Latest ties from the bench - 16/06/2011

Tied these guys up last weekend. A Rattle Rouser in yellow/orange for dirty water flathead fishing and some Bass flies.

My first attempt tying fishnuts (Darren's) Prawn Fly

Tied this prawn pattern up from a video posted by Darren aka fishnuts on one of the forums I'm on and reckon it came out not too bad. I substituted vinyl table cloth for the carapace with the soft packaging around  Mustad ultrapoint series of hooks packs. As I didn't have Liquid Fusion for the carapace coating I just went over the wraps with hard as nails. I think a little too much dubbing was used and maybe get the holo fusion "mouth parts" a bit more shaped - bottom half shorter say. The next ties will be a bit smaller ( this is size #2 ) and tied more for bream in mind -light olive/pearl combos in #4-8. PAT.

Panorama's

A bit of playing aound with some pics;

Maiden voyage of the Scupper Pro 03/06/2011

Had my first outing in the "new" ocean kayak today in perfect weather conditions. I had a paddle first without any fishing gear and just got the foot positions,seating and rudder system sussed out. I paddled the yak into a few different boat wakes at varying angles and was pretty impressed with its stability. The rudder really reduces the need for any corrective paddles consequently conserving energy but also can be used to control the angle of your drift. I'm looking forward to testing it in the surf but not this w/end the forecast is terrible. Pat

My first Ocean Kayak - Scupper Pro

Bought my first ocean kayak this week an Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro 4.54 m with rudder option. I bought the yak 2nd hand including a Currumbin manufactured Brand X fibreglass paddle for $250.00 Aus which was a bargain as I have priced a new one at $1700-$1800 and 2nd hand at $950-$1000 Aus. So what I saved on the yak I can spend on accessories such as a backrest,rod holders,sounder/gps and an anchor system. Taking it for it's first spin tomorrow in the Maroochy river Pat

Thai Barra on fly