Congratulations...

...to our door prize raffle winners:

Steve Dixon

Kevin Oldenburg

Cecil Duncan

Andrew Gorini

Dennis Anthony

Deanne Logan

Swing by the shop and grab your gift bag.

Thank you...

Our first week in business has been Great! The fly fishing community has turned out in good numbers to take a look at what we have built. In a word the response has been, "WOW!" This has been the initial reaction of many of the visitors to our shop. Of course at this time of year the fly tying materials have been the majority of our sales and the tiers are very happy with the selection. John and I are very excited to be open and doing what we have been working toward in the last year. We are seeing a lot of our friends and having fun catching up on the fishing stories. We are looking forward to a long association with the fly fishing community in the region.

Jesse Clark

Westslope Fly Shop

Winter Wonderland

This photo was taken a few years ago, but I think we all get the hint.

Winter has officially arrived. Even if the calendar doesn't agree.

Maine Saltwater Fishing 2011: Start Planning Your Trip Today!!!

(Chris Oliver getting introduced to his backing by a fat Kennebec River Striper)

December Booking Special: WOW!!! Anglers booking any guided trip before Jan. 1st, 2011 will receive $50.00 dollars off on any guided trips listed on our menu...To continuously grow our business, we offer an extensive variety of saltwater/tidewater trip options that is second to none on the Maine coast...An obvious benefit of this awesome trip selection is that we rarely ever have to cancel a trip due to rough conditions...or if the bite of your first choice species happens to be in a slow period...we can instantly switch gears and head in a different direction with a new target species...there is no need for you to ever lose time on the water or get stuck in some tough fishing conditions!!! As a full time guide/waterman and a native of coastal Maine, I have spent my entire lifetime here, as well as a long 6 year stint living on both coasts of Florida, constantly perfecting and broadening the skills of my craft and it's my genuine pleasure to be able to share all that I have learned with you.
The majority of our anglers opt for the ever popular fly & light tackle trips for hard fighting Stripers & Bluefish...the ultimate saltwater experience for fishing the inshore coastal waters of Maine!!!
For youngsters...you can't go wrong with the 4 hr kids fishing trip for Mackerel, Pollock and Striped Bass..basically whatever is biting the best to keep the kids interest level sky high!!! Your kids will be worn out after this adventure ends...but they'll never forget it!!!..Like all of our trips, the kids trip can be customized to include an intro to fly or light tackle fishing lesson and many other instructional options...
Offshore we offer 6 & 8 hr "bottom bashing" trips for tasty groundfish species...Cod fishing on light weight butterfly jigging gear is a total blast or if big game fishing is what you're looking for, get pinned to the rail with the "Monster Fishing" trip for Shark & Tuna...
For the fisherman that prefers fishing from shore or wading, we provide walk in style fishing on some of Maine's most pristine beaches and marshes...
Winter months we offer the traditional Maine experience of ice fishing on the frozen waters of Great Salt Bay...the quarry is the tasty Smelt...We target this pint sized yet super aggressive and very delicious fish species using hyper sensitive jigging rods equipped with a tiny bait tipped jig...
Some of our other trip options will include tidal Smallmouth Bass, Shad on the fly, Moonlight Stripers, and even a limited number of night Squid Jigging trips when the run is at it's peak...fresh calamari anyone!!! Are you ready to have some fun... Whether it's on the boat, off the beach, in the marsh or on the ice...whether it's on the fly, pitching plugs or live lining frisky live baits...we've got you covered!!!...Looking forward to seeing you all again in 2011 <*{{{>{

Maine Saltwater Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Google Watch: One expensive swig

Via Ecrater.com and for sale for $36,784.20 comes this engraved fly fishing flask. Shipping is only $2.95. Gives a whole new meaning to just carrying a brown bag. This is actually the second most expensive "Fly Fishing" item on Google Shopping but the first was a boring $39k copy of "The Complete Angler"

What did the navigator have?

Pike fail

If catching a fish was just a bonus, you wouldn't work so hard trying.

You would be able to list at least one other reason for the drive, one other destination that wasn't a body of water, either flowing or still, that was actually a planned part of the trip.

I can say that the trip was a success because we got to the destination, fished and came back but the fishing was a failure and I got my ass handed to me by the wind. Throwing a 12wt warm water intermediate line is like throwing braided steel cable when it is below freezing and the gusts keep blowing your line out of the stripping net. I didn't really plan on using it, but it was the only thing I brought that could push into the cold wall of air.

We will be back for spring pike for sure and at least now I know what the lakes look like.

Ice Coffee

Frozen man-parts at Ashurst Lake

A little poon-ice

Upper Lake Mary

Getting ready in the parking lot

Black and red didn't work, and nothing else did either.

A little ice on the guides

It's my fathers left-handed Galvin... I don't reel backwards.

With a couple pointers Kyle handles a camera pretty well.

I would like to thank Paul and the guys at Babbitt's FlyFishing in Flagstaff for the hookup on the hats and the lake tips, "If it ain't chartreuse, it ain't no use."

Good to know.

-Alex who at least now has a huge box of flies ready for next year.

Brad Sprinkle's Trash Flies

FlyfishMagazine's friend Brad Sprinkle is famous for re purposing found and abandoned items for fly tying. His website, www.TrashFlies.com has lots of tips for the angler who wants to keep our landfills a bit less crowded while saving a buck or two. Brad also wrote an excellent article for us on the subject. Note the bugger above with a cone head made from a hollow point .177 caliber pellet.

~Dave

Super Fly Charters & Capt. George Harris: Your #1 Source For Maine Saltwater Fishing Reports, Guided Trips & Charters

Maine Striper Fishing
Whether it's on the fly...pitching plugs or live lining frisky live baits we've got you covered!!! Check out our website for all of our trip offerings...and stay tuned for some exciting new trips options for 2011

Maine Saltwater Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Off to Unityville for...

all you can eat Buckwheat Pancakes with sausage, homefried potatoes, pickle slaw, baked beans, apple butter and bug juice.  Everything a growing boy needs before heading out to deer camp.

See you in the woods!

Black Friday Sale!

Everything at West Branch Angler is 20% off, today only.

Check it out at: http://www.westbranchangler.com/

Uffe's Killer

Superb fly tyer, real ale connoisseur and good guy, Sweden's Ulf Hagstrom has just had an article published by Hatches Magazine. It includes a tutorial for tying the Uffe's Killer.

This fly looks simply great and has a awesome profile. Changing its size allows you to match all of the up-wing duns you'll find on our waters.

Enjoy the article here: Uffe's Killer - Hatches Magazine



Nice work Ulf.
~Dave

Casting Shadows

Beware of Spooking the Trout!!! One of the first lessons a fly fisher must learn is to "NOT" cast shadows. I just thought this would make a cool photo.

Happy Turkey Day!

Remember as you gather round the bird this holiday season,

that bacon could have made it better!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I highly recommend this bourbon for Minion consumption.

Happy Thanksgiving From Capt. George Harris & Super Fly Charters

(Green Crab Fly...a must have fly for Stripers in the N.E.)
We at Super Fly Charters would like to wish all of our family, friends & patrons 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...Please be safe!!!

This is the time of year when I spend the most time at the fly tying bench....re stocking the fly boxes and coming up with new ways to to improve my fly patterns...Almost all of the flies that we use during my guiding season are custom made right at my bench...for those of you that live in the area and want to learn all about saltwater fly tying...we'll be offering several courses throughout the winter months...these will most likely be 6-8 week courses 1 night a week....all material will be provided....get in touch if you're interested in learning how to tie the top patterns for saltwater fishing in the northeast as well as some patterns for anglers traveling to the tropics!!!

Best to all, Capt. George Harris

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

In the pink

Pink is a great attracter for Grayling and I have regularly found pink flies to out-fish more sombre patterns - Sometimes in coloured water, but also in crystal clear but very cold water.

Here's a version of the tungsten back shrimps, bringing a splash of colour to pattern:


These shrimp imitations fish 'upside down':





Hook: Partridge YK4G #16
Thread: Moser Powersilk 10/0, olive
Underbody: Hare's mask, light
Legs: Grey squirrel
Ballast: Tungsten shrimp back, pink

~Dave

An Irish Angler

Ireland Fly Fishing Report

The south lake is low, testament to the hot and dry summer Ireland has just experienced allied to Dublin's voracious demand for water. The boats at Knockatemple have followed the retreating tide line close on thirty metres and I would estimate 10-12 feet in depth from the winter high. Still a long way from showing its bones, of benefit to the angler is the exposure of trout holding features which can be explored the following season.

An early Sunday morning phone call from Kevin had us on the water by lunchtime. A light variable breeze from the southeast created barely a ripple. Mill pond calm conditions, a few sedges on the water, occasional lone fish announcing their presence only by the spreading rings left behind after their sipping rises, conditions were tough. That said, we were on the water most likely for the last time this season and what better place to be.

As expected fishing was slow with only two fish boated for the afternoon. Putting up a fast sinking line teamed with a wickhams, watsons, and a daddy, shortly into the first drift over the point at knockatemple a positive take resulted in a nice pound plus trout. Staying deep the brownie was netted after a lively fight, golden olive in colour with large black spots, a typical plump Roundwood fish lured by the watsons. Subsequently we tried hard covering various shores, the reward for our efforts just one smaller fish to Kevin. With a chill in the air at six bells we called it a day. 2010 has been a good season on the lake with some fine fish taken and many good memories to sustain us through the winter.

Super Fly Charters: Your #1 Source For Maine Saltwater Fishing Reports, Guided Trips & Charters

Here at Super Fly Charters We're continuously looking for new ways to raise the bar higher and higher...Our goal, as always, is to provide the best service available to our anglers...All of our trips are customized for the individual angler...We have some new trip options that we're working on to help us better serve YOU the angler so please stay tuned for these exciting new offerings that we'll be rolling out for 2011 and beyond...just a few examples of our current offerings are "Monster Fishing" with fly and light tackle...This full day trip was designed for the angler who wants to "go big or go home"...reminiscent of a nat geo show, this blood, sweat and tears style of fishing will test your nerves as well as your stamina as we target some of the largest, most ferocious, tackle busting pelagic Sharks & Tuna that swim in the Gulf of Maine...We utilize "run & gun" techniques for Tuna and "chum & gun" techniques for Shark...yeah all on fly & light tackle as well as "stand-up" gear!!! Our action packed groundfish trip is a total blast...we cruise offshore to the ledges and banks and while whales roll all around us, we'll drop our "butterfly" jigs with lightweight spin and conventional tackle for tasty bottom fish species like Cod, Haddock and Pollock...if you love Grouper and Snapper fishing down south...this trip is right up your alley...Our most popular offering over the years has been our inshore trip for Striped Bass & Bluefish with fly & light tackle...This trip takes place in the Mid-Coast region of Maine, from Casco Bay to Penobscot Bay...an area featuring an astonishing 1000 miles of jagged, pristine shoreline habitat. We focus our efforts on the broad reach of the lower Kennebec River system including Merrymeeting Bay and it's adjacent tidal estuaries...This dynamic fishery consists of thousands of acres of untouched saltwater flats, gnarly tides that rip over rocky structure and an intricate maze of never ending backcountry channels. It's a fly & light tackle fisherman's nirvana!!! We recognize the fact that out on the water, there are no fences holding fish in specific areas, so to better serve our anglers, we trailer our boats...staying mobile is going to be the key in 2011...we're not married to specific areas...If the bite heats up north or south of our home base on the Kennebec River region we'll simply haul the 21' Parker or the smaller more nimble 17' shallow draft skiff to where the hottest action is...this nomadic mobility allows us to access the incredibly scenic and fish rich waters of Penobscot Bay, Muscongus Bay & Sheepscot Bay to the north and to the south we'll explore the diverse fisheries around the Calendar islands of Casco Bay & further down the coast the Scarborough Marsh, Saco Bay, and the Saco River...On any given day we can be found fishing coastal tide marshes, shallow flats, sandy beaches and islands or ledges located offshore....Basically wherever the fish are biting best & whatever fish are biting best!!!
Whether it's on the fly...pitching plugs or live lining frisky live baits we've got you covered!!! Check out our website for all of our trip offerings...and stay tuned for some exciting new trips options for 2011

Maine Saltwater Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
www.superfly-charters.com

Jumping Jamie

Jamie

Last week Jamie had a Biopsy  on a tumor in Her mouth which tested positive for Cancer so  today we had Jamie put down .
For the last 5 years that she was on my String Jamie was a "go to"dog, a tenacious hunter that pointed with a ton of style .Our adventures took us to  , Arizona, Alberta , Oklahoma ,Saskatchewan and a trip to Mexico. Mike Haddix ,Jamie's previous Owner    ran her in Trails ,hunted  Chukars ,Valley Quail ,Ruffed ,Blue and Sage Grouse with Jamie in Idaho. Jamie also  gave birth to three litters of Puppies
Rumor has it that  they are all fine Bird Dogs ,I have the  proof in Spot.
All my young dogs including her son Spot all ran with Jamie,  She was not  bothered by their  Puppy enthusiasm  and would carry on like the Pro that She was . Recently my youngest Pointer  Reba who  is a Great Grand  Daughter to Jamie ran with her in Saskatchewan and pointed Her first covey of Huns while Jamie backed ....perfect.

Pointing Huns in SK.

Jamie and Spot  pointing Huns

Jamie pointing Sharptails backed by Hilda and Spot

Around the house she was quick to let us know if someone was at the gate and enjoyed sleeping in the Bed or on the Office floor , like all dogs She loved food.
I took Jamie scouting  with me today and as usual , despite her pain She waited at the gate to be loaded into the Truck  with the rest of the Gang ,Jamie rode shotgun out to field .She did not go on the hikes  but enjoyed being part of the action and of  course Her boy  Spot pointed  the first covey  of Mearns Quail.
 Later on  we made the drive to Nogales she lay in the passenger seat and I told Her what a Great Dog she is and has been.
Jamie  hated going into  Vet's Offices so we sat her on a Mexican blanket  that was placed on the  tailgate of my Truck,where Jamie's hunting days started and ended .  Lisa and I held her until she passed ,Spot who was along with us barked when she lay  down .
Jamie is now off in  the Land of 1000 Bird Coveys ,where Hunters don't  miss and the Birds hold tight. She will be greeted by Cochise ,Sunny ,Quincy ,Clint ,Crash and Jasper ,I am  sure they will show her the ropes on how  things work in the New House , as usual Jamie will get Her way.
Jamie's ashes will be scattered in some of the cool  places we hunted and I  will throw  some over the fence into Mexico.

I will miss Her,Thank You Jamie.

Thanks to.
 Dr Roberto Rojas and his Staff at Companions Veterinary Clinic, Nogales AZ .
Darcy Richardson who handled her during  the Saskatchewan Guiding Seasons.
My Wife Lisa , for always being there for Jamie and for Me .

Jamie with Slick

Jamie hunting Mearns Quail 

Black Friday Deals from Sierra Trading Post

Black Friday at Sierra Trading Post: 25% off $125 or 30% off $150 at Sierra Trading Post. Use code: ALBLACKFRI2KX Valid 11.25 to 11.28.

Once you recover from the expected turkey induced stupor, save a few bucks on gear during Sierra Trading Post's Black Friday Sale.

The Harvest

Here is to a successful Harvest at Heritage Acres!!! (even though they are Campbells)

A Few Good Points & One Less Rattle Snake

                                                                     
Hilda ,Martha ,Reba ,Slick and myself where into some Birds ,a covey of Scaled Quail had flown up the side of a mountain and we where in hot pursuit then there was  movement on the ground a  surprised Diamond Back had moved from underneath a bush    and was heading towards some rocks .The problem was Martha was running back to me  so he was trapped between us he quickly began to coil and rattle ,In a split second I  blew it's  head off making sure not to shoot the coveted Rattle ...it was all over in seconds  .
The" what ifs" started to fill my mind ,I almost stepped on him , the dogs ran by the same bush ,worse yet we had already had a point on a single a minute or two earlier so the Dogs where "lit up " and hunting very aggressively.What would I have done if one of the dogs or myself  would have got bit ?  looking down at the truck  it would have sucked getting back down the mountain.
The Snake lay on the  ground ..headless but still moving  it's nerves did not want to shut down , the dogs kept their distance while I took pics and retrieved the rattle.
For some Folks  seeing Rattle Snakes is  not a big deal , for this transplanted Canadian they are.Even though there are   a few Prairie Rattlers in Alberta and Saskatchewan I am told they are not as dangerous as the Diamond Back or Mojave Rattle Snakes which I have encountered in my new home State, and not as big! All summer long I operate in prime Grizzly Bear territory  and know what precautions to take while in the back country which is make lots of noise and if you see bear sign leave. It all adds to the adventure .
Rattlers somewhat provide that same feeling of adventure , if you screw up something bad could happen .So far the encounters I have had have been totally unexpected and add to the experience of the day. If the dogs were not around I would just take pictures and move on .
Prior to and after our "Snake Episode " I had some nice work out of the Dogs I ran .
We moved both Gambles and Scaled Quail ,Reba my youngest dog did  a great job on pointing some Gambles and had a nice back on a covey of Scaled Quail .She retrieved both birds I shot.

Slick Pointing Gambles Quail 

Ted backs Roxy

Sam Pointing Gambles

Zane at age 13 still gets out there and has the "moves"

Sam again

The supply lines remain intact

Today a rider from Dixie brought our Northern outpost a box of much needed supplies. Included were an ample supply of country bacon flavored grits, Duke's Mayo, and sugar cured country ham. The much needed rations arrived just in time for the coming Thanksgiving day offensive. Thanks Becky and Tommy for the care package.

last minute tune-ups

I heard the dryer running as I walked to the back of the house with a wet load of laundry in my arms. Kyle was kneeling down near the exhaust vent that pumps warm air into the walled back patio.

"You got much time on that load?" I asked as I approached.

"There is nothing in there," he said. "I am drying the heads on my flies."

I looked around the basket in my arms and saw he was holding something long and fuzzy up to the vent.

"That's kind of a waste, dontcha think?"

 "Well, we don't have a hair dryer."

"I have a heat gun."

"That will ruin the fibers," he said as he wiggled the flies in the hot air.

"You don't think that running the dryer on high with nothing in it to dry your flies is a waste of energy?"

He scratched his bald head and looked up, "Well, at least I am doing two at once."

...

vacuum dubbing

The truck is about half packed, and food items need to be bought but at least my floor is clean. I remembered to pack my ball warmers this time.

I feel ready, and the lakes wait about 5 hours away. I just hope the pike are still feisty enough to come out and play.

It has been years since I have been snowed on while fishing, and I am kinda looking forward to it.

Mail Call: What is it edition...

We recently received a package that contained these ominous looking devices. The first look in the box made us question weather our safe word could be remembered easily enough. However, digging deeper into the package revealed an item that would certainly come in handy during the winter. We also couldn't help but wonder how a set up like these might compare to sticky rubber wading boots with studs for fishing on slippery rocks etc. We intend to test them for both purposes, but can't help but hope the snow holds off for a few more weeks.

Icetrekkers from Kako International. More info available via their website.