Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tenkara Fishing for Steelhead!!
http://tv.shimano.co.jp/movie/tv/paradise_06/
Via: http://www.moldychum.com/
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Lights
Amazing Grace Techno - Computer Controlled Christmas Lights from Richard Holdman on Vimeo.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
From the Mouths of Babes Comes Thread Wisdom
From the mouths of Babes comes Thread Wisdom
Start filling your bathtub...................
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, December 14, 2009
More Humor - Fly Fishing Trade Show Location Announced..........
http://www.drakemag.com/blog/industry-scuttlebutt/277-lyfishing-trade-show-to-be-held-in-lobby-of-rock-springs-econolodge
Courtesy of Drake Magazine.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Bill Dance - Fishing Expert
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Has the Dumbing Down of America Reached Fly Fishing?
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/how-fish/2009/11/merwin-flippancy-fly-fishing
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
She told me, "I wish I were a trout........"
A friend's wife told him this as he asked if he might go fishing......again.
A couple of comments from the peanut gallery:
Maybe she should learn to fish?
Or, ask to go along and read or walk while he fishes?
Maybe she should find her own passion......like tying flies?
Maybe she should be happy that he has something to do besides sit around the house and grow a gut?
Maybe she should be happy she KNOWS he is fishing, and not doing something that might really cause friction?
Maybe I should just go fishing and mind my own business.........
Anyone seen my wife?
Last time I saw her she was acting like a trout.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Did You Smell Anything Yesterday?
Yep, I got skunked yesterday for the third time this year. Nada, nothing, not even a hit! All 4 of us got stunk up, not that that makes it any better. You would have thought one of us would have gotten lucky.....but nope.
The river was clear, a little low and quite cold - 40 degrees at 10AM. The sky was clear blue and bright, and the air fairly warm for late November - mid 50's.
I was great to get out and enjoy the nice weather. Later in the day, I went to the big farm with a friend and drove the trails until dusk to check out the property. We must have seen over 300 pheasants - they were everywhere there was cover, or cover nearby. Saw quite a few deer - a few good sized bucks in the mix, too.
All in all it was a good day. The fish did beat us this time, but that's part of the game.
I'll be back.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tom McGuane Awarded "Angler of the Year"
I couldn't have said it any better, so here's The Trout Underground (Tom Chandler) take on the award......
Tom McGuane Awarded Fly Rod & Reel Magazine’s “Angler of the Year”
Monday, November 9, 2009
Autumn is Also for Music, the Dogs and Fishing
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Autumn Is For The Birds
The first "bird" we'll discuss is of the two-legged species. An older bird, who's wife is of the blue haired variety and one that generally takes an obstreporous view of even the slightest change. On Saturday morning, volunteers assisted Trout Unlimited in planting trees along a section of the Musconetcong River as part of their stream restoration project on this fine New Jersey trout stream. There were about 30 of us, mostly unshaven, unshowered middle-aged men like myself, some of whom smelled of the prior night's drinking activities. When all was said and done, we had planted over 300 trees along several hundred yards of stream bank. (Go to the NJ Trout Unlimited link in the right margin for more info and photos of this gnarly crew - and the two youts that had to put up with us.)
So anyways, this old bird calls the state and tells them he is going to kill all the trees we planted. He also tells one of the volunteers he is going to spray them with Roundup. Seems he thinks we did a bad thing planting these trees. He prefers the grass - nevermind that he doesn't own the property - that grass is his and dang-it, them trees don't belong there, even if they stabilize the river bank.
On Sunday morning I did my usual greeting of the day - slowly opening the bedroom curtains to expose the wilderness surrounding the house so as not to frighten any creratures - and there drinking from our pond was a huge, ten-point buck with his harem of does nervously millling about the grass behind him. By the time I got my camera, he had moved into the woods and out of clear range.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Going Back to Go Forward - The Rogue River is Free Again
Here's the full story from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/10/10/us/AP-US-Rogue-Gets-Wilder.html
One more dam down, plenty more to go.....................
Monday, October 5, 2009
Early Autumn Bliss
The river - low, clear, but cool and inviting. Throughout the afternoon there was a steady hatch of tiny Blue-winged Olives and a smattering of October Caddis. The trout cooperated and eagerly took a well presented fly. In the faster riffles and runs, my October Caddis dry (see prior posts), was the ticket. In the flat water and slower runs, a size #24 BWO thorax dry was the required imitation.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
I'll Take Mine in a Size 24, No Mustard
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Did Someone Rewrite the Rules of Common Decency? Or "Have a Nice F*#king Day
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Do Trout See in Black and White?
Kind of like taking off rose colored glasses..................
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Fall Fashions
And there you have it folks, the latest in fall fashion from my vise.
Go tie one on, now!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
FISH CAN'T READ - John Juracek, Muttering Guy and Other Good Stuff
From Three Flies Short - http://www.fishcantread.com/
Here's a new fly fishing ezine with some real good writing and plenty of pictures for peoplewhocantread.com/
Before you buy your next fly rod, be sure to read - The Fly Life - Evaluating a Fly Rod by John Juracek. John brings his usual highly pragmatic viewpoint to the things that really matter when choosing a fly rod for FISHING.
Tight lines.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Are Hunters Stupid? The Unintended Consequences of Wolf Hunting
I don't hunt, but have no problem with others hunting within the law. I have no interest in any of PETA's agenda, as nothing good comes from extremism under the guise of doing good. That said, I couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed in this article. Its' a little long, but full of perspective and good common sense, which seems to elude more and more humans everyday. Give it a read, if nothing else it will be like taking your mind for a walk - those neurons need a good, low stress workout once in while..............
Are Hunters Stupid? The Unintended Consequences of Wolf Hunting | George Wuerthner | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Combat fishing pits man against man in Alaska
They, however, would not be many Alaskans, at least not when the sockeye start making their headlong summer rush up the Kenai River." LA Times
Combat fishing' pits man against man in Alaska -- latimes.com
Not my cup of joe, but then again, I don't fish to eat...........
I guess this one gets filed under, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
It Wasn't Epic, But We Had Fun
Bruce and I arrived late Saturday afternoon and some of the usual suspects were already at the lodge. They had just returned from the river and had mixed success with nymphs, but nothing on dry flies. The river was somewhat high, but clear - as clear as a tannic stained river can be - and in beautiful shape.
We headed up river to fish, while the others decided to hang back for dinner instead of taking advantage of the best time to be on the water. We split up and I slid into a nice long pool. No flies were on the water, but that didn't stop me from fishing a small parachute hopper. My first cast with it resulted in a nice wild brookie taking the fly after a short drift. I continued to fish the dry with no success, so I switched to nymphs. Over the next two hours I took a number of brookies and lost a few others.
It started to sprinkle, so I took a short walk up to where Bruce was to see how he was doing and shortly after I reached him the skies opened up. It began to pour like I've never seen it. We hightailed it back to the car and by the time we got there, we were soaked to the bone. Before the run in the rain though, I did take this pic of a huge hemlock that succumbed to hemlock wooley adelgid .
Saturday night we just hung out at the lodge, listened to the rain, drank some beverages, and tied flies. As usual, we stayed up very late and laughed till we hurt and then slept like babies.
Sunday morning came with bright sun and warm, humid air. After breakfast we headed downstream and found nothing in the air and no fish rising. I took a trio of fish -a rainbow, a brook, and a brown - all on a beadhead Bird's Nest nymph. This one:
The day was perfect, although the fishing wasn't, but all was not lost. We fished until about 5:00, and during that time I caught another fish - yep, one more. And spent some time exploring and watching the hummingbirds work their way among the wild flowers that lined the river.
And finally, a photo from just below a small waterfall looking upstream.
Having a Plan.........Excellent Piece From Wayupstream.com
Unfortunately, this world is full of people (idiots) who don't plan even one minute beyond the present, let alone what they might do if they land a fish they will be releasing.
http://www.wayupstream.com/2009/08/whats-your-plan.html
See you knee deep in the water, with a plan.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Finally Going Fishing!
Report to follow.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
This is "Fly" Fishing..........Do You Think Maybe We Could Tie Flies That Do This?
Enjoy.
Museum Robbed of Birds For Fly Tying? That's Nuts....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1206343/Collection-300-stuffed-birds-stolen-Natural-History-Museum.html
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A Classic Tying a Classic
Click here for the full story: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/sports/09outdoors.html
Enjoy.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
How To Lick a Slug
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/opinion/02kristof.html
Let's all go out and lick a slug!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saratoga Is For Horses, Lake George For Rain
All the rain on the other days prevented me from wetting a line even for a short while. Never even got out on the boat. That said, we had a great time eating, drinking, listening to great live music, watching the races, betting and only losing $15 when all was said and done, and just plain old having fun. After hanging at the track for the better part of teh day, we hit a local post-race watering hole, and then went into town to enjoy the street festival.
A view of the lake from the Algonquin:
A view across the table at the Algonquin of my lovely wife and friend Barry toasting something. I'd like to think it was the mayflies clinging to the windows in an effort to stay out of the rain.
The ponies getting ready for the first race of the day. The weather could not have been better.
And here is the self-described, "Jew in a fox hunt outfit that blows a trumpet at the track", Sam, myself and Karen just after he treated us to some traditional and not-so-traditional bugling of the finest order. This guy is good - even did some Led Zepplin for shits and giggles.
So, that's I did on one of my summer vacations.Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mercer's GlassTail Yellow Sally
Thread: Yellow
Hook: #10-12 dry fly
Tail/abdomen: One bright orange and 3 or 4 yellow glass beads on clear mono. Thread orange bead first then thread tags ends through each yellow bead. Knot the mono just past the last yellow bead and tie down - the knot will keep mono from slipping.
Body: Yellow dubbing
Underwing: Thin closed cell foam clipped to shape and tinted with yellow permanent marker
Overwing: Dyed yellow elk hair
Hackle: Grizzly or grizzly dyed yellow - the fish don't seem to care.
Have at it. Right now it's a killer in broken water.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Food (Imitations) for Thought
Tricos, early morning. Over by 9:00AM, but a blast when you're still half-asleep and the air is cool and moist.
The above is a fairly standard imitation, the one below is Al's Trico, a wonderfully simple pattern that is very effective.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
It's a Beautiful Day, So Why Am I Here?
That's all, just thinking before the next meeting. Cell phone takes a nice pic, huh? Hung it out of the sun roof. Can you hang something out of the sun roof? Not likely. Hang, hung, who cares? Got to go, almost post time.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Back From Paradise
Or is there?
Yes, there is something better...........
After spending the 4th with friends and family, I took off with a couple of friends to a distant watery, wooded paradise for a few days to fish. Who needs fireworks anyway? Take a look at this place:
And here's one of the denizens of this wonderful, far off slice of heaven:
This brown trout was one of many other salmonoids we caught during this outing. In addition to the browns, there were some very acrobatic rainbows and a few brook trout with colors that only nature can paint with her delicate, rainbow covered palette.
And then today, it was back to reality and even a meeting tonight in good old Jersey City.
When is the next trip? Are we there yet?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The People You Meet While Knee Deep in a River - Incident No. 392
I said, "Good". And he kept going, leaving bootprints on the pavement from the river in his felt soled, chest high, waders. He had on a old, fraying at the edges, greenish ballcap that had a standard issue, red Boston Red Sox "B" over the brim. His hair was over his ears and salt and peppery colored, medium height, wrinkled vest, net, and generally what you see these days on the river......that, or the other species of fly fisherman known as an "Orvis Cowboy". You know, the guy that has all the latest and greatest, highly marketed gear that thinks the more he spends, the more he looks like a bad-ass, top of the skill pyramid, fly fisherman.........Right!
So, a short while later, I'm at the head of a run casting to a couple of trout that were lazily rising to no apparent insect matter along the opposite bank. Downstream I see Mr. Redsox entering the lower end of the same long pool. No problem by me, he's 75-80 yards downstream of me. I do notice, actually can't help but notice, his casting style is less poetry-in-motion and more washing machine. Did you ever swish a stick back and forth in water? Well, that's what his casting sounded like.
A short while later I hook a small brown trout and it fights mightily, splashing about as I bring it in.
"DUDE! That's awesome, you nailed one!" I look downstream and there is Mr. Redsox now about 40 yards downstream of me shouting. "Cool!"
I said, "Thanks, it really isn't that big. I'll take it though."
"Oh, but man, you got him on TOP! That was soooo cool." He says, and then continues slashing the water.
I thought to myself, What's the deal with this guy? He's bobbing and weaving in his waders, casting like a monkey might if it had a fly rod, and he had this silly, happy as a clam, smile on his face. We, I mean I, kept fishing and out of the corner of my eye I could see Mr. Redsox slowly working his way towards me.
He lights a cigarette, and sucks in the first drag like he's a 4 year old kid using a straw and his glass is almost empty of lemonade. Hisssssssss.
I just smiled and tried to concentrate, but I kept thinking, What's the deal?
I get another take, but I miss it. Mr. Redsox sees it and at the top of his lungs, "Ohhhhhh, man, that was in your face man. Fail!"
I started laughing, "Do I know you?" This guy was hyper and having too much fun. Again, I thought, What's the deal with this guy?
And then, as though he heard me, he says quietly as though we were surrounded by cops, "Dude, there's nothing like getting stoned and fly fishing. Everything is beautiful out here."
And there was the moon..........
reflecting............
Rainy day woman would be proud.
Monday, June 29, 2009
More Fishing Vicariously - Death Wish XVI: The Stream Why
So here's a better/more interesting report from our mosquito attracting friend at Singlebarbed:
Death Wish XVI: The Stream Why
What's bugging you?
On the river, you listen more than you talk.
Fly-Fishing and Coping on the Big Hole Flathead Beacon
I do have one question/thought.....if gramps was so important, how come the guy didn't leave the river behind for the funeral? Just saying.......
Friday, June 26, 2009
Still No Fishing Going on Around Here.......
A wicked, 165 yard, par 3 from an elevated tee that just messes with your head as you line up your tee shot.
And here we have a 584 yard, par 5, dog-leg right.
A downhill par 4......look, blue skies!
It was a pretty quick 18 holes, thanks to all three of us hitting the fairway on just about every hole......and the fact that we had no one in front of us to slow us down or screw up our mojo. Scores in the 70's and a great time that didn't end there......it was date night with my bride.
Now I have to go fishing.............