Cork Sliders

Cork.  There is just something special about it when you are referring to its use in poppers or sliders.  We recently made a few cork sliders for some customers.  For me, cork is the bomb.  Given that I am a huge vintage guy, cork only makes sense.  It can be hard to work with and hard to find in decent condition.  However, it does take one back to the old days and ways of slinging bugs.  Here are some of the sliders we made for some customers up north.  I have to admit that I am a little sad that I couldn't keep a few of these to try out when I am finally able to fish again.  Well, maybe some day!

Casting For Recovery

Melissa and I were approached last year by a returning customer to make a special popper for the ladies at Casting For Recovery.  If you don't know about this organization, take a moment to read about it here.  I have been a supporter of Casting For Recovery, Project Healing Waters, and Wounded Warrior to name but a few.  I truly believe the work these organizations do saves lives.  We had been wanting to donate some flies to one of these worthy groups for a while now.  Well, we finally got the opportunity.  Our customer asked us to partner with him to design a popper for the ladies.  Melissa took some time and did some research on Casting For Recovery.  She was able to come up with a design that both she and the customer liked.  It was to be a simple popper with a pink stripe in the middle surrounded by purple stripes.  That way the pink stripe would be the focus of the popper. We also came up with some Persuaders in purple and pink to do as well.  Naturally, we were very excited about this.  Sadly, not everything goes as planned.  My injury made getting these awesome poppers out last year impossible.  It took us until this year to make these happen but I am so glad that we did it.  We both feel a sense of pride and happiness in giving a little something back to the community and in helping to support a worthy organization such as Casting For Recovery.  Both of our families have been touched by cancer.  We have lost loved ones on both sides so this was very important for us to accomplish.  Upon delivery, we heard that the ladies loved them.  Hopefully, one day someone will share some photos of what they caught with them.  Until then, enjoy these photos of what was created for the ladies.

Older Fly Rods and Their Line Weights

Since I have started collecting vintage fiberglass fly rods, I have discovered that they used a different coding system for telling the angler what line weight the rod was designed to be fished with.  I have been asked a few times to tell people what line weight their old rod will work best with.  Since I have often used a chart such as the one below, I decided to share it here in case others might find it helpful or interesting.  So, without further ado, here is a chart showing how to convert older fly line weights:

AFTMA fly line weights - conversion to "old style" letter designations (best estimate)

AFTMA No.	Avg Weight in Grains (a)	Range: Mfg Tolerances	Double Taper (DT)	Weight Forward (WF)	Level (L)
2	80	74-86	IHI	IHJ	H
3	100	94-106	IGI	IGJ	G
4	120	114-126	HFH	HFG	F
5	140	134-146	HEH	HEG	E
6	160	152-168	HDH	HDG	D
7	185	177-193	HCH	HCF	C
8	210	202-218	GBG	GBF	B
9	240	230-250	GAG	GAF	A
10	280	270-290	G2AG	G2AF	2A
11	330	318-342	G3AG	G3AF	3A
12	380	368-392	G4AG	G4AF	4A
13	430	418-442	-	-	-

(a) Per 3M Worldwide / Scientific Anglers(tm), based on first 30 feet of line, exclusive of front level tip. (1 oz. = 437.5 grains)

Chart is courtesy of the Fly Fishing Forum and can be found at www.theflyfishingforum.com

Zeb from Snowman Custom Rod Works throwing some J&M Flies Poppers

Zeb, from Snowman Custom Rod Works, sent me a message last week sharing a photo he took of one of our poppers.  If you don't remember, Zeb is a master rod builder/artist/angler/and all around great guy.  You can read more about him here from when he built me my Epic 686.  Anyways, Zeb was out throwing some J&M Flies poppers.  Amazing shot of our Oriole in action!

Comrade in Action

We got an email from a customer the other day showing our Comrade in action.  We wanted to share these photos with our followers and readers.  Glad to see that people are getting out and using them.  It does make us happy to see what others catch using our flies.

J&M Flies in the land of the Rising Sun

Last year I started talking with Hiro, AKA Bassbum, on Instagram and Facebook.  I was surprised to learn that Japan has both bass and bluegill.  So, we decided to send some poppers his way.  In exchange, he sent us some deer hair flies.  Well the other day, Hiro was kind enough to share a photo with us.  He has been using our size 10 Fish Foolin' Frog and slaying the bluegill.  I love it!  I think it is so neat that we can say we have sent flies all over the world.

Update For J&M Flies

Man it is hard to believe my last post was in April.  I feel bad for that and I am sorry.  As of late, I have found it hard to blog.  I always wanted my blog to be about my fishing and tying experiences.  I never wanted this to be a blog that is just regurgitated articles and other people's posts.  If that works for someone else, great...but it isn't my style.  I haven't fished in over a year.  It is killing me!  Now that summer is upon us, I find myself even more bummed as I can't chase those smallmouth and panfish I so dearly love.  The reason for my lack of fishing....my injury.  It is hard to believe that it has almost been a year since I injured my hand.  Guess what....I'm still not even close to back to 100%.  At this point, I'd be happy to get to 75%!  I have seen eight different doctors, had five nerve blocks, three MRIs and have been on like six different types of medicine.  There is no end in sight.  In fact, this is a lifelong condition and may be a career ending injury for me.

Melissa and I never thought that my "day job" so to speak would ever interfere with my making flies.  How wrong we were!  I do not want to get into the particulars of how I was hurt or what has transpired since then but we have certainly had our ups and downs.  Melissa is working full time and doing flies every night when she comes home.  She is doing the best that she can, as fast as she can, but we refuse to sacrifice quality for quantity.  That is why the orders are taking so very long to get out.  Those that have received our flies before know how well made they are.  Yes, they take a long time to make (even longer now!) but they are worth it.  I recently received an email from a customer up in Michigan who landed 40 bluegill and half a dozen bass, including one three pounder, on a size 10 Fish Foolin' Frog...and the popper still looks like it was just made.

Please rest assured we are working as fast as we can to fill the orders.  Well, really Melissa is.  I've been demoted and am now basically her lowly assistant.  I answer email and babysit our seven year old.  We wanted to say thank you to everyone who has followed us, supported us, our fans, friends and customers.  We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding.  We really enjoy these flies, our labor of love...I only wish Melissa was faster at it!  HA!