Simms' New Wading Staff, 2010 Version

I see that Simms has revamped their wading staff for 2010. I'd love to get my hands on one so I can evaluate the quality. As many of you know from my past blogging, I have not had anything positive to say about the Simms staff. It has failed me on several occasions.

Nymphs For Streams & Stillwaters by Dave Hughes

This is simply a great book. It is well-written, in Dave's relaxed style, and has great photography. Dave covers all aspects of nymph tying and fishing. I recommend this book for everyone from beginners to seasoned experts. You can also go to http://www.askaboutflyfishing.com/ to hear Dave talk about the book and his work.

Swag Gnat

Fooling with miscellaneous scraps on my desk and came up with this. It looks like I have enough scraps laying around to tye 100 flies. Look for more to come.

North East Fishing & Hunting Expo 2010

The Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT will host the 13th Annual North East Fishing and Hunting Expo Friday, February 26 - Sunday, February 28. Directions and info can be found at http://www.fishinghuntingexpo.com/.

CDC Loop Wing

CDC is cool to work with. For a long time I felt that it did not live up to the hype, but now I am a convert.

Red Neck Fly Fishing

Yup, that's me stalking catfish in a retention pond in Florida. Note that I am using a 9-weight road. I brought it with for a little fishing in the salt, but it was too cold for my liking. Weather in FL has been cold, cloudy and windy.

Red Neck Lawn Mower

Been traveling and came across this little gem in Florida. I guess if you rip the lower unit off a boat motor on a rock, you can still mow the lawn.

Just More Tying

Listening to some old Neil Young and working at the vise.

Stan Bogdan Not Retiring

OK. New newsflash: Stan Bogdan will not be retiring from real-making. A reporting error.

More Flies

At The Vise

Been doing some tying and came up with this little fella.

CDC & Hare's Mask

Post #400. Wow.

Cased Caddis

Easy-Thread Bobbin, A Great Tool

The Wishbone Easy-Thread Bobbin, originally designed by J Dorin, is a great bobbin. I just tried one today and am very impressed. This unique bobbin is effortless to thread (at the tip, not through the entire tube), comfortable in the hand and smooth working. Marcos Vergara, production manager at Hareline Dubbin, now manufactures and hand finishes these bobbins. A nice product.

No More Bogdan Reels

Stan Bogdan and his son will no longer be making fly fishing reels. Not the end of the legacy. End of story.

New (Small) Worm Design

Gary Steinmiller of the Connecticut Fly Fisherman's association shared this cool pattern with me at the CFFA Expo and Banquet, and now I pass it along. What's it made of? The inner elastic winding around the core of a golf ball.

Big Shout Out

Sending a hearty shout to "Sean Juan" Murphy. He is a "Local Boob" from the Cape of Cod. It's hard to see on this crummy cell phone picture, but that's what his shirt says. Can't wait to head out on the high seas to scare fish this spring/summer. Sean is a hoot.

CT Fly Fisherman's Expo

Connecticut Fly Fisherman's Annual Expo will be held tomorrow, February 6 from 9 AM to 3PM at Maneeley's in South Windsor, CT. In the evening there will be a banquet from 6 PM to 11PM (also at Maneeley's). For more information and directions go to www.ctflyfish.org. Hope to see you there.

Having Fun With CDC

Just messing around at the vise. Trying different things with CDC. I call this one, "Girl With Big Hair."

United Fly Tyers

UFT will hold a meeting on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30pm at the Holiday Inn Select, Woburn, MA (Exit 35 off Rt 128). The evening's speaker will be Andy Bonzagni of Concord Outfitters. Andy will do a presentation on Bahamas bonefishing. Join us.

Sylvester Nemes

Wonder what Mr. Soft-Hackle is thinking.