Get the Point?
While fishing the other day I went to tie on a chartreuse rattle rouser. There were two in my box. The hook point on one was rolled. Had a file been in my possession it would have been fine, but I didn’t have one with me.
The second fly was dispatched to its watery duties and performed flawlessly for a while. Then I missed a strike. OK, not unusual. Then I missed another. Not a good thing, but not the first time I’d missed two in a row. Then I missed the third. OK, never really got tight on that one. Then the fourth was stuck solidly, and came off.
I pulled the fly in and looked at the hook. The tip of the point had broken off. I was fishing with a blunt! The two flies that were needed for the dark dirty water were not serviceable for lack of a file. Well, duh.
When I got home I tied some more flies, and put a file in my fly bag. Let’s talk files.
My favorite used to be a small, steel mill bastard file. Around saltwater no matter what I tried, and that was quite a few different things, they would rust to uselessness in a month. Toss it out and get a new one. Again. And again. Etcetera.
Dr. Slick makes a pair of stainless files with diamond surfaces. Both are awesome. The four inch version has a fine grit and a medium grit surface. The six incher has a medium grit and coarse grit surface.
They work extremely well and last a long time, even around the brine.
Unfortunately, for them to work you still need to remember to carry it with you.
John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com/
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2011. All rights are reserved.
The file description says it is for ‘Fly Hooks’. I don’t fly fish for various reasons but do use spinner and bait cast reels. What would you recommend for plugs, circle hooks, etc?
same thing. the six inch file might be better for bigger baits. anything is better tan nothing, though.
John, Could not agree more. I recently changed from the rusted files which worked fine until the rust to a diamond stick also. Hope it does last as long as they say. Always (ok almost) have one with me. Pattern for the chartreuse rattle rouser???
Rattle rouser-
mustad 34011 #2
mylar piping tube, size medium
woodie’s rattle
bucktail
flashabou accent
2 part 5 minute epoxy
start thread, wrap to hook bend. tie in tube. wrap thread to front of hook. measure tube to slightly past hook eye, cut, Use a wire cutter to cut the point off the tube and round the edges with a hook file. insert it into the tube. tie the tube off and trim the excess, then whip the head.
Mix the epoxy and coat the body of the fly. I generally do three minimum at a time, and generally go for 10 or 12 for efficiency’s sake.
Once the epoxy is dry put the hook back in the vise point up. Tie in a small clump of white bucktail, some flash, and a small clump of colored bucktail finish and whip the head, then cement it. Next!