I'm Not Fishing Tonight, But You Should

Today, or more specifically at 17:16 hours, it is the Summer Solstice.

What does that mean? It means it's the longest day of daylight of the year, and it means that I'm not fishing tonight. Historically I look forward to today thinking I'll take off and go fishing till almost 9:30pm, but historically something comes up and I never get out fishing. At least I've figured out the pattern and wont be disappointed when I don't get to fish!

However, with a baseball game tonight for my son, and a pond nearby, I might get another 15 minute fishing trip in before the game starts. But that's hardly using the time that mother nature has provided.

If you get out today/tonight, send me some photos and I'll post them up for everyone to see your success!

My Attempt To Feather A Head

Maybe you've heard of Feather Heads. Maybe you have not. Well, I have, and as a fly tier I couldn't sit by and let this fad go crazy......without trying to put a feather in my daughters hair.

Starting off I thought I'd probably be able to do it, after all, I had watched a news report on the subject on the internet. See, I'm well qualified.

I started off with some feathers, beads, dental threader, wire, and wire cutters.....oh, and a very cooperative daughter. In the end, I had broken wire, broken beads, and a broken dental threader.....and failure.

I determined that the fly tying beads were not the right bead for the project. The beads big enough to pass some hair through, were too strong for me to crimp. The smaller beads I could crimp, but I couldn't get enough hair into them.

So, it's either back to the drawing board.....or back to the fly tying desk!

NY DEC wants your input on regulation changes

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is asking for input on propose changes to various fishing regulations.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/73762.html

Here's your chance to get your voice heard. Send them some emails and tell them if you like what they are proposing! Emails need to be received before June 24, 2011 so get on it!

Protecting Their Investment

Twice in the last week I've fished a small pond that is tucked in a group of homes. These are my favorite ponds because they are often overlooked and under fished. In fact, in all the times I've been there, I've never seen anyone else fishing it, other than those friends and family I take with me.

Well, twice this week I've had home owners from the neighborhood sneak up behind me and start a conversation. I don't think they realize that sneaking up on a guy casting a hook and 30 foot of line isn't a good idea. In fact one guy started to step back behind me mid cast. I swear he almost got a sharp reminder not to do that again.

Both times these guys came up to talk to me with one thing in mind. Money! Cold hard cash! See, both of them have put in $23 each (presumably with the whole neighborhood) and purchased 7 grass carp. Their hope is that these carp will keep the weeds down and help make the pond "cleaner." The truth is, I wish they hadn't done this. My favorite bass ponds do not have carp and DO have weeds, and moss, and scum, and everything else possible that gets stuck to my hook. The reality, to me, is that this vegetation helps keep the water clear and that helps when it comes to spotting fish, or fish spotting a fly.

"In a pond where largemouth bass-bream sport fishing is an important goal, it is desirable for aquatic plants to dominate 5-25% of the pond. Grass carp are probably not a good choice for a bass-bream sport fishing pond where plants cover less than 25% of the pond." (Source)

Both of the men where very polite, but wanted to ask me to release any carp I caught. I agreed I would, but deep down I think putting them in was a mistake. They have a water fountain they put in during the summer, and I feel that does enough to help maintain the ponds beauty.

I'm not an expert on grass carp and what they do to a pond, but it seems like I might have a year or two before I start to lose this great bass pond to the muddy waters of the carp.  .....I better go fishing!

This Is Not Spring!

Back in late March when the news started reporting that it was spring, I didn't buy into it. Sure, technically it was spring, but in my mind it isn't spring until at least April. So, mentally I prepared myself not to believe the hype about spring in March, and to wait it out until April. But, now that it's April 21st I'm starting to think it's never going to show up here in NY.

Sure, we had a few days that went above 50....60....and one day I think went to 70, but those were single days, and not a long stretch. We had fake spring like days before during the official winter. I'm getting darn close to giving up on spring. Seriously, I cut it some slack in March, knowing it was too much to expect out of nature, but now it's time to live up to the hype.

I'm seeing photos online of our southern friends hitting the water in great looking conditions. This week great conditions would simply consist of NO WIND!

Is it really too much to ask for a consistent run of 60 degree days? I'm not being pushy and asking Mother Nature for 70's, I'd just like 60's CONSISTANTLY to start with. I'll even give up the night, an let the temps dip into the mid 40's, but daytime highs of 60's.....oh, and some sun...would be nice!

I've got poppers to fish and bluegill to harass. See, I'm even being nice and realizing it's too early to expect much from the bass!

Is it too much to ask for weather that brings up fish like this?

18 inches of bass from July 2010

Abel Belt Buckles and Flashlights

You might remember my post about the Abel Nippers, or the update showing new colors, and how pricey they were. Well, I've given you enough time to build back up the balance in your checking account....so here it is.

Abel now offers a belt ($100) and belt buckles ($150), or both for a steal at $225.

Keep your pants on!

Sure, you can find other belts out there for about this price, but they usually are meant to keep up more than just a pair of "corduroy trousers". For the price of others online they hold up stuff like handcuffs, guns, tazers, and pepper spray. Things that can come in handy when someone tries to take your fishing hole. 

But, to be fair....if these were only $25 I'd be all over buying one!

Now, let's say you have one of those fancy belts that holds up more than your corduroys...then maybe you have a spot for the $250 flashlight.

Light it up!

But, to be fair again, if these were $30 I'd be all over buying one! At $250 I'd hope they'd still work after I bust out a window as my car starts to sink into the lake....and still be bright enough to lead the way back to the main road.

A Day in the Buff

Get your mind out of the gutter!

Last week on my way home from the CNY Fly Tying Symposium my wife and I stopped at the Bass Pro in Auburn NY. It was my first time in the shop, and I did pretty well getting out without paying too much.

We checked out most of the store and even the fish tank....full of fat fish with all kinds of physical deformities.

The fly shop part of the store was nice and I almost got out without buying anything. The only thing we bought at the shop was a Buff. It's one of those fancy fabric things you see often on people fishing the saltwater flats just before they rob a bank.

Wooly BUFFer

Having worn mine only a few times, I have to say I like it. I often wear a hoodie under my jacket since my jacket doesn't have a hood. The hoodie helps keep my neck and ears warm on the walk in to work from the car. The last few days I've left the hoodie at home and worn the buff. Even worn just around my neck it helped to keep my neck warm enough not to cry about leaving my hoodie at home. I've even pulled it up around my lower face and ears and looked ready to rob the gas station after pumping my gas.

The real (reel) test will be to see how freaking hot it gets when I wear it in the summer time for sun protection.

It cost about $23 at Bass Pro.

A Few New "Magazines" To Kill Some Time

Looking for something to distract you from real life responsibilities? Here's a few new issues of some online magazines. Enjoy!

Blood Knot

Catch Magazine - The Steelhead Dreams Part 2 video is definitely worth an extra 16 minutes of your time. Also, a huge congratulations to Lucas for getting a few pages! Great photos from a local guy! I gotta get my magazines signed by him soon before he starts charging for his signature!

Hold Your Breath Until You Are Done Reading This

Sure, this is cool, but I can hold my breath while waiting for a bass to take my fly!

I'm starting to think that fly fishing is for wimps!

Forecast for GFP

With just about a week before the event I figured I'd check out the weather forecast (not because tying depends on the weather, but travel to Rochester's largest fly tying party might.)

Imagine my surprise when I saw the following forecast for next week and the Old Farmer's Almanac listing of historical happenings for February 19th. 

A Fly 35 Degrees! I'll take it!

Check out the entry for 2011

 This is a forecast I can live with!

Your Next 2 Weeks

Here at the GFP headquarters, we know that life isn't all about fishing (at least that's what we have to say so we don't get into too much trouble). With that knowledge, we know that many of us have other obligations outside of tying flies and chasing fish. One of those responsibilities is coming up in the next two weeks, and comes uncomfortably close the the big Guys, Flies & Pies fly tying night. But, don't fear, we've run the numbers and determined that you have plenty of opportunities to impress your better half and still secure your availability to come to tie, eat, and win on the 19th. So, don't miss out on GFP just because you forgot about Valentine's Day. You've been warned.

So, here it is in nice visual format. The boldest heart represents the actual Valentine's Day, and the lighter ones represent all the days before GFP that you can take her out to Taco Bell for a romantic Valentine's dinner. Hey, it's all about the romance.....or, it's all about faking the romance so she doesn't mind that you ditch her for GFP later in the week (better yet, bring her with you to the party!)

You've Got 2 Weeks, Make It Happen! See You On The 19th!

So, go get all your chores done, pick up your dirty underwear off the floor, paint that wall that's been on your list for the last 6 months, and take your wife out to a nice dinner at Taco Bell....then remind her of all that stuff you did so you can make it to the tying party!

See you then!

What's In Your Head?

 

Here we see an interesting new concept by Estate LA – the “Tear Away” caps. [T]his particular one features brown italian wool that tears awayto some crazy fly fishing print.

LINK

Flying Bison, Flying Bear

WOW!

I've been to Yellowstone when I was a kid, and it's a great place, but I hope to never experience this so close to my face as this guy did.

Follow this link to see all 16 images: Amateur Photographer Captures a Grizzly Bear Chasing a Bison Down a Highway in Yellowstone. Each image has a little write up on his experience.

I think I'll continue to turn my head to check out all noises behind me while I fish!