Castapalooza 3

Despite cold and rain, a band of hearty casters and tiers showed up for Castapalooza 3 on the Grand River.  A very special thanks to Mike Schmidt of Angler's Choice Flies, Jeff Liskay- master caster, Wael Dardir- Spey Ninja, Jim Linehan- Staff photgrapher and Most Intersting Man in the World, and everyone else who helped and attended the event.  A very special thank you to Brian Davidson and the whole crew from Lake County Metroparks for the tent to keep us dry and a fire to keep us warm.  Stay tuned for Castapalooza 4- date to be announced!  Photo courtesy of Jim Linehan.

It's Castapalooza Time!

The 3rd Castapalooza and Riverfest will be next Saturday, April 21, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, at Hidden Valley Park on Ohio's Grand River.  This will also coincide with the Lake Metroparks Canoe and Kayak Race.
SA/Ross/Scott Pro Jeff Liskay, Wael Dardir, and myself will lead the casting programs.  Mike Schmidt of Angler's Choice Flies will be the featured fly tier.  We will have a variety of rods and lines available for tryout.

Come out and see us and tell your buddies!

A (Not So) Secret Pattern

Wanted to share this fly I call The Deep Creeper.  It is a variation of a pattern Russ Maddin showed my a few years ago.  In my short career musky fishing with flies, I have had more action on this fly- fish hooked, follows, etc., than any other and this has been the color combo.  Largemouth bass like it, too!
Hook:  Daiichi 2461 or Gamakatsu Weedless if you don't want to have to put on the weedguard yourself, size 3/0
Eyes:  Chartreuse barbell
Tail:  Black bucktail
Body:  Orange, then chartreuse Palmer Chenille
Wing:  Black magnum zonker, tied down at bend of hook then pulled over top of body and tied down to finish of the fly
Legs:  Orange & chartreuse rubber

Color combos are endless, find the one the works best for you!

Indiana Musky

Finally get a chance to sample some northern Indiana musky fishing!  Josh Lantz of Sand Creek Media and also the president of AGLOW (Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers) was kind enough to host me for the day.  Josh boated one awesome fish and I lost mine.  Had a number of follows and saw some others.  Great day, great fun, with a great guy!  Can't wait to do it again.

Awesome Patagonia Gear Video!

Check out this video from Tony Karuuvara, Patagonia's distributor in Finland!  Though it is a little out of season for now, the part where he dunks the Stormfront Pack will work any time of year.  Enjoy!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YEr4NMm-fo

Intruding on Steelhead

Have tied a few extended hook steelhead patterns lately using the Articulated Shanks from Flymen Fishing Company.  The shanks are a lot easier to use than Waddingtons and they do not require you to break off the bend if using a regular hook.  The Articulated Shanks are stainless steel, so no rusting if flies get put away wet.  I use0.018" coated wire for the hook loop as Fireline and other braid tends to soften up after a few fish or hook changes.

This drop-back fish hit a white/blue/chartreuse marabou design with a touch of flash in it.