Andy Dear | Monday, 27 January 2025
Back in October I wrote a Front Page about the 1st annual Gulf Coast Casting Confab that was held in Seguin Texas. Among the attendees was a fellow from Wisconsin named Kalyn Hoggard. Kalyn and his casting buddy Marty had come down to visit with Bill Gammel, and were subsequently included in the confab group. Kalyn and I immediately hit it off, and have since become good friends. A couple of months ago Kalyn shared with me a fly tying accessory he had been adding to his top-water flies that was absolutely hammering the Pike and Musky in his home state of Wisconsin. I thought this "accessory" was unique and forward thinking enough that the general public may have an interest in adding this to their fly tying quiver. To that end Kalyn and I have teamed up to bring you The WakeMaker.
The popularity and effectiveness of "prop baits" have been well documented over the years by anglers using conventional tackle. Artificial lures like The Heddon Tiny Torpedo and The Smithwick Devil's Horse have been effective topwaters in both fresh and saltwater for over 50 years. However, there really hasn't been an effective way to mimic the surface and audible signature of these prop baits in the fly world...enter The WakeMaker.
The WakeMaker is a 3D-printed propellor with a unique angular design that attaches to the shank of the hook through a unique mounting slot. To use the WakeMaker, leave 2mm-3mm of bare shank behind the eye of the hook when adding materials to the shank. Once the materials are tied in, whip finished and head cement is dry, mount the WakeMaker to the shank of the hook, by gently spreading two of the wings apart and slipping the hook shank into the mounting slot. To remove the WakeMaker, simply spread two of the wings apart, and slip off the shank!
The WakeMaker will be offered in 5 colors, 2 different blade lengths, and 2 different mounting slot widths to accommodate different diameter hook shanks.
Im very excited both personally and professionally about The WakeMaker. It should be extremely effective on just about everything that swims in both fresh and saltwater. And, the opportunity to bring a unique accessory to the fly fishing world doesn't happen very often, so kudos to Kalyn for being so generous with his design.
Kalyn and I are working on some video footage of The WakeMaker in action, along with a few patterns demonstrating what can be done with this little propellor.
I also have a website under construction, so stay tuned for more information on The WakeMaker!
Hope you all are having a great week!
Andy
