Sparse Grey Matter Fly Tying Festival 2012

On February 26, 2012 Shannon's Fly & Tackle and Dette's Trout Flies sponsored the 2nd Annual Sparse Grey Matter Fly Fest. This event is an informal get together of fly tiers and fishers.  It's open to the public at no charge.  Some of the best fly tiers in the region were there. And, go figure; they let me tie.

Here's a short video of the event.  Check out Shannon's Fly & Tackle and Dette's Trout Flies in the January 2013 for news on next year's event.  Who knows, they just might let me tie again.

Enjoy.

Results of the 2nd Annual NJ FLY FISHERMAN of the YEAR

As The Jersey Angler said in his recent post "He Could Have Been a Contender...", well I was a contender.  All kidding aside, I recommend reading his post.

The New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year competition is the brain child of Bill Asdal owner of the the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, Shannon's Fly & Tackle Shop and New Jersey Trout Unlimited (NJTU). 

The 2011 Contestants:

• Hacklebarney Chapter -  Jeff Kurt;
• East Jersey Chapter - Paul Reithmeir;
• Fred Boroughs Chapter - Warren Weglinski;
• Ridge and Valley - Fredy DeLeon;
• Ken Lockwood - Bill Silvia ;
• Central Jersey - Lou DiGena (a.k.a. Fly and Fin);
• Ray Neirle Chapter - Bob Powel;
• Jersey Shore - Bob Simpson;
• Rahway River - Mike Appello;
• Ernest Schwiebert Chapter - Angelo Conti;
• Headwaters Raritan  - Bill Kibler;
• Musconetcong Watershed - Stewart Shafran.

It was a cold morning, 28º F at the start of the event, a low 50º F by the final round.  Each participant drew a number which gave them times and beats to fish. Each fisher had two beats to fish in the morning.  The 3 top scorers would advance to the finals.

The first beat for was was slow - only one 14.75" Rainbow. This gave me 20 points for the first session.  The second morning session was much better.  I hooked 4 fish and landed 2. This  gave me an additional 38 points to put me in second place.

Official Score Board

Warren Weglinski was in first.  I was second, and Angelo Conti was in third.

In the final session, the points from the morning didn't rollover like last year's and the fishing was slow.  We all rotated through the same three 20-minute beats. Warren was the only one to hook and land a Rainbow in the first rotation, worth 14 points. We all went fish-less in the second session.  In the last session with around 5 minutes left, I hook and landed a 13" Brookie worth 18.2 points.  Around the same time my fish was landed, Angelo hooked and landed a 19" Rainbow worth 19 points.  With that, he won the 2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the year for 2011.

Here's a shameless video shot of "me only" during the event.  

It was truly a fun event.  I'd like to thank all the judges, Bill, Shannon's and NJTU for all their hard work.

Thank you,

Fly and Fin

International Fly Fishing Film Festival

The 2011 International Fly Fishing Film Festival ( IF4 ) Commercial from Fly Max Films on Vimeo.

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival is joining The Fly Fishing Show in 2012.  Angling Trade posted on 10/19/2011 that The Fly Fishing Show will screen films at the closing of the show at 5 locations.

The showings will be at the following locations: Denver, Jan. 6, 2012; Marlborough, Mass., Jan. 20, 2012; Somerset, NJ, Jan. 27, 2012; Lancaster, Penn., Feb. 18, 2012; and Pasadena, Calif. March 3, 2012. The viewings will start around 6:30PM and my change depending on location.

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) features 16 short and feature length films with local and global reach.

Having gone to the Denver and New York screening last year I can say it's well worth your time.  It's a great way to get your blood flowing during the cabin fever months.

Mark your calendar and get your trout porn on.

Save the Date: The International Fly Tying Symposium November 19th & 20th

The International Fly Tying Symposium is coming to Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ on November 19th and 20th, 2011.

The event is now in it's 21st year and features some of the best fly tiers on the planet.  It's always a great time, where you get to talk and ask the tiers about their pattern.  I've been going since the beginning and  haven't missed one.  There are free programs, celebrity tiers, classes, lots of stories, flies that catch fishers and tall tails.

Here are some of the programs I'm looking forward to:

• JOHAN KLINGBERG “European Nymphing- History & Techniques”
• ERIC STROUP “Catching Trout in Tough Conditions”
• BOB JACKLIN “Yellowstone and Montana Sampler”
• and ARON JASPER “The Newest in Nymphs and How to Construct Them”

Here are some photos of the flies from the videos I shot last year.

 "Bill's Hellgrammite" by Bill Skilton

"Tungsten Torpedo" by Kevin Compton

"Fire Fly" by Aaron Jasper

"Peel-and-Stick" Jay by "Fishy" Fullum

For more information go to http://www.internationalflytyingsymposium.com/index.html.

River Clean-up

Point Mountain section.

Every year Central Jersey TU (my chapter) as well as other NJ TU chapters in association with Musconetcong Watershed Association and South Branch Watershed Association have there annual river clean-up.  This year it was cloudy and cold but once we started to walk the banks of the river we warmed up quite quickly.  The big hauls were several tires, a mattress, and ton of bottles, cans and coffee cups.  It's amazing how every year we manage to pick-up lots of garbage (everyone felt there was less this year).  At least this year there were large items like  shopping carts and washing machines (a good sign). We were out on the Musconetcong river and our group spent four hours cleaning up a 4 mile section of river.  We were lucky, the rains held off until after the clean-up and lunch. 

River Road and Rt. 31 section.

Can and bottle in the clear bags.

Costa Presents...Fly Fishing Film Tour hits NYC

For the last four years The Fly Fishing Film Tour has become the fishing entertainment event. The Film Tour is making it's New York City stop on April 6th, 2011 (sorry for the late notice). The tour showcases some of the best independent outdoor film makers. 

The Film Tour will be hosted by Urban Angler in New York, NY at the Helen Mills Theater - 139 West 26th Street (between 6th & 7th Avenue) New York, NY 10001

Directions to The Helen Mills Theater

There will be 90 minutes of fly fishing excitement, drama, and lore.

April 6th, 2010. $20 advance / $25 door. Doors open at 6:45pm, film starts at 7pm.

To buy tickets in advance go to http://shop.urbanangler.com/store/pc/Fly-Fishing-Film-Tour-Ticket-NY-April-6th-2011-96p7671.htm or pay at the door.

If your in the city maybe I see you there...

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.

Annual Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Heritage Day June 19, 2010

Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association (PFFMA) is holding their 8th Annual Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Heritage Day on Saturday, June 19th at the Allenberry Resort Inn & Playhouse on the Yellow Breeches Creek in Boiling Springs.  

• Presentations
  - John Arway, Executive Director of PA Fish & Boat Commission
  - John Randolph, retired editor and publisher of FLY FISHERMAN magazine
  - The Colonial Angler, Ken Reinhard
  
  
• Fly Casting – One-on-one instruction and demonstrations.  Improve your casting skills or try casting for the first time with expert fly casting instructors including Frank Angelo, Bobby Clouser, Ed Jaworowski & Dave Rothrock from 9am to 3:30pm!
  
  
• Fly Casting Competition – A fun and friendly competition for accuracy and distance. Open, Amateur & Youth Divisions.
  
  
• Fly Tying Demonstrations - Watch notable fly tiers demonstrate their favorite patterns.
  
  
• Aquatic Insects – Stream-side session on aquatic insect identification presented by Greg Hoover, specifically tailored for anglers.
  
  
• Casting Cane – Meet cane rod builders and try casting various spilt cane rods.
  
  
• Antiques “MeadowShow” – Just like the Antiques RoadShow, Jerry Girard (Historical Angling Artifacts) and Bob Selb (The Classic Fly Fisherman) will be there to evaluate and appraise your treasures.
  
  
• Rubber Fish Race – The fundraiser for the PFFMA is this fun and exciting Rubber Fish Race in the Yellow Breeches at 12:30, patterned after Rubber Ducky Races and the Kentucky Derby! $500 cash grand prize!!  You do not have to be present to win!
  
  
• Plus Many Wonderful Fly Fishing Vendors and Exhibitors!

Visit  Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association (PFFMA) at http://www.paflyfishing.org/index.html for more information.