A coworker and I flyfished a local pond during lunch today.
I had a new (to me) style ("bendback") of fly I had tied up and wanted to try out. I've seen these for years, I just had not ever tied one up. And I didn't like the way some were bent, because they looked like they wouldn't do a good job of hooking the fish. So...maybe what I've tied really aren't "bendbacks"? But they work along the same principles
The first ones I tied on #8 "Special Use" hooks I use for my bass poppers:
![](https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/FishnDave/2016FishPics/5F95BC6C-33C6-4B2A-8608-544382D7E290_zpsh3kuwko7.jpg)
I wanted something bigger as well, so I went to Sportsmans Warehouse yesterday during lunch and bought some 2/0 bass worm hooks in two styles....and manufactured by Owner and Gamakatsu. I tied up a couple of these larger ones last night.
![](https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/FishnDave/2016FishPics/904739B3-6EE0-46CA-A99B-EBE2B3E4A840_zpsozcaaprq.jpg)
The theory behind these is they will ride hook-point-up, and the materials also somewhat (marginally) help protect the hook point from fouling on weeds. Tinsel or other material wrapped around the hookshank gives the illusion of a deeper-bodied baitfish.
Yesterday's 3" deluge of rain had the water level up and stained. Anyway, I already had a Blockhead Popper tied on my line, so I used it as I covered 1/2 the pond. I caught one fish. With just 5 minutes left, I switched to one of the #8 Bendbacks (the white one with purple flash), and re-worked just one short piece of shoreline on my way out. I caught 3 bass, and missed bluegills and a decent Hybrid Sunfish. That is pretty great for this particular pond! The bass were all small.... less than 12".
![](https://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c221/FishnDave/2016FishPics/E6553E70-04F1-4F6D-BD2F-8123CE6EEBA1_zpsxocr0ijz.jpg)
I'm calling the trial a big success! I'm gonna have to tie up some more...