Pentax announces the Optio WG-1 and WG-1 GPS

Pentax announced it's new rugged Optio WG-1 and Optio WG-1 GPS.  It is tougher than the  Optio W90, both are designed are crushproof up to 100 kilograms (220 pounds), dustproof, waterproof, cold-proof and shock-resistant.  This 14MP cameras incorporate the same lens and video specs as the W90.  The design looks to be more ergonomic and the obvious increase to 5 LED from 3 for close-up photography.

I like my my W90 and I'm looking forward to seeing some samples from this new version.  I have mixed feeling with the GPS version, I like the GEO tagging but don't want to give away my secret spots.

NJ Coldwater Conservation School

The NJ School of Conservation in collaboration with the NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, NJ State Council of Trout Unlimited, and local TU chapters is running a four day Coldwater Conservation School students 11 - 14 years of age.

The goal is to foster knowledge and appreciation of coldwater habitats through hands-on activities and interactive learning. Students will gain experience and knowledge about coldwater habitat that trout and other wildlife need for survival.

The School will be held for its second year at the NJ School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest, June 23-26, 2011. The cost is $200.00 per student and includes food, lodging and equipment. Financial assistance may be available. Applications are due no later than April 1, 2011.

Students must be 11 - 14 years old in order to participate.

For more information contact:

Jessica Griglak
NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
605 Pequest Rd.
Oxford, NJ 07863
908-637-6239 or
908-637-4125
Jessica.Griglak@dep.state.nj.us Coldwater Conservation School Application

Tenkara on the Madison with Craig Mathews

I was turned on to YellowStoneMedia from a TenkaraUSA, who posted a link to "Winter on the Madison River Craig Mathews and a Tenkara rod"video.  Beside this video there are high quality shots of Grizzlies, Bull Elk Bison and Otters.  Not to mention fly fishing videos in the Yellow Stone region. After viewing "Winter on the Madison River Craig Mathews and a Tenkara rod" I contacted YellowStoneMedia for permission to post this video and they said yes.

So here is Craig Mathews fishing Tenkara on the Madison River in the dead of winter.

Enjoy.

Gone are the Day's of Trout on a Stick

Back-in-the-day the way to document a good day's fishing was to knock them on the head with a priest and keep them cool until the trip home.  I can't be sure that these fish were eaten, but I hope so...

A Day's Catch at Big Lagoon 1908

While I do practice catch and release there are still time's I'll knock one on the head for dinner that night (always a stockies).  It mite be a requirement some parts, like Rockies where the motto is EMBT (Eat more Brook Trout), to help with the recovery of Greenback Cutthroat Trout.  Brook Trout are not a native trout to the Rockies and compete with the Greenback Cutthroat Trout, so removing non-native trout from some streams is necessary so native trout may flourish. 

 

Photographs and videos are a great way to show off your catch. Today with the wide range of underwater camera getting cheaper and easier to document your catch.  With iMovie and YouTube your not limited to sharing with just your friends.  There are plenty of waterproof camera on the market and I sure you'll fine one to fit budget.

Shad fishing taking up the net above Chester, N.J.

Here is a splendid drawing I found in the Library of Congress's digital collection.  Fishermen are standing in the Delaware River (1855), netting shad along the shore.  The artist is Queen, James Fuller, 1820 or 21-1886, and the drawing is graphite and chalk ; 23.1 x 33.2 cm..

Chester, N.J. is not the Chester of Morris County, but Chester Township, one of Burlington County’s original townships now Borough of Palmyra (if my research is correct).

I'd played with the drawing in PhotoShop to bring out some of the detail and if you like the see the original click this link: (http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2009632254/).

Enjoy.

Don Bastian is offering a second classic wet tying class.

Back in December I posted that Don Bastian is hosting a Classic Wet Flies Fly Tying Class on February 11 – 13, 2011. Well that class filled up (Jersey Angler and I took the last two spots) and Don is now offering a second class.  The dates are February 25 – 27, 2011 at Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast.

The classes will cover wings (quill, mixed, married, herl, and flank feather), as well as Don’s proprietary wing quill method. You'll learn about body materials and techniques for working with floss, tinsel, wing quills, goose shoulder, and other materials. Don will cover proper proportions, material selection, grading, and working around and through any fly tying problems.

The package price of this class is $325.00 based on double-occupancy, and includes room tax. 50% deposit required to secure reservation. Credit cards accepted. Call or e-mail Fishing Creek Angler to make your reservation.

Package Price Includes:

Friday evening dinner featuring Mary-Ann’s lasagna with salad and; home made dessert; full breakfast on Saturday and; Sunday;

Lunch on Saturday.

Lee’s Saturday evening steak bar-b-que with baked potato, salad, and; home made dessert.

Two nights double occupancy lodging at the Fishing Creek Angler B & B.

Relaxing evenings in the B & B with your favorite libation and lots of fly tying talk and informal tying sessions.

For more information contact Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop,  Bed & Breakfast:

314 St. Gabriel’s Road
Benton PA 17814
570-925-2709
infofca@epix.net 

or visit Don's Blog Don Bastian Wet Flies

 

Don with Plate No. 3, wet flies from Trout.

Don has forty-seven years fly tying experience including a decade long stint as a commercial tyer. He has nearly 765 classic wet fly, streamer, and bucktail patterns published in the book Forgotten Flies. Many of Don’s classic wets can be seen on the Complete Sportsman web page www.rareandunusual.com. His first fly tying video, Tying Classic Wet Flies was released in November 2004. In August 2007 two more Don Bastian DVD’s were released - Advanced Classic Wet Flies, and Traditional Streamers and Bucktails. Don has a feature wet fly article in the 2010 print issue of Hatches magazine, and Don’s Ray Bergman Collection, a year-long project, started in September at www.hatchesmagazine.com Don also had a feature article on classic wet flies titled Feathered Splendor in the Fall 2006 issue of Fly Tyer magazine. He has been a fly tying instructor for over twenty five years.

Again I'm getting nothing for this promotion, Don is a friend and and in my opinion one of the best Classic Wet Fly tiers out there.

My attempt at tying Umpqua's Scuba Nymph

Back in October I posted what I felt was the recipe for Umpqua's Scuba Nymph. Here is my attempt tying the Scuba nymph.



Size – 12-18 Grub hook
Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Brown
Head – Tungsten Bead
Legs – Rubber Legs Mini (Montana Fly Company-Tentacles)
Thorax: Peacock
Body and Tail – Pheasant tail
Rib – Copper wire
Back – Crystal Flash

Mash down barb, and weight fly

Tie in Crystal Flash

Tie-in wire.

Tie-in Pheasant tail fibers to form the tail.

Wrap PT tail fibers forward and counter wrap with wire.

Tie in 3 Peacock tail fibers and wrap around to form the thorax.

Fold over Crystal Flash and tie-in.

Tie in Tentacles and whip finish.  (I did this in 3 small clumps.)

It's cold...

The channel is still clear, but...

polarizers in front of the lens reveals the anchor ice.
No fishing for me unless there is a warm spell.

UV Bobesh

UV Bobesh

I was playing around with some UV materials while tying at a sportsman show about two weeks ago.  Here is the result the UV Bobesh, which is a variation  on the basic Czech nymph.

The Bobesh fly imitate the larvae stages of Caddis and first started with the sausage skin, than skin of the catfish or the eel and later latex.

I've found adding UV material to my patterns to be very productive, so here I went all out and used as much as possible.  We'll see how it works when the streams open up.



Hook – DOHIKU Scud/Grub Hooks any heavy Grub hook
Size – 8 - 12Thread – 8/0 or 6/0 Black
Thorax/Head – Hairline Black UV Ice Dub
Hot Spot – Hairline Hot Orange UV Ice Dub
Abdomen – Hairline Tan UV Ice Dub
Rib – .32 gauge Brown Parawire
Shell Back – Knapek Pearl Braidback UV Claret (2.5mm)
Weight –.015 Lead Free Wire

Wind on your non-lead wire. (Flat lead works the best.)

Secure wire and wrap with thread to form a taper.

Tie in Braidback.

Dub Abdomen.

Dub hot spot. (Heart)

Dub Thorax.

Fold over Braidback and secure.

Advance wire and tie off.
(You may finish the fly here if you like.)

Dub the head with Black UV Ice Dub and whip finish.
(This is optional, but I like how it finish the fly.)

The Fly Fishing Show Jan. 21, 22, & 23

The Fly Fishing Show has made it's way to NJ.  As many who attend this or other show like it's one big reunion. I usually can't get three feet down an isle before I bump in to a friend and  telling stories (telling lies).   It's great catching up with friends that you only see a hand full of time (just because life gets in the way).  There are some bargains usually last years disconnected items and some new items that were announced at the International Fly Tackle Dealer show. 

Fly Fishing Show is at the Garden State Convention Center on January 21, 22, 23 2011

Show Hours: Fri 10 - 6; Sat 8:30 - 6:00; Sun 9 - 4:30

Admission: Adult: $15 for one day,
$25 for two-day pass,
$35 for three-day pass;
Children under 5 free, under 12: $2
Scouts under 16 in uniform: free
Active Military: $10

It's a fun time and maybe I'll see you there.