Are You Float and Flying Again This Yr

[redneckshadrap]

A lot of us are really starting to countdown the time to F-n-F again. I had a good year last year. Mostly of the water instead of on. Learned a lot more about a lot of different kinds of equipment and flies.
I've upgraded and have added some new patterns to the flybox. I also plan to spend a little more time on Cland with a few different fellows..
I've got two rigs and will probably add a third when I buy back my AllPro.
Hope to headlock BJE,Elnut and Mark into going to John Davis's in December for a 2 day excursion.

What are you doing to get prepared?
Billy








Billy Elkins

The Creek Bank
It's easier to let the cat out of the bag than put it back in

[EJHick]

I have never tried the FNF technique, usually chasing around deer. But gonna give it a try this year, whats the best time, type of rigs, flies, lakes, etc? I was watching the Outdoor channel ealier and on Infisherman, they were using a skitter pop rapala with a worm or something behind it on a liter? But i was thinkin' would a skitter pop or pop r work on the FNF technique? Excited about trying it out this year, hopefully I tag out early on the deer!
Eric Hickman Jr.

[dpage70]

i'm with EJ, i've only tried FnF once and i'm dying to get a hold of smallies doing that. I even bought me a rod just for that purpose. don't be surprised to see me begging for one of you guys who know more about this to go with me this winter.

[Danny]

OK, like a lot of the other folks, I've not fished the FNF. But I was wondering. Since I fished the river the other day, I realize we have to warm water discharges from power plants on the river, one is KU, the other is TVA.

My question, would FNF be useful around the discharges, or would it be better to use standard bass tackle?

Thanks....

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[Chubminnow]

The F-n-F is on my fishing list of things-to-do or things to prepare for...right now my main efforts are getting my boat ready for Cumberland, Dale and Green River Lakes by November, preferably October but you guys know how it is...I have more time than money. Even though the boat is in great shape (19' John) it hasn't seen water for ten years, so needless to say there's a few things that definitely need replaced and checked out, such as trailer tires (check), batteries, fuel lines and several other things.

Redneck, not meaning to steal your thread, but to answer the question, F-n-F is on the list, I just ain't there yet.

[elnutsmalljaws]

If you don't get your boat ready let me know and you can go with me.

[redneckshadrap]

If some of you looked at my New River/GreenBrier thread you'll notice in the picture that I have my F-n-F rig in hand minus the float.
The reason I started this thread is that folks will wait until January to start looking for F-n-F equipment. Once they order, adjust, reorder, read adjust...then the season's at it's end.

And you can search this site for all the threads we have posted or go to www.FloatandFly.com to start reading up on the subject.

Then contact some of the local baitshops to see what they have in stock. We have already starting rolling in the F-n-F inventory.

Billy

[elnutsmalljaws]

You don't have to Headlock me into going FNF at Dale this winter. I have been hoping for the Alberta Clippers to hit soon and often for that magical water temp to hit 52 or so for me. I have John's cabin already rented for the last week of November thru December 3rd, plan on fishing the Billy Westmoreland Classic this year for the first time, then have the cabin rented again for several days the 3rd week of December. Got 23 vacation days to burn by the end of the year and get another 25 January 1. Taking my Dad for a couple of days for his first venture the end of November then my buddy is coming down to fish Billy's tourney. Plan on trying several new areas this year including fishing down past First Island towards the Dam this year after January 1, North of First Island thru December. I still have my FNF tackle box primed and ready, Rod and Reel lubed up and ready to go, plenty of Doans Back Ache pills and Icy Hot to put on those tired shoulders and back from reeling in all those 5-12 pounders. Bought a new rod late last year after I stepped on my other and broke it. She is 55 for 56 in hookset versus fish landing, pretty good ratio. One thing I will give to all the newbys that are fishing the fly for the first time, EVERY TIME YOUR BOBBER GOES UNDER IS NOT A FISH - THERE IS GRASS ALL OVER DALE AND YOU CAN PULL IT THRU THE GRASS AND THE JIG WILL CATCH A PIECE AND SLOWLY SINK UNDER JUST LIKE A BITE AT TIMES - I HEAR OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY HAD 20-30 PULLDOWNS A DAY BUT ONLY LANDED A FEW FISH - THE MAJORITY OF THE OTHERS WAS GRASS AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY GRASS THAT WILL END UP ON YOUR HOOK EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU GET INTO IT - THE MORE EXPERIENCE YOU GET THE BETTER YOU WILL BE.

Now bring on the Alberta Clippers.

[redneckshadrap]

Elnut,

I hear you on the grass bites...LOL!!!!!







Billy Elkins

The Creek Bank
It's easier to let the cat out of the bag than put it back in

[EJHick]

What kidn of rod/reel combo do you suggest. Also what type of jigs or flies? Sounds like crappie fishin' mixed with trout fishin' on steroids. So when the water is hovering in the low 50's then its time to pull it out? Like I said I never tried it before, but would like to try it.

[elnutsmalljaws]

floatandfly.com was started last year and has some good information but I will chime in on some myself. I started with a 9' rod, Lexar IM7 I believe ($49) at punisherjigs.com. Broke it and have since used a 10' All Pro which I love. The 9' footer was easier to learn to cast but I get more distance and like the feel of the 10' All Pro ($129) better. I use a TI-30 Quantum spinning reel but any quality spinning reel will work. If you don't backreel (like me) a good drag in necessary. There are many different jigs but 1/16 oz Duck Feather with some chartruese and blue mixed in is on my reel 95% of the time. I use Garlic Fish Dope on all my jigs either on the feathers of the jig or just the head depending on whether I want more action or less action on the feathers. Gives it the slime feel that all baitfish have plus GARLIC scent.(Another piece of advice for the Newby's, don't blow your nose on the same towel that you have been wiping off the Garlic dope on for the vampires will not bother you for day's or your wife either, keeps mustache tasting of Garlic for weeks) Foam bobber, either buy them 2 per pack for $4, or make your own out of a standard weighted foam bobber for about a quarter. I posted step by step instructions how to doctor the bobber last year so you can find them here somewhere. The idea of the float is the weight is in the middle so it lays on its side as the jig is dropping, then when it reaches it depth the float will turn upright. Then if the float lays on its side you are either on bottom or a fish has sucked the jig in and floated up in the water column. You will NEVER know this with a traditional bobber for it stays upright no matter what. Take the bobber and put it 10' above the jig, wrap the bottom hook only of the bobber 3 times. This is what I do. I plan on using the 3-way rig this winter, 8lb fireline on reel to a 3-way swivel, 6lb Vanish or 6lb Excel works just as good down to the jig, and hook the bobber on the other part of the swivel. I have been broke off by a couple of fish when I put bobber straight on line and have made it a habit to re-tie after every 3lb or better fish. When you are cutting 10-12 feet off every 3lber, last winter I was LUCKY enough to re-tie a bunch, it eats a lot of line off reel. With the 3-way rig, there are more knots involved but not the wrapping around the bobber. THere is a whole lot more to it but this is the basics, find a bluff at Dale or Cumberland when the water drops to around 53 and begin (50) is prime time for me. Make a long cast to the bluff as close to it as possible and barely move your wrist so the whipping action of the rod tip is doing the moving of the bobber/jig. Keep tight line on bobber for when it goes under you have to remeber that you have a 10' rod with a lot of line out to a bobber then 10 more feet below to get in before the hookset. I CONSTANTLY KEEP MY REEL MOVING. Even the slightest movement insures me that I have no slack which is the biggest mistake and why many miss fish. They don't #### it in and swim off with it for days. You have to be ready to lay the hammer when it goes under. THis setup landed a 6-4 and a 6-2, with several more over 5 and probably another 30-40 in the 3-5 range last winter all at Dale. There are many more things I could say but I have to do some work now, just because I am the boss does not mean I can spend all day typing about fishing even though I would like to. send me an email or private message and I will call you if you want more info.

[bje]

Billy, you know I can't wait to slap that 4 pound test back on and get after it. Speaking of F-nF, I saw a couple guys on in fisherman 2 nights ago fishing a float-n-fly rod in warmer weather with a wacky worm instead of a fly. (should we call it "float-n-wack" Looked like they were on Eerie or St. Cliare. One of the guys or "wacky fly")was using a Skitter Pop with the hooks cut off as his bobber and he was popping it once in a while to draw attention. Looked like a pretty cool idea. We need to give both of those (wacky fly and topwater plug as a bobber) a try.