Stay Alert!

Sad news out of Oswego NY. 1 dead an others injured when the water rose.

Read the rest of the store at palltimes.com

None of use where there so we can't tell for sure if the sirens went off or not, but let's remember to make sure we are aware of the water around us, and have an escape route should it rise quickly.

UPDATE: Days later, more fisherman had to be rescued: http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=519461

T-Motion Video

Another great video from Catch Magazine!

The Difference Between Fishing Today and Fishing Tomorrow

$29.00

 That's right New Yorkers!  Gotta give up $29 if you are going to be fishing after today. The old licenses die at midnight tonight!  I gotta figure out a way to get a lifetime license before the price goes up again!

Legged Gurgler

I had this idea to thread some rubber legs through some foam. So last night I tied up this legged gurgler variant.

Of course, there are some variations to the original gurgler pattern, but that's what tying's all about.  When tying this, I did use supper glue at both points where the foam is wrapped. Fishing this pattern this summer I found that the foam likes to rotate around the hook. Hopefully the super glue will help keep it in place....hopefully.

The rubber legs did exactly what I expected....pointed straight down. I want to figure out a way to get them to stick out to the side a bit more. But, for now, having tried this idea out, it's got the brain working on other ideas! 

Here's a cool step by step of how to tie a more traditional gurgler.

http://www.danblanton.com/hotflyLeeGurglerinst.html

Low & Clear

LOW & CLEAR Official Trailer from Finback Films on Vimeo.

This looks like a good show!

http://www.lowandclear.com/

Wal-Mart Pond Update

Here's the site of the new Wal-Mart in my town. It's going to be the closest Wal-Mart to my house, and also the closest pond. Yep, the rumors are that they are building a retention pond on the site to help with run off.

Yesterday we drove by and took a few pictures of the place, and I'll try to update it over the next year(s) to show the progress of the pond. The unfortunate thing, is that Wal-Mart doesn't necessarily build the nicest fishable ponds....although submerged shopping carts do provide interesting structure.

These photos are of the demolition of the old buildings, and a shot of the grass. I'm not sure the actual location of the pond just yet.

RITE Half-Hitch MAG Bobbin

At the IFTD show a few weeks ago Rite introduced a new bobbin with a tapered thread tube. Check out the video for the tricks it can do.

Crease Flies

I've never tied or used a crease fly, but have always been interested in giving some a try. I have 1 that I got in a swap years ago, but never wanted to lose it, so it's never been fished.

Tonight, I got the chance to tie some up. They turned out pretty good and I'm definitely going to give them a shot on the water...hopefully this week.

I think covering them in epoxy as most people seem to do is a good idea. I tried to super glue the eyes on and that worked ok, so far, but didn't look as nice as I think a coat of epoxy will look.

Genetically Engineered Salmon - What's the big deal?

Sure, I'm not a scientist, doctor, or even a TV doctor, so I really have no idea whether or not genetically engineered fish are really bad for people to eat or not....but here's my initial reaction:

As you've likely read recently the FDA gets to decide if they should allow GE Salmon to be sold as food.  Check out that photo above. It shows on the bottom a regular salmon and a GE salmon on the top, both are the same age.....but one is clearly larger.

Now, let's look at my waders! When I bought them, they fit great....now, years and years later, they don't fit so well. It seams as if I may have grown a few sizes.

So I think it's only fair that the fish are now able to catch up and make the fight more evenly matched again!

..... but I'd probably still catch and release!

NYS License's Expire Soon

Just a reminder that unless you are cool enough to have a lifetime license, your yearly license will expire at the end of this month.

This would be a great time to start begging for money so you can afford a new one.

I've never ordered mine online, but you should be able to online at D.E.C.A.L.S.

Buy Me These

I know everyone is looking to buy me cool stuff for Christmas, so I thought I'd start early and give out this great idea!

Reel Trout Studios has some amazing fish carvings that would look great on my mantle! (next item on the "Buy Me These list is a mantle!)

LINK

Animated Knots

Check out Animated Knots for instructions on how to tie all kinds of knots. Also has an app for your phone!

Great Bass Fishing Video from Catch Magazine

I could watch this video all day long!




It reminds me my popper collection is getting low, and they might need to be tied a bit larger too!

Spey Nation IV

Spey Nation IV has been announced!

Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 9:00am
Pineville Boat Launch Pineville, NY

Spey Nation is a big party out on the Salmon River where tons of rod vendors show up and let you take the rods down to the water to test them out.  I went to the first one, which was well attended, and had lots of rods. I hope to make it back again this year to see how the event and "the nation" has grown! I can only imagine there is more crap to check out and hopefully more cheeseburgers!  Every year there is free food, donated I believe by The Oak Orchard Fly Shop (you know this has to be a great event when a shop from the other side of NY state shows up to feed everyone!)

From Rochester it's about a 2 hour drive, so get ready to pack the car and spend a day of it!

....who wants to drive?

A few bass and panfish

Over the weekend I had about 30 minutes to fish a local pond. It was one of those deals where my wife and kids would wait in the car, then sneak off to the park and bathroom.

I saw one kid and his dad tossing a Mr Twister on a spinning rod and before I started Dad asked me if there were any fish in the pond. I always am surprised when people think ponds DON'T have fish.  So, on my first cast, I pulled in a bluegill and proved I was right!

A few minutes later I had a few bass and a few more bluegill and red ears! 

I then put on a rather large foam popper and started stripping it quickly. About 8 casts of that and this decent 12 incher came up and took the fly. He got to keep it as a souvenir....even with the barb mashed down I couldn't get it out!

The National Hunting & Fishing Days

(From http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/48977.html#r8Event68113)

National Hunting & Fishing Days
DEC Region 8 Office - 6274 East Avon-Lima Rd. Avon, NY
Saturday, September 25, 2010 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Sunday, September 26, 2010 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Ages: all ages

In recognition of National Hunting and Fishing Day the Department of Environmental Conservation and Livingston County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs will co-sponsor the 37th annual celebration of the event. Free public parking will be provided 2 mile east of the site on NYS Routes 5 &20. A free shuttle service is available.

This year's events and displays will include:

    * DEC displays and information
    * exhibits and demonstrations
    * art and taxidermy exhibits
    * outdoor and environmental displays
    * trap shooting
    * archery and shooting ranges
    * woodsmen demonstrations
    * canoe demonstrations
    * fish and wildlife displays
    * food tents
    * wildlife artist, painting and carvings
    * 90 sportsmen and outdoor recreation flea market dealers


Free

I went last year and there was a lot of stuff to look at! My advice is bring cash because they didn't have an ATM and I couldn't use a card for food!