The Goat, Articulate??????

The Missing Link

Greetings and a warm welcome back in 2014.

As I write we are in the record books at a true-23 degree reading on the thermometer. The wind makes it a bit more dire for those who care to venture outside. Last night I kept the wood stove burning. The furnace still ran and ran and ran. At feeding time this morning the mini horses had a layer of ice on their eye lashes that made their eye lids look heavy. When they blinked I laughed. I wish I could have gotten pictures. My attempt to remove this ice was met with much indifference. Any time a horse swings its rear end at you and begins dancing its two hind hooves something unpleasant is about to happen, no matter how big they are. At 500 lbs. each, they pack an incredible kick and can turn on a dime to place their hooves with the accuracy of a martial arts  master. Because of their short stature, the blow will land about nugget high. My ponies do give signs when they are about to communicate their displeasure. My ice removal mission was aborted.

Magic and Fire

I have been tying every day. I will try to catch you up on some new creations as well as some modifications to patterns that proved to be solid performers last year. Fly design is so much fun. As a tier I only take so much pleasure in reproducing the same old, same old. Even though I do produce the bulk of standard patterns that I need for the year, I get bored easily tying the same old stuff.  I am progressing through both warm and cold water patterns and some that cross over and will try and take you along on the ride.

Wild Thing Production

Today the flies I am most excited about had their beginnings at this time last year. Todd’s Wiggle Minnow has been a favorite of mine for a few years, mostly for bass. It is a foam floating minnow with a 45 degree slant in its face to make it dive under water when stripped, and float back to the surface. The combination of the face angle and body curve makes the fly wiggle and dart, similar to a flat fish or Rapala which have been successful lures in the conventional fishing market.

My version is called the “Wild Thing”. I have made an addition to the face to create a deeper lip. Consequently I have had more consistancy with its dives and wiggles.  It comes in a few different configurations and I introduced them at Tom Helgeson’s Greatwaters Expo last year. I am happy to say they were a hit with the bass and pike last year and I am continuing to improve their appearance and WIGGLE.

Bath Tub Swim Trials

This year there has been a big push in the fly design market towards the articulated fly or flies with similarities to conventional tackle lures. Umpqua introduced Chocklett’s Game Changer, Brian Schmidts, Schmidterbait and Schmiterbug. They all look like great flies. The Goats new fly is called “The Missing Link”. I am building it off of an already successful design and in early bathtub and Mississippi  test runs it has swam and wiggled with the seductive action that is the product of articulation.  Next week when the temps rise I am planning a trout stream debut and hoping to get some video for you.

Hope you like, stay warm.