Perks of the Job

Most people think I have a dream job.  I get to work in the fly fishing industry and all I do is travel and fish.  Wrong!!  Actually most 9 to 5'ers probably fish more than I do as I actually work 24-7, no real days off, and did over 40K miles driving last year.  But every once in a while things do work out in my favor.

I went out a day early for the International Fly Tackle Dealer (IFTD) Show in Reno last week.  Fellow rep and good friend, Jason Lazano, had set up a couple days fishing at the Seirine Ranch, jsut outside of Bridgeport, CA, on the East Walker River.  It is a working cattle ranch with around 2 miles of the river running through it.

 Nymphed in the morning and when it started to heat up, switched over to hoppers and had a great afternoon of surface feeding rainbows and a few browns until the late-afternoon storms hit.  Got a chance to break-in my Scott M 8'8" 4-wt.  Thanks Jason for the hook-up!

Aluminum Bars Get It Done!

I'm just back from a brief trip up to the U.P. of Michigan where I got to spend a day and a half chasing Atlantic Salmon on the St. Marys River that forms the border between Michigan and Ontario.  This was my first chance to put the Aluminum Bar Boots and River Crampons to a real test.  I can honestly say that these are game changers. 
If you have ever fished the St. Marys, you know how difficult the wading is- a strong curerent, gin clear water, and granite rock of all shapes and sizes that you need to manuever.  It is the worst wading I have ever encountered as the rock is all shapes and sizes with no consitency.  I can honestly say that the River Crampons were a game changer for me.  I was able to wade with much more confidence due to how well they gripped and could reach areas on the river I had never been able to before.  Even an old guy like me could get around.

Here Patagonia Ambassador, Jeff Liskay, shows and Atlantic taken on the surface in a pocket he was able to reach by wearing the Aluminum Bar Wading Shoe.  Both the shoe and crampons get it done when the wading is really gnarly.

It's "T" Time

July and August is "T" time on many trout streams around the U.S.  T is for Terrestrials. land-based insects like grasshoppers, crickets, ants, and beetles that fall into streams and are a special treat for trout.  Stream insects activity will be limited to early morning or right before dark.  Terrestrials will be most active on a hot, sunny day.

I'm just back from a swing through WI and was treated to an outstanding day of terrestrial fishing by Pete Cozad, head guide at The Driftless Angler in Viroqua.  Although the air temp was around 100, Pete took me to a small, meadow stream with a water temp of 60.  Hoppers were thick in the tall grass along the stream and a gusty wind kept a steady supply blowing into the water.  Trout were keyed to them and browns happily ate our hopper patterns all afternoon.

A Friend Lost

I am sad to report that my long-time friend Dick Fujita passed away recently.  At 86, Dick had many good years under his belt.  Dick was an avid fly angler, but his passion was casting.  He was a fly caster for over 70 years and cast competetively for many decades.  Dick was a member of the American Casting Association Hall of Fame and International Casting Hall of Fame.  Over the years, he won countless casting events and a number of championships.  He was always willing to help out less-skilled casters.
My favorite memory of Dick is from a sport show.  After one of the featured demos by a nationally-known angler/caster (who shall remain nameless), Dick asked to try out his 4-piece rod and proceeded to remove one section at a time and continue casting until he threw the entire line with just the tip section, leaving the pro openmouthed and speechless.  Dick's only comment as we walked away was, "He's too full of himself and was doing it wrong anyway." 

An engineer by trade, Dick worked well into his 70's before finally retiring.  Never one for the spotlight, few people in the Cleveland area ever knew of his accomplishments.   His suggestion to improve ones casting skills, "Join an FFF or ACA Club and practice."  Those of us who knew him will miss him.

New Smallmouth DVD!!

Scott Fly Rod Pros Capt. Kevin Feenstra and Capt. Jon Ray have just announced the availabilty starting this Thursday, July 12, of their new fly fishing DVD, Big Bite- Small Mouth.  The DV D focuses on river smallmouth fishing and covers the use of streamers, topwater, and crayfish patterns.  I got to preview the DVD recently and it is all on-water action on a number of Michigan rivers.  Extra sections include fly tying and knot demos, plus a photo gallery and more.

Initially, the DVD can be purchased from either www.feenstraguideservice.com or www.mangledflymedia.com.  Check it out!

Hot Fishing in Hot Weather!

Scott Rod and SA Pro Capt. Jon Ray hoists a sizeable slab of bronze from a recent exploratory adventure into the wilds of mid-Michigan.  Despite the heat, river smallies have been very cooperative on the larger river systems.  Look for a soon-to-be-released DVD on river smallmouth fishing featuring Capt. Jon along with Capt. Kevin Feenstra.  Thanks Kevin for this pic.