"sandy" wrote


Well I *was* referencing the hoity toity spring creek culture,
not Roff, in anyway.

Not roff.....where, just the other day, someone actually suggested
using anchovie oil and beeswax for dubbing nymphs.
Who was that anyway? Was it Vincent?



Years ago, I tried various ways to mask odors on flies that might repel
fish, including dipping them in Dr Juice and PowerBait !

I can't honestly say I noticed an improvement in catch rate as much as I
noticed a slight sense of guilt g.

I do make a special point to avoid pumping fuel for the truck/boat or other
things that might make my flies 'stink' especially whenever I intend to fish
streamers, where a fish will likely follow in the 'scent cone' before
taking.

Smell is nearly overlooked in fly fishing circles ( except maybe the bouquet
of pricey booze ) but for sub-surface fishing I think it is very important.
I first noticed this after buying a diesel pickup and seeing my catch rate
decline. I keep my gear in my truck 100% of the time and I'm convinced the
absorbed diesel fumes put fish off. I've since taken to storing some
flies bagged in bags designed to protect foodstuffs during
fumigation of homes.

Even more important, as a workaround to 'smelly' wet flies, I've taken up
hoity toity spring creek dry fly snobbiness, and I use 11X. Measuring
0.000 inches, it allows total drag free presentations, and greatly increases
takes.