Please checkout the new website for Simmons Fly Fishing.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
New Adventure Coming
I'm excited to announce a new adventure I'm starting. Something to help fishermen get out onto the water they've been dreaming of.
Please checkout the new website for Simmons Fly Fishing.
Please checkout the new website for Simmons Fly Fishing.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Join Us On February 22nd
Guys, Flies & Pies 2014 is coming up on February 22nd 2014!
Please join us for the 7th annual Guys, Flies & Pies fly tying party in Rochester NY. It's a night to get together with friends and tie flies, eat pizza pies, and have a chance at winning prizes!
We'll meet at the Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester NY (right on Lake Ontario) starting at 3pm and we'll go until 8pm or so.
Pack your vise and materials to spend the night filling boxes for the upcoming season, or to replace those flies you lost to trees in recent months.
For more details, or to pay in advance for a discount, go to the event details page.
See you there!
Please join us for the 7th annual Guys, Flies & Pies fly tying party in Rochester NY. It's a night to get together with friends and tie flies, eat pizza pies, and have a chance at winning prizes!
 |
| Guys, Flies & Pies 2014 (photo: Paul Shipman) |
We'll meet at the Robach Community Center at Ontario Beach Park in Rochester NY (right on Lake Ontario) starting at 3pm and we'll go until 8pm or so.
Pack your vise and materials to spend the night filling boxes for the upcoming season, or to replace those flies you lost to trees in recent months.
For more details, or to pay in advance for a discount, go to the event details page.
See you there!
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Waypoints - Dec 4th
This coming Wednesday at the new Orvis store in Pittsford, there will be a showing of Waypoints.
Trailer: Waypoints from Confluence Films from The Fly Fishing Guide Directory on Vimeo.
Trailer: Waypoints from Confluence Films from The Fly Fishing Guide Directory on Vimeo.
Similar to earlier films DRIFT, RISE and CONNECT, WAYPOINTS is a multi-segmented fly fishing movie shot all around the world. With segments that include St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Indian Ocean, Patagonian Chile, Southeast Alaska for Steelhead, India and Nepal for Golden Mahseer, and the jungles of Venezuela for payara, WAYPOINTS is the most exotic, in-depth Confluence project ever.
Details:
Wednesday, December 4th
The new Orvis store in Pittsford Plaza
6:30 reception • 7:30 film
3 Heads will be pouring some cold beverages
Tickets are $15, available at Orvis or at the door the night of the event.
Proceeds will go to the Canadaigua Lake Chapter of TU in support of efforts to introduce youth to fly fishing.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Graham's Cracker
My friend Graham showed me this fly a few years ago. He swears by it and uses it everywhere from Lake Ontario tributaries to high mountain streams in California.
It's simple to tie. I wrap chartruese thread on the hook then wrap micro tubing over the top. Use a little white egg yarn for the viel and finish off the head. Graham likes to use Christmas tree tinsle for an underbody and chartruese tubing.
Tie them up now because it's that time of year and the brown trout from the lake will be hungry for some Graham Crackers!
Tie them up now because it's that time of year and the brown trout from the lake will be hungry for some Graham Crackers!
Monday, July 1, 2013
The GFP Bobbin Hook
A simple paper clip twisted around your bobbin and you've got yourself a virtually free bobbin hook similar to Mitch's Bobbin Whirler and allows you to make dubbing loops without the need for a second tool.
Here's a shot of the hook in action, on a test hook, but you can see how right at the bobbin tip the hook has the dubbing loop and it's all set and ready to wrap around the hook.
The few minutes it takes you to make this is worth it since you'll never be searching for your dubbing twister or having your bobbin get in the way while spinning it up!
UPDATE: Here's a short video of it in action.
Here's a shot of the hook in action, on a test hook, but you can see how right at the bobbin tip the hook has the dubbing loop and it's all set and ready to wrap around the hook.
The few minutes it takes you to make this is worth it since you'll never be searching for your dubbing twister or having your bobbin get in the way while spinning it up!
UPDATE: Here's a short video of it in action.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Trout Power 2013 - This Weekend
If you live in or near NY you should look into spending this weekend at Trout Power!
Trout Power is a creel study tournament at it's roots, but has grown to add a ton of community events all through the weekend. There is a gala and silent auction, a rubber ducky race, a few concerts, a 5K race, and more.
Last I heard the sign up for the tournament may have ended, but if you're interested it would be worth looking into. Also yesterday I heard of 3 sponsorships available from The Fly Master, so if you have a kid you want to team up with, check with him or JP Ross Fly Rods to see if those are available still. It would make a great weekend with your child.
The West Canada Creek from what I hear is one of the areas finest streams and I hope to someday have a chance to fish it!
 |
| Trout Power 2013 |
Trout Power is a creel study tournament at it's roots, but has grown to add a ton of community events all through the weekend. There is a gala and silent auction, a rubber ducky race, a few concerts, a 5K race, and more.
Last I heard the sign up for the tournament may have ended, but if you're interested it would be worth looking into. Also yesterday I heard of 3 sponsorships available from The Fly Master, so if you have a kid you want to team up with, check with him or JP Ross Fly Rods to see if those are available still. It would make a great weekend with your child.
The West Canada Creek from what I hear is one of the areas finest streams and I hope to someday have a chance to fish it!
Friday, May 3, 2013
International Fly Fishing Film Tour - Rochester NY
The good guys at Silo 4 are bringing the International Fly Fishing Film Tour to Rochester NY...and I can't wait to check it out! Don't miss this great night to hang out and check out some cool videos. It's only 2 weeks away on May 17th, so quickly come up with your excuse to why you can't wash the dog that night and head downtown to the Little Theater.
The Little Theater
Rochester, NY
(Tickets available here)
"Silo4 (our collaborative that put A Deliberate Life together - silofour.com) is hosting it at the Little Theater on May 17th. Doors open at 6, show starts at 6:30. Tickets are $15 purchased in advance at the IF4 box-office (https://www.ticketriver.com/event/6253-if4---rochester--ny) or by contacting me via email. They are $20 at the door the night of the show."May 17th Doors open at 6:00 PM. Film begins AT 6:30 PM.
"We'll be giving away a Thomas & Thomas NS6 fly rod, a Kast Hell Raiser jacket, guided fishing trips with Wide Sky and Brett Jackson, and some flies as well. We're also donating a portion of the proceeds to Project Healing Waters."
The Little Theater
Rochester, NY
(Tickets available here)
Sunday, January 6, 2013
NEW LOCATION FOR THE EVENT on 2/16/2013
I'd like to officially announce that next month on February 16th 2013 we will have Guys, Flies & Pies at a NEW LOCATION! So many great people have come over the years that we just outgrew the last place. So please, please, please, let everyone you know, know that we are going to the beach this year!
The new location is the Roger Robach Community Center (Bathhouse) at Ontario Beach Park at 180 Beach Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612. This is only a few miles down the road from where we use to meet, and it's a much bigger building for us to hang out in. A bigger place means you should bring all your fishing friends along for the fun!
Parking is available right across the street behind Abbott's or at the main beach parking lot.
Event Details
Date:Feb 16th 2013
Time: 3pm-8pm
Location: 180 Beach Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612
Cost: $12 at the door (cost includes entry, pizza, drinks, door bag, and entry into door prizes. Raffles not included.)
The event starts at 3pm and goes until 8pm. As we've always done, this is an event is a fly tying party, so bring your vise and materials to tie. I've never understood why other events have guest tiers and people just watch. Sure, we have demos, but it's great to be able to sit down after watching a demo and DO what you just learned. We'll have pizza around 5:30 or 6pm, and around 7 we'll do door prizes (if we haven't done all of them yet) and give out the big raffle prizes!
I'd like to thank once again the great sponsors we have had over the years and the ones that are with us again this year. Without their support the event wouldn't be nearly as awesome as it's grown to be. Please take a look at the links at the bottom of the page and check out their sites and consider them when making your next fishing purchases.
The new location is the Roger Robach Community Center (Bathhouse) at Ontario Beach Park at 180 Beach Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612. This is only a few miles down the road from where we use to meet, and it's a much bigger building for us to hang out in. A bigger place means you should bring all your fishing friends along for the fun!
 |
| Don't expect the blue skies or snow-less walkways, it's February. |
Event Details
Date:Feb 16th 2013
Time: 3pm-8pm
Location: 180 Beach Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612
Cost: $12 at the door (cost includes entry, pizza, drinks, door bag, and entry into door prizes. Raffles not included.)
The event starts at 3pm and goes until 8pm. As we've always done, this is an event is a fly tying party, so bring your vise and materials to tie. I've never understood why other events have guest tiers and people just watch. Sure, we have demos, but it's great to be able to sit down after watching a demo and DO what you just learned. We'll have pizza around 5:30 or 6pm, and around 7 we'll do door prizes (if we haven't done all of them yet) and give out the big raffle prizes!
I'd like to thank once again the great sponsors we have had over the years and the ones that are with us again this year. Without their support the event wouldn't be nearly as awesome as it's grown to be. Please take a look at the links at the bottom of the page and check out their sites and consider them when making your next fishing purchases.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
November 8th - Where the Yellowstone Goes
Seems like just a few weeks ago we got to see the Fly Fishing Film tour...and now we can go to another fishing movie. Next week on November 8th! Same place as before so you hopefully remember where to go, if not check out the details below.
The Documentary
Experience a soul searching and inspirational 30-day drift boat journey down the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and savor silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure. View Trailer
When
November 8th at 7pm
Where
The Little Theatre - 240 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604 - Directions
Tickets
Buy Tickets ($10) at the door or at http://wtyg-rochester.eventbrite.com
Proceeds benefit the Canandaigua Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Canandaigua Lake Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Presents
Presents
The Documentary
Experience a soul searching and inspirational 30-day drift boat journey down the longest undammed river in the contiguous United States. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and savor silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure. View Trailer
When
November 8th at 7pm
Where
The Little Theatre - 240 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14604 - Directions
Tickets
Buy Tickets ($10) at the door or at http://wtyg-rochester.eventbrite.com
Proceeds benefit the Canandaigua Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Friday, September 21, 2012
Last Kayak Float of 2012...Maybe
My plans from Monday took a few days to come together, but today I got out in my kayak....the first time in a few months.
I had researched a new place online and planned my attack. I'd sneak in at a public access point and float downstream about 1/4 mile and take a sharp turn right....right into a small pond that is rumored to be man made. I figured that since it's right off the creek it would have potential to have pretty much anything in it.
But Google unfortunately doesn't use up to the minute images. I got there and the water was very low.
As you can (sort of) see in the photo, the water is way off in the distance.It should be just past that blue whatever it is there.
I found tracks through the mud, and drag marks, showing someone else was more determined than I was going to be. Looking at it now....those might be only tracks OUT, and not back IN....good luck whoever is out there, your car was not waiting in the parking lot for you.
I drove to the mouth of the creek and found the lake level low too, and too much mud to fight through to get out into the creek from there.
Stop #3 took me back to my favorite place, Buck Pond. It's in complete weed anarchy. I pushed off was able to find a few fish to play around with. I scared something real big at one point. I imagine there are plenty of carp and bass still in there, but with the weeds it would be pretty hard to fish for them.
I ended up catching about 4 or 5 bluegill.
My new foam fly holder worked great.
When I got out I found my butt wetter than expected, and then I was cold. I think today might be the last float for 2012. If I end up lifting it up to it's winter spot in the garage, it's likely it will be there until 2013....but, we'll see if I get that motivated before I get it out again.
I had researched a new place online and planned my attack. I'd sneak in at a public access point and float downstream about 1/4 mile and take a sharp turn right....right into a small pond that is rumored to be man made. I figured that since it's right off the creek it would have potential to have pretty much anything in it.
But Google unfortunately doesn't use up to the minute images. I got there and the water was very low.
 |
| The put in, water 40 feet away |
 |
| Someone was more adventurous than me |
I drove to the mouth of the creek and found the lake level low too, and too much mud to fight through to get out into the creek from there.
Stop #3 took me back to my favorite place, Buck Pond. It's in complete weed anarchy. I pushed off was able to find a few fish to play around with. I scared something real big at one point. I imagine there are plenty of carp and bass still in there, but with the weeds it would be pretty hard to fish for them.
 |
| Bluegill belly |
 |
| Foam fly holder |
When I got out I found my butt wetter than expected, and then I was cold. I think today might be the last float for 2012. If I end up lifting it up to it's winter spot in the garage, it's likely it will be there until 2013....but, we'll see if I get that motivated before I get it out again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)