Fishing With My Two Unique Boys - What's a Dad to do?

Even though it was cold out, my older son still wanted to go fishing.  My younger son wasn't wholeheartedly into the idea.  What's a Dad to do?

I put on my thermals. The boys dressed in layers and packed a spare set of cloths, just in case.  While no one went for a swim, there where cold feet and hands.  This put a limit on the time we could fish, but as long as there was action, no one asked to go home.

With rain levels spiked, the 100cfs streams were at 300cfs.  At 300cfs, my home stream is  challenging to fish and next to impossible for the boys. We ended up fishing the banks - no stream crossings.  While it was cold and high, the fishing was good.  Together we netted 6 rainbows, 1 brown...long line released a monster.

Both boys were happy in varying degrees, and I'm sure we'll be heading out again soon.

One happy lad.

Boy my hands are cold.

Cold + Egg = Rainbow

Bow on a rock worm.

They liked the rock worms.

Feather-Craft Fly Fishing Giveaway - The Steelhead Addition.

Here's a new give-a-way from Feather-Craft Fly Fishing.  First prize will be a FULL day guided trip for WILD steelhead on the Pere Marquette River.  Feather-Craft teamed up with Indigo Guide Service & Third Coast Fly for this great prize.

For this give-a-way, you'll have to use your Facebook profile to participate.

Here are the steps:

Step 1: Go to Third Coast Fly’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/thirdcoastfly click the ‘Like’ button.

Step 2: Go to the Feather-Craft Facebook page give-a-way
http://www.facebook.com/notes/third-coast-fly/fly-fishing-giveaway/276976492354298
and leave a quick comment.

All who do both steps are entered to win one of theses three prizes.

1st Place: Full Day Guided Trip for WILD Pere Marquette Steelhead with Indigo Guide Service
2nd Place: 1 Dozen steelhead flies in custom fly box + SA Steelhead Taper Fly Line
3rd Place: Feather-Craft’s Bob’s Favorite Tech Shirt

Good Luck,

Fly and Fin

Fishing with Matt

Finally, after juggling our schedules, Matt Grobert and I final got out fishing this past weekend.


You may know Matt from the The Star Ledger's Fly Fishing column.  His work also includes:
Fly Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams, published in 2008; Caddis Chronicles, a blog -  "A celebration of the well-chewed fly."  He's also ties patterns at the International Fly Tiers Symposoum, the Fly Fishing Show (NJ), Shannon's Fly Shop in Califon.  He's also featured on video at Tightline Productions.

Matt chronicled our trip in his Short Report post of December 4th.  I don't have much to add other than the photos and comments below.

It was a cold morning, but warm for December - low to mid 40's.  It always feels colder when your feet are in 42-degree water.  It was even colder for Matt.  He left his thermals home and his waders had a leak.  (It's safe to say Matt's leg and foot never warmed up until he got home.)

The water was high, clear and cold, but fishing was good.  Matt took his fish with a bead head Bird's Nest, LaFontaine Sparkle Emerger, and one on Walt's Worm.  I, on the other hand, was Czech nymphing and took most of my fish on a my "big and ugly" variation of Hans Stephenson's "Bomb".   It was a good day; we both got into fishing.

Matt fishing down and across.

Mat with an nice bow.

Fish on.

To the net.

Czech rig and bow.

"big and ugly"

Good day with Fly and Fin

A Fall Review

This year, the fall fishing was more like fishing in the spring.  Our water levels shot up after hurricane Irene.  Some say it was a 100-year event, but I think it was closer to a 500-year event.  The high water levels weren’t bad; it just wasn't what you'd expect.  The trout that remain have good water levels, and judging by the river gauges the ground water is recharged.

The other difference was the foliage. It hung around longer because of the drought-like conditions in the late summer and excessive rain in the fall.  That's not a bad thing.  I use the dropped foliage as a clock to know what bugs to use and where to find the trout.  It's just a guide. I also use it consciously and unconsciously to locate per-spawn Brown Trout and Rainbows that are looking for egg. 

The two biggest impacts on the fall fishing was hurricane Irene and the early wet and heavy snow.  Irene moved a lot of boarders, which altered pools and habitats. Now my old home waters are anew.  The early snow and downed foliage caused lots of property damage.  Cleaning up cut into my fishing time more than anything else. Besides these minor obstacles, I got my share of trout and spent some fine days on the water.


Here's the usual trout porn from this fall's outings.

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

2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year and New Jersey Trout Unlimited 40th Anniversary

The 2nd Annual NJ Fly Fisherman of the Year one fly contest is this Saturday November 12, 2011.  Like last year's event it will take place at the Raritan Inn Bed & Breakfast, in Califon, NJ.  The contest is held on the Inn’s mile of private waters on the South Branch of the Raritan River.  This year 10 New Jersey chapter of Trout Unlimited and local Watershed Associations, select one angler each to participate.

New Jersey Trout Unlimited (NJTU) along with Shannon's Fly & Tackle  Shop and the Raritan Inn in Califon will be hosting the 2nd Annual New Jersey Fly Fisherman of the Year Competition. 

Last year The Jersey Angler represented the Central Jersey Chapter of TU.  This year I have the honors of and will represent CJTU.

Wish me luck and tight lines.

Here is a clip I put together of The Jersey Angler from last years event.



A banquet will follow follow the competition in celebration of NJTU's 40th Anniversary.

Come out for an evening of fun, auctions and tales of lore as we celebrate the winner of the one fly contest review 2011 fly fishing year or the "rain / water year" as we have come to know.

Tickets are $60 (and strictly limited to 60 people) and available at Shannon's Fly & Tackle - 908 832-5736. www.shannonsflytackle.com

Details available at www.njflyfisherman.com and www.njtu.org

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.

October Caddis Time

Leaves are starting to turn. There's a crispness in the air, and the last of the big bugs are about to pop.

It's fall - October caddis time.

Here's a weighted wet-fly patten that I use during the fall. It's a great addition to your Euro-nymph rig or fished alone. Make sure you swing the fly at the end of the drift and hold on.

October Caddis

Hook: Standard Wet Fly Hook (Mustad S80-3906 or similar)
Size: 8 - 12
Head: Black Tungsten Bead sized to hook
Thread: Brown 6/0 or 8/0
Rib: Red and Gold wire (.32 gauge Parawire or UTC Size BR)
Abdomen: Equal parts, Hareline Ice Dub Orange, Tan UV Ice Dub,
and Hareline Rabbit Dubbin HD15 (Hand blended)
Thorax: Hairline Ice Dub Peacock
Rib: Gold Wire
Legs: Hungarian Partridge

Don Bastian to offer a Tying class in Febuary 2012

Selection of Don's Wet Flies for Bergman’s Trout

It's no secret that I'm friends with Don Bastian. I've taken his classes in the past and raved about them. I'm excited he's offering more - February 3-5, 2012.

Don's New Post:

Fly Tying Class at Fishing Creek Angler

Tying traditional wet flies
Selected Carrie Stevens style streamer techniques
At least one blind-eye wet fly pattern from the 1800′s

Fishing Creek Angler Fly Shop and Bed & Breakfast
570.925.2709 / infofca@epix.net

My post from Don's 2011 class: Tying Classic Wet Flies with Don Bastian.