The Good Olde Days

I'd hate to run into this character in the woods.

Ernest Hemingway

I did not realize that Hemingway also shot fish in addition to using rods and reels.

United Fly Tyers

United Fly Tyers will be meeting at the Holiday Inn Select in Woburn, MA this coming Thursday, April 1 at 6:30pm. The Holiday Inn is located just off Rt. 128, exit 35. The speaker will be Angus Bozeman discussing fly fishing the upper Connecticut River. There will also be a big bucket raffle with many cool items. All are welcome to attend.

Guinness For Strength To Fish

Vintage Postcard

Those were the days.

No More Felt Soles

Felt soles on wading boots are beginning to become extinct. The states (Alaska to name one) are starting to ban those havens for aquatic hitchhikers. A boot manufacturer's dream has come true. I am going to start a campaign to have every bird, migratory and otherwise, take a shower before moving from one watershed to another. At least the birds should soak their feet and wipe their butts.

Another Soft Hackle

Mr. Hines' Purple & Hen with fur thorax.

Work By Jeff Hines

Another of Jeff Hines' flies: Dark Hendrickson wet on blind-eye hook.

White River Alexandra

A White River Alexandra tyed by Jeff Hines of Carrollton, Texas and chowed on by an Arkansas 'bow.

Brown Trout Trailer

This is a cool set of fishing wheels. It's a renovated 1972 Shasta Compact. Gotta have one for prowling around the country fishing. It has a small sink, microwave, mini fridge and a "toilet." Sleeps 2 comfortably and has a table that seats four. More to come on this concept later.

It's A Gar

My afternoon fishing the White River in Cotter, Arkansas went like this: rainbow, rainbow, rainbow, big gar slamming into me, rainbow, brown, fell in. Everything else...priceless.

Build A Better Mouse

This is one realistic-looking mouse tyed by Don Lawler of Louisiana. It is the Kamchatka Mouse. Don used a zonker strip wrapped over a popper for the body.

Bull Shoals

Can you say brown? Rainbow? Note the Vladi Polish Worm in the mouth 'o the bow.

Wildcat Shoals

Awesome fishing. Bows and browns. Many good sized fish in the 14-16 inch range. Rumor has it that there are goldens and brookies, but I have not seen any. Sorry, no photos as the camera was back at the cabin.

On The Road

Packed up fishing, tying and "other stuff" for the trip and Mike, Peggy and I are off to tye some flies and catch a load of fish in Arkansas.

Sowbug Roundup 2010

This weekend I am off to Mountain Home, Arkansas for the 2010 Sowbug Roundup, one of the best fly tying gatherings. This year's Bug is March 18-20. For more info go to http://www.northarkansasflyfisher.org/. Off in the truck with friends, this trip promises to be great: lots of fishing, friends and fly tying.

Another Book I Like: Modern Midges

Hands down, Modern Midges: Tying & Fishing The World's Most Effective Patterns by Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubka is the best book on midges. This book is filled with over 1,000 patterns with great tying directions. There is an overview of the midge life cycle and a load of excellent information on fishing these tiny powerhouses. A great book for beginners and advanced anglers and tyers. Hard cover with spiral binding, meaning it lays flat without breaking the spine of the book

Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Annual Rendezvous

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild Annual Tyers Rendezvous will be held Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Rockland House in Roscoe, NY from 9am-3pm. If you are interested in tying please sign up before all the spots are taken. Don't forget that the Rendezvous is open to the public. If you do not want to tye, please stop by and take in the gathering. It is always a great event.

Petitjean Magic Tool

As many of you know, I am a thrifty Yankee. To this end, I try and avoid unnecessary expenses. I am here to tell you that the Marc Petitjean Magic Tool is worth buying. I tried to finagle other ways to fold CdC and get it just so in a binder clip to make dubbing loops. In the end, I just could not get it just right, so I broke down and made the purchase. Wow, I am impressed with how much easier things are with the Petitjean Magic Tool. You will be very happy with this tool, despite the high cost. Go for it. Marc can be found on the web demonstrating the tool.

Tom Toomey Dies

Housatonic Fly Fisherman's Association Vice President Tom Toomey passed away suddenly last Monday, March 1, 2010. Tom was extremely dedicated to the HFFA and all things fly fishing. He was the inventor of No-Float Stix, a well-crafted wading staff (http://www.no-floatstix.com/). His excitement, commitment and generosity were beyond measure. He was passionate in all he did. Always striving to make everyone’s fishing experience better. Tom taught countless kids how to tie their first fly. “I’ve been watching and listening to your friend Tom teach those kids to tie flies all day long. Tom is a Saint. He had so much patience with those kids, making sure each and everyone of them had a good time and enjoyed tying," said an observer at a recent fly fishing expo.

Busy At The Tying Bench

Think Spring, Order Custom Flies Now

The tying bench is on fire. Order your spring flies now to have a supply in time for opening day. Go to http://www.ityeflies.com/ or email me at lesliewrixon@ityeflies.com.

Tying Catskill-Style Dry Flies by Mike Valla

Bringing together a well-done history of the Catskills, Mike Valla has sailed to new heights. This book is not only a detailed history, but a compendium of information on the techniques of tying these storied flies. This book is destined to become a classic with it's wealth of information and wonderful pictures. It's all about the Catskills, the fish, the rivers, the people and the flies.

Animated Knots By Grog

If you need coaching on knot construction, check out Animated Knots by Grog at http://www.animatedknots.com/. Not just fishing, but knots of all kinds.