Tube Frogs

These are the featured flies that were made for bass fishing.  The frogs are hand carved balsa wood with an epoxy finish.  these are tube flies with interchangable hooks and feathers for different action and looks.  The tube minnows are made the same as the frogs. 



See the viedo on the home page and order based on tube frog name.

Bamboo Rod Contest Winner

The winner of the bamboo rod contest at the Dahlonega Gold Rush Days is Susan C. from Atlanta. There were 120 entries and only 24 correct answers to the three questions based on the pictures on the contest board. 1) Local river Shoals (Hint: another name for Satan) -- Devils Shoals on the Chattahochee River 2) Famous Bridge on the Madison River -- (Hint: $) -- Three Dollar Bridge 3) Bass Fly Featured in Booth -- (Hint: Picture of Stealth Bomber)--- Stealth Bomber We tried to make the contest fun and thanks all that particpated. Next time on the river look for Susan and her new Purdy Bamboo Rod. It is a special rod made from bamboo harvested from the Chattahoochee River. The bamboo rod is a 7' - 1" blonde - 5 wt. perfect for the trout in all of the rivers in Georgia. The rods and flys that were displayed at the fair will be for sell in the next couple of weeks as I will update the web site with these items. All who purchased items thanks agian and send me pictures of your fishing adventures and I will post for all to enjoy.

Gold Rush Days 2013

Thanks for all of you that came by the booth at the Dahlonega Gold Rush Days Event. I always love hearing the stories of your fishing adventures and the large fish that you have had the pleasure of fighting, maybe even caught. This year, I featured the Bass fly, tube frogs and minnows. See the following viedo post for more info. I know that all who now are proud owners of the Tube Frogs will be sucessful in the pursuit of the Big Bass. We will posting over the next couple of weeks the Bamboo fly rods for sale and the tube frogs and minnows. The trout flies are avaialable upon requuest but those who missed out , the big ones will be for others who now have some special Purdy flies. thanks again!!! I will be posting the winner of the bamboo fly rod in the next couple of days. The answers to the questions wil also be posted. FALL IS HERE - GO FISHING

Tube Frog & Minnow Flies

This winter my thoughts have been on summer bass fishing with my fly boxes already full of trout flies for the spring season ahead.  Over the last couple of summer seasons, I have been experimenting with using small tube poppers for bass.  I was happy with the preformed foam poppers durability and action.  The foam poppers worked just fine to raise bass to the top but would not last long during the summer season.  So began my obsession to make some new poppers and more realistic looking flies.  The goals were to make flies of various sizes that could be cast with either a 5wt rod for small flies or a 7wt rod for the bigger flies.

I have always liked frogs went it comes to bass fishing.  They are great for fishing bass early morning and late evenings over weeds or near downed structure.  No big bass can refuse a swimming juicy frog.

 I wanted a fly that would be light but with some more shape and style.  My crafting traits took over and I began to experiment with balsa wood and tubes.  My steelhead fly tying lead me to using tubes.  The tube allows for multiple hooks and tails to be used on the same body depending on action and conditions.  I also wanted a more realistic shape to the frog and minnows and the tube does not hinder the shape of the fly and no hook setting is needed in the balsa wood.  Freedom of design and shape of the fly was a big plus.

Some of the frogs and minnows have rattles inserted into their bodies and some have weight inserted to created different actions. The final finish for the painted balsa wood is an epoxy finish to give the flies their durable body.  The tube system allows for the body to move away from the hook to even protect the fly more during a strike.  Also, I find that the removal of the hook from the bass is easier.

As with all experimental flies, we sometimes get carried away.  So was born the Stealth Bomber Frog.  Formed with a chiseled black body with two rattles and of course the prototype had to have a pilot.  It is so cool. Bass beware. 

Fall Fishing 2012

The start of the trout delayed harvest in North Carolina and in Georgia marks the start of trout season in the southeast area.  We begin in November in North Carolina at the Nantahala and Tuckasegee Rivers.  This year at the “tuck “we landed a great many brookies, what fighters.  With a new underwater camera we explored the fish in there underwater world.   On the tuck one trip, I was in a pod of fish and then the rod bend did not give.  I was able to dance with a 23”-25” hook nose brown.  As I was ready to land the fish by fishing partner upriver arrived.  I began to open my tube pouch to get the camera.  I tossed him the camera the fish made one last run.  Not to be netted that day.  Biggest trout ever on my bamboo rod.

The Georgia DH starts in November, so around thanksgiving I headed to the Toccoa DH area.  A wonderful mountain river experience but on that day a lot of fisherman and guides had the same idea in the low water perfect for wading.    So in the float tube, I headed for the deeper and rougher shoals where wading is difficult.  I always like to fish the pools of the shoals.    Two twin big trout we at the head waters of the shoals.  The video shows only one but both were skinny but 18+.  Great way to end the first trip to the Toccoa area.

The Chattahoochee River was a tough start with the dam flows required for the South Georgia areas lack of rain.  The couple of trips were successful with trout spread out along the river due to the water generation.  On the hooch, one can run into other fish, bass for sure.  When a bass hits your fly the first thought is, this is a big trout.  No disappointment as the fight is a good one on the cane. 

So a good start to the year’s trout fishing with many memories.  Looking to 2013 as a big fish year.

Fly fishing the Cataloochee Valley in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

August 18-19, 2012
-by Stephen A. Dubberly

On an early Saturday morning before the sun arose over an early Autumn southern landscape, Jeff Purdy, Stephen Dubberly, Greg Bennett and Jeff Miller set out for an adventure in the storied Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After the quick ride from Atlanta we approached the winding mountain-side dirt road leading into the Valley. We are anxious for what lies over the next ridge or around the next corner for we had never camped or fished in the Cataloochee Valley. Driving over the mountain on the two path road seemed to take even longer than the 200 miles we had just driven from our urban confines. Every turn revealed more and more as we descended into the Valley and seemingly back in time.

As we set up camp, we swap stories about things we had read about the historic valley. From bears to trout to elk, we had much to discuss. All of which proved to be as illusive as the cell phone signals we had left on the other side of the mountain. Once settled in we head off to find these native rainbows and brookies we read and heard so much about. We fish away the afternoon enjoying the awesome environment this natural, mostly untouched, habitat has to offer. We spread out to find the water we think hold the best trout. Alone, I trek through several parts of Cataloochee Creek presenting fly after fly and try all my best skills and tricks to only miss a couple of tiny trout before heading to see what the other guys may have accomplished. It appeared as though they had all had similar luck. These fish are tough, clear, skinny water, hard to find fish, hard to catch fish. These fish are pros, we are not in their league. Perhaps with the exception of our guide and fly fishing mentor Jeff Purdy, who had the most luck (or skill) of the entire weekend.

We head over to the Ranger Station to try the creek running through the meadow. Beautiful pocket water with small tumbling rapids over unique Smoky Mountain boulders transitioning into smooth flats just begging for a dry fly. "This it it!", I think to myself. "This is the spot, time to rid the skunk." No such luck, but I enjoyed every bit of this new water and this challenging leg of the adventure.

We drive back to camp after searching much of  the fishable water in this area of the Valley. Purdy's Special marinated ribs on the grill with all the fixin's for dinner and a few night caps and we are off too dream about the trout to be found in the day to come. That is, until the rain started. There was no rain in forecast, but in this valley, all bets are off. Will the fish bite in this weather? Well, according to the ranger in the campground, "Sometimes they like the rain, sometimes they don't." Words to live by. We give it one more shot in hopes that this is one of the times "they like it".

We drive over a long mountain pass in search of the "Second Bridge". We finally arrive after about 40 minutes on the two path road of endless switch-backs. "Are we there yet's" follow "Whoa! Look at the cliff!" The rain has subsided on this side of the mountain and we are once again excited! We are all anxious to try our hand at the fresh water we see flowing crisply and calling to us like a Siren's song from deep down in the gorge below. We step out into the parking area and decide which way to go. Greg and Jeff Miller head downstream, Jeff Purdy & I head upstream. After finally finding the overgrown stream-side trail we are on our way. The only thing I am thinking is, THIS IS BEAR COUNTRY! I had already read the statistic that this area has the highest concentration of bears in the entire GSMNP! That is a large area, and we are in the"bulls-eye" for bears so to speak. I have accepted the fact that we will walk up on one at any second as we trudge through the so-called "trail" yelling, BEAR! YO BEAR! Alas, we have survived and no bear is to be seen. Now, for the record, I'm not deathly afraid of bears. However I would rather see one from a distance than up close and personal in his/her own habitat!

We make our way down to the stream and it proves to be quite different than some of the slower water we had been fishing the day before. Larger boulders, far more pockets requiring a highly tactical approach. A level of fly fishing skill that I surely have not acquired yet. I make the best of the spot that I am in as Purdy treks on up stream further into bear country. We all reconvene near the bridge after a few hours. It appears I am the only one that has not actually landed a trout, I hooked into a couple of tiny, and I mean TINY, ones but I think my #14 Adams was just too big for them to set the hook. No worries, a great time was had by all and lifelong memories were made. While we may not venture to this exact location again any time soon in search of monster trout (we never thought they were actually there, but we can dream!), the majesty of this incredibly preserved valley beckons the call of anyone wanting to step back in time a little and experience a part of this country the way it was before highways & cell phones. Have a look at the video below and relive this remarkable weekend warrior adventure with us.
-Stephen

Click for more info on the Cataloochee Valley.

Float Tubing Canada 2012

It seems like it was long ago in January the we were planning our trip to the Canadian wilderness to try and be the only fishermen to adventure into lost lakes to find the perfect fishing experience.  We targeted 30 lakes knowing we could not make it into all lakes. The float tubes limit your range to 3/4 to 1 mile radius but the fishing  in the tube is a stealth mode to target shallow fish. 

We did find that the Bears and the Impenetrable forest were our most difficult foes.  We did find a few lost lakes where fish have not seen a lure or fly in a very long long long time.  30-50 fish at each lake was common, not bad for 4-6 hours,  and we fished at least 2 lakes per day.  We were at the post spawn for the smallies and they were in the shallows and on the shallow rocky points.  The weed beds were just starting to emerge but did hold fish at the edges.

All smallies in these lakes were 14"-19" and just very active and hungry.  My best made fly was the frog pattern flies with the tube flies being a big hit for the smallies and the northerns.

The muskies were tough in the lakes but we did have two attacks but no sucess in bring one in.  Imaging a 30-35" muskie coming to your tube then to strike ...  wow what a rush ! The northerns were similar in their attacks but not as exciting as a potential big muskie.

We had a great trip and adventure of a life time but did learn that the forest was diffucult to get through to the lakes that we could see,,(within 100 yards).  The fishing was spectacular on the lakes that we did fish.
We look forward to more Canadian adventures but fly in with our tubes maybe the ticket.
Trip Summary Video