My first fly...

[Salmon, Trout, Steelheader]

the reason the fish hit when you pick up the pace, or change from bottom to trolling is because it is doing something different. next time you are trolling and not getting anything troll in an "S" shape down on the same track. when the rod is on the inside of the turn it will go slack or move slower and when it is on the outside it will go faster. it is a killer tactic because the fly is doing something different all the time. another thing to try it when you havn't gotten a hit in a while, pull your rod out of the rod holder and strip it a few times. a lot of the time just taking it out of the rod holder will intice a strike. mainly because again it is doing something different than what it has been. also try the "S" idea with multiple rods, so each one is doing the opposite thing as the other one is.
P.S. chad, nice looking fly.

[ruthven78]

Craig-

Tie the point of the feather on to the hook. You will hold the fat end of the feather with the hackle pliers.

Ok yeah, and now I remember my dad telling me to do that when tying wolly worms and wolly buggers

[ruthven78]

the reason the fish hit when you pick up the pace, or change from bottom to trolling is because it is doing something different. next time you are trolling and not getting anything troll in an "S" shape down on the same track. when the rod is on the inside of the turn it will go slack or move slower and when it is on the outside it will go faster. it is a killer tactic because the fly is doing something different all the time. another thing to try it when you havn't gotten a hit in a while, pull your rod out of the rod holder and strip it a few times. a lot of the time just taking it out of the rod holder will intice a strike. mainly because again it is doing something different than what it has been. also try the "S" idea with multiple rods, so each one is doing the opposite thing as the other one is.
P.S. chad, nice looking fly.

I noticed a difference in trolling with the rowboat vs trolling in my pontoon....in the row boat the line would slack inbetween strokes, I believe this to be from the weight of the boat dragging through the water....however with the pontoon there is no slacking, probably because my speed doesnt slow down very much between strokes...I've noticed the same with kicking.

[Salmon, Trout, Steelheader]

yeah, once you get going in the rowboat it should be better, try lowering your rod tip so it is almost even with the line. i know it sounds weird, but then when you get a hit, and set the hook you dont have 4 feet of slack to pick up first, also the problem with slack between strokes will be reduced a lot. also you will get better hook ups if the fish is not able to take line before the rod stops or slows it down if you know what i mean.