Does anyone have suggestions on poppers in the wind. Main rod in the BW is a St Croix ultra 9ft 7 with 7 wt forward line.

Bass bug taper line might help. Scientific Angler makes a Mastery Bass Bug line that is supposed to be pretty good. I guess either that or step it up to an 8 weight.

Thanks, on those windy days it can get exciting trying to cast with the wind.

wear sunglasses:)

Bass line is good, but have you ever tried a bonefish line? That stuff is made for bucking flies into a headwind, and it shoots like nothing I've ever seen in a freshwater line.

Thanks for the advise and I will try it in June. Might work better than the sun glasses.

you can do both-use a line with a pronounced forward taper-perhaps stepping up a size from your rod weight (recommended by Tim Holschlag-smallmouth bass fishing god) AND you can wear eye protection!

Do you use his poppers in the BWCA. I have a friend that's friends with Tim. He got me going to the BWCA and changed from spinning to fly rod. Was bait caster and big boat guy before

hey bulldog-
i have not used Tim's poppers-regrettably haven't done much SMB fishing on the fly rod in the BWCA. plan to do some pike fly fishing up there this spring.

tg

I use a Rio Clouser line on my 8wt. It really gets it out there. Wind will always be a factor, but this line helps me.

also a Rio Clouser line user (8wt on 8wt rod)

So that's 2 thumbs up for the Clouser line? I've been wondering about that stuff. Any negatives that either of you have noticed?

I had the RIO redfish line suggested to me. I haven't tried it yet, mostly because I haven't wanted to commit the $60 to a new line yet. I currently have a Scientific Anglerss WF 9 and I haven't been all that impressed.
I also want to step up to a pike line. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

tight loops-i don't have anything to compare it to unfortunately as it is the only 8W line I've owned or cast. does have some good shooting power. i like the welded loop at the end of the line for quickly attaching leaders.
tg

Thanks, tg! I've been looking for a line that shoots a little better. Wooly-I have the Mastery Series Pike/Muskie taper in an 8 wt, and it's pretty good. I used bass bug taper before, and to be honest, I really can't tell the difference, except the pike line is better in cold water.

The fact that you ike it in cold water says a lot. I think I'm going to take the plunge soon on a 9 wt. pike line. Anyone wanting to weigh in on brands would be appreciated.

It may go without saying but high profile hair-fly's are a bitch in the wind. They are light and bushy - very wind resistant and difficult to throw. I recommend tying on a cork type fly that has been dipped in cement. While it will float it is heavier and less wind resistant. I will also trim the puffy part or feathers back a bit to help the fly cut through the wind.

I too am more of a novice than not, but built a 9-foot, 6 weight a few years ago and put on the RIO Clouser. Wasn't sure about the 6 weight decision but was trying to build a "best fit" size to cover smaller species as well, and it worked out OK. It is somewhat limiting when you get into larger dahbergs and the like, but within reason, good size poppers, streamers and leaches cast quite well which I think says a lot for the Clouser line. I'd buy it again, but the bonefish line Tight Loops mentions has me curious. Guess I need to build an 8 weight now?

Do you build rods for other people? I'm in the market for a custom 6wt...

Possibly. At this point I've only built a few for friends. Really depends how much of a hurry you're in (I have a regular "day job" too). I've left you an e-mail.

Some contrary advice on line weight: some recommend underweighting line for windy conditions, e.g. a 5-wt line on the 6 weight rod. On a canoe trip though, gear is limited, and I don't have a full arsenal of line weights to choose from so I settle on shorter casts.

Tight loops are important as someone mentioned. Also, something that is a bit more difficult when canoe flyfishing, is to keep the line low on the water by casting sidearm instead of overhead casting. Scaling down the size of the popper or as someone suggested using a cork or foam popper rather than deerhair can help.

My approach if it is too windy is to usually give up on topwater and go subsurface (often with intermediate line) or use a pop and drop (but that can be harder in the wind too).