See Me On Facebook!

Due to time limitations I have been posting all of my information, updates on Facebook.  Please feel free to check these out at https://www.facebook.com/jerry.darkes.  This will give up to date info on anything of importnace that has been happening lately.

Here are a couple pics of a recent trip on the Niagara River with my good friend, Paul Castellano, of Cast Adventures.  He is the only Niagara River boat guide I am aware of who will use flies on the big river- with great success as you can see!

Book Signing Promotions & Programs

Sorry- I have been neglecting this site a lot lately.  Most of my online info has switched over to Facebook and you can send me a friend request to get info and updates there.
I have a number of book signings and programs coming up.  Here is my schedule, as of today, for the remainder of the year.

Saturday, November 9 at Lake Erie Ultimate Angler, Erie, PA

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters" program and tying demo

 

 

Saturday, November 16 at Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters, Chicago, IL

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters" program

Thursday, December 5 at Little Forks Outfitters, Midland, MI

• Book signing and tying demo

Saturday, December 14 at Mad River Outfitters, Columbus, OH

• Book signing, "Great Lakes Connecting Waters Program", and tying demo

Hope to see everyone somewhere along the way!

Castapalooza North and Streamer Freak Sunday

Big event this coming weekend at Schultz Outfitters in Ypsilanti, MI!  On Saturday, Sept. 7, Castapalooza North will take place.  Check out a bunch of gear including the new Scott Radian Rods!  There will be plenty of rods to cast and both single and two-hand casting isntruction avaialble form casting pros including Mark Sedotti, Will turek, and Jeff Liskay.

On Sunday, September 8, tying pros including Greg Senyo, Alex Lafkas, Tommy Lynch, Eli Berant, Mike Schmidt and others will be on hand to share their streamer secrets.

For complete info on the weekends events go to:  http://eepurl.com/DkcD5

The Book is Out!

After three years of on-water "research" and hundreds of hours banging away on the computer, my first book, Fly Fishing the Inland Oceans is finally on the retail market.  This is the first-ever, comprehensive look at fly fishing IN the Great Lakes.  All five Great Lakes are reviewed along with Lake St. Clair and various connecting waters.  Both warmwater and cloldwater fish species are covered with the techniques and equipment needed to catch them.   There are also over 160 fly patterns presented with recipes for Great Lakes use.  Ask for it at your local fly shop!

Ross Reels Turns 40!

Established in 1973, Ross Reels turns 40 this year.   Yikes, that was the same year I graduated from high school!

Based in Montrose, CO, Ross is still one of the leading manufacturers of fly reels in the U.S.  A number of classic reel designs have come from the Ross facility such as the Gunnison, Cimmaron,a dn San Miguel.  These have been followed up by a number of top-sellers including the CLA, Evolution LT, and F1.  In fact, Ross has won more design awards than any other company in the fly fishing industry!

Casting Cane for Fun

I have to say a special "Thanks" to my friend, Jimmy Chang, for sharing some of his cane rods with me recently.  A professional photographer, Jimmy is also a cane rod builder.  His favorite fly fishing activities are throwing small dries to trout and swinging flies on a two-hander for steelies.  He builds rods for these activities and everyhting in-between
I recently invited Jimmy down to the Rockwell Club to photograph some bug sampling in the steam and then fish some of his light-line rods.  I opted for a 7'9" 5-wt.  while he fished a 7'6" 3-wt.  His rods have hollow-butt construction which reduces weight noticably.  The actions are crisp and workmanship is flawless.

As you can see, the trout were cooperative, taking an assortment of terrestrial and midge patterns.  Hey Jimmy- thanks again for a great rod and the great photos, too!