Bait Bugs

[TubeDude]

"And I don't know many Utah anglers...besides the hard-core Orvis dorks...who don't bait their lures with some kind of flavor enhancement...either sometimes or all the time."

While I don't dispute whether or not your bugs work, I do disagree with the Orvis dorks comment. Some lakes in Utah, that have some very large fish, do not allow bait or scents of any kind. I fish them often, and trust me, bait would make it much easier, but it's not always about easy.

No offense intended for anyone who simply prefers to fish totally artificial.  Although I am making a case for adding bait to lures...when necessary or simply desired...I fully appreciate the preference for fishing only with fur, feathers and a high degree of skill.  I have tied flies, built fly rods and waved the "fairy wand" over many waters myself.  I do enjoy it, but not to the extent of giving up all other forms of fishing.  Nor do I think less of anyone who chooses to do so.

Kinda like religion or politics.  I open-mindedly allow others to harbor their own beliefs and live their own lives however they choose.  But I can get a bit testy when someone else tries to  coerce me into adopting their style or beliefs.  

Fishing, for me, has always been a combination of enjoying the wonders of nature, learning more about the environment...and the species within...and expanding my knowledge base of tactics, tackle and techniques to increase my success and enjoyment of fishing.  Right after that comes being able to download and share the things I have learned to help others shorten their own learning curves.  I can truthfully claim to get as much enjoyment out of helping others to catch fish as catching them myself.  Well...maybe not always.

On a personal note, sir.  I deeply admire and respect you for your apparent angling skills...and even more for the excellent photos you post.  Keep up the good work.  And I apologize if I offended you with my "OD" comment.

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Over the years, I have caught some fish on your bait bugs.  I probably should try them more often.

My hand-crafted short-tailed jigs are not the only "bait bugs".  Anytime you put a piece of worm on a plastic tube jig or a waxworm on an ice fly you are doing it.

And when you put a chunk of cisco on a jig at Bear Lake...or sucker meat at the Gorge...yep.  Bait buggin'.