Author Topic: Q-Tip (Read 1220 times)

Brandon Matthews · « **on:** February 24, 2011, 12:33:58 PM »

I just got finished looking through the tutorial on Loren's website on tying the Q-Tip. I'm looking to add some more dries to my dry/dropper rig and I was just wondering if anyone has fished the Q-Tip with the dropper. Anita you made a reference to fishing it this way at the SE regional. So how does it float? How heavy of a dropper does it hold? Will it hold two droppers larger than a size 16?

If you guys can give some input that would be appreciated.

Anita Coulton · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2011, 03:29:57 PM »

I was using a Q-tip in a 14, and it floated two nymphs in a size 18 just fine. I apply some frogs fanny before fishing it. I occasionally would have trouble in very choppy water, but still found that when it sunk, I could still see it. If you increase the size of it, it would float a bigger nymph (or two), for sure. Love to hear your feedback on it Brandon.

Mike Wisniewski · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2011, 05:09:03 PM »

The q tip would float a rock. One time I forget to bring frogs fanny to dry off the fly and it just continued to float. I have had trout take it but not as much as I would like. I need to do a better job of animating the q tip which animates the nymph which can induce a strike.

Mike

Zach Bearden · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2011, 07:00:04 PM »

Your first sentence doesn't match up to the rest of your report

But it works wonders for me, floats all kinds of nymphs.

Brandon Matthews · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2011, 10:42:12 PM »

Zach,

what size do you normally tie them? 14's.....12's?

Zach Bearden · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2011, 11:38:07 PM »

Whatever size Loren tied them in! haha
I have seriously had the same 4 for about 8 months and not lost a single one. They still work.

I think the ones I have are 12s

Loren Williams · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2011, 12:04:17 AM »

Brandon,

I tie them in #10 and #12 on R50X's in natural, orange and chartreuse bunny feet. I do some things with d/d that are less than conventional so I'm not as worried as most about floatation.

Zach: I'll get you some new stock shortly--I am finally back home.

Mike:

Louis Martin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2011, 07:35:15 PM »

Loren, why the R50X? I know that I can tie them on 100SP's or Surehold Lightning Dry's, but just give me a reason to buy some more hooks--I dare ya!

Tim Long · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2011, 08:57:09 PM »

Because they are affordable and just as good!

Loren Williams · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2011, 10:32:43 PM »

I am not a fan of the 100SPBL, have never used the 100sp. The R50-X is wicked sticky and durable too boot. Not too long, not too short. The longer point over the R50 is the key. The SLD is very good too.

Louis Martin · « **Reply #10 on:** March 04, 2011, 09:36:53 AM »

Very helpful, Loren. I have experimented some caddis ties with using snowshoe under a CDC wing to keep my CDC caddis floating longer, but my early experiments with all snowshoe wings didn't satisfy me. Your pattern, which I've scoped out on your handy-dandy tutorial section, solves the problems I ran into. So, I'll be using the Q-tip some for my caddis this year, starting with some Grannom ties in a month or so.

Louis Martin · « **Reply #11 on:** March 04, 2011, 12:58:54 PM »

One more thing, Loren. What was your beef with the 100spbl's?

Loren Williams · « **Reply #12 on:** March 04, 2011, 02:17:39 PM »

Louis,

Just too many dropped fish. If I get to a point where I lose confidence in a hook then I simply stop using it. I'm sure others with much more skill than myself love the hook, which proves it's most likely me and not the hook

.

Louis Martin · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2011, 12:38:07 AM »

I know what you mean, though. Lloyd Gonzales ties an interesting scud pattern on the smallest Mustad 37162 because he likes the way it rocks erratically when he retrieves it. But I've dropped so many fish on that hook with the pattern, I've gone to the Tiemco 2499 when I tie Lloyd's scud. He just shakes his head at my refusal to use what he deems the better hook (for the action). But I just have no confidence in the 37162's ability to hold fish for me in that pattern. Now, I think Lloyd's a much better fisherman than I am, but I've made my peace with doing what works for me. And I land more fish on "his" pattern now than I did previously. (Though your tips a long while back to use longer, softer rods hasn't hurt any either).