REP YOUR WATER X BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST

The good folks at Rep Your Water just released a new BTT Permit Hat which not only sends 10% of purchases to support the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust but each hat also comes with a complimentary BBT membership.  I call this a win-win for you and conservation.

The Permit hat just went live on the Rep Your Water website and offerings like this are usually offered in a limited supply.  I wouldn't delay to long waiting to place your order.

Oh yeah, Rep Your Water also just posted a new Hat Fit Guide which explains how each of their hats fit on your noggin.  It's worth a look.

Remember to use promo code "SHIPTFM" for free shipping on all your Rep Your Water orders.

April Waiting

It's been a few months since the Lowcountry Journal dropped a new shortie film but with the redfish just starting to show up in the grass on the flood tides around Charleston, I'm sure that there will be more.  Fingers crossed.



Jump down the rabbit hole on the Lowcountry Journal Vimeo page for many more stellar videos and check out the Spring 2016 line up on the Flood Tide Co. website.   There is a whole lot of NEW to give a look to.

6 Good Reads

It's Monday morning after a long holiday weekend which I spent on the road Saturday and then a large part of yesterday outside doing yard work.  I had hoped to get out on the pond but it just wasn't in the cards.  Trimming shrubs and putting out pine straw in the rain was so much more fun...

There has been quite a few solid articles online lately and here's the six-pack that I enjoyed most.

ARIZONA WANDERINGS DOES PYRAMID LAKE AGAIN
I was able to spend some time on Pyramid Lake last year and it's a trip that I want to do again.  Ben Smith from Arizona Wanderings and a rag tag crew of friends did the trip again this year and his report will have you pricing plane tickets or mapping a road trip out.
     

MIDCURRENT - "SISTERS"
Erin Brock teaches her sister how to fly fish and of course gains so much more.

SPORTS ONE SOURCE ON THE NEW GRIZZLY HACKLE FLY SHOP
This story was good timing as I was in the Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop just over a week ago and the place looked great.  Brendan Bannigan has a small but solid team and some good ideas which should spell success for this long standing Missoula fly shop.

THE VENTURING ANGLER - Q&A WITH BRYAN GREGSON
Bryan is a long time friend who has worked crazy hard to hone his craft and I've always been impressed with the opportunities that he's had.  Hard work pays off and this interview is worth a read to learn more.

THE USUAL - YVON CHOUINARD Q&A
Mr. Patagonia sits down with The Usual for a interview that is worth a read.

TWIGWATER.COM ON CAMERA GEAR
I was going to share David Anderson's review of the Ijuin-Rod Yomogi but this two page review of his camera gear was especially interesting since I shoot with Nikon and he does as well.

What have you been reading online lately?

TROUTS FLY FISHING - Episode 1 - Cheesman Canyon

Trouts Fly Fishing in Denver (and soon to be Frisco too) has begun rolling out a series of videos highlighting their local fisheries with Russ Schnizter on point with the camera.  It reminded me of a day I spent with Russ a couple years ago on that same water in the Cheesman Canyon.



There are three more episodes in the mix that will roll out over the course of the year.

Follow Trouts Fly Fishing on Vimeo for the latest videos.

THROUGH THE GUIDES

The Noble Lab chronicles the "Guide Life" in this artful documentary.  Take some time to enjoy it this weekend as it is a beautiful dozen minutes.



Visit The Noble Lab website and Vimeo page for more goodness.

NATURE BOY DESIGNS - Flats Flag & "Keeping It Reel" Tees

Keith Westra of Nature Boy Designs has been busy in the shop with two new t-shirts going live.

FLATS FLAG TEE BY FLYROGLPHICS

"KEEPING IT REEL" TEE

Check out the Nature Boy Designs website to place your order.

FH Paddock Fly Rods - New Designs & Offerings

I would guess it was sometime last summer when I started to hear that rod builder Fred Paddock of FH Paddock Fly Rods was working on some new designs and offerings.  Months later this is now a reality with five new fly rods recently unveiled.  Early reports from those who have cast these fly rods have all been very positive.  I'm sure that Fred has another set of winners on his very capable hands. 

Fred Paddock sent along a few images and narrative to better explain his objectives for these new series of fiberglass fly rods.  

Fred wrote...  "The goal for this series of rods was to build a quality fishing rod, rods that allow you to concentrate on the fish you're fishing to. When casting is second nature, your focus goes to the fish you're casting to... this improves your fishing. I didn't get hung up on blank colors and such. I wanted to build a classic line of fiberglass with timeless looks and pure function. F.H. Paddock Fly Rods are built from my own mature and practiced hands using high quality materials and construction methods. If the rod has my signature on the butt section, you can expect excellent balance and perfect actions. The blanks are built in the USA to my specifications, they are proprietary to me. I have devoted a lot of time in developing this series of rods, those who have cast them have seen this first hand. The rods actions are exceptionally smooth, the action and recovery delivers a line without shock. I can only build a limited number of rods per year, usually 25-35 per year. I do plan to launch a website in the future, it's something that I will eventually get around to doing. I currently have a Facebook page. I do not offer blanks, only completed rods. The rods are $675.00 plus shipping and insurance. 

Fly rods designed for the demands of trout fishing while utilizing the unique qualities of fiberglass as a rodmaking material. This series was conceived from personal fishing experiences and has been developed on the water. Each model was designed individually. Every rod shares some traits that I seek in a fly rod, yet they are different in the demands of their specific uses.

7'0" - #5 - 2 Pieces
Appalachian brook trout rod that delivers the goods, light in hand and delicate like a three weight, with the line control of a five weight. The flex profile is medium fast, with a nice recovery. Fine tipped classic "Catskill" feel, yet instantly makes you aware that the taper is exceptional.

7'9"- #4- 3 Pieces
My venture into the realm of light line trout rods. A perfect action and balance. Light in hand and very accurate. The fine tip with outstanding loop control is a perfect blend for this medium action taper.

8'0"- #5 - 3 Pieces
Eastern US trout rod, well mannered and a pleasure to fish. Medium action rod that can fish in close and reach as needed. The balance that is difficult to achieve.

8'3"- #6 - 3 Pieces
The perfect balance of finesse and power... it's sweet. The first time I cast the finished taper, I knew I had something special. Medium action that really delivers.

8'6"- #7 - 3 Pieces
Trout rod, smooth transition to present in close and reach out. Medium action that can present a delicate line, and deliver a streamer with use. I kept this rod in mind for smallmouth bass fishing too."

Please visit the FH Paddock Fly Rods Facebook page for more information.  To contact Fred Paddock, please send an email to fhpaddock@hotmail.com.

DUN Magazine - No. 16.1

The latest issue of DUN Magazine is live and ready for a flip through and read.  Enjoy.

CHECK IT.

Rivers That Begin With The Letter "B"

I'm three river days into a trip with Joel Thompson of Montana TroutAholics with my buddy Dave Lofthouse.  We've floated different sections of river each day with really beautiful conditions.  The bite on skwala dry flies has been a little lacking but have worked just enough to keep it interesting.

Yesterday we added a second boat with Rick Marcum of the Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, his buddy Joe, and Joel's wife Deb coming along for a long float on a day where it warmed up to 60 degrees. 

Mr. Sparkle Minnow has been working overtime with a few trout each day and then on a couple solid pike in a backwater slough late yesterday afternoon.

Here's a mashup of images from the last three days.  Thanks again to Joel, Rick, and Joe for working the sticks, picking the flies, and putting us on some stellar water.

Today will continue to be warm (in the 50's) with rain off and on all day long.  We're floating another nearby river and hope to finish the trip off strong.  Skwala eaters on top, please...

Backcountry - South Island

Damn.  That eat four minutes in.  I need to cash in the couple invites I have to fish New Zealand sooner than later.



More goodness on the Gin Clear Media website and Vimeo page.

ELEMENTS I Takes

The Redington ELEMENTS series continues with Takes.  Ready to get out on the water now?



More video goodness on the Redington website and Vimeo page.

Tail Fly Fishing Magazine - Issue 22

The latest issue of Tail Fly Fishing Magazine is live and worth a flip through over your weekend.

CHECK IT.

GRAYWOLF RODS - McFarland Yellow Glass - Build #500

It is going on six years ago that Shane Gray of Graywolf Rods and I connected with a phone call.  I had been writing for T.F.M. for a couple years and he was just starting to build on fiberglass blanks.  Since that first conversation I've watched Shane go from an after work and weekend rod builder to making it a full job.  Along the way he's developed his own taper and signature series of fiberglass fly rods along with building on excellent blanks from McFarland, Steffen, Swift Fly Fishing, and others.

Shane sent these images of the McFarland Yellow Glass 8' 5/6 weight build and I just smiled when I also noticed it was Build #500.  Shane's hard work and talents show and this build very much a testament of his hard work paying off.

Shane wrote...  "Here is my 500th serial numbered fiberglass build.  I had been thinking about which blank I wanted to build on for #500 and thought it fitting to get a McFarland yellow glass blank as these are the same fiberglass blanks that I started building over 500 rods ago.  Mike McFarland’s recent release of these blanks was perfect timing.

- Yellow E Glass Fiberglass 
- 8’0” 5/6 Weight Three Piece with Spigot Ferrules 
- Bamboo Reel Seat
- All Dark Hardware 
- Slim Half Wells Flor Grade Cork Grip 
- Agate Stripping Guide 
- Wrapped in Dark Olive Silk
-  Tipped in Black with Orange Trim 

Being #500 I thought it would be nice to offer the rod for sale at $500  shipping. 

If interested please contact me."

Please visit the Graywolf Rods website for more information.  Follow along on the Facebook and Instagram for the latest builds and shop news.

OPST Presents - How to Tie Trevor's Squid

Almost forty minutes of instruction from Trevor Covich in the latest Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics video.



Check out the OPST website for more information.  I think one of those Commando Heads are calling my name.

H&H LIVE - Check Out The Weekly Periscope Show

On Periscope or need an excuse to add another social media app to your iPhone or Droid?  Check out H&H Live every Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Alex and Jacob Hudjohn on H&H Outfitters go up on Periscope weekly and discuss different aspects of fly fishing, the industry, and answer audience questions as well.  The show is available for a day after the show for viewing if you can't make the live show and then it drops off. 

I'm starting to feel like an old man trying to keep up with all the ins and outs of the new social media platforms.  Fortunately there are companies in the fly fishing industry, like H&H Outfitters, who are diving in and we can all watch to see how they work.

Follow H&H Outfitters on Periscope at @HHOUTFITTERS.

#somestreamerchick - Episode 8

Abbi Bagwell isn't just #somestreamerchick, she's also the VP of the Pisgah Chapter Trout Unlimited.  Recently this T.U. chapter organized a clean up day on the Davidson River and this short video captured the good time. Kudos to all those that made the time to be there.



More on the Flymen Fishing Co. Blog.   More #somestreamerchick and fly tying video goodness on the YouTube page.

Kids Don't Listen To The Weatherman

Sunday morning I was up early and could already hear the rain coming down.  I checked the weather and it said 80% chance of rain.  All day.  Damn.

When Hadley and Finn woke up they had a plan of getting out on the pond and I tried to push them off since it was raining and likely to stay that way.  They wouldn't take no for an answer and we all hurried around grabbing up gear for a quick trip in the kayaks before a late breakfast.

Since Hadley and Finn wanted to fish while paddling I ran up to the attic and found a packed away tackle box that had a few pre-rigged plastic worms and small spinners that I thought would work well on their spinning rods.  It's also time for them to learn something new instead of watching a bobber with a cricket underneath.

We finished packing up the golf cart and hitched up the kayak trailer for the short trip through the woods to the pond.  As soon as we arrived, it began to downpour and admittedly I was grumbling a bit since I could see getting everything set up only for Hadley and Finn to suddenly want to head home.  They were persistent and thank goodness so since not fifteen minutes later the rain stopped and fifteen minutes after that the sun came out.  Go figure.

Hadley and Finn both had a great time casting the worms and working them back.  I took a couple of casts and had forgotten how much fun it is to see a plastic worm dancing and weaving it's way back on the slow retrieve.

I was casting a streamer up against the bank when I heard Hadley yell out that she had something.  A moment later a spunky bass took the air and bent her fiberglass spinning rod over.  I paddled over just as she was slipping her thumb in it's lower jaw and lifted it up for a couple camera snaps before she let it go.  Both of them saw that the worm works and that bass gave them some confidence to keep at it.

Around ten o'clock we figured that it was time to head back for breakfast and get our day going a few different directions with weekend chores, a birthday party, and Finn's soccer game.   

It was good getting a pond fix and I'm so glad that the kids don't listen to the weatherman.