Fly Fishing Trips, Vacations, Equipment & Gear: January 2011

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum

Livingston Manor, New York Phone: 845-439-4810 Email: flyfish@catskill.net
On Saturday, February 12 from 10 AM – 4 PM The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM), in cooperation with sponsors Catskill Flies and ClassicTrout.com will host the Fourth annual Fly Fest.
Fly Fest is a gathering of 50+ fly tyers who get together every year in the CFFCM to tie flies and
minimize cabin fever and mid winter blues. Both professional and amateur tyers from all over the Northeast come to share their latest patterns, swap stories and tie flies for the upcoming season. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the warmth of the day inside and pick up some pointers from the group. On this day, Fly Tyers are sure to see their shadow and return to their basements for another 6 weeks of fly tying, just in time to return for the 2011 Trout Season Opener at Junction Pool in Roscoe, NY. Volunteer Coordinators for this event are JB Martin, Jack Ganz, and ‘Catskill John’ Bonasera.

Contour Cameras

Ok, I will be doing lots of posts on the Contour camera. The possibilities with this camera are endless. They can be used in any situation. So lets start this off with a quick run I made at Loveland Ski Area on a great powder day. It was roughly Jan 18th ish!!!

Click here for the video!!

Of course they are available at Clear Creek Outdoors
Ride or Fish on!!!

Always sweet

Great images, no nonsense.

If you don't have focalFISH on your feed reader, you are missing out.

no fishing, tie more...

Late Season Hunting

I have wrapped things up on the guiding front . It is time for me to get out and enjoy the great Arizona Outdoors and my dogs,needless to say I am enjoying it.Friday was great ,I loaded 8 pointing dogs (including Dixie ) and Tish and headed out to hunt Scaled and Gambles Quail, chase is the best way to describe the hunting.First out was Dixie who at 12 weeks old scored here first recorded point on the "puppy' Covey then Ted ,Sam, Spot and Hilda connected with 2 coveys of Gambles and 2 coveys of Scaled Quail .We had classic bits and pieces of Dog work , running birds that would jump up wild and some very long shots .Tish did a great Job on two road coveys flushing and retrieving the birds I shot.
Okie , Slick and Buddy got into a covey of Scaled Quail that ran for 100 yards before they flew.
All in all a great day and typical for late season hunting .

Dixie's first point

Buddy,Okie and Slick taking a break

Loops around stock tanks often produce

Scaled Quail and the G.Lewis 16 gauge

Male Gambles Quail and a Gambles call

Tish proves to be an awesome flushing dog ,and raises hell on road coveys

Desert Quail Country

Friday Bacon!

It was appropriately pointed out to me today that I had been in serious deficit as to the posting of Friday Bacon.
I thank our Southern Minion Associate for calling out this egregious shortcoming.
In an effort to abate this serious bacon paucity I bring you, bacon infinity!

And in the spirit of the upcoming annual football orgasm, may your eyes feast on the magnificent Bacon Lombardi Trophy.

Happy Friday!

Trophies

Are you looking to make a trophy out of your big fish picture. This is a great way to remember the day and location!

Dirt Dog Maps has been building customized and highly creative maps since 2003. We are a grassroots company located in Denver, Colorado founded and created by a love for the outdoors and cartography. We combine our outdoor experiences with our professional careers in GIS, Water Resources, and Natural Resource Management to provide a uniquely customized and personal product. We are best known for creating customized maps to visualize landscapes from an outdoor adventure while incorporating a collection of images to personalize the experience.. To learn more about our custom maps for spatial people, please visit us at www.dirtdogmaps.com.

Very Cool

Thanks Jeff!!!

New Minion Fashions Available Soon

Now taking advance orders for short sleeve Columbia "Bonehead" Shirts in Windsor blue.

Shirts will have the standard Minion Flyfishing logo embroidered on the upper chest.

Suggestions have been made to include a strip of bacon graphic on the upper back?

Regular sizes are now $29.95 plus embroidery & shipping.

I plan to place the order by February 12th.

To order I'll need Name, Quantity and Size.

More From Sundowner Adventures

Valley Lodge
06, 13 & 20 FEB
Swoon combo @ R695 per couple
(1 adult fishing clinic & 1 adult non fisher)

Lovers kiss combo @ R895 per couple
(2 adult’s fishing clinic)

Lovers Ultimate Combo@ R1595 per couple
(2 adult’s fishing clinic & spa treatment)

Family Combo @ R1395
(2 adult’s & 2 child fishing clinics)

*All combo’s include a buffet lunch

Ask about our valentine’s gift options and other events

Terms and conditions apply.
For bookings and enquiries contact:

Office : (011) 315 4503
Wayne: 083 141 0391 or Francois: 0839967132
Email: sundown@iafrica.com
www.sundownerproducts.wordpress.com
Facebook page: MBH Fly-fishing

palolo worm hatch and Tarpon fishing

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1029_041029_palolo_worms.html

Another VIDEO LINK

San Juan Worms for Tarpon? Yes, and it is "match the hatch" practice too! see the above videos about this epic worm hatch in Florida Key. I did a quick search of this marine worm hatch - the palolo worm. Find a interesting article LINK above. "The worms" actually is just part of the worm! It is part of the worm body contain sperm and eggs, float free and swing to the surface. What a amazing reproduction behavior!

Clear Creek Winter Fishing

Here are some beauties from Clear Creek on Jan 8th. Black Beauty & Red Copper Johns were the production flies.

Thanks Brett!!!

Farm Salmon Virus

------------------from Alexandra Morton LINK
Norwegian companies are operating in Chile and a Norwegian strain of the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus (ISAv) has spread through the industry causing its collapse in 2008/9. Every country with Norwegian salmon feedlots now has ISA, but this was the first time no one could argue wild fish had infected the farm salmon, as the current Norwegian strain could not have reached Chile in wild fish. As the enormous Chilean farm salmon supply dwindled, the global price of farm salmon increased actually benefiting some of the Norwegian companies operating in Chile. Although the industry is now moving into pristine Chilean waters the virus is following them, suggesting it could now be in a wild species of fish and Chile is permanently contaminated. Chilean production remains a fraction of what it was a few years ago.

One hundred eighty tonnes of ISA infected Chilean salmon were processed in November 2010. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration appears to consider ISA infected salmon safe for human consumption, but a group of Chilean Senators have become concerned and filed a petition to prohibit sale of ISA infected salmon for human consumption. The virus is reportedly in the same family as the flu. --------------
Continue reading HERE

go big! or go home..

Just read a great article in Deniki outdoors blog - LINK It is so refreshing to see people using big flies. I mean BIG FLIES. It reminded me all the great time I have in Alabama fish for stripers. Go big, or go home! Casting big flies requires specially attentions, debarbed hooks, eyes protections, and even helmet. Ha... The training will open up another window for predatory fish hunting. To me, that is exciting! One year, me and my fishing buddy Dennis decided to do a murky water bass fishing... he ended up hooked a 4 feet long gar in a murky water. It was so cool to see those big ancient fish! In south, you really don't need too many f;y patterns, one zonker, or put two tube zonkers together... down and dirty is what we play! : )
For short skagit line we have in the market today, it is so easy to cast those big and heavy zonker flies. As the article mentioned, keep tension, keep the momentum going and the casting will go smooth... I haven't fish the big murky water for steelhead yet, but I know there is time for big and heavy flies : )

Pepperidge Farm's Golden Bait Fish

Recipe:

Body - Goldfish, cheddar flavor.
Hook - Daiichi 2546 Salt Water Hook Size 2/0-4/0

Target Species:

Drunks in the kitchen

With a soft, subtle presentation to the counter top this fly can bring heavy action when the target species is near. The action on this fly is not crucial, in fact you want as little movement as possible or target species will spook. Let them come to you and be patient.

I recommend throwing this fly with 8wt-12wt, depending on the average size of the species of your area. A 15lb-20lb hard mono bite tippet is also a good idea.

Have fun and tight lines,
-A

Update: I have gotten a few emails and calls regarding this fly and others for different targeted species. Due to the interest the research team at FGFF has been called back to the lab for further, round-the-clock analysis of a few other patterns and concepts. The reports and research will be posted as soon as it is available. Thank you. -A

Williams Fork

Brett and Jamie hit the Williams Fork yesterday. Fishing was definitely winter conditions. The producing flies were Sparkle Wing RS2's and Buckskins. The true beauty of the day was to have the river to yourself with deer running all over, and eagles soaring in the winter air above you.

Thanks Guys,

I am jealous!!

Kennebec River Striper Fishing 2011: Super Fly Charters

Maine Fly & Light Tackle Fishing Charters & Guide Service

The reservations continue to come in for the 2011 saltwater fishing season here in Maine...We have many trip options...from Striped Bass & Bluefish to Cod to Shark & Tuna...Please give us a call or shoot us an email if you'd like to join us for a day or two this coming season. We'll be happy help you plan your Maine vacation!!! If fly fishing isn't your thing...no worries we're well equipped for light tackle & live bait fishing too!!! Also be sure to ask us about our "Trash Can Tarpon" aka Carp trip on the beautiful and diverse tidal flats of Merrymeeting Bay...we think that you'll love fishing for these rugged brutes on fly or light tackle. There are lot's of different ways to get Carp to respond....don't believe the hype that Carp can only be taken on fly from the deck of a poling skiff, Do yourself a huge favor...don't drink the KOOL-AID...the fact remains that the common Carp, like Stripers, only spend limited time in the shallows...like most other species, the larger schools travel and hold in the relative safety of the deeper water where they are safer from predators but become much easier targets for the fishermen!!! Either way...shallow or deep...there are very few anglers fishing for them...we already have many of these trips booked for the 2011 season, so we'll be there fishing for them...will you? hahaha ;-)

Maine Striper Fishing Guide
Capt. George Harris
207-691-0745
Super Fly Charters Facebook Page
www.superfly-charters.com

The hits just keep coming...

The woman behind the counter generally wouldn't give you too much shit, and that was all right.

It was a place to go. A place to stumble when you needed that last 6-pack, 40oz, can of cope, taquito or thirstbuster. A place where you knew you could make it back because it was a line-of-sight deal and no matter how hopeless you felt you could always see your way home, even if crawling tore a hole in your bag and you lost your peanut M&M's somewhere along the way.

It was the place across the street, the store, the K, or the market (if you grew up in some backward-ass place).

Whatever you called it, it's gone. Goddammit.

The second let down of the new year.

Let's Get It Started

Perfect fishing or fly tying weather!

We are starting this blog to learn and have fun. Topics could include fly fishing, backpacking, skiing, or snowboarding. Let's get it started!!

Photo by Kimberly Brozovich!!!

Fishbeer posts an awesome new video, "Winter"

In this amazingly insightful video Matt Dunn, blogger extraordinaire at Fishbeer, successfully captures the various and assorted phases of the SHACK NASTIES. As this interminably long long winter season moves ever slow slowly forward, we all come too understand just exactly where Mr. Dunn is coming from. Bravo sir, bravo...

Winter from fishbeer on Vimeo.

Sundowner Adventures January 2011

Valentines’ month FLY-FISHING & WELLNESS EXPERIENCE in the Magaliesburg. Four packages to choose from. Couples and families welcome.

VALENTINES FLY-FISHING SPECIALS
06, 13 & 20 FEB
Swoon combo @ R600 per couple
(1 adult fishing clinic & 1 adult non fisher)

Lovers kiss combo @ R750 per couple
(2 adult’s fishing clinic)

Lovers Ultimate Combo@ R1450 per couple
(2 adult’s fishing clinic & spa treatment)

Family Combo @ R1150
(2 adult’s & 2 child fishing clinics)

*All combo’s include a picnic basket and a bottle of sparkling wine*

Terms and conditions apply.

For bookings and enquiries contact:

Office : (011) 315 4503
Wayne: 083 141 0391 or Francois: 0839967132
Email: sundown@iafrica.com
www.sundownerproducts.wordpress.com
Facebook page: MBH Fly-fishing

Introducing

Here we have Curly Sporting the latest in the "I like Bacon/Fat Chicks" fashion line.

The Fly Fishing Show, Somerset, NJ Edition

Bear and I made the pilgrimage this year to take part in the various and assorted festivities found at The Fly Fishing Show.
To our great dismay the VIP parking area was full and despite much flashing of our Minion Flyfishing credentials we were forced to park with the unwashed masses in the "additional parking" area. Additional parking is code for about three quarters of a mile away from the exhibit center entrance. The walk was nice, but the 2 degree actual temp. + the arctic windchill made for an unfortunate choice; carry a heavy parka all day or freeze during transit to the entrance. Bear chose the latter and I the former. I don't believe either of us were particularly pleased with our decisions.
The show seemed to have more club/fundraising booths in the entrance area than I recall from past attendance. We ran this gauntlet without suffering from undue wallet shrinkage and made our way through the admissions process and thence into the exhibit hall.
There were ~6 aisles of fly fishing related booths including; featured tyers, lodges, travel companies, chamber of commerce type organizations, manufacturer displays and retail vendors. As in the past amenities included the flycasting pond, decidedly ho-hum food service area and beer/wine service.
Enjoy some photos of the more interesting items we discovered:

Simms has released the very special camouflage edition of its products. Bear and I determined that this new product line must be targeting the very fashion conscious Berwick, Pennsylvania angler. We all know how they love their camo.

The waders,

the lumbar pack,

and the very stealthy softshell jacket.

We chatted briefly with this fine gentleman representing Fish Pimp. In addition to their line up of tongue in cheek clothing and accessories we discovered a previously unknown attribute of the dimpled Fish Pimp indicators. There is a small hole through the side of the indicator opposite the slot that allows semipermanent rigging with a perfect 90 degree drift setup for all day nymphing. We thought this would be very nice for some of our friends who are prone to indicator loss.

Our hero Bear attempts to chat with his hero Cathy Beck.

It was a long and trying day but on your behalf, we persevered. Following the return home the flask has been refilled and the schwag stashed. Here's a video review from PAFLYFISHING.COM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGbFHH9I1ug

Things we didn't buy...

Abercrombie & Fitch once sold bamboo travel rods that fit in a passport sized box. Now they hawk clothes to cool kids who probably haven't ever seen a fly rod. Can you imagine the ads they would have for fly rods if they sold them today? At $450 I seriously considered whipping out the plastic...

Much to the Editorial Trophy Wife's relief, I did not consider purchasing this copy of Izaac Walton's famous book. Note the price in the lower right...

Sightings

Dave Whitlock signing some of his artwork.

Andy Mill giving some Tarpon Advice at the Hardy & Greys booth.

The Fly Fishing Show

The Fly Fishing Show took root in Somerset, NJ this weekend. By my usual measure of success (How far from the door I have to park arriving at 10 AM on Sunday) this year must have been a rousing success for Chuck Furmsky as I hiked what seemed to be a quarter of a mile from my truck to the front door.

Many of the vendors I spoke with indicated that Somerset was the one show where they could count on selling enough to break even. Many of the exhibitors had excellent "Show" deals while prices for non close out type items were what you would expect to see at your local fly shop. Of course the real fun of these sort of things is prowling through the 50% of bins.

I'm not saying how much I spent or what I bought just yet but I will say that before I came home, I drove a half hour out of the way to a newly discovered Krispy Kreme to bring some Southen "non-Dunkin" donuts for the Editorial Trophy Wife. They might keep me out of the doghouse...