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Simms Gear up to 55% off at Red Truck Fly Fishing Co.!
Our Grand Opening Sale was epic.
Our next sale? Well, it's Even bigger!!
For FOUR DAYS ONLY, Red Truck Fly Fishing Company is offering a ridiculous 55% deep discount on top-shelf fly fishing gear and clothing from Simms, THE trusted name among the top fly fishing guides in the United States.
As always, Red Truck’s entire inventory is either overstocked or discontinued, so it's available in limited quantities only… so be quick or you may miss out!
To check out the full slate of sweet deals available during the Red Truck Simms 55% Off Blowout Sale, CLICK HERE, and get 'em before they're gone!
Here's just a taste of some of the killer deals you'll find during this unprecedented Simms blowout sale at Red Truck:
FEATURED PRODUCT -
GUIDE SHORTS 3X Dry
The perfect shorts to keep you dry and cool on the water, at camp, and at the bar in town! With awesome wicking ability and sun protection built in, we'll catch you drifting Montana's big water, cruising the flats of Belize, or slicing up the spring creeks of New Zealand!
Regular Price: $39.95
Red Truck SALE PRICE: $17.98
FEATURED PRODUCT -
TROUT POLO 3X Dry
An excellent polo shirt for serious trout bums! It keeps things cool on the way to your favorite hidden spring creek, speeds up a casual day at the office, and performs even when you're sneaking in some extra swings on the driving range.
Regular Price: $39.95
Red Truck SALE PRICE: $17.98
FEATURED PRODUCT -
KEEN RIVER SANDALS
Where we're from, we do a lot of wet wading during the summer months, and we bet you do too! The Simms Keen River Sandals are a fantastic choice for days when the waders are better left at home.
Regular Price: $79.95
Red Truck SALE PRICE: $35.98
FEATURED PRODUCT -
CLASSIC GUIDE JACKET
Simms' Classic Guide Jacket is aptly named. With a clean and comfortable design, a hardcore approach to durability, and a breathable GORE-TEX construction, this all-business fishing jacket will keep you on the water and in the cut for hours.
Regular Price: $299.95
Red Truck SALE PRICE: $134.98
Fly Fishing Quote of the Week
Our latest quote of the week comes from a press release put out by the Missouri Trout Hunter that aims to take some of the mistique out of fly fishing and promote their fly fishing school.
Fulps asserts that trout are not smarter than other species of fish, nor do they have the sharp visual acuity for which many give them credit. "Trout fishermen have invented those beliefs over the years, simply because we needed an excuse for why we couldn't catch them as easily as we could other species. The biggest trout are not the smartest trout. They're simply the most frightened, which is why they're so difficult to catch. And human eyesight is actually about 14 times stronger than that of a trout."
Fulps asserts that trout are not smarter than other species of fish, nor do they have the sharp visual acuity for which many give them credit. "Trout fishermen have invented those beliefs over the years, simply because we needed an excuse for why we couldn't catch them as easily as we could other species. The biggest trout are not the smartest trout. They're simply the most frightened, which is why they're so difficult to catch. And human eyesight is actually about 14 times stronger than that of a trout."
A quick word about being hardcore.
You want to go fishing but it's windy, so what? Your buddies want to head down to the river but it's snowing, so what? Your standing in water somewhere, there is freezing rain dripping down the crack of your ass and you haven't been able to feel your toes for what seems like months.... so what?
My father (left) once told me that if you havn't peed in your waders, you havn't been fishing long enough. He fishes with a pint of Johnnie Walker, a pocket of cigars and a wine opener with a glass in his cooler, just in case. He is hardcore like that.
You only have so long on this plane of existence, so get out and do some shit. Nobody cares to hear the story about how once you were going to go fishing, and it was going to be sweet, and you would have caught some sweet fish but it was too whatever outside so you pussed out. Nobody cares about that crap.
Get out, catch fish or don't, be miserable if need be, but make a story for fuck sake. Do things, kick ass, be awesome in any way that you can. Success doesn't matter, it is the attempt that counts.
A man is judged by what he does, not what he would have done if conditions were perfect.
-Alex
You only have so long on this plane of existence, so get out and do some shit. Nobody cares to hear the story about how once you were going to go fishing, and it was going to be sweet, and you would have caught some sweet fish but it was too whatever outside so you pussed out. Nobody cares about that crap.
Get out, catch fish or don't, be miserable if need be, but make a story for fuck sake. Do things, kick ass, be awesome in any way that you can. Success doesn't matter, it is the attempt that counts.
A man is judged by what he does, not what he would have done if conditions were perfect.
-Alex
It's not any better on Nescopeck Creek.
Nescopeck Creek can be just as challenging as Fishing Creek, but Fishing Creek has slower background traffic...
"It's a wonderful world."
"It's a wonderful world."
NC Fly Fishing Team Website Live
The excellent anglers with the NC Fly Fishing Team have launched a new website. The site contains information about the team and their conservation and education activities as well as competition information. It is a snazzy looking site that would make a great spot for potential sponsors to show their support.
The North Carolina Fly Fishing Team is a group of Fly Fishing Enthusists that formed in 2006 as a non-profit organization dedicated to developing a competitive fly fishing team to participate in regional, national and international events. The Team also strives to participate and coordinate educational and conservation efforts aimed at teaching and preserving the valuabl e angling resources in North Carolina.
We are particularly proud to be associated with the team although we are not quite sure why a group of such excellent fishers let us tag along. Be sure to check out the photo gallery and promo video. The team has already had some success in Fips Mouche style competition so we are expecting big things in the future.
Their next big test comes this weekend at Lake Lure, North Carolina's Olympiad Fly Masters.
Equipment review
I work at a private fishing club filled with rich old men, The bad part about it is I don't get to fish our river very much, but the good thing is, I get to try out all the new shit that is coming out now.
I took a break from work and chatting with the old guys to tell you all some of my thoughts on new gear that is coming out now and some, well most that has been out. Please remember that this is only my opinion and it may or may not work for the rest of you.
1. Wright&McGill Essentials Waders
4 stars, I love these! For around $200 how could you go wrong? they are very easy to turn into waist waders and with the pull strap gravel guards they are #1 in my book. They also come with a back support that in turns doubles as a wading belt. Very light weight and easy for walking threw the river. For a suggestion if you don't have the money for Simms check these out you cant go wrong.
2.Orvis Helios
The rods are a bit expensive, but are they worth it?
So I was trying a #4 rod out with a Battenkill reel and Rio line. The rod weighs nothing. the tip flex is a great way to go. i would rate these more for Dry Fly myself. i have never had such a long shoot with such a light rod. The rod is very sensitive, after 4 fish i noticed I was using my indicator as well with the feel of the rod to determine weather the fly got hit or caught on a rock. I have no idea how Orvis created this mutant of a rod but I do like it. Maybe not the best rod i have thrown, (I do like rods that are heavier) But yet alone, AMAZING. I would suggest everyone go out and try these at you local shop.
3. SharkSkin Fly Line
Not for me.
they say, "Its wicks the water away". Then I ask, is that why it rattles threw all my guides? They say,"It will shoot father than any other line" Ummmmmm nope. A line i will get to soon does a much better job. But on the good side, in freezing snow and ball chilling water the line is good. It seems to have the least amount of memory in cold conditions. For $100 i would stay clear of this line.
4. Lamiglas Fly Rods
I took a break from work and chatting with the old guys to tell you all some of my thoughts on new gear that is coming out now and some, well most that has been out. Please remember that this is only my opinion and it may or may not work for the rest of you.
1. Wright&McGill Essentials Waders
4 stars, I love these! For around $200 how could you go wrong? they are very easy to turn into waist waders and with the pull strap gravel guards they are #1 in my book. They also come with a back support that in turns doubles as a wading belt. Very light weight and easy for walking threw the river. For a suggestion if you don't have the money for Simms check these out you cant go wrong.
2.Orvis Helios
The rods are a bit expensive, but are they worth it?
So I was trying a #4 rod out with a Battenkill reel and Rio line. The rod weighs nothing. the tip flex is a great way to go. i would rate these more for Dry Fly myself. i have never had such a long shoot with such a light rod. The rod is very sensitive, after 4 fish i noticed I was using my indicator as well with the feel of the rod to determine weather the fly got hit or caught on a rock. I have no idea how Orvis created this mutant of a rod but I do like it. Maybe not the best rod i have thrown, (I do like rods that are heavier) But yet alone, AMAZING. I would suggest everyone go out and try these at you local shop.
3. SharkSkin Fly Line
Not for me.
they say, "Its wicks the water away". Then I ask, is that why it rattles threw all my guides? They say,"It will shoot father than any other line" Ummmmmm nope. A line i will get to soon does a much better job. But on the good side, in freezing snow and ball chilling water the line is good. It seems to have the least amount of memory in cold conditions. For $100 i would stay clear of this line.
4. Lamiglas Fly Rods
Its no wonder why i like these rods, I own them. I bought on of their low end rods about a year and a half ago. I cant put this thing down. I love it. I throw a 6# most of the time and it has the back bone of a 9# it seems. I can shoot this rod further than any i have tried before. i don't have much to day about it, but Lamiglas is my rod of choice. The feel and the presentation I get from it is amazing.
5. AirFlo Ridge Line
Rod McLeoud gave me a sample pack of this line when he owned Tight Lines in Tucson Arizona. I haven't been able to fine a better line yet. I do like Rio and the Simms lines too, but the ridge line is my perfect line. The tiny ridges in the line make it for less friction threw the guides and you feel how well the line fills your guides when going for a long shoot. very low memory in the line and i know most people clip off the streamlines loops at the end, but I like it for easier leader change without a mono loop. The only place I found this in Colorado is at Hook Flyshop.
6. Rio Fluoroflex Plus Tippet
Are you sick of hitting small streams and calm rivers with big fish, yet you see how often you have to use6,7, or even 8X tippet? well i now know the solution. In Deckers where the winter water average out about 100cfs I was using 7X tippet most of the time. Only problems are the fish WILL break you off on a rock before you know it or a nasty wind knot will occur. This tippet is not cheap but well worth the money. I have been hitting up more fish on a 4X Fluoro without braking the tippet. For those of you like me who tend to "muscle in the fish" need this tippet. Its strong, its invisible, and its Rio!
Pick it up if you are still using mono you will notice the change.
That is all for now!
-Kyle
5. AirFlo Ridge Line
Rod McLeoud gave me a sample pack of this line when he owned Tight Lines in Tucson Arizona. I haven't been able to fine a better line yet. I do like Rio and the Simms lines too, but the ridge line is my perfect line. The tiny ridges in the line make it for less friction threw the guides and you feel how well the line fills your guides when going for a long shoot. very low memory in the line and i know most people clip off the streamlines loops at the end, but I like it for easier leader change without a mono loop. The only place I found this in Colorado is at Hook Flyshop.
6. Rio Fluoroflex Plus Tippet
Are you sick of hitting small streams and calm rivers with big fish, yet you see how often you have to use6,7, or even 8X tippet? well i now know the solution. In Deckers where the winter water average out about 100cfs I was using 7X tippet most of the time. Only problems are the fish WILL break you off on a rock before you know it or a nasty wind knot will occur. This tippet is not cheap but well worth the money. I have been hitting up more fish on a 4X Fluoro without braking the tippet. For those of you like me who tend to "muscle in the fish" need this tippet. Its strong, its invisible, and its Rio!
Pick it up if you are still using mono you will notice the change.
That is all for now!
-Kyle
Food: Candied Trout
Available from Cunningham's Scotch Cold Smoking; trout that will satisfy the angler's sweet tooth.
A favourite west coast treat, first developed by native peoples renowned for their creative smoked fish delicacies. At Cunningham's we put a twist on the idea by using trout instead of salmon. Our candy is marinated then cold smoked for 25 hours. When it has lost about 35% of its moisture it is finally kippered. It is sold vacuum-packed and frozen in portions between 110 and 180 grams.
705 miles, 4 hours of fishing, 4 hooked species
With the Wrinkleneck trip looming just over the booze-laden horizon, my buddy Roger and I took a 24hr trip up to the White Mountains to do a little pre-neck recon mission. I basically knew where we were going. And I learned a valuable lesson: If you ever plan to drive to somewhere which involves navigating 30 miles of mountain fire roads at night, it would be nice to have a more than a basic idea where you have to go. At 2am we were very near the point of no return, and heading the warning of the gas gauge we decided to make camp. Carl's Jr burger wrappers, semi-used TP, and a granola bar box (the manly peanut butter kind, none of that sandal wearing hippy crap) quickly brought the Ents to their crackling knees, bringing warmth and happiness to all.
Wind is a dirty bitch, and spent the next day punching us in the testicles, and after finally getting to the lake we had driven all this way to scope out, mother nature giggled and turned the dial from ‘sub-light speed’ to ‘ludicrous speed’ and we decided that being drop-kicked to the opposite shore and having to carry our tubes back was not what a couple of sleep-deprived clowns thought of as a fun idea, we decided to GTFO and find something more promising.
Driving, turning, driving, stopping, looking, picking dust boogers (carefully on bumpy dirt roads); we pushed on. Then a sign: 10 miles to Black River east fork. Shit, why not? After receiving a tip from a nutball turkey hunter named Rom, we ended up at the west fork.
I knew that the Black River at lower altitudes is great smallmouth water, but at close to 8,600 feet, I was unsure about the population of this portion, so in my not-even-close-to infinite wisdom, I shrugged and tied on a stonefly and a hare's ear and waded in.
5 steps later I surprised a fish that made some chocolate milk and left. A sucker? Hmmm.....
(5 minutes later) Well would you look at that! I guess sometimes a guy just gets lucky. Over the next couple hours I also netted a brown, a rainbow and answered my earlier uncertainty by hooking a nice smallmouth that was apparently not impressed by my angling ability or by the size of my tippet and quickly broke off all my crap and took it with him. Well, at least now I know, and I think hooking 4 species of fish in a 100 yard stretch of river is the kick-ass.
We ran into a few other locals on way home, who seemed a little weary about our presence and didn't want to share any fishing tips. Buncha jerks.
-Alex
Wind is a dirty bitch, and spent the next day punching us in the testicles, and after finally getting to the lake we had driven all this way to scope out, mother nature giggled and turned the dial from ‘sub-light speed’ to ‘ludicrous speed’ and we decided that being drop-kicked to the opposite shore and having to carry our tubes back was not what a couple of sleep-deprived clowns thought of as a fun idea, we decided to GTFO and find something more promising.
Driving, turning, driving, stopping, looking, picking dust boogers (carefully on bumpy dirt roads); we pushed on. Then a sign: 10 miles to Black River east fork. Shit, why not? After receiving a tip from a nutball turkey hunter named Rom, we ended up at the west fork.
I knew that the Black River at lower altitudes is great smallmouth water, but at close to 8,600 feet, I was unsure about the population of this portion, so in my not-even-close-to infinite wisdom, I shrugged and tied on a stonefly and a hare's ear and waded in.
5 steps later I surprised a fish that made some chocolate milk and left. A sucker? Hmmm.....
(5 minutes later) Well would you look at that! I guess sometimes a guy just gets lucky. Over the next couple hours I also netted a brown, a rainbow and answered my earlier uncertainty by hooking a nice smallmouth that was apparently not impressed by my angling ability or by the size of my tippet and quickly broke off all my crap and took it with him. Well, at least now I know, and I think hooking 4 species of fish in a 100 yard stretch of river is the kick-ass.
We ran into a few other locals on way home, who seemed a little weary about our presence and didn't want to share any fishing tips. Buncha jerks.
-Alex
Alt View: Snakehead Eradication in Arkansas
Bryan Hendricks of the Northwest Arkansas News takes a tongue in cheek look at the recent eradication of a colony of invasive northern snakehead from the pro-snakehead point of view.
Those who knew them say the snakeheads were some of the most industrious, hardest-working fish they ever met. Some also say they were delicious, much more so than their distant cousins, the bowfins, which, coincidentally, endure their own indignities in the form of slurs such as "cypress trout" and the spiteful and demeaning "choupique."
It is true that leaders of the snakehead community expressed a desire to someday migrate into the White River watershed, where the full promise and potential of the American Dream awaited. That proved too much for the AGFC, which quickly deployed its armed forces to squash this exodus before it mobilized.
The rest of the article is certainly worth reading with our favorite qoute being:
Sadly, the snakehead seems to have gone the way of the ivorybill woodpecker, just as Brinkley was on the eve of launching a marketing campaign proclaiming itself "Snakehead Capital of the South."
Only one fish today...
Caught and released just upstream from the new house on a Hendrickson Comparadun with a sparkle shuck.
Decent fish in the 18" plus range.
Met several neighbors today as well, good folks.
Now, bring on the PA reports.
Decent fish in the 18" plus range.Met several neighbors today as well, good folks.
Now, bring on the PA reports.
Demos, realistic fly tying & furled leaders
Yesterday was the Open Day for the Orvis stores, throughout the country. Burford is a really beautiful town situated in the Cotswolds, between Cheltenham and Oxford. Near the store runs the river Windrush.
There were alot of people through the doors - often sporadic. There was a fait bit of interest in the fly-tying and certainly we managed to fuel the interests of some of the children that watched - the future of our sport. It was great to see the look on their faces when they managed to tie their first fly.
Here's a great shot from the day, when Dennis Shaw's Ammonite Nymph met a living Alder fly:
Love at first sight!
The artificial is pattern designed by Steve Thornton. Click here for a tutorial by Dennis Shaw for its tying.
Here's a shot of Dennis Shaw's Hopper flies - not a usual pattern in the UK, but certainly effective. It's accounted for some big wild fish!
I mainly tied dun and spinner patterns, with a few nymphs and soft hackles thrown in. Here's the sort of thing:
The idea behind this particular fly was to use the tail splitting floss as the top of the abdomen.
Also present was Jim Williams from the Wiltshire Fly Fishing School. He was demonstrating how to tie furled leaders. This was a really fascinating process - simple, but incredibly effective. The turnover in these leaders is truly amazing. I certainly plan to road test these this season. They have so many applications from Czech nymphing through to dry-fly - and everything in between. Take a look at the Jim's Furled leaders website - he isn't taking orders at the moment, but will do very soon. Definitely worth the tiny price for something so long lasting and effective. When I get my hands on the leaders, I'll let you know how I get on.
By the way, I've just added a rolling gallery to the right.
The link takes you to some of my wife's art work. Please take a look ;-)
~ Dave
There were alot of people through the doors - often sporadic. There was a fait bit of interest in the fly-tying and certainly we managed to fuel the interests of some of the children that watched - the future of our sport. It was great to see the look on their faces when they managed to tie their first fly.
Here's a great shot from the day, when Dennis Shaw's Ammonite Nymph met a living Alder fly:
Love at first sight!The artificial is pattern designed by Steve Thornton. Click here for a tutorial by Dennis Shaw for its tying.
Here's a shot of Dennis Shaw's Hopper flies - not a usual pattern in the UK, but certainly effective. It's accounted for some big wild fish!
I mainly tied dun and spinner patterns, with a few nymphs and soft hackles thrown in. Here's the sort of thing:
The idea behind this particular fly was to use the tail splitting floss as the top of the abdomen.
Also present was Jim Williams from the Wiltshire Fly Fishing School. He was demonstrating how to tie furled leaders. This was a really fascinating process - simple, but incredibly effective. The turnover in these leaders is truly amazing. I certainly plan to road test these this season. They have so many applications from Czech nymphing through to dry-fly - and everything in between. Take a look at the Jim's Furled leaders website - he isn't taking orders at the moment, but will do very soon. Definitely worth the tiny price for something so long lasting and effective. When I get my hands on the leaders, I'll let you know how I get on.
By the way, I've just added a rolling gallery to the right.
The link takes you to some of my wife's art work. Please take a look ;-)
~ Dave
FUDR "One Bug" Event, Dinner & Auction
FUDR’s One Bug Fundraising Dinner & Auction 04/24/09
Hancock’s Capital Theatre was dressed up in its outdoorsy best for the annual One Bug Event’s kickoff dinner and auction. Obviously, hours of preparation had gone into making the theatre feel like a fishing lodge. Log panels had been installed along each of the side walls to serve as a gallery for some of the artwork set to be auctioned. Large banners had been hung from the rafters all the way around the dining area. Of particular note was the flag hanging in the rear of the room, styled much like the American flag, the field of blue contained a jumping trout and the outline of a Catskill dry fly. The striped area was done in the traditional manner with an inscription near the bottom, “Give me water, or give me death.” Hanging just above head level were seemingly hundreds of wooden trout cutouts and round paper lanterns all sporting a fall leaf color scheme.
My lovely wife and I arrived close to 7:00 pm and immediately noticed the high level of testosterone in the room. These guys had their game faces on! After sampling the fine hors d’oeuvres catered by the Bluestone Grill we sauntered over to the bar sponsored by the Hancock Liquor Store. They had a particularly nice cabernet from Chile that was enjoyed by many in attendance.
Opening remarks were made by “Coz” Costolnick and Dan Plummer, event organizers and prominent members of FUDR. The honorable Assemblyman Clifford Crouch was the featured speaker. He talked about his history of addressing the needs and concerns of residents and visitors to the Delaware River watershed. He emphasized the work being done to mitigate flood events, to enhance the fishery and to restore several creeks in the Hancock area to their pre-flood productivity.
Following the speakers, the auction started in earnest. About half of the items available for the fundraising auction were offered by silent auction and the remaining items went via live auction presided over by Coz. Three particularly nice watercolors of Delaware River fly fishing scenes passed the $1,000 dollar mark very quickly. Unfortunately well beyond the bidding limits we had set for ourselves. Other auction items included; shadowboxed flies, handmade primitive fishing tools, fly rods, reels, matted and framed prints, and various other pieces of gear.
The dinner and auction served as a very enjoyable opener to the One Bug competition set for Saturday and Sunday. During the competition, 13 teams of two anglers and a guide are assigned beats on the Delaware’s main stem. Each angler must select one fly to be used during the day. If that fly is lost or destroyed, the competitive fishing ends for that angler for the remaining portion of the day. Flies may only be repaired through use of adhesive or sharpening of the hook. During each day only six fish can be selected by each angler for measurement. Points are awarded based upon the total length of each fish. A bonus of 100 points is awarded for retaining the original fly until the day’s end.
Good luck anglers and enjoy the finest trout fishery in the East, the great Delaware River.
Story by: Coach
Gourmand and International Man of Leisure
Hancock’s Capital Theatre was dressed up in its outdoorsy best for the annual One Bug Event’s kickoff dinner and auction. Obviously, hours of preparation had gone into making the theatre feel like a fishing lodge. Log panels had been installed along each of the side walls to serve as a gallery for some of the artwork set to be auctioned. Large banners had been hung from the rafters all the way around the dining area. Of particular note was the flag hanging in the rear of the room, styled much like the American flag, the field of blue contained a jumping trout and the outline of a Catskill dry fly. The striped area was done in the traditional manner with an inscription near the bottom, “Give me water, or give me death.” Hanging just above head level were seemingly hundreds of wooden trout cutouts and round paper lanterns all sporting a fall leaf color scheme.
My lovely wife and I arrived close to 7:00 pm and immediately noticed the high level of testosterone in the room. These guys had their game faces on! After sampling the fine hors d’oeuvres catered by the Bluestone Grill we sauntered over to the bar sponsored by the Hancock Liquor Store. They had a particularly nice cabernet from Chile that was enjoyed by many in attendance.
Opening remarks were made by “Coz” Costolnick and Dan Plummer, event organizers and prominent members of FUDR. The honorable Assemblyman Clifford Crouch was the featured speaker. He talked about his history of addressing the needs and concerns of residents and visitors to the Delaware River watershed. He emphasized the work being done to mitigate flood events, to enhance the fishery and to restore several creeks in the Hancock area to their pre-flood productivity.
Following the speakers, the auction started in earnest. About half of the items available for the fundraising auction were offered by silent auction and the remaining items went via live auction presided over by Coz. Three particularly nice watercolors of Delaware River fly fishing scenes passed the $1,000 dollar mark very quickly. Unfortunately well beyond the bidding limits we had set for ourselves. Other auction items included; shadowboxed flies, handmade primitive fishing tools, fly rods, reels, matted and framed prints, and various other pieces of gear.
The dinner and auction served as a very enjoyable opener to the One Bug competition set for Saturday and Sunday. During the competition, 13 teams of two anglers and a guide are assigned beats on the Delaware’s main stem. Each angler must select one fly to be used during the day. If that fly is lost or destroyed, the competitive fishing ends for that angler for the remaining portion of the day. Flies may only be repaired through use of adhesive or sharpening of the hook. During each day only six fish can be selected by each angler for measurement. Points are awarded based upon the total length of each fish. A bonus of 100 points is awarded for retaining the original fly until the day’s end.
Good luck anglers and enjoy the finest trout fishery in the East, the great Delaware River.
Story by: Coach
Gourmand and International Man of Leisure
Friday Bacon!
A healthy alternative...
choose the bacon salad bowl! A delicious healthy salad with a low calorie dressing is just what you need to stay light on your feet prior to this weekends foray to the local troutspots.
And no, you don't eat the bowl and throw out the salad.
Enjoy!
choose the bacon salad bowl! A delicious healthy salad with a low calorie dressing is just what you need to stay light on your feet prior to this weekends foray to the local troutspots.And no, you don't eat the bowl and throw out the salad.
Enjoy!
Fin sighted in Carolina
Ran into Jason Puris of fishing website TheFin.com hanging outside one of my favorite suburban carp spots. He was in town working with the FLW bass tourney so we took the opportunity to have a brew and some fish taco's. Check out his website. It is an excellent all around hang out for the angling crowd.
At the same time Jason comes to town, we get reports of a Snakehead being caught in a local lake.
"Fisherman Gary Upton of McAdenville caught the 12-pound, 31-inch northern snakehead Sunday in the lake's Paw Creek arm in Mecklenburg County. He took his saw-toothed catch to a N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission biologist who identified it."
Coincidence? Perhaps....perhaps..
WB Hendricksons...
The Hendricksons, they are a poppin’ and the feeshes are a lookin’ up.
Yesterday, 04/22/09, afternoon saw the first real hatches start on the West Branch of the Delaware River. We are now seeing some good Hendrickson and caddis action to dry flies.
Right now the river is quite low, too low for drift boats, but fishing great for wading anglers.
A quick look at the Hale Eddy Gauge indicates a current water temperature of just over 42 degrees Fahrenheit and a discharge of 226 cubic feet per second. The weather this weekend looks like it will cooperate nicely for all of us fair weather fishermen, temps. in the mid. 70’s on Friday and temps. in the mid. 80’s for Saturday and Sunday. What’s that you say? You don’t know what flies to use? Find some that look like these refined beauties and you’ll do just fine.
Yesterday, 04/22/09, afternoon saw the first real hatches start on the West Branch of the Delaware River. We are now seeing some good Hendrickson and caddis action to dry flies.
Right now the river is quite low, too low for drift boats, but fishing great for wading anglers.
A quick look at the Hale Eddy Gauge indicates a current water temperature of just over 42 degrees Fahrenheit and a discharge of 226 cubic feet per second. The weather this weekend looks like it will cooperate nicely for all of us fair weather fishermen, temps. in the mid. 70’s on Friday and temps. in the mid. 80’s for Saturday and Sunday. What’s that you say? You don’t know what flies to use? Find some that look like these refined beauties and you’ll do just fine.
Hendrickson CDC Emerger
Hendrickson Snowshoe Emerger
Hendrickson Comparadun
Hendrickson Standard
See you on the WB!
Orvis Demonstration - Burford
This is turning out to be a busy week with work which is preventing me from getting on the river. However, on Saturday, I will be doing a demonstration at the Orvis store in Burford.
All the stores will be running events on the Friday and the Saturday. If you can, please pop in have a chat. Dennis Shaw will also be tying - and having watched a recent demonstration of his tying, you will certainly be impressed.
To get into the mind-set for Saturday, here are a couple of soft-hackled spinner patterns from last weekend:
Hook: Grip 12003 #12
Thread: 10/0 orange Powersilk
Tail: DNA frosty fibre
Abdomen: Awesome Possum, olive
Rib: As thread
Hackle: Greenwells hen
Hook: Grip 12003 #12
Thread: 10/0 Orange Powersilk, orange
Abdomen: Wapsi superfine, grey/olive
Rib: As thread
Tail: Lemon Woodduck barbs
Thorax: Peacock herl
Hackle: Coq de Leon hen, dyed light olive
I hope you can make it to say 'Hello'. I'll report back, hopefully with some photos.
Dave.
All the stores will be running events on the Friday and the Saturday. If you can, please pop in have a chat. Dennis Shaw will also be tying - and having watched a recent demonstration of his tying, you will certainly be impressed.
To get into the mind-set for Saturday, here are a couple of soft-hackled spinner patterns from last weekend:
Hook: Grip 12003 #12Thread: 10/0 orange Powersilk
Tail: DNA frosty fibre
Abdomen: Awesome Possum, olive
Rib: As thread
Hackle: Greenwells hen
Hook: Grip 12003 #12
Thread: 10/0 Orange Powersilk, orange
Abdomen: Wapsi superfine, grey/olive
Rib: As thread
Tail: Lemon Woodduck barbs
Thorax: Peacock herl
Hackle: Coq de Leon hen, dyed light olive
I hope you can make it to say 'Hello'. I'll report back, hopefully with some photos.
Dave.
Like a frightened turtle....
Yea, so that happened. It has been many moons since I accidentally fell into a lake, and I didn't miss the experience much. That was a steep ass rock, and before I knew it I was nipple deep, and it was a little cold.
Aaron was a pal and only laughed when I fell in, while I was trying to climb my fat-ass back out, and any time he heard the 'squish squish' of my wet-butt. I told him that a real friend would jump in the lake too, but he didn't go for it.Shrinkage aside we kicked some stockers asses, and the Rainbow Reservator proved itself a worthy fly, bringing in all but one of my fish for the day.
It was also a good time to try out another one of Dane's furled leaders. (DF Furled Leaders) It was a 6' dry fly taper furled with 6/0 Uni-Thread, in the GP trout taper. I added 2 feet of 3x, then 18" of 6x to my dry fly, then another 18" to the nymph. The leader was a rocket, and had no problem turning over all 12 feet, and I only had to reapply floatant once during 7 hours of fishing.The road to Rose Canyon is now open. This means that every weekend the lake will inevitably be lined with massive amounts of people. Children screaming, dogs barking, powerbait being applied to treble hooks with reckless abandon while stringers are filled with stock trout that will most likely never see a frying pan or the inside of an oven, and will spend the next 2 years growing frost in a freezer before they are thrown away. And there is no reason for that. But I was glad that I didn't have to walk my wet ass up bitch hill.
Do women know about shrinkage?
A Lion is loose in the City
Photo: Wikipedia
The Editorial Trophy Wife sends a link to an article in the News and Observer that will either make Carolina coastal anglers watch their step or set off the next big thing in extreme saltwater angling. Beautiful but posion Lionfish are swarming the Carolina coast.
"If you go deeper than 100 feet, they're ubiquitous now," said Paula Whitfield, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Beaufort. "They're absolutely everywhere
Unhooking them might be the extreme part of the equation when dealing with the venomous fish. However, they might have a place on the dinner table:
The researchers are joining forces with sport divers and even culinary instructors from Carteret Community College to see if the critters can be kept in check with spears, nets and tartar sauce.
Lionfish, it turns out, have a sweet, white meat similar to the tasty groupers and snappers they are threatening.
Chicago Earth Day Deep Dish
Enough cheese to feed a small nation.
One slice: A week's calories.
Good with beer.
TrashFlies: Sprinkle's Poptart Wrapper Midge
FlyfishMagazine's Editor of fly tying with found items, Brad Sprinkle just sent us this beautiful example of his art.
This is a simple one material fly. It was an idea that came one day when I was waiting for a long while in the Jeep and tying to pass the time. I hadn't taken very many materials and had tied as many as I wanted of what I had planned. I found a Pop Tart wrapper in the floor that my son had finished off earlier. Well what could be done with this thin silver material crossed my mind. Here's what came of it.
Hook: #18 Tiemco Scud
Abdomen: Pop Tart Wrapper cut to thin strips.
Rib: Black tying thread
Head: Black tying thread
Note: All coated with head cement, super glue, or Sally Hansens clear polish.
See Brad's previous article "Trash Flies" to get some insight on his inspiration and what he can do with the stuff most of us throw away.
You can also follow Brad on twitter @teachrtec (also, while you are at it, feel free to follow us as well @flyfishmagazine)
This happens a lot lately
If I pack a travel rod then there is no water in sight. Leave the rod home and what amounts to a brownline spring creek shows up outside my hotel window. If by chance you are wondering where in the world I am today. I'm in the town where Wayne and Garth's public access cable show aired. Party On!
Of course this song deserves its own posting.
Soft Spinners
It won't be long before Lady Danica starts to put in an appearance. I have had alot of fun fishing soft hackled spiders when the Mayflies have started to hatch. Here are a couple of patterns for just that this season: 
Hook: B175 #12
Thread: Orange Powersilk 10/0
Tail: Lemon Woodduck barbs
Body: Yellow floss
Rib: Thread
Thorax: Yellow / sulphur Wapsi superfine
Hackle: Sunburst hen
Hook: Grip 12003 #12
Thread: Orange Powersilk 10/0
Tail: Lemon Woodduck barbs
Body: Yellow / Amber Awesome Possum
Rib: Thread
Hackle: Sunburst hen & Olive Coq de Leon hen wound together
Starting to tick us off...
photo courtesy UNC.edu
From an article in the PalmBeachPost.com about anti-pirate training for Captians:
Lang, who travels the world in search of the best fishing spots, took a fly-fishing cruise to the Seychelles Islands off the east coast of Africa last month.
Although his boat returned unscathed after a nine-day excursion, Somalian pirates hijacked a sister boat that left later for the same fishing trip.
Pirates are still holding the African crew of the Indian Ocean Explorer after two weeks.
"We had a very intense safety briefing when we got on ship," Lang said. "They talked about sharks, they talked about how remote we were and how hard it would be to get medical attention, but they never mentioned pirates."
Here at FlyfishMagazine two words come to mind. "Go Seals!"
Suede Shrimp
Not that I am finding spring has much call for shrimp patterns, especially with the warm wether we have been experiencing, but here's a little heavy weight pattern. Tied on a #14, it has layers of lead wire built as a mound on the top of the hook. The 'shell' back is tied with 'Super Suede' which I have just started to try out. 
Hook: B100 #14
Ballast: Lead wire, tied in layers on the top of the hook
Thread: 14/0 Sheer, tan
Legs: English Partridge
Body: Olive Awsome Possum
Shell back: Super Suede, chocolate
Rib: Fine silver wire
We have wood!
Lumber that is...
and actual framing, oooh...
and footers for the deck.
After all the delays associated with getting NYSEG to hook up the electric, it is very nice to see some progress.
and actual framing, oooh...
and footers for the deck.After all the delays associated with getting NYSEG to hook up the electric, it is very nice to see some progress.Incidentally, the neigbor who agreed to sign the easement to allow us to connect to their electric pole has also offered the use of his boat launch across the street. SWEET!
Just doing my part to stimulate the economy.