Monday, March 28, 2011

Fly and Fin - CDC Prince

 This is my variation on a classic prince nymph pattern.  I use red wire and substitute rust CDC for the traditional hen.  The CDC add a lot of motion to the fly and it's one of my most productive early season patterns. Tie some with or with out the bead and let me know how it works for you.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Little Black Stone Fly

Little Black Stone
Depending on the weather February through April the Little Black Stone Fly is the first top water action of the season.  It happens quick so be prepared.  Trout do key in on these little morsels, especially the fluttering and skittering females returning to lay their eggs. With the recent cold spell and spring snow these bugs should be around well into April.




They range in size from this chunky size 14 down to 20.

A pattern I've use with great success is my CDC Little Black Stone tied in sizes 14 - 18.  It's best fished slightly upstream and skittering it across the pool.  This pattern works well as a black caddis imitation.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Authentic Tenkara Net Auction to aid Japan Relief Efforts


In the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami TenkaraUSA is auctioning off a very rare authentic Tenkara net.

The net was made by Ikichi-san, one of the last tenkara net makers in Japan. It is made from a single branch of the Kaya tree. Tenkara nets are becoming rarer with few makers and fewer trees with the right shapes and angles. This may be the only opportunity to acquire this type of net in the US.

The net is being auctioned on eBay and will end on March 19, 2011 at 19:54:02 PDT.  To bid on this net and aid in the Japan relief efforts go to http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Authentic-Tenkara-Net-Japan-Relief-donation-/320670445593.

100% of the proceeds will go to the relief efforts.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Opening window between storms.

Here in New Jersey we've been hit with a lot of rain this past week. As you can see from my "Finally a Day on the Water - NOT" there was a lot of water in our system. Here is a graph from the USGS of the stream I frequent.


Now I typically monitor several streams I fish to determine which has the best water so I can have a better fishing. Factor in time of year and temperatures you'll have a good chance in predicting hatches with this information. Cabin fever is a funny thing. Normally don't fish this river when it's above 7 feet, because is wading is hell, but the fever had me in it's hold so I went for it.

The best that could happen is I get a few fish, and the worst is I going for a swim and bouncing down stream. Neither happen. What transpired was a unbelievable day . Once I found the fish it was hard keeping them off off. The sad note was I lost two 24" fish. A rainbow that shot out to fast water and took off down stream (I could do nothing unless I want to go for a swim), and a brown I lost at the net when my point fly got hooked the net, and the brown broke off. No regrets like I said it was an incredible day. The top producer was a black rubber leg stone fly. All the fish were in great shape thanks to all the snow and rain this winter.

Here are a few photos.

This Bow took the UV Chewee Rock Worm.
This Bow took the Black Rubber Leg.
Healthy brown.
Another on a Black Rubber Leg.
A healthy Rainbow.
This Bow took the The Gubbler.
My Green Rock Work worked this time.
The Release.
Yet another on a Black Rubber Leg.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Finally a Day on the Water - NOT

It's been a cold long winter here in the east.  Finally, the temperatures rose and the snow started to melt, but than came the rains.  Because it was so cold for so long and the melt was slow the streams are in great shape.  The ground water seems to be recharged and I thought I could get out, but then the rains came.

Flood stage is at 10' the USGS gauge
read 9.8' when I took this photo.


Sunny day, temperatures in the high forties, but way am I going to get my flies on the bottom and forget fishing the edges.  Too boot there is more rain on the way I'm crossing my fingers that I can squeeze in some time before the next storm. I love to have water in the system, but I've got cabin fever.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Racquet River--"Adirondacks"

Published by Currier & Ives, [between 1840 and 1880]
Here is another print from the Library of Congress's digital collection that I found while a while back.  As winter loosens it's grip on the east I start getting the itch to head out and wet a line.

The last rain storm has put a cramp in my plans to head out (only for a day or two), but my mind is wondering on where I want to fish this year.  Here is one of the places on my list the Racquet River in Upstate NY.  In the past I've gone up to the to fish the St. Lawrence River every May (before kids) to fish for Northern Pike but never made it to the Racquet River, maybe this year.

I did clean up the image removing the some of the patina but a water make remains.

Enjoy.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Spring Fishing Weekend – Mar 18 - Mar 20 at L.L. Bean

The winter months coming to a close but in some areas trout fishing many still be a ways off.

L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME from hosting their Spring Fishing Weekend for March 18th thru the 20th.  During these 3 days there are a plethora of events and something for all.  At 6:00 P.M. on Friday sit back and enjoy the The Drake Fly-Fishing Films at the Camping Atrium, Flagship Store.  At 7:00 P.M. Free Friday Night Fly-Tying Clinic with Special Guest Tyer, Don Bastian on the second floor, at the Hunting & Fishing Store.  On Saturday choose from seminars on The Life Cycle of Caddis and Mayflies, participate in the Fly-Tying Contest, watch master tiers Sam Kenney, Don Bastian, and Dave Klausmeyer tying there favorite patterns, or get books signed and autographs from Lefty Kreh, Dave Whitlock and Emily Whitlock.  Throught out the day free fly-tying lessons for kids with Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited. On Sunday discover Maine’s wild and native Brook Trout lakes and ponds and learn about the fly fishers worst enemy the "wind".  Yes, you may want to do some shopping.

For more info visit: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1000001706


Or download this PDF: Spring Fishing Weekend.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Jay "Fishy" Fullum ties his "Peel-and-Stick"

Filmed at the International Fly Tiers Symposium, Fly and Fin presents Jay "Fishy" Fullum ties his "Peel-and-Stick"

Many know Jay "Fishy" Fullum from his “Creative Tying” column in "Fly Tyer", but he’s also the "artist in residence" at the magazine.  He shops for most of his materials at craft stores and the big box home improvement centers.  While he will tie with feathers, dubbing and other items we all find in our favorite fly shop, Fishy love to use non-traditional materials for his creations, such as meat trays and sandwich wrappers to kickboards and fake fingernails.  As an example a dry cleaning garment bag become an endless supply of bodies for his “Bitsy Spider.”

He is the author of “Fishy's Favorites for Bass, Trout, and Salt Water” and “Fishy's Flies.” He gives fly-tying classes and seminars and is a featured tier and lecturer at the International Fly Tying Symposium.  His innovative patterns catch everything from bluegills to bonefish.

Enjoy.