New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest

The New Jersey’s First Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest took place on November 6, 2010 at the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, Califon, NJ.  The contest was held on the Inn’s mile of private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  Each New Jersey chapter of Trout Unlimited and three Watershed Associations, the Upper Raritan, Musconetcong and South Branch select one angler each to participate.  A total of 13 participants headed out on a beautiful fall day.  After the morning round three anglers emerged as the point leaders. Bart Lombardo of Central Jersey TU was leader fishing the CE Crayfish pattern next was Keith Bologno representing the Uppper Raritan Watershed and finally Bill Silvia from Ken Lockwood TU landed an 18" Rainbow in the final minutes. 

After lunch the three anglers set off for the final round.  Bart’s best fish of the afternoon was disqualified because the fish threw the hook, and then was re-hooked in the dorsal fin. As time ran out Keith Bologno was the leader, but in the last minutes Bill Silvia tied Keith with a 21" Rainbow creating a dramatic tie.  The judges Jim Holland, Brian Cowden, and Don Tredski  determined to end the tie with a fish-off.  It took an epic two and a quarter hours to end the tie, with may fish hooked but not landed. Until Bill Silvia landing an 18" rainbow to capture the honors of 2010 NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. 

The 2010 Contestants:

Hacklebarney Chapter -  Rich Tullo;
East Jersey Chapter - Bruce Seiden;
Fred Boroughs Chapter - Susan Reed;
Ridge and Valley - Tim Johnston;
Ken Lockwood - Bill Silvia ;
Central Jersey - Bart Lombardo;
Ray Neirle Chapter - Steve Moody;
Jersey Shore - John Clark;
Rahway River - Chris Martino;
Ernest Schwiebert Chapter - Angelo Conti;
Upper Raritan Watershed - Keith Bologno;
South Branch Watershed - Fred Puelle;
Musconetcong Watershed - Stewart Shafran;
NJ TU State Council - August Gudmundsson;

Sponsored by Hardy North America.

A very special thanks needs to be given to Bill Asdal of the  Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast for hosting the event and dinner and Jim Holland of Shannons Fly and Tackle, Califon, NJ.

Here is movie of Bart (a.k.a The Jersey Angler) during the final round.

 

Take care of those hands, tying season is approaching.

Tying season is approaching fast, the chill in the air is the first sign, second is no leafs on the trees, and finally snow on the roof.

I starting to go through my supplies and boxes to see what I need to tie for next season, but there is one thing I have to due right now.  That is take care of my hands.  Why you might ask well blasting the heat in the car after fishing to get the blood back into my cold wet hands, next is the temperature starts to drop which means the furnace fires up drying out the air in the house, and finally chopping wood and playing with the fire place.  These all lead to dry chapped hand that catch and break thread and many tying into a chore. So here is a product that I use because it protects and heals those chapped digits.

It is skincare that works

My local Shop-Rite grocery store carries Gloves in a Bottle while it's not cheap at $15.95 for a 8 oz. (240 ml) bottle, but it is well worth it.  It's Greaseless, non-sticky, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, completely safe and non-toxic, which mean no unwanted oil or sent on your flies.

Gloves in a Bottle

My biggest problem is keeping it way from my lady, she stopped using her Name Brand and keeps stealing this bottle from my tying desk.  I have only one alternative, break down and buy another bottle.

New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year

As many may have read on The Jersey Angler's blog that he is participating in the New Jersey’s first Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year. This is a catch and release one fly" tournament held on South Branch of the Raritan River at the Raritan Inn Bed and Breakfast, Califon, NJ. The event is being sponsored by Hardy North America

Beside the One-Fly contest The day's events will include: Casting demonstrations; Entomology presentation; Reading the stream; Stream enhancement case studies and South Branch restoration plans; Fly tying; Bamboo rod construction; Streamside techniques; NJ fish habitats and a Silent auction to benefit NJ Trout Unlimited.

Well I wanted to do my part so I tied up 3 of my CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler for the one fly event.  Lets wish him all the luck and let his skill do the rest.

CE Crayfish for the The Jersey Angler

 

I'd met up with The Jersey Angler this after noon where I presented him with the flies and a discription of the water he was going to fish (I've fished that private streath in with my boys).

I plan on attending, photographing and filming the event. Conditions look good for him to do well with the CE Crayfish, a good soaking rain on Thursday and off color water today.  The levels should be good for taking some nice fish tomorrow.

Again lets wish him all the best.

Al's Rat

If you fish tail waters or spring creeks with selective trout you need to they this pattern by Al Miller. The materials list is dead easy black thread and muskrat fur.

This pattern works well on the Little Lehigh Heritage section in Allentown, PA and is a good imatation of tricos, and BWO when tied with olive thread.

I've found it a great patter to use as a dropper off a Griffins Gnat.

Click on the link below to see  “Ozzie's” video of Al Miller tying the "Rat"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngSraA6whFM

The Bank Robber Fly Rods – Co-Developed by St. Croix and Kelly Galloup

Photo Source: Angling Trade

Kelly Galloup is a well known for his tying innovations such as the Butt Monkey, Zoo Cougar and other streamer innovative. He is a well-known fly designer, outfitter, writer, and owner of the Slide Inn on the Madison. Now he can add rod designer to his resume.

St. Croix and Kelly co-developed the new Bank Robber series of rods for pounding the banks. Currently there are only two rods in the series: 9′ 4-piece rods for 6-weight; and 7-weight lines. The rod blanks are built on high-modulus/high- strain SCV graphite blanks and reinforced in lower sections for added power.  These are the first St. Croix rods to use 3M Matrix Resin, a new Nano resin from 3M.  The big advantage according to St. Croix is added strength without the add weight.

The Bank Robber series is handcrafted in Park Falls, Wisconsin, and are protected by a lifetime limited warranty backed by St. Croix’s Superstar Service. No time frame was announced for availability but I sure it will available at the winter fly-fishing shows. I’d like to get my hands on one to give it a try.  I own two St. Croix Legend Elite rods, the 7'9" 3 weight and 8'6" 3 weight. I love them both and can’t wait to try the new Bank Robber.

Fall is the best time of the year.

While the Spring holds visions of mayflies on the wing and warmer days, I love Fall fishing for trout. The air and water is cooler and while the hatches are smaller the trout are hungrier. Whether it's to bulk-up for the winter or to have the energy to spawn they want to eat and are aggressive.

While out several days ago I hook up quite a few Brookies, Browns and Rainbow during the hour leading in to evening. My top produce was by far my CE Crayfish (Close Enough) followed by my The Modeled Leech. Both are great deep pocket water patterns, I fish them Euro-style casting up stream and lead them down stream with a tight line. I do impart action to the flies twitching my rod tip, jigging the flies across the bottom.

This Brookie smashed the CE Crayfish

Bulking up for the winter.

This Bow hammered the Modeled Leech.

Modeled Leech any one...

Autumn's Colors

The change of the leave means scenic fishing and brightly colored trout.  This plus crisp weather, and reduced numbers of fishers on the water make it my favorite time to be out.

Rainbow taken on my Tan UV Caddis Jig.

A nice wild Brown Trout.

Spawning Brook Trout

I was shocked when I brought this Brookie to the net, because I was where near water that I think she would be cutting a redd. It doesn't look like state breeder (more like a hold over) to me since the other fins look fine, just the tail is worn from cutting a redd.

The International Fly Tying Symposium: Save the Date November 20th & 21st

Save the date: The International Fly Tying Symposium will be held on November 20th and 21st, 2010 at the The Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, NJ.

I've been going to this event since it's start and has become a fly tiers home coming of sorts.  While there are some deals the main reason to attend is to catch-up, swap patterns and fishing stories.

There are some great free programs like Ozzie's“Underwater World of Trout - See Flies from the Perspective of the Trout, not the Angler” on Saturday @ 10:00 a.m. Sunday @ 11:00 a.m.

Beside the free programs in the Catch room and Release room,  there are a host of classes with well know tiers (last year I took the class with Johan Klingberg from Sweden on tying Czech nymph).

The 2010 International Fly Tying Symposium - Special Limited Classes

Classes on Saturday are availbe with Dick Talleur, Eric Stroup, Gary Borger and a free Fly Tying Class only between 1:00-2:30 P.M. for Scouts, "What they need to know in order to earn their merit badge."

On Sunday Bob Jacklin, Marc Petitjean and Enrico Puglisi are on the slate.

Bob Jacklin with my boy's at the Fly Fishing Show 2010

Classes are $70.00 which includes entrance into the show, I can say it's well worth the one-on-one instruction with these well know tyers.  I've learn new techniques every time I've attend.

Finally there are tiers from around the world here is a small sample:  Theo “Goldbead” Bakelaar, Don Bastian, Dave Brandt, Peggy Brenner, Bob Clouser, Kevin Compton, Jay “Fishy” Fullum, Aaron Jasper, Paul Little, Charlie Meck, Chris Reeves, Paul Rossman, Dave Rothrock, Bill Skilton, and Steve Thornton only to name a few.

I'll be there most likely for both days since it's in my back yard.  I be posting on twitter and taking photos and video. I hope to see you there.

Swinging wet flies with the Jersey Angler

This weekend I managed to head out and fish (which has become a rare event) weekday seem to be the only time I can get out these days. By chance I hook-up with The Jersey Angler and group of friends who where doing it "old school",  fishing cane and swinging wet flies.  I joined then but without my cane for fear of getting wrangled in to yard work.

Here is The Jersey Angler breaking in his new cane rod built by Art Port a 7'9", 5 wt with a Garrison taper.  Despite the long line release on the first fish, the day was very productive, go to his Bamboo Day post to see the sweet bow he landed.

He handed me the rod at the end of the day and it cast's like a dream.  Here are two fill I took in the film.

This one took the a Black Starling

Here the Partridge and Orange Soft Hackle

TU's Great Big Inventory Liquidation

As an active TU member,  Director  for Central Jersey Chapter and former TU National Leadership Counsel for NJ I get a lot of email from TU National on many cold water, trout and salmon topics.  So it's nice to pass this one along, no doom and gloom nor contact your congress person.  TU is liquidation it's inventory of gear to raise money and in the process you get a Tax deduction.

If your in the market for some new gear visit TU's Great Big Inventory Liquidation and see it there is something you can use...

My personal favorites are:

Cliff Super Days Worth Fly Box

...yours for a gift of $25 (retail value: $24)

Bulldog Regal Fly Tying Vice

...yours for a gift of $175 (retail value: $225)

St. Croix Legend Ultra Rod - 8', 5 Wt., 4-piece

...yours for a gift of $300 (retail value: $320)