything? To what point is the midge small enough that you don't need to down size?

When you are fishing these microscopic flies, do you start with the smallest and go larger or vise versa. How do you decide if it is the size of the fly that you want to change and not the color?
[signature]

[flygoddess]

I know they think I am crazy up at the Sportsmans in Idaho Falls.
MATCH THE HATCH is the key word here.
I have a friend that hit the Green in the winter once. He tossed everything he had hat them with his going down to a #22.
I had given him a MICRO box for Christmas with flies #28 to #32. It saved his trip. Not that I am a great tier, but matching the hatch size.
I have out fished several on the Provo using #30 and #32. Color does matter even in that size. Olive, Black, Brown and Gray.
Many fish a #28 to a #32 as a dropper off a bigger one and on occasion, the bigger (#16-#18) get taken.
It is like all else a HATCH and the smaller flies are not always the answer. I do well with a #20 Cripple on many occasions.
I look at the snow/ground to see that is there and go from there, but I HAVE caught allot of Brown and Cutts on an Black with red rib, and a Flashabou Green #30 & #32 Wulff Style midge.
Oh and I use 6X with a loop to the fly so it can wiggle freely.
[signature]

[cpierce]

Thanks, I was afraid of that! Then does Sportsmans in Id Falls carry hooks in that size? If not them then who?

What size thread do you use?

By any chance do you have some pictures?

Thanks!
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Like I said, they thought I was nuts. TIEMCO makes a couple choices, but I get them off e-bay.

I use 10/0 and SHEER 14 thread, but I also like that GLITTER THREAD. It frays and can double for a shuck.



And no these are not debarred in picture, but they are now. I had to get some needle nose pliers...LOL



People ask how can they catch fish, I then tie one on tippet, then tell them to put it in their mouth and let me pull...LOL Fish suck/inhale their food, something this small does not get spit back out.
[signature]

[TheBigWorm]

[quote flygoddess]Like I said, they thought I was nuts. TIEMCO makes a couple choices, but I get them off e-bay.

I use 10/0 and SHEER 14 thread, but I also like that GLITTER THREAD. It frays and can double for a shuck.

[.IMG][url "http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/FlyGoddess/Flies/32s.jpg%5B/IMG%5D"]http://i44.photobucket.com/.../Flies/32s.jpg[/IMG][/url]

And no these are not debarred in picture, but they are now. I had to get some needle nose pliers...LOL

[.IMG][url "http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/FlyGoddess/Flies/IMG_2111.jpg%5B/IMG%5D"]http://i44.photobucket.com/...s/IMG_2111.jpg[/IMG][/url]

People ask how can they catch fish, I then tie one on tippet, then tell them to put it in their mouth and let me pull...LOL Fish suck/inhale their food, something this small does not get spit back out.[/quote]

Wow, either that's a fake super-size quarter coin or those hooks are way too small for my eyes and my fingers.

BTW, I'll admit the thread title was clever and was the reason I clicked on it.


I'd rather be fishing than working a trade show booth[url "http://www.pinnacledisplays.com"][/url], unless the trade show is about fishing! And speaking of trade shows and fishing, two of my favorite topics, if you're going to exhibit at a trade show, be a [url "http://www.pinnacledisplays.com"]trade show shark[/url] and not a trade show minnow. Sharks have more fun! []
[signature]

[cpierce]

Holy Schmolie! Those are small!! Even smaller than I envisioned. They make that dime look huge. I have seen pieces of dirt in the water that look larger. I can see that they wouldn't get spit out -- does the fish even know he has something in its mouth? Amazing.

I am going to have to try these.

Is it a regular Ebay store that you are getting the hook from?

I will try doing a search.
Thanks!
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Try this:

http://www.feather-craft.com/wecs.php?st...rget=TA206

I am going to order the 100 pack I think in #30 I am tying at the Idaho Falls expo and I always premier the #30 or #32. Lotsa fun.

Fg
[signature]

[cpierce]

Thanks for the link and information.

I am going to try and make it to the Idaho Falls expo this year. I haven't been for quite a few years. It has always been great though.

Does it seem like the fish in the rivers that have a lot of pressure are more keyed into the tiny stuff? I have kind of wondered if it is a by product of lots of catch and releases.
[signature]

[flygoddess]

Very possible. Green and Provo do get pounded.
[signature]

[Dryrod]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000]I have trouble tying on a 20/22 in just finding the eye to thread on my tippet. Would probably need to bring a 10 year old along who could not only see the eye to thread but hold it still enough too.[/#008000][/font]
[signature]

[macfly55]

lol.. 20/22... I have problems with 16...

MacFly [cool]
[signature]

[cpierce]

I am thinking I would probably have to tie on the tippet at home and use a loop to loop connection. At least the fly won't be too big to go through the loop!
[signature]

[Dryrod]

[center][font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000]BTW must say that I cheat by using a magnetic threader for practically all fly sizes.[/#008000][/font]
[center][url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neHFMRIARic"]Magnetic_Fly_Threader[/url]
[center]
[signature]

[flygoddess]

I do use one. The 30's can be done.
[signature]

[Dryrod]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#008000]I e-mailed my wife a note with the roaming bug and she cussed at it saying "those damn ants have invaded my e-mail." lol. Oh yea after every rain storm our kitchen gets a bout of ants.[/#008000][/font]
[signature]

[flygoddess]

My fathers house is the same thing with the wet weather. I hated that. We don't have that problem here. A few in the summer but nothing major.
[signature]

[ditchbanker]

OK, I try to be gadget resistant, but for $10, I think I'm going to have to pick one of those up.

Also, I've just started (trying?) fly tying. Still working on 16s. I was starting to feel like I was getting it. Apparently I have a ways to go
[signature]

[kochanut]

just a little FYI to everyone. i tried tying on one of FG's size 32 (30?) flies on the middle provo last winter and dropped it. i spent the next 35 minutes looking around on the ground for it until someone came up and asked if i had dropped a contact. this guys son found my fly 10 minutes later and then tied it onto my tippet for me... man some of these 12 year olds have some great eye sight.
[signature]

[cpierce]

I can just see that! [laugh] I have been in the same situation with larger flies. I wonder if there is an agency where you can rent a 10 year old for the day! [crazy]

I used to have one of those magnetic catches for my net, and one day I resorted to unclipping it and by using a half in each hand, I finally got my fly out of the grass.

Why is it that when you drop a fly it is invariably your last or only one of that kind? Is this one of "Murphy's Laws"?
[signature]