Gary, Use A white hard-body popper with a synthetic white tail that can be replaced. It's been a long time since I fished for needle-nosed gars, but it's a hoot. Alligator gars are a little tougher to hold, as their dentition isn't the same. The rows of barbed spikes on the needle-nosed gar are perfect for the snarl-the-snout approach. Use a light-weight plastic Hula-popper body (or build one) with a split ring on the rear hook clamp. Tie some skirts about 4" long (awesome hair might work fine- Linesend) on a hook shank with the bend snipped off (anchor with Super-glue). Just strap down a chunk to the glued shank and comb out a little bit. Easy tie.
Attach skirt via split ring and fish. Cut gar loose by snipping the tangled part of the skirt away with scissors. You may get more than one fish per skirt. When the kirt gets too skimpy- swap out. It's a lot of fun to watch the gars take the fly on the surface with a big 'ol roll. I like the idea of Awesome Hair, as it breaks off easily, rather than stretching, so you may be able to free up the gar's jaws before you release him. Otherwise, he will starve, and even with the 'lowly' gar, that a cruel way to go.. DonO ----- Original Message ----- > Guys and Gals of the VFB, > > The species I'm targeting is GAR. > > -->Garry >
