Posts
Maine Saltwater Fishing Hotline...For LIVE Maine Striper fishing reports or for charter reservations for the Kennebec River: Call or text message 207-691-0745 We've Cracked The Code & Have The Fish Dialed In So Dial Us Up!!!
Maine Striper Fishing With Super Fly Charters: Kennebec River Report June 29th, 2011...SlayFest!!!
Maine Saltwater Fishing Hotline...For LIVE Maine Striper fishing reports or for charter reservations for the Kennebec River: Call or text message 207-691-0745 We've Cracked The Code & Have The Fish Dialed In So Dial Us Up!!!
Westslope's own embedded fly fishing correspondent
John has been out of the shop and is on the Kalama this week. Today he filed this report via text message:
Fresh hot steel to hand. 30" and chrome bright!
Yes and yes. It was pretty bad ass. On the swing no less!
Black and red string leech.
Stay tuned for pics and a full report when he gets back to the shop later this week.
I always knew that dude from Krull was a sicko.
 | |
| cyclops bull shark... via chum. |
 |
| beastialitor? |
-Alex who will be trying to figure out how to work in a "do you want to see my one-eyed bull shark fetus?" at the bar tonight.
Tarpon Fly Fishing Report
Tarpon Release
Tarpon Candy
Big Pine Key, FloridaLately most of my anglers have been choosing big tarpon on fly.. Migratory tarpon are still marching the ocean side flats.. Not as many as in May , but still plenty to throw chicken feathers at.. What is nice is all the other skiffs are gone..
Submitted by: Capt. Scott Yetter
I have been trialling a Hends French Nymphing leader over recent weeks, searching skinny water with tiny nymph patterns - a super effective method for finding success with spooky fish. I aim to put a full report together in the near future, but for the time being, let's just say I'm impressed by the Camou nylon leader.
A lovely brown trout, falling to the subtleties of a French leader fished micro-nymph:
The weekend of the 18th and 19th of June saw the British Fly Fair 2011 at its venue and time of year. I had the pleasure of tying next to Sea-Trout expert (and all-round fish-bum) Steffan Jones.
Steffan was a pleasure to watch tie and he talked me through several pattern, including some clever mounting solutions for fly trebles etc. Here are a couple of his flies. The first being a fly he uses early in the evening and often on the dropper later in the night:
... and an altogether larger offering for fishing in the dark:
Infact, I've started to get the itch to get out sea-trouting. Roll on July and August!
~Dave
A lovely brown trout, falling to the subtleties of a French leader fished micro-nymph:
The weekend of the 18th and 19th of June saw the British Fly Fair 2011 at its venue and time of year. I had the pleasure of tying next to Sea-Trout expert (and all-round fish-bum) Steffan Jones.
Steffan was a pleasure to watch tie and he talked me through several pattern, including some clever mounting solutions for fly trebles etc. Here are a couple of his flies. The first being a fly he uses early in the evening and often on the dropper later in the night:
... and an altogether larger offering for fishing in the dark:
Infact, I've started to get the itch to get out sea-trouting. Roll on July and August!
~Dave
Streamflows decrease as the Stillwater fishing picks up.
 |
| Darcy Richardson hooked up while his Brittany AJ looks on |
 |
| Darcy and AJ with a rainbow trout |
Kennebec River Striper Fishing With Capt George Harris & Super Fly Charters: Report June 26th, 2011
For Maine Striper Fishing Reports Live From The Kennebec River: Text Message 207-691-0745
THE BITE IS HEATING UP...LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!(Scott & Kent with a double header of 27" & 31" Striped Bass plucked from a jaw dropping surface blitz 6/26/2011)
After a few days of slugging it out with crappy weather...We're finally starting to catch a break...This morning I had Scott & Kent aboard...they were treated to some amazing & sustained surface feeds as well as Stripers that were stacked on the ledges feeding in the heavy current. All hell broke loose several times this morning when huge schools of stripers ripped through massive baitballs...Pretty spectacular blitzes that just have not happened in the last few years. Scott and Kent were able to wail away on the Striped Bass using a variety of tackle and techniques...The best part was that we had this mostly to ourselves...On another part of the river one of my homeboys Ray Paradis aka "The Fishin Magician" and his friend Herb were also wailing on fish....which is great news...they had success working the deeper channel ledges with a mix of soft plastics while we were hammering fish in shallower shoreline rips and blitz activity over deep featureless open water....
It's looking like we are going to have some amazing fishing this coming week so don't delay in booking your date!!! I have limited availability...Maine Saltwater Fishing Hotline 207-691-0745
THE BITE IS HEATING UP...LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!(Scott & Kent with a double header of 27" & 31" Striped Bass plucked from a jaw dropping surface blitz 6/26/2011)
After a few days of slugging it out with crappy weather...We're finally starting to catch a break...This morning I had Scott & Kent aboard...they were treated to some amazing & sustained surface feeds as well as Stripers that were stacked on the ledges feeding in the heavy current. All hell broke loose several times this morning when huge schools of stripers ripped through massive baitballs...Pretty spectacular blitzes that just have not happened in the last few years. Scott and Kent were able to wail away on the Striped Bass using a variety of tackle and techniques...The best part was that we had this mostly to ourselves...On another part of the river one of my homeboys Ray Paradis aka "The Fishin Magician" and his friend Herb were also wailing on fish....which is great news...they had success working the deeper channel ledges with a mix of soft plastics while we were hammering fish in shallower shoreline rips and blitz activity over deep featureless open water....
It's looking like we are going to have some amazing fishing this coming week so don't delay in booking your date!!! I have limited availability...Maine Saltwater Fishing Hotline 207-691-0745
Retailer Rookie Mistakes
A few of you may know that my "real world" background is retail. During my career I (and quite a few of my fishing buddies) have been involved in operations and financial management for some of the country's largest retailers. Recently I had a "non fly fishing" retailer experience that left me scratching my head and wondering if we all shouldn't consider it in our retailer lives.
It all began when I mentioned the need for new mailbox numbers to the Editorial Trophy Wife. She handed me a $10 off $10 purchase coupon she had been holding onto and suggested that I visit our local hardware store. It's not the company I usually buy from but it is close to home and even with my "big box" work background I really like to support small business in our town.
The store was nice and stocked with a bit of everything. Someone asked me what I was looking for and I told them and was pointed right to the mailbox numbers where I found the ones I was seeking. I also picked up a few more things that I didn't really need and had about $15 worth in my cart when I rolled up to the cashier. She rang me up and I presented her with my coupon for $10 off to which she replied, "oh you have to spend $50 to use one of those." I mentioned that the coupon didn't say that, to which she said, "Someone brought one of those in the other day and that's what they told him." I wasn't in the mood so I put all but my mailbox numbers back, made my $3 purchase and hit the door.
I understand very well that this coupon came from the buying group the store was part of and that the individual stores don't have to honor them or can make their own rules. Without even considering the fact that this particular coupon is only made available to people who have recently moved into a new home, I would struggle to understand the logic behind putting a dollar amount restriction on its use.
Let's guess that this business owner makes about 30% gross margin on an average sale. This coupon costs him $10 of that margin so he needs to sell around $33 to make up for what it cost him to get me inside his doors. A JD Power study recently released says that the average home improvement customer spends $1,650 per year (for once I am above average) making me worth $495 of gross margin to him each year. If I only stay in my present area for 5 years, then he just lost out on $2,495 in gross profit and $8,250 in sales. Keep in mind again I am decidedly above average in this respect. As baby boomers age and new generations struggle with economic pressure on their disposable income, customer attrition will continue to be a major issue for retailers of all sizes.
Now suppose a consultant sat down with this particular business owner and said that he could bring said same business owner new customers at a cost of around a half of a percent of the first years sales. What do you think he would say to that sort of proposal?
This same sort of scenario plays out every day in business of all size. It takes the form of poor customer service, hassles on returns and exchanges, and restrictions on discounts etc. I have seen it both in small business and among the front line managers of major retailers. Typically it is the result of a failure to see the bigger picture and place the correct value on the relationship with the all important customer.
Again this wasn't a fly fishing retailer but it's still something we all should consider as retail managers. What rookie retail mistakes have you made? Feel free to spill your guts it in the comments if you dare.
Ste-Marguerite River, Quebec Fly Fishing Report
Salmon started coming in as usual in mid June and it just keeps getting better. Water levels are prefect. Light rain over the past few days has kept levels up and the river is running cool and clear!
Situated in the Saguenay region of Quebec, the Ste-Marguerite River is about 530 km from Montreal, 260 km from Quebec City or 108 km from Chicoutimi. Running 100km along the Ste-Marguerite river valley, it has it’s head waters in the Valin mountains and empties out into the Saguenay Fjord.
The Ste-Marguerite is an Atlantic salmon river (Salmo Salar) dating back before 1834. A viable sport fishery has been in place ever since 1860 when the river was “owned” by a private company. Say what one might about the old “fishing clubs”, today, now that the clubs have been disbanded by the government, these waters are some of the best in Canada, thanks in some aspects, to the conservation efforts that were initiated during the club era.
The river is an easy river to fish. 95% of anglers wade and a few drift in canoes. Not a large river for an Atlantic salmon run, most lies are easily fished with short to moderate casts (between 30-60 ft). As the river has a normal water level in a respectable range, sinking tips, lines and leaders are frowned upon by game wardens and guides alike. Also, as it is a salmon river, all lead, metal etc is illegal on the fly and/or line (such as Moser sinking leaders). Multiple fly rigs are also banned.
If you would like to know more about my home waters, drop me a note.
flyfish.quebecr@gmail.com
Tight Lines!
Submitted by: Christopher Chin
Russian River, CA Fly Fishing Report
We fished the Russian River at Alexander Valley campground on 6/23 and 6/24. During those two days we caught, between three fisherman, 16 fish. All the fish were a rare species for the coastal mountains called a whitefish.
Whitefish are a bottom feeding member of the salmon family native to the western half of North America.
The fish hit small nymphes and dries from sizes 12-16. The takes were violent and the fishing fun. I caught 5, my friend Zac 6, and his dad Troy 5. All fish but one were released unharmed, the other was fried for dinner that night. The picture is of Zac with the fish that was cooked.
Submitted by: Jon H.
Dry Fly Eats ... Finally
 |
| A chernobyl crushing rainbow |
 |
| BC Lake Fishing |
Tully
I had a very sucessful morning on the tully today. Many fish up on the surface with 4 fish falling victim to my trico offering. Planning on heading back next weekend. Any takers?
Curly
Curly
Maine Striper Fishing With Capt George Harris & Super Fly Charters: Kennebec Report June 25th, 2011
The last several days we have fished in some less than ideal weather elements...We continue to find fish willing to feed despite these sloppy weather conditions...when we get a break in the weather we should have some pretty amazing fishing to look forward to...Right now we are the only guide service on the Kennebec that is on the water every day, rain or shine, and we have the fish dialed in!!!...even during the few and far between days that we are not booked...we are out working to scout fish for our guests and it's paying off. This is the type of dedication that you will not find with a part time guide service...we value your time with us and literally go the extra mile for you!!!
(6/25/11 Jim Denman with a nice 28" Striped Bass caught in todays wild weather!!!)
(6/25/11 Jim Denman with a nice 28" Striped Bass caught in todays wild weather!!!)
Late Fishing notice
Curly is heading to the Tully for some early morning trico fishing. Post to follow!
New Blog
While checking out the status of the Tully for fishing this weekend. I came accross a noteworthy blog. I have added it to the list of Minion approved sites. Here is the link: http://www.tcoflyfishing.com/TCO_Fly_Fishing_JakesBlog.cfm
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Oklahoma Prairies - wichita wildlife refuge
join the field trip during the evolution meeting, had a great fun visiting the wichita wildlife refuge - prairies dogs, buffalos, wild flowers and birds... what a day! really really enjoy seeing the prairie ecosystem! see if you can identify how many buffalo in the photos : )