CONTEST WINNER!!

The winner is Chris from PA. He was the first contestant with all five guesses correct. Chris chose the Len Thompson No. 6 as his prize because it was the smallest lure available. He said, “I don’t catch many fish and the ones I do catch are usually quite small.” Let’s hope he was joking.

Thank you to all that participated. Check back often for more contests and tips.

See correct answers below.

IMG_1278
Fish #1 Chain Pickerel
IMG_1344
Fish #2 Samllmouth Bass
Fish #3
Fish #3 Rainbow Trout
Fish #4
Fish #4 Largemouth Bass
Fish #5
Fish #5 Fallfish

 

Know Your Fish CONTEST!

The colors and scale patterns on “everyday” fish never cease to amaze me. Here are five close-ups of common freshwater fish and a chance to win a prize. Submit your guesses through the contact button on the left. The first person with an all correct submission, or the most correct by Monday, May 30th will win your pick of a Len Thompson spoon shown above.

IMG_1278
Fish #1
IMG_1344
Fish #2
Fish #3
Fish #3
Fish #4
Fish #4
Fish #5
Fish #5

… and Another Useful Loop

The Dropper Loop

IMG_1584
Form a loop in the line.
IMG_1585
Pass the tag end of the line through the loop about 6 times.
IMG_1586
Pull the bottom of the original loop up through the middle of the six coils that you just formed.

 

IMG_1587
Moisten the knot and draw it tight from the main line, tag end, and the loop at the same time. It should be fairly even size and neatly stacked on each side of the loop.

The Perfection Loop

IMG_1570
Form a loop with the tag end going under the main line.
IMG_1571
Turn the tag end back in the reverse direction over the main line.
IMG_1566
Bring the tag end under the “figure 8”.
IMG_1567
Fold the tag end back over the “figure 8”.
IMG_1568
Pull the loop on the main line side over the tag end and through the other loop.
IMG_1569
Moisten the knot, draw it tight, and trim the tag end.

Connecting Braid and other Superlines to Leaders

The Uni to Uni is my go-to knot for connecting my main line to a leader. It is a very reliable knot for attaching mono or fluorocarbon to superlines. I routinely use it with 14 to 30 pound braid and 12 to 30 pound fluoro/mono and also 6 to 10 pound Fireline and 8 to 15 pound fluoro. The Uni to Uni Knot is quick, easy, and strong. What else could you ask for?

IMG_1513
Lay about a foot or so of line and leader along side each other.
IMG_1514
It doesn’t matter which piece you start with, but I usually start with the main line. Form a loop in the main line keeping in along side the leader.
IMG_1515
Take the tag end of the main line and go through the loop and around the leader 4-6 times. The thinner the line, the more wraps.
IMG_1516
Holding the main line and its tag end, moisten the knot and pull it just to the point where you start to feel some resistance.
IMG_1517
Repeat the process with the leader on the main line. Form a loop of leader along the main line.
IMG_1518
Pass the tag end of the leader trough the loop and around the main line 4-6 times.
IMG_1520
Moisten and “snug up” the leader knot. Then moisten the line and leader between your two knots and slide them together.
IMG_1521
Using all four legs, tighten the two knots and pull the line and leader so they jamb together. Trim the two tag ends closely.