Back on the river...

Finally got the boats out for the first time this season. We have had high flows all spring until this past week. Here are a few fish we managed to get pictures of. It looks like another good year on the Yough! We seen good hatches of caddis and Hendricksons, both brought fish to the surface. Also managed some nice fish on nymphs and a few on streamers.... Enjoy!!!

Orvis Fly Rod Video....

Had the opportunity to spend some time in the rod factory this time last year at Orvis. What an awesome experience. This video was well put together by Simon Perkins and really shows you the enjoyment they get from start to finish of a product throughout the company. Check it out....

A Week to Remember....

Wife went into labor Saturday morning. Tried to have the baby the normal way but that didn't work. So I had to put the scrubs on to head in for the c-section. Pretty awesome experience for both of us. 

Hallie was born on 3/31/2013 @ 3:03 am Easter morning.

First bath picture...

Not knowing when Alicia would go into labor, I began doing inventory on my warm water box. I have been busy tying stuff to fill it up for sure. I just love spinning deer hair now. Plus I figured this box would give a short escape to the stream near the house with small mouth start to spawn soon. Went out yesterday, but water was very chilly still. Warm weather is finally in the forecast for the next week or so. It is any time now for slamming some bronzebacks. 

Hanging out with with my girls this past afternoon. Zoie and my other dog, Macie, have been awesome around Hallie as well. 

Bloody Minnow....

Been looking for some articulated streamers on Youtube. This isn't articulated, but I could not resist trying this one on some smallies or trophy trout on the river this Spring. Fairly easy tie and looks great in the water. Enjoy...

What's been in my vise lately....

Figured I would try this small streamer this spring for some stockies. Found the pattern on Tightlines Productions. If you not looking for a more practical place to learn fly tying on the web, look no further than his videos on Vimeo. They are just patterns that catch fish. Being a seasoned at the vise, I still learn something new in his videos whether or not it is technique or simply a new pattern. 

Midges....

I cracked up when I saw this picture that Alicia had made a long time ago. Still is on my bulletin board above my desk. 

Can't ever have enough soft hackles....

Quality Control is Zoie's new title...

Enjoying the new ride in Alicia's car. Doesn't miss a bird now with that view.

Black Hare's Ear #12

Spinning deer hair....

Zoo Cougars. Beware Smallmouth....

Been busy tying up streamers and flies for my warmwater box. I have had ton of success with Zoo Cougars last year. In the fall, I bought some material to tie them. I finally got around to it as of late since my graduate classes have finally ended. More to come...

First Day Out This Year....

Last Thursday evening, I decided to tie up some stones since they have been pretty active in the mountain streams as of late. Easy and effective tie. Check out the tying video from Tightlines Productions from Caddis Chronicles. 

Adult Stone with Widow's Web as a wing material. MFC makes this material and I bought it for cripple wings. Supposed to be super hydrophobic. Might be a new material for my Caddis patterns is this holds true. 

Went after work for about two hours to try out my new rod. Even though I wish I was throwing dries, it worked rather well for a two weight tossing a double nymph rig. I did rather well in that span of time. In the double digits quickly.... Notice the stone in his mouth. Could not resist it. 

New rod in action....

Lent Special...Great fish and chips with a Long Trail Pollenator Pale Ale. Yum....

New Gear for 2013....

Every Spring, I get a few new items for the upcoming fishing season.  Above, I picked up a Battenkill Bar Stock I for my new Winston 7' 2 wt. rod. Balances very well with the Superfine line and backing that I had also received in the shipment. I have felt that Orvis lines have come a long way since the Wonderline that did  not hold up over time. This will be my third line that I have picked up since the inception of the Hydros 3D and Hydros lines. Casting them at the Guide retreat last year had me sold. They have put a lot of work in this project and it has paid off.  

When the Guide Sling was in the prototype stage, I fell in love from it day 1. I had the original sling pack a few years ago and guided 4 seasons out of it. When I saw one of the rod & tackle designers with it last year, I could not wait for its release. It is way more spacious and exceeded my needs for sure. Mike also picked one up as well and it may finally move him from a chest pack to the new guide sling this year on the water. 

Digi Camo....Need I say more...