Rangeley, Maine

Well folks, I am off to the Rangeley area and I will be out of touch for a week. I will be looking to meet up with some land locked salmon and trout. I will also be tying and testing some new fly patterns, so new they have yet to be named. Hope you take some time to meet up with the fish you like to find. See ya soon.

The 88

Interesting fly pattern I came across. It is named the 88 because it caught 88 fish in one day. Don't know what kind of fish. It is a fly that hails from Pittsburgh.

Pike Magnet

I am just back from fishing. My last fish of the day was a toothy 2-foot pike. Dragged that bad boy up out of the weeds in a local pond just before dark. Pike seem to love the large Polish worms.

Slim Down (Your Fishing Vest/Pack)

Today I ask you, "What does your fishing vest or pack weigh?" Drop half the contents and you will still have more than necessary. What do I carry? Nippers, tippet, extra leaders, hemostats, a strike indicator (just in case I don't have a strong floating fly), two fly boxes and floatant. No need for split shot if you have pre-weighted flies. It pays to actually think ahead about what you will need for the day and not drag all of your fly fishing gear with you. Usually the chance you will need it is rare at best. You should be as light as a dry fly.

W. Jude Fly Rod Co.

Bill Hickey, friend and fly fisher extraordinaire, shows off a nice trout from the Deerfield. Bill is also known for his creation of most excellent fly rods. Bill is a firefighter who hails from Saratoga Springs, NY. Bill, you need to put up a website so we can all have a view of your fly rods and event purchase from you.

Morses Pond, Wellesley, MA

Just in from fishing adventures with my friend Kechia. We hit Morses Pond in Wellesley, MA. The pond was on fire and it is loaded with several species of bass. We went out in kayaks. The gate is not open yet for the season, so it is a bit of a walk to the pond from the on-street parking. Check it out for some local piscatorial action.

A River Continues To Run Through It

The 1992 Oscar-winning movie A River Runs Through It will be re-released on blue-ray in July. Another chance for fat cats to rake in more cash. Send in the royalty checks. I hate to be a sour puss, but I call 'em as I see 'em. Hope the re-release ignites some renewed interest in fly fishing.

Stoneflies

When you are fishing does it ever feel like the bugs are crawling around under your hat? Next time take a look.

AuSable Two-Fly

What a hard day of fishing. Rain on and off and a little chilly. The fish turned on and were taking duns for about half an hour, then the window slammed shut just as quickly as it had opened. The time to fish was around 3 to 3:30pm. Of course during that time I was re-rigging my flies. I was able to round out that half hour with another tangle. What stunning skill I display while on the hunt for fish. Interestingly no other serious knots all day. A good lesson was learned: take it slow and deliberate and you will be rewarded. Flail about in a rush to get your fly out there and the fish will flip you the fin as they laugh at you.

Fish On The Fly

Met up with fishing friend, Bill Hickey, to scout the waters of the West Branch of the AuSable River. At several places we got into some nice fish. The late afternoon was hot, but otherwise it was hard fishing.

Hungry Trout Fly Shop

Shouting out to Nancy at the Hungry Trout Fly Shop in Wilmington, NY. Swung in there and picked up a few flies and Nancy was kind enough to give me some Aussie Nippers. Yes, tyers do, on occasion, purchase flies for local waters at local shops. Oh, and on the nippers, I am now on a quest to find the perfect, or close to perfect, nippers. The Aussie Nippers are quite good, but the search will continue. I even managed a few hours of evening fishing. I am happy to report that the AuSable River is a little high, but fishing well.

AuSable River Two-Fly Challenge, Adirondacks

Tomorrow I am off to the Adirondacks for a few days of fishing. I will be joining in the festivities at the AuSable River Two-Fly Challenge. Friday night I will be tying flies at the welcome reception. Saturday I will be teaming up with Jim Hickey, of Saratoga Springs, to fish in the tournament. Saturday night is the banquet with featured speaker Vince Wilcox.

Even More Dubbing

Dubbing at rest.

More Dubbing

Silver fox following me on the beach in Alaska (2007) while fishing for Dolly Vardon. Nice dubbing and guard hairs too.

Dubbing

Got dubbing? Silly question, of course.

Black River

Whoa!

Friday In Vermont

Awoke to warm and sunny weather. Our first stop was a small creek. None of the brookies could be enticed to bite, but the stream was lovely with the surrounding woods starting to come to life in the endless shades of spring greens.

White River, Vermont

My friends Jan and Kechia and I arrived in Vermont for our fishing expedition to find cold, drizzle and fog. Check it out. I call this "Two Gals on the White." It was already cold and damp, when the rain began to fall more and fog slithered upriver.

Off To Fish In Vermont

Tomorrow I will be heading up to Vermont to fish the White, Winooski and Black Rivers.

Tenkara Flies

Tenkara flies are made in various patterns which are customary in different regions of Japan. The dry flies and nymphs often have a traditional reverse hackle. This is a design in which the hackle reaches out over the hook eye instead of the hackle applied to sweep back over the body of the fly. Traditionally Tenkara flies have been tyed on blind eye hooks.

Since the emphasis of Tenkara fishing is on presentation, patterns are impressionistic, with accurate imitations of insects being unnecessary. Size, shape, color and presentation are the four cornerstones of fly construction and design. The Tenkara angler carries a selection of flies. Color is a very important and changing factor because the appearance of the fly in or on the water can vary due to differences in water color and clarity, lighting and general weather conditions.

It seems like there is growing interest in Tenkara here in the United States.

Tenkara Fishing

Tenkara is an ancient Japanese fly-fishing technique for use on small streams. It is quite similar to dapping. In Tenkara, the angler uses a delicate and sensitive 12' rod, no reel and an ultra light, rod-length line fastened to the end of the rod.

The technique involves a light touch with mastery of patience and rhythm. In essence, it is the purity and simplicity (or lack of encumbering mountains of gear) that puts you in harmony with the fish and the stream. At it's most basic, Tenkara involves a very slow and short casting stroke, but there are many more advanced techniques. Dry flies and certain types of nymphing are well suited for Tenkara.

Fish More

There I am, a little spec on the river, fishing in Roscoe, NY.

Kiss More Fish

Suggestive Dry-Dropper Rig

OK. Check this out. I call this the "suggestive dry-dropper rig." The formula? For the dry I would use a Stimulator and on the dropper...why not the Polish (condom) Worm. Get it? Ha!