New Promo Logo

As this blog grows, I've been thinking about a new logo that I can place on promotional items to get the word out.  Stickers, cards, the side of a blimp. Small things, y'know?

Anyway, here is the first idea, and I have to admit that I think it's pretty neat. It has a certain class to it. What do you guys think?

Overweight?

No, I'm not talking about the after effects of the holiday season. What I'm talking about are rods and line weights. A lot of people have questions on if they can use a 6wt, or even a 7wt, on that 5wt rod that they love. But they are afraid that they will cause some untold catastrophe to the rod if they do.

Let's see if we can't clear some of this up.

Two new additions to the family.

With Santa's booty burning a hole in my pocket, I decided that some upgrades were in order. So here's what I got:

In case you missed it, Winter is upon us. And wintertime around here means tiny little midge patterns. I'm talking size 24 on down. Now the smallest I've tied up until now has been a size 20 with a lot of squinting and cursing. But no longer, as I've broken down and purchased a magnifying lamp.

Got Hooked by Allen Fly Fishing

Received some promo hooks from Allen Fly Fishing and I must say that they look pretty sharp (bad pun intended.) They're sturdy, sharp(yes I was cautious), and pretty hooky.

I placed a few next to some of my "name brand" hooks and there was no visual difference in the quality.

Fly of the Week: Big Daddy Crayfish

I think that it's pretty much a scientific fact that fish love crayfish. Be it bass to carp to catfish to big ol' trout, fish slurp up crayfish with something close to reckless abandon. It only makes sense to have a crawdad in your arsenal.

A lovely winter skunking.

The misses wanted to take the kids to the mall today so that they could blow their Christmas money. I didn't feel like dealing with the madhouse that I knew that if would be (and it was) so I decided to drop her off and hit the stream a few miles away.

Been Good This Year.

Apparently I've been good this year, as Santa s given me a bit of cash (and gift cards) for some new toys. And after a bit of deliberating, I think that I will get a new tying vice, a float tube, and as I'm getting more into making my own leaders, some leader material.

I'm going to co up to Cabela's (God bless coupons) and take a look-see at what they have.

Can anyone make any suggestions?

To Each and Every one of you...

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe holiday season.

Looking forward to 2011, I'm looking forward to some new opportunities for both fly fishing, as well as writing for this blog. Both have become equal passions of mine.

Great Discount from a Great Shop.

Scott's Fly Shop has a new website. As a result, they are offering a 30% discount until 12-31-10. Just use promo code SFS30 during checkout. These guys are also on eBay, but the code IS NOT good for purchases through there, just through their website.

I've ordered from Scott's before and have been impressed with their service. (The Bargain Bin is always worth a look. ) If you've never ordered from them, now would be a great time to give them a try, and save a bundle too.

DIY Fisherman's Neck Lanyard

Want a lanyard but don't feel like shelling out $50 for a fishin' necklace?

Check out this blog post from Flytying: New and Old, where the writer gives a recipe for making your own. Pretty easy to do, and it looks like it might cost ya all of $15 bucks.

Flytying: New and Old: DIY Fisherman's Neck Lanyard

Need anthor reason for C&R?

Check out the updated consumption advisories for PA, care of the DEP:

All of Pennsylvania remains under a blanket advisory that recommends limiting consumption of any recreationally-caught fish to one meal per week. This advisory is designed to protect against eating large amounts of fish from waters that have not been tested, or for certain species that have not been tested or fish that may contain other unidentified contaminants. One meal is considered to be one-half pound of fish for a 150-pound person.
For 2011, the following new advisories have been added due to mercury contamination:
• Two meals per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Delaware River in Wayne, Pike, and Monroe counties;
• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Shohola Lake in Pike County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Lackawanna Lake in Lackawanna County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Stephen Foster Lake in Bradford County;
• One meal per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River in Bradford and Wyoming counties;
• Two meals per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Allegheny River in Warren, Forest, and Venango counties;
• One meal per month advisory for Northern Pike in Conneaut Lake in Crawford County; and
• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Crystal Lake in Crawford County.

One new advisory has been added due to PCB contamination:
• One meal per month advisory has been issued for Corbicula (Asiatic Clam) in the Schuylkill River in Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

The following PCB advisories have been eased but not lifted:
• Carp in the Monongahela and the Ohio Rivers at the Point in Pittsburgh has been reduced to a one meal per month advisory;
• Channel Catfish in the Ohio River at the Point in Pittsburgh has been reduced to a one meal per month advisory;
• Brown Trout in Valley Creek in Chester County has been reduced to a one meal per month advisory. Note: Valley Creek remains a No Harvest – PFBC Catch and Release All Tackle Regulation.

Consumption advisories have been lifted for the following:
• Lackawanna Lake in Lackawanna County for Bluegill;
• West Conewago Creek in York County for Smallmouth Bass;
• Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers at the Point in Pittsburgh for Freshwater Drum;
• Licking Creek in Fulton and Franklin Counties for Smallmouth Bass.

Full Release Here: Newsroom | DEP

Bagging in Style

These have to be, hands down, the coolest creel bags I've ever seen. It's a little pricey, in my opinion, but in all honesty if I had the money to blow this would be on the top on my list.

It would be a bit better if they had a, ahem, less expensive model without all of the features. I.e. nix the nameplate, switch to plastic fly boxes, and switch some leather for canvas and you would have the working man's version.

But even still, it's damn cool.......I wonder if they'll let me test on for a review? *wink, wink*

Fly Fishing Bag

Nah, There's No Fish in There

I wanted to get some time on the water, and with the impending holiday(kids have off of school, money burning holes in pockets, etc) and with the start up of the second portion of hunting season, it looked like it was either today or never.

I up and started to get things ready. While grabbing my trusty 2wt, I paused and looked at the ol' St Croix 9' 5wt. Shaking my head and muttering about "too much rod" I grabbed the 7' 2wt and off I went.

Build-A-Leader Workshop

Ever since I started fly fishing, I've been using tapered knot-less leaders. They're pretty cheap and abundantly available. But soon I started to hear about furled leaders and started to wonder....

So the next time I was in a fly shop, I took a look around. And didn't see one. As in the next shop and the one after that.

Fly of the Week: Screaming Mimi

It's that time of year...... the weather is cold and most anglers are stuck inside. If your like me, this means a lot more time at the vice, tying flies while dreaming to the fish that the will catch.

Outdoor Blogger

I would like to proudly say that Flyfishinado is part of the Outdoor Blogger Network. These guys are a hub for bloggers that cover all manner of outdoors material. Camping, hiking, hunting, fishing.... you name it, someone's writing about it. And odds are, you can find it there.

Winter Reading: Sex, Death, and Fly Fishing

I just finished with Sex, Death, and Fly Fishing by John Gierach and must admit that I really enjoyed the book. The style is that of the narrator relating stories to the read, or as is more often, stories within stories.

More Events in February

Got some time to kill in February? Feel like hopping on a jet but don't know where to go? Well, on Feb 17-19, there's the China Fishing Show!

It's Alive!!!

A Japanese species of Salmon, the black kokanee, was thought to have died out 70 years ago. Until someone found them thriving in a lake near Mt. Fuji.

Check out the full article here.

Canadian Black Dose - Step By Step

Check out this really easy to follow step-by-step tutorial on how to tie a Canadian Black Dose. It's a beautiful wet fly, but with these instructions it's broken down to managable bites.

Hatches - Canadian Black Dose

Getting a little Greener

I came across an online tackle company who only sells environmentally friendly fishing tackle, Green Tackle. I hopped right over to the Fly Fishing section and saw the expected varieties of Boss Tin and Tungsten weights. But what did catch my eye was the biodegradable tippet.

Fly of the Week: Black Bertha

This is a nymph pattern that I created this Spring and quickly became one of my "go-to" patterns to get results. It  doesn't matter the water clarity, the weather, the temperature.... I have had success with this fly in any and all conditions.

Stolen Boat: any info?

I know that this is a long shot, but I wanted to repost this about a stolen drift boat. If anyone might have some info, click on the link back to the original thread and contact the original poster.

Find the thread here.

dryfly87  New Member   Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 4

Caution: Stolen boat Hi everybody, Still new to the site but I thought I'd post this for my sake and anyone looking at buying a drift boat. I recently had my Hyde signature series drift boat stolen from me while fishing the South Holston river below the Weir Dam. Just trying to put the word out. From what I have heard boats can travel far quickly so even you guys out west may run into it. Quick description: 06, maroon/white, G4, only floated 4 times so looks new. Also, big rip in the guide seat that I glued a piece of clear vynal over, maroon color matched trailer, all options. Thanks guys P.S. Homeowners insurance will only cover $1500 of any stolen boat in the great state of NC.

Let's cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Much Hoopla coming to Philly

The annual Fly Fishing Show has announced that it will add a new stop to the tour, the Valley Forge Convention Center in March, which is just outside of Philadelphia. It's also a quick double hop (no sissy skips here) from Flyfishinado HQ.

A Day of Walking the Rod

The misses had decided to take the kids to the mall today, giving me a pass for a few hours. It had been misty and drizzly since last night, but with the air temp in the 60's, this was not an opportunity that I wanted to miss. I quickly loaded up the 2wt and out the door I went.

Ava's Midge

I was tying up some crayfish patterns that I've been working on last night and as is usually the case, my 3 year old daughter was down i n the basement with me. When down there she is doing one of two things, getting into my martial arts equipment (3 year old + Filipino fighting sticks =  bruises and/or quick reflexes) or she is standing there transfixed as Daddy "makes bugs."

Blood Knot Magazine

Just spend the past few minutes "flipping" through Blood Knot magazine, a free online 'zine of all things fly and fishy. This one was their holiday issues.

But be forewarned, you will need Flash Player to view it.

Alternative Fly Fishing Dictionary | Terminology

Some great humor for an early Thursday.....

Alternative Fly Fishing Dictionary | Terminology

A Bugger of a Time

I was tying up a bunch of woolly buggers the other night, and decided to give them a try tonight. I wasplaying with some unusual color combinations, and like a kid in a candy store, couldn't wait to tear open the package, so to speak.

The colors where a white tail with a worm brown body (medium dun hackle), a white tail with a hot pink body (medium dun hackle), a red tail/body with a blue dun hackle, and a neon green with black stripped tail with a neon green body (black hackle.) All on size 14 nymph hooks. The worm brown and the pink really ticked my interest, so I grabbed those two, as well as a few other flies and headed out.

Fly of the Week: the Banshee

The Banshee is everything that I like in a dry fly, it's big, it's buggy, and it's bushy. I've had the best success with  dries that are just like that, and this one is no exception.

Lake Erie Steelhead Fishing Primer (Part 1) | Dharma of the Drift

Stumbled across this blog, and it has an entire Lake Erie Steelhead fishing primer on it. I read the entire first part and skimmed through much of the rest, and I have to say that it is a very entertaining and informative read if your a novice Erie Chrome Catcher.

Allen Fly Fishing Logo Contest

Allen Fly Fishing Co in having a contest for a new logo design. Winner gets $500 in fly gear!!!! That would keep me in new gear for about a week.  :)

I already have one design done and am hoping for multiple submissions.

Wish me luck!

Blue Fly Cafe - New Site Launch

Before I started tying, these were they guys I would go to first to get my flies. I bought about $75 worth of flies from these guys, then went and priced them at a local shop. They would have charged me over $200....! I'm all for supporting my local shops, but a dude needs a break once in a while.

Fly of the Week Holiday Special: Candy Cane Caddis

Being in the festive mood while at my vice, I tied up this fly for the Holiday season. But be advised, it in no way tastes like a candy cane. Trust me......

Some Hopper Fun

Foam Hopper Tour

Check out this link for some foam hopper patterns. The farther down you go the better they get...... the Santa Hopper, the Smiley Hopper, and the Chopper are my fav's.

Needle Fly Salmon Grabber

Found a site that shows how to construct a fly with a needle..... Pretty interesting. Seems like it's similar to tying a tube fly, but with a regular household needle.

Making a Needle Fly

I'm not sure if I agree with using a treble hook, I would probably go with a caddis hook. But I can see that this would be a great way to tie a bunch of streamers to swing and only need a hook or two.

Killer Shrimp from Across the Pond

No, it's not the latest Bruce Campbell movie, although it would be pretty cool. It's an invasive species of aggressive shrimp originating from Western Europe (near the Black and Caspian Seas) that "kills a range of native species, including young fish, and significantly alters ecosystems."

Elbow Deep In Whitetail - not a fish tail :)

We're one week into the regular Whitetail season here in PA and so far I've had some darn good luck.

Monday was opening day. My uncle has some property attached to his house near here so this is where the family usually hunts (indoor plumbing is nice too.) I got there at about 6am. I don't like tromping through the fields and woods when I can't see jack, so my custom is to sit and drink a cup of coffee while waiting for my dad, whose custom it is to be late.

Fly of the Week: Letort Hopper

This hopper pattern was created in the 1950's by Ed Shenk, from right here in good ol' Pennsylvania. It's simple, fairly easy to tie, and can do wonders on a trout stream in mid-summer.

But a word of warning, if your not careful, this can start to look like a muddler minnow.

Letort Hopper:
#8 hook (can be tied on 14-6)
Body: Hare's Ear Dubbing
Wing: Inner - Mottled Turkey Quill, Outer - Grey Deer Belly