Forth of July in Texas on the Guadalupe River

Spent the 4th this year down in Texas and explored the Guadalupe River.  I didn't get a chance to wet a-line but I did stop in to the Gruene Outfitters to get some info on the river if I can sneak away.

The staff was very helpful and the shop was well stocked.

Gruene Outfitters.

You'll can see the keep the best flies just out of reach.

This is a good way to display flies at our next TU raffle.

If you find yourself in Gruene TX
you'll have to stop in to the Hall.

Take in a show and have a cold one.

Happy "Fourth of July"

I'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy "Fourth of July" especially

our men and women in the armed forces.  Thank you.

 

Fourth of July fireworks display at
the Washington Monument 1986.

Emerging Caddis Pupa

I always carry a little seining net in my vest and take samples from time-to-time. Looking at the insects in the river always influence my tying. I like simple impressionistic patterns and there is no better way to do that than by first hand observation. Seining nets are easy to make some nylon screen and dowels from your local or big box hardware store. Just glue staple or sew the screen to the dowels and roll it up and put it in your vest.

Here are some shots and a video clip of a emerging Caddis pupa. You notice straight away the bright green abdomen the dark wing buds in the thorax and the light translucent head, not to mention the sparkle throughout. You can see why Lafontaine's Sparkle Pupa Emerger works so well.

Emerging Caddis Pupa

Emerging Caddis Pupa side view.

OttLite Rechargeable Battery Task Lamp

Like many tiers I tie sportsman shows, fly shops and outdoor events where a power outlet are nowhere in sight.  While I was in Lowe's the other day to buy some items for the home I cut through the lighting section and this OttLite caught my eye.  Standing their like a deer caught in head lights I was shocked at the price I saw for this rechargeable reading light.  I was look for a travel light some time ago and found the Battery Task Lamp from OttLite but it retailed for $129.99 US (no way was I going to pay that price).  The Reader's | HD is $34.97 US in Lowes and you've guessed I pick it up straight away.  It's a nice addition to the lighting I use at my desk, and lets face it the older you get the more light you need on your work area.

If your looking for a new portable tying light I highly recommend this one.  You can stop by your local Lowe's and pick one up or order on-line.

Less Than One Week Left on the Troutrageous Hobie Giveaway!

Less than one week left to enter Troutrageous/Hobie Polarized Sunglasses Giveaway.  It will end on Wednesday, June 30th.  The winner will be selected on July 1st.

Go to  http://troutrageous.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-free-hobie-polarized.html to enter.

Great Tenkara Site - Traditional Japanese Fly Tenkara

While doing research on traditional Japanese Fly Fishing "Tenkara" I came across a wonderful site by Yoshikazu Fujioka, Trout and Seasons of the Mountain Village.

On the site you'll find information the the history of Tenkara, his favorite streams in Japan, the U.S. and New New Zealand, and his art work acrylics and watercolors (which he is best know).

Here are a few links to his site:

Trout Streams of the Mountian Village;

My Best Streams, Japanese Fly "Tenkara";

and

Traditional Japanese Fly Tenkara.


Enjoy!

Tenkara - Yamame Rod arrived in the mail.

After a long day I found my new Tenkara rod, lines and hat waiting in the mail box.  I can't wait to get it out on the water.  Now what excuse to use at work?

Stone Flies

While on the river the other day I spotted some stone flies fluttering about. Here's a female waiting for the right time to lay her eggs.  One thing I noticed was the difference in color between the  head/thorax and the abdomen.  I'm going to tie my stimulator a little more drab in the abdomen and high light the segmentation, just keeping the color to the head and thorax.

New Jersey Golden Stone and nymph shuck.

Notice the egg sac.

Close-up top view.

Close-up bottom view.

"Land of Little Rivers" Tenth Anniversary Relaunch

I found this press release on Friday June 18th, 2010  "Beaverkill Press Celebrates "Land of Little Rivers" Tenth Anniversary with Relaunch"

"Land of Little Rivers" by Austin McK. Francis is a wonderful book on the story of fly fishing in Catskill region of New York.  With stunning photography of the Beaverkill, Wllowemoc, Neversink, Esopus, Schoharie, and Delaware rivers.  The pages cover the tackle (rods, reels, and flies) of the region, it's heritage, the people and maps.  

At The Beaverkill Press web site you'll find smart layout that gives you a glimpse to the books interior and it's content.  There you'll find the hard cover, maps and a deluxe deluxe limited edition
Full Leather w/Slip Case for a whooping $750.00 (though number of the edition is not given).

For more information go to: http://www.beaverkillpress.com 

The rivers of the Catskill are legendary in the history of Fly Fishing and Tying in America, and the Beaverkill, Wllowemoc, Neversink, Esopus, Schoharie, and Delaware are world class rivers.  I've "cut my teeth on the Beaverkill, Wllowemoc, and  Delaware and they are truly a treasure.

After reading this book or "The Beaverkill" by Ed Van Put,  you'll want to fish the area and I recommend you do.

Optical deference in and out of water.

The two photographs are of the same Brown, notice the 5 dots under the eye. 

In the  "Aquarium" shot as I'm calling it notice how much
thinner this Brown looks from the one below.

In this out water shot, notice how much wider this Brown looks. 
Yes, the net gives a sense of  scale, but the water refraction
bends the light and reduces the size.

These photographs were shot with a Pentax W90.