Waterproof Digital Camera


If you are a fly fisher like me, I have ruined or nearly ruined 4 or 5 digital cameras while fly fishing. Well maybe your not like me. But regardless, technology is making it much easier to capture the fish and the scenery where trout reside, for both the still photos and now the HD streaming videos. So after much analysis, I have included the 12.1 megapixel Pentax Optio W80 Digital Camera on my Christmas/fly fishing list (usually one in the same). In addition to being waterproof up to 16 feet and being able to shoot underwater HD movies, it is cold proof to 14 degrees F, and drop proof from 3 feet. Well suited for the active fly fisher and outdoor enthusiast. There are many more features to the Pentax Optio, and hopefully after the New Year, you will be able to witness those features on the Virtual Fly Guides Blog.

Hopkins to Portray Hemingway in Film


Via Fly Fishing Examiner comes word that Sir Anthony Hopkins will be taking on the role of Ernest Hemingway in an upcoming film about the author / fly fisher. Read more on the Examiner.

Reasons we bought a NJ Fishing License


NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo


A 32 pound 11 oz female lake trout was captured during a recent survey of Round Reservoir by State fisheries biologists:

"Weighing in at 32 lbs.11 oz this female Laker surpasses the current state record caught by Greg Young in 2002 by 3 ounces. No state record accolades will be given in this case however, as this fish was hauled in by Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries biologists during their annual gillnetting surveys, which are used to monitor the lake trout population. The massive lake trout was returned to the reservoir alive and well."

Lees Ferry Fly Fishing Video Day 4

A good deal I found.



Sportsman's Warehouse Wading Jacket:

Usually $74.99, now marked as $39.99 with a red tag.... and red tagged items are an extra 30% off, making this pretty sweet breathable waterproof shell $30-something after tax. I think the deal lasts through next week, but I am not sure. If you live near a Sportsman's, it is probably worth checking out.












-Alex who will be burning his old piece of dog turd "waterproof" jacket.

Asian Carp within 8 Miles of the Great Lakes?

Asian Carp have been detected beyond an electric barrier designed to keep them out of the Great lakes - from JSOnline.com:

The Army Corps of Engineers acknowledged Friday that tests taken earlier this fall revealed 32 positive DNA samples for Asian carp above the electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, some within about eight miles of the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

The Journal Sentinel first reported the apparent barrier breach Thursday, though the Army Corps refused to acknowledge it until Friday morning.

There now appears to be nothing left standing between the supersized, ecosystem-ravaging fish and the world's largest freshwater system other than the constantly swinging gates of two busy navigation locks, and it may be only a matter of time until the fish are jumping and flopping in Lake Michigan waters from Chicago to Door County - and beyond.

"It's a disaster," said Dan Thomas, president of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council. "Heads should roll for this."


Reader Harry Campbell writes with a call for action:

"This is a genuine environmental crisis, and the Army Corps of Engineers should close the lock on the Calumet River and chemically cleanse the waterway as soon as possible, and not cave in to barge operators who oppose the closure. Please use whatever influence you or your publication can bring to bear to help make sure the Corps of Engineers moves quickly ­ before it's too late."

TSB

Trailing Shuck & Biot


Hook: Kamasan B175 #14
Thread: Moser Powersilk 10/0, olive
Hackle: Hen, badger
Tail / shuck: Zelon, mayfly brown, sparse
Abdomen: Turkey biot, olive
Thorax: Seal sub, amber

(Materials in the order they are tied in)

~Dave

Lees Ferry Fly Fishing Video Day 3

Off to Camp Tomorrow!

Photo of the "Sand Springs Camp" from the Pennsylvania Game News.
Off to deer camp tomorrow for the opening day Monday ritual of sitting in the rain while waiting for an unfortunate buck to wander by. It really is mostly a ceremony celebrating the outdoors with your best friends and relations. The occasional bonus of a winter's worth of fine venison meals does add to the attraction of the venture. Familiar people in familiar places does warm the heart and reassure that things are still right with the world.

Cheers to all of you donning your finest Pennsylvania Tuxedos for the opener on Monday!
The rain has hardly stopped, and with the arrival of a Northerly breeze, winter is certainly here. With the amount of water we have had, it is amazing that the rivers have remained within their banks; unlike some areas of the country. When I crossed the River Chew the other day, it was pleasing to see a few spinners fluttering above the stream, ever hopeful of making the most of a slighly warmer, drier spell in the middle of the day. It always amazes me that upwings will hatch, even when the air temperature is so low. With the persistant wind and rain of recent weeks, my chances of casting a line have been very limited. Hopefully, the wetter weather will ease and we can get down to some proper cold-weather grayling fishing. I will certainly report back when I do.



The River Fly Box seems to be getting a good number of visitors - so thanks if you have taken a look. There are more updates soon - so you can thank the wind and rain for that at least.

~ Dave

Lees Ferry Fly Fishing Video Day 2

Black Friday Deals!

Not much cooking today so I'm hiding out at the ol' puter digging up some deals for the Minions:

Cloudveil's High Tech Clutch Polo for $30 smackeroos...
http://www.cloudveil.com/backroom/mens/tops/clutch+polo+ss+shirt--9147/

Wheatley Green or Blue Anodized Swingleaf Fly boxes for $29.99
http://www.jsflyfishing.com/cgi-bin/item/OF-903215-0000/99910/Richard-Wheatley-Custom-Anodized-Aluminum-Swingleaf-Fly-Box-Shell.html

Sage's Xi2 9' 10 wt. for $469.95
Abel's Super Series Large Arbor for 5 wt. $349.95
Smith "Headwater" Polarized Glasses $39.95
http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverShopping/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=4

Chota's STL Plus Wading Boots for $80.95
http://www.fireflyoutfitters.com/catalog.php?show=all&s=no&p=9.22

10% off EVERYTHING Special
http://www.hookhack.com/specialoffers.html

Simms Classic Guide Vest for $59.98
http://www.redtruckflyfishing.com/Fly-Fishing-Vests-On/c355100-3-1/

Lees Ferry Fly Fishing Video Day 1

We apologize for the audio quality in Part 1 of the Lees Ferry Fly Fishing Video series. The audio clips (in Part 1 only) were muted by YouTube when a substitute music clip was added. It won't be this way for Parts 2, 3, and 4. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

Black Fly Fishing Friday

Fresh from our TurDuckEn induced coma we bring you Black Friday Deals from friends of FlyFishMagazine.com.

Sierra Trading Post
Sierra Trading Post is pleased to announce our Black Friday promotions. From 12am to 8am on Friday, November 27, 2009 customers can recieve Free Shipping on all orders over $100! From 8am on we will be featuring 'Black Friday Bargains' on the home page, 10 items at great prices, these items will change every 2 hours until 4pm!

Shop at Sierra Trading Post on Black Friday and receive free shipping on $100 or more from 12 a.m. - 8 a.m.

Black Friday Bargains at Sierra Trading Post!

Joes Sports

Black Friday Sale! 15% Off Order. 11.27 Only!

And for those of you who want to read good and do other things good too: Alibris

Save $2 off $20 or more of books, music, & movies when you use coupon code ZEPPELIN on checkout at www.alibris.com. This coupon expires November 30, 2009.

Gobble gobble.... whatever.

I have never been crazy about turkey. As I reflect upon holidays past my most fond face-stuffing memories revolve around a centerpiece of spiral cut ham dripping with honey peppercorn deliciousness, or maybe a torso-sized prime rib sweating spice all over my potatoes, mashed or scalloped, never mattered much to me, but I do have a thing for scalloped potatoes. Don't even get me started on Duck confit... my god the deliciousness! But being thanksgiving American standardly, this year turkey we had.

So the deed is done-a carcass on the cutting block, a sink full of dishes and fridge waiting to be filled with right and left overs. The stripped bones fill a pot to simmer for broth and soup. A ziploc or ten filled for late-night snackery:  bare feet standing in a pair of boxers in the warm glow of of the refrigerator bulb a bottle of squeeze-mayo in one hand and a turkey leg in the other- But these days only a dream that comes true if you remember to take your goodie bag back to your lonely bachelor pad.

It could have been a ham sandwich, but not this year. Turkey soup is alright, I guess. Pot pies are tasty, but I can't seem to convince my father the importance of filling the bottom of the bowl with the crust as well as molding it over top. I can handle a mix of wheat and white flour, but c'mon people, don't get all crust-skimpy on a guy.

I would say that a dark meat burrito is my favorite, fresh salsa with extra diced jalapenos, cilantro, sauteed onions and bell peppers, melted cheddar and jack cheese and some stuffing or mashed potatoes for filler. A big 14 inch hand-made-with-lard tortilla, warmed and wrapped tight with one leak-resistant folded end. Damn good. Would it be better with prime? Yea, probably.

So, another turkey day done and gone. Beer drank, stuffing unstuffed and football watched. Thanksgiving is about family and leftovers, and I am thankful for both. I just think turkey is overrated.

-Alex who is already drooling over the turkey-crushing Christmas dinner spread.

Happy Thanksgiving From Super Fly Charters





We at Super Fly Charters would like to wish all of our family & friends a happy, safe & enjoyable Thanksgiving day...If you're one of the many that are headed out into the woods or are planning to spend some time on the water this morning...Please be safe!!!

Best to all, Capt. George Harris

Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Happy Thanksgiving from the Virtual Fly Guides

It seems in today's world, people have a hard time finding things to be thankful for. It's in these difficult times when the focus of life's issues should be less about the things we have, but on our relationships. Thanksgiving is the day when we reflect on the important things in life and one of those things is to be thankful for is the friendships that are cultivated on the water. Whether it's friends, your kids, your brother, or your dad, fly fishing is ALWAYS better with your buddies!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Minions!
Perhaps she should have used a higher SPF lotion?

Visit The Virtual Fly Guides on Facebook


Click on this link and become a fan of the Virtual Fly Guides on Facebook. Virtual Fly Guides Facebook

Healing Waters musters at Rose Canyon



I stood on the bank, rod under my arm and a handful of mono beginning to resemble a knot. He needed a dropper, and I was there to help. His fly box opened with a click, and he withdrew a neat looking parachute something-or-other and held it out near my face, "I tied this," the soldier said through a proud smile. It was a good looking fly, and I told him so.

Later that evening the sun had fallen down and the lines had dried and the men assembled near the vehicles at the top of Bitch Hill. Warmed from the mighty ascent we sipped drinks and talked about the day. "I have always liked fishing," one of the men from Ft. Huachuca was saying, "but there is just something about fly fishing. It's different. I don't care if I catch a fish all day, I just love doing it."

How perfect is that?



 -Alex

If you are unfamiliar: Project Healing Waters

Real American Stories


Last April we posted a video featuring Project Healing Waters. We have added another link, Real American Stories, which brings more attention to the important, uplifting and generous work to help our soldiers. We all have a part to play. And I believe I speak for all Americans, when I say, THANK YOU to all of our soldiers!

Virtual Fly Guides Podcast Channel


Just like we promised, the Virtual Fly Guides Podcast Channel is up and running. We have created this channel at www.Podbean.com and you can go straight to it by clicking this link: Virtual Fly Guides Podcast. You can subscribe through iTunes by clicking the iTunes link on the left side of the channel page and our episodes will automatically be added to your iTunes podcast library. We will continue to post new episodes here on the Virtual Fly Guides Blog and the links for all the episodes can be found on the right of this page.

If anyone has requests for future episodes, email them to thevirtualflyguides@yahoo.com .

Thanks to all and we look forward sharing more fly fishing experiences from all the Virtual Fly Guides.

The CDC Dun - new addition to the River Fly Box

I was asked alot about the CDC Dun when I was tying at the BFFI. As promised, I have added a tying sequence to the River Fly Box for the pattern.

Please check out the River Fly Box - Tying the CDC Dun.







~ Dave

Ever listen to a blog?

We have added a feature to the Virtual Fly Guides Blog. Courtesy of www.iSpeech.org , every blog post will have a "Listen" button. When the button is clicked, the text portion of the post will be read using word recognition technology. This feature is beneficial for a number of reasons, most important for those followers who may be sight impaired.

If there is no text associated with a particular blog post, the title will be read only.

Hope you enjoy this new feature.

Also, we are working on adding our Virtual Fly Guides Podcast to iTunes. We hope this will be finished soon.

Pheasant Tail Nymph - New addition to the River Fly Box

I have just finished a new addition to the River Fly Box: Tying the Pheasant Tail Nymph






~Dave

Westfly founder Scott Richmond heads East


I recently had the great pleasure of guiding Scott Richmond for a couple days for carp and trout while in Charlotte visiting family. Scott is owner and founder of Westfly.
Westfly is a non-profit website that serves Western fly anglers. Westfly covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. It provides current fishing conditions, fly patterns, feature articles, entomology and other fish food information, and hatch charts for many western rivers. Westfly also has a very active bulletin board forum. Westfly, Inc. is a non-profit corporation registered in Oregon. It is an approved 501(c)(3) corporation under the IRS tax code. Its purpose is to advance the quality of Western fly fishing. This mission is accomplished by financially supporting projects and groups that will improve fly fishing in the West, and by informing and educating fly fishers through the website.
Scott did not hook any of the large rainbows on my private trout water as conditions were tough with high, muddy water and leaves choking even the most favorable drifts. I changed tactics to a smaller classic Appalachian stream and found success. No monsters but solid action on dries and droppers. Scott is well published with numerous destination guides for the West coast steelhead fisheries and quite savvy with techniques for success. Check out his site and forum at www.westfly.com particularly if planning a trip West.
Scott is also become a carp junkie and plans to visit often as we exchanged flies and ideas about tactics. I have some secret steelhead flies now and trip is in the works. Capt.Paul

Another excellent online resource. I was asked to submit the tying sequence for the Brassie to Front Range Anglers.



Front Range Anglers

Front Range Anglers - November Newsletter

Why can't we all just get along? Hah!

Check out the two videos, crunchy funny!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5461551/

Enjoy!

The smallest things...

...can make the biggest difference.

Here are two very similar soft-hackled flies tied this morning. Only changing thread type, the simplest of changes can bring a pattern into a new light:




In the order the materials are tied:
Hook: Grip 12003 #14
Thread: Moser Power-silk 10/0
Hackle: Starling
Tail: Woodduck
Body: Rabbit
Rib: Tying thread




In the order the materials are tied:
Hook: Grip 12003 #14
Thread: Sheer 14/0, orange
Hackle: Starling
Tail: Woodduck
Body: Rabbit
Rib: Tying thread

~Dave

East Fork of the Arkansas River, Colorado Fly Fishing Video


Jared and Christian on the East Fork of the Arkansas
River in Colorado.

Friday Bacon!

This weekend's diet breakfast.

The world's smallest bacon!

I know this is likely the weakest Friday Bacon post this year. I need help. Somebody please pick up the slack!
Check the BFFI 2009 on Sky Sports.

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,13019_5707799,00.html

Specifically featured is Ulf Hagstrom: fly tying genius & good guy.

~Dave.

Maine Saltwater Fishing Reports November 20th, 2009

ASFMC Denies Increase in Commercial Striped Bass Harvest
Anglers rally to defeat proposal for commercial sector to kill more fish
Coastal Conservation Association commends the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) for denying a proposal to increase the commercial harvest of striped bass at its meeting this week in Newport, Rhode Island. The proposal would have allowed commercial fishermen to add at least half of their uncaught commercial striped bass quota to their quota for the following year. Many anglers from CCA Maine made the journey to Newport to express their concern over the status of this important fish, and their voice made a difference.

"The Striped Bass Board understands that anglers at the north and south of the striped bass range are not seeing the numbers of fish they saw even just a few years ago," said Richen Brame, CCA's Atlantic States fisheries director. "There is cause for concern and we commend the ASMFC for taking a conservative approach."

In its formal comments before the ASMFC against the proposal, CCA cited several disturbing trends in the striped bass fishery, including a dramatic decrease in the number of striped bass caught and released by recreational fishermen, particularly in the northeastern states of New Hampshire and Maine, the prevalence of the fatal disease Mycobacteriosis among the Chesapeake Bay spawning stock, and a Fish and Wildlife Service annual survey that encountered the fewest striped bass in the survey's history.

"While officially the stock is not overfished and not undergoing overfishing, there are signs that the overall abundance is declining," said Brame. "The proposed action to allow the commercial industry to take more fish was not a remedy for any of the problems we are seeing with striped bass. Increasing abundance is what will fix those problems."

While the motion was defeated by a vote of 8-6, the margin of the victory means recreational anglers will have to maintain vigilance at the ASMFC to protect the recovery of striped bass.

"After the vote on the original motion, there was immediately another motion to allow the commercial sector to rollover 25 percent of their uncaught harvest to the next year, which was also defeated," said Brame. "We will continue to see efforts like this and it was very encouraging to hear Board members remark on the number of comments they received against this proposal from the public. Our members will have to be ready to stand up for conservation."

The following states voted against the rollover proposal: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Voting for the proposal were Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, North Carolina and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The Fish and Wildlife Service abstained.

Bighorn River Fly Fishing Report 11/18/09


Winter weather doesn't stop us. Out here in Montana, we just put on warm clothes, and fish all year round.

Streamer fishing is starting to be the preference for the anglers this week.

Casting toward the bank and stripping it back 20 feet or so. Out in the deeper pools can be exciting letting your streamer sink near the bottom before starting to strip. A light sink tip line is ideal for this style of fishing. There are some blue winged olives starting to appear and the fish are on them through out the day. The bottom tributaries are starting to clear up so the lower river is getting better.


Nick Forresters
Owner of
Forrester's Bighorn River Resort


As we get hammered by wind and rain, it really feels as though winter is on its way. So for the time being, the rods are on stand-by and when we get a break in the weather-front, I'll try and get out for an hour or two. It's not looking hopeful at the moment. Although also limited, time in front the vice has been welcome, and I've just finished a couple of new articles for the new year...



If you're in need of a little 'warming up', take a look at the Catch magazine #8

~D

There may be good water near this job?

Sales Representative
New England Wood Pellet LLC - Deposit NY Facility

New England Wood Pellet LLC seeks a full-time Sales Representative to oversee all sales activity at its planned state-of-the-art 100,000 ton per year wood pellet manufacturing plant in Deposit, New York.
New England Wood Pellet is the largest distributor and manufacturer of wood pellet fuel in the northeastern U.S., and is growing rapidly.
This is a challenging professional position with advancement opportunity for the right individual. The position will report to the General Manager for Procurement and Sales at the company’s corporate headquarters in Jaffrey NH, and work closely with sales staff located at other company facilities in Jaffrey NH and Schuyler NY. The position will work out of the Deposit plant facility, scheduled to begin construction in November 2009 and to commence operations in late 2010.

• In close coordination with the sales team, develop and implement a sales strategy for the production volume of the Deposit Wood Pellet plant.
Responsibilities
• Cultivate, recruit, and support a network of retail dealers in southern NY (including metro NYC and Long Island), PA, NJ, western CT and elsewhere in the mid-Atlantic region, with a strong emphasis on unparalleled customer service
• Negotiate creative sales and marketing and distribution strategies that complement direct retail sales
• Work closely with retailers and our customer service department to address and resolve product quality issues that may arise
• Promote the use of wood pellet fuel through a marketing campaign that may include advertising through mass and electronic media, cooperative marketing with retailers, public presentations, and other creative approaches
• Build and promote bulk wood pellet fuel sales and distribution, in cooperation with New England Wood Pellet’s Propell Energy subsidiary
• Be the principle public relations representative for the Deposit facility, to include involvement in community events, industry promotional activities, public policy development, local/state/regional regulatory affairs, and other activities
• Assist with other responsibilities at the Deposit facility as needed, to potentially include shipping logistics, wood procurement and other tasks as directed by the General Manager

Required Qualifications
• At least 3 years of proven experience in sales and marketing
• Excellent proven communication skills, both written and oral
• Excellent proven interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Proven ability to work cooperatively as a member of a company-wide sales team
• Efficient, focused work habits and ability to be highly productive with minimal day-to-day direct supervision
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends, and travel extensively

Desired Qualifications
• 2 or 4 year degree in sales, marketing, communications, business or related degree
• Management and supervisory experience
• Strong personal commitment to and knowledge about renewable biomass thermal energy
• Strong familiarity with the geography of the multi-state region surrounding Deposit

Salary and Benefits
This is a salaried professional position. Starting salary negotiable based on experience. New England Wood Pellet offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, 401K, paid vacation and holidays, and full reimbursement of travel expenses. New England Wood Pellet is an equal opportunity employer.

Application Procedure
Please submit cover letter, resume, representative writing samples, and contact information for three references to:
Sales Representative Search
New England Wood Pellet LLC
PO Box 532
Jaffrey NH 03452

Application Deadline: November 30, 2009
Please, no phone calls.

Profile of Lees Ferry, Arizona


Lees Ferry on the Colorado River is regarded by many as one of the premier fly fishing tail waters anywhere. The area is rich with history, including early Mormon settlers and the home for many Native American tribes. Lees Ferry rose to prominence after the completion of Glen Canyon Dam. The steady stream of cold water flowing from the depths of Lake Powell, creates a fishery that is unparalleled. The Rainbow Trout have flourished in this area of the Colorado and fly fishers from around the world travel here for the thrill of catching trophy trout deep within the majestic scenery of Marble Canyon.

Lees Ferry is located in northern Arizona about 16 miles down river from the dam and the town of Page, Arizona. Fly fishers can access the Rainbows below the boat ramp area or by boat to the upper reaches of the river. Because of the constant cold water temperatures, the majority of aquatic insect life are small midges.

Indicator nymphing can be very productive, but don't overlook a dry/dropper for the occasional trout seeking a dry fly imitation. If fly fishers have a bucket list of places to fly fish during their lifetime, we are sure that Lees Ferry would hover somewhere near the top of the list.

This is how they Roll in Merry Old England

News from Kentucky

Minion acquaintance does well on very recent Kentucky whitetail hunt:
This is the one you see after the one you harvest.

The harvest is pretty darn nice as well.

Well done Mr. W.

Alligator Proof Waders


Above is a picture of me in my old office in Nashville. I have since moved to South Carolina and there are no pictures of me fishing. There is a small lake in my sub division that I plan to try once things settle down from the move. During my first trip to the river here in Columbia I ran across an alligator warning sign that assured me that all rivers in South Carolina would probably have gators in them. Since I do all my fishing while wading, this presents a problem for me. I was told by some of the people that I work with that most of them will leave you alone except for the ones that don't. This also presents a problem for me since my waders are not rated for gator bites. I will find some water to fish. It may not contain trout, but I will go.
Since I have left middle Tn. I have given up my job as editor for Flyfish Magazine and I am trying to figure out how to replace the loss of income. Maybe I can be the editor of the entire state of South Carolina. While I negotiate with our editor, my friend Phil will keep you up to date on all things fishy in Tennessee. The next time there will be fishing pictures and maybe a report on some new waters, or just a photo of some torn up Simms waders and my picture on a milk carton.

Post Your Reports with the Virtual Fly Guides

Click on the link below to learn how to post your fly fishing reports with the Virtual Fly Guides.


After the reports, photos, or videos are posted on the VFG Bulletin Board, they will be featured here on this blog.

By sharing our reports and experiences in fly fishing, we encourage other fly fishers to do the same and become a Virtual Fly Guide. Regardless of your skill level, or how many days you spend on the water each year, everyone can learn from everyone. Our vision is to create a network of fly fishers around the country, and around the world, who guide each other by sharing their personal fly fishing reports.

You've Entered, The No Felt Zone....

Okay, I have been inspired to write something about the debate on rubber versus felt wading boots, since I hear this discourse quite often in my trade. I realize this has been intellectually massaged many times before, but much has recently come to light. This all came about because of a recent 3-day trip to the mecca of wading products, Bozeman Montana and the Simms factory. And I have to say, those hallowed halls of fishing research and technology revealed a lot! More than I can discuss in this forum.

Simms will be the first to tell you that their 4-year R&D relationship with Vibram was for one reason... to make a sole product that was as good as felt, NOT better. When we hear the fly fishing public out there debating which is "better", the real conversation should be, does Vibram rubber perform as well? That was Simms goal for the most part. The future may reveal more successful revisions and product versions, which might take it beyond felt. But for the time being, it is my opinion that they accomplished exactly what they set out to do.

Some personal insight...
I previously used the Simms G3 Guide Boot, which if you know the boot, was a nice leather upper over felt soles. Lots of boot volume (not always good), great fit, tons of support, fairly grippy, but still required the security of studs because of my variety of fishing locales. Not one river does a good consistent sticky sole make. Anyway, the felts were good, sometimes slippery, as all felts can be, but I was relatively happy with the performance, especially with river studs on.

But, since rubber is going to change the face of the wading boot scene, especially in the coming year, I decided to give in to progress and purchase new boots. Simms set me up with the awesome Guide boot with Vibram rubber on a float trip on the Madison. They requested we all try one boot with felt and the other with rubber (un-studded on each) to test performance side-by-side. A great test, I must say! They both work about the same in the water. Sometimes they slipped, most times they didn't. I found that on larger bowling ball rocks, wet or dry, the Vibram rubber worked slightly better, though nothing significant. I also found that walking anywhere on dirt trails or anywhere there was an uneven grade, the rubber soles with their sole pattern worked decidedly better. Yay, finally, trail worthy wading boots!

Next, I tried studded versions of felt and rubber for each foot. This is where the rubber meets the road! Sorry, I digress. The studded rubber performed flawlessly. The felts were good too, but there are some distinct differences where rubber out performs felt. Here's where the benefits come noticeably into play. The felt accentuated the feel of the studs because the felt material compresses when walking or wading. It feels like you are walking on little pebbles under your feet. The Vibram rubber? You could barely feel the studs (especially with the newer star cleats, which I'll get to in a moment). The feeling was more secure. And, now walking anywhere out of the water was comfortable and more secure.

Some other Vibram rubber benefits; they dry faster, period! You can drive your car easier without the heavy, watered down felts packed with mud and debris drizzling all over your car mats and carpet. Even the uppers seemed to dry quicker? ANS issues are reduced. Easier and more secure to resole than felt ($60). Lots of inconsistencies with felt in resoling. Snow? Yep, snow. Ever walked around in snow lined rivers with felts and built up frozen Herman Munster platform boots just waiting to send you ass over tea kettle? Mostly eliminated now with rubber soles.

Since getting them, I have been happily using my new Guide boots with Vibram rubber and studs on different tough river situations, and I have to say that I am convinced that rubber is as good in performance as felt. But, the ancillary benefits as described far out weigh felt, and that makes them better in my opinion.

Oh, yeah, the "star cleats". This is a new product from Simms which I've been testing on my Guides lately. Simply put, they are awesome for Simms Vibram rubber soles! Each "cleat" is a three star design that sets perfectly into the sole pattern on Simm's Vibram soles. They use stacked hard carbide steel on each end of the star, very low profile and grippy as all hell! Very hard to lose, once mounted and easy to install. They seem to stay put. Also, it's hard to feel them under your boots even when walking on solid ground. Nice! They are designed as proprietary to Simms sole depth and plastic plate between the sole and boot material, and come eighteen star cleats to a pack, so plenty to secure your Vibram boots.

But, as most river boat guides will tell you, no studs in my boat! So if you are one to hire guides and boats, get the Vibram studs pack with the little key chain tool that removes them and installs fairly quickly.

Hopefully this long description helps some of you out there that are still discussing and debating which is better, felt or rubber. As stated, the benefits are what make that decision easier.

Tight lines all....

As MG says "An Offering To The Fish Gods"


They may not be pretty
They may not be normal
They may not be fish, wait yeah they are
The Kokanee salmon from Eleven Mile Canyon in Colorado
I got these bastards while fishing with my buddy Nate


Kyle- Who loves lipstick fish

Virtual Fly Guides Podcast Episode 1

Big Ol' Numero Deuce!


From Pike to Paris Hilton: the November Issue of FCR.
(Note: to you have to grab and turn an edge of the right-hand page to get to the TOC.)

"A River of Legacy"


This video is courtesy of Trout Unlimited and Save Teton Canyon and can also be found on YouTube.

Phil Duke's Middle TN Report


Photo altered to protect the guilty.

My apologies to the editor in chief for accepting the position of Tennessee editor, writing one article in September, and then going silent. I also wish to apologize to my fan. I had one response to my first article and I would like to take this occasion to thank my loyal fan and youngest daughter.
My absence is a function of conditions beyond my control. Unfortunately, the Army Corp of Engineers in league with The Tennessee Valley Authority have seen fit to make the Caney Fork River unfit for a fly fisherman who depends on a pair of waders to enter the river. September saw the watershed have over four times the average rainfall and October was not much better. Couple this with a dam determined by the Corp as being in danger of collapse and you have a generation schedule that kept the river rolling and unfishable except for those willing to fish from a boat. I don’t have a boat.
That was September and October. November saw a return to average rainfall and soon the Corp returned Center Hill Lake to a safe level so that repairs to the dam could continue and stopped generating around the clock. Unfortunately the TVA turned on the sluice that turned the tail water side of the dam into a geyser that boils up ten feet above the stream level adding 1800 cubic feet of water per second to the stream flow. The sluice was added to the apparatus of the dam to aireate the water to prevent fish kills due to low oxygen levels. We have seen fish kills in late summer and into fall.
I visited for the first time in two months late Friday, Nov. 13. The generation schedule showed that only the sluice was activated. I wish I’d had my camera with me as the boiling water at the bottom of the dam is impressive.
I walked down to the boat ramp just below the dam. I normally fish there shortly after the generators are turned off as it takes several hours for access points down river to be accessible. There are usually fish to be had there but they tend to be small as this is where the river is stocked but if you take the path from the parking lot at the dam and follow it down stream about one half mile there is a set of stairs which takes you down to the gravel bar next to a stream that terminates into the Caney. Unfortunately that path takes a lot of fisherman to the same spot but if you can get some elbow room the fishing can be pretty good.
When I arrived about 4:15 in the afternoon the parking lot was almost empty. There were a couple of fishermen walking up from the dam and I inquired as to their luck and they replied that had not had a strike and had not seen anyone else catch a fish either. I walked down to the dam and saw the water made rough by the sluice and noticed two seasoned citizens on the bank each with a line in the water. While I was marveling at the turbulence caused by the sluice each reeled in a small trout, put them in a fish basket with several already in captivity, rebaited and resumed fishing. The power baiters seemed to be doing just fine in troubled waters. I stayed no more than five minutes and walked up to the trail leading downstream. It is a short walk on a wide path covered in fine gravel.
When I got to the stairs there were a pair of long rodders leaving the river. They had been there for about three hours and had no luck at all. They had thrown everything in their fly box and not had a strike. The sluice was sending water over the second step from the bottom of the stairs and there was about two feet of water over the gravel bar. One of the two fishermen who I had talked to said after two hours and no action he climbed the stairs, sat on the highest tread and brought out a bottle of wine and spent the last hour drinking away his troubles. I decided to spend Saturday raking leaves.
Word has it that the TVA will suspend the sluice in December. If the rain heavy rains do not return the river will once again be fishable and as the fish have had plenty of time to fatten, this could be an interesting winter on the Caney Fork. In the meantime I’m headed to the Harpeth.

Frye Creek-Stocker history is made on Mt. Graham.



Also, FGFF friend Rod Mcleod gets himself one step closer to international fame.

Do you know what it means?


"Rise" from Confluence Films


Check out the latest DVD from Confluence Films, "Rise".

2009 Films

You've got to watch the fine fishin' filmsmanship at:

http://www.drakemag.com/videos/2009-films

Enjoy!

Virtual Fly Guides Podcast


Coming Soon, the Virtual Fly Guides Podcast!

Friday Bacon!

Pegging the bacon awthum meter!

Bacon flavored "rolling papers." I assume they are used for rolling your own cigarettes.


A baby riding a bacon winged unicorn!
Baby photo tastfully submitted by Southern Gent, (Associate Minion.)
Rolling papers photo found randomly...

Happy Friday the 13th!