A Little of Everything....

This past Tuesday day was the first day that I did not have Football or Basketball practice after school. I can be honest that I had no clue what to do with my spare time. After speaking to Mike on the phone, he mentioned that they were putting on a Fly Tying class at Woodlands World in downtown Uniontown. I meet Mike, Larry, Lynn and Garrett for the event they are going to try to hold every Tuesday evening at the store.     Lynn showed how to tie his Sac Fry pattern which is pretty solid. I will try to get a photo up of that soon. Larry, pictured above, was showing about eight to nine new guys to the sport on some basic patterns. 

Over the past week, OrvisNews.com has had some sweet easy patterns for some meaty streamers to try. Its hard for myself to not use a Woolybugger anyway, but they looked like they would be worth a shot. Pictured above is some Moto Minnows that I tied. Here is the video that I followed for this tie.  This has been the best series by far on OrvisNews.com. I truly believe these are the best tying videos out there in terms of quality of video and patterns selection available.  

Moto's Minnow from Tightline Productions on Vimeo.

Picture of a solid evening of tying.... Notice how messy my desk looks. I also want to add that having a bird dog in the house as well as a curious cat watching you tie flies can make for an interesting evening. 

Another streamer pattern that uses marabou, estaz, and rubber legs to attract some aggressive strikes from big fish. These Monster Buggers are really easy to tie. I think I may sit down in a few an tie up some Olive and White Monster Buggers to add in the streamer box as well. 

Matt's Monster Bugger from Tightline Productions on Vimeo.

Yet another great tying video from Tightline Production. Its worth checking out their collection on Vimeo. 

Last night, I headed down the road to catch the WVU vs. Marquette hoops game. It was great game, but I was hoping my Mountaineers would pull it out in the end. Just too many bad turnover at key situations.

These guys have been at the feeder over the past week consistently. I have noticed that the Crunch Block has been a huge success for attracting more deer. 

Hungry Brown...

Got a text while I was coaching hoops today at the high school. Mike sent this picture of Brian holding a solid pig brown. Can't wait to get up his way this year for our annual spring trip to chase these hogs.  It also looks like Brian was using that toothy critter fly box.

Photo from  last night at the feeder in the rain...

Back again in the morning for the next round. Starting to see alot of rabbits in the mix as well...

50 Degree Weather to 6" of Snow....

Talk about a "Deer in Headlights" look.....

Been seeing these few deer about every other night. With the warmer weather that we have been having, I figured that there was more food available. I will see if that is the difference with the six inches of snow outside now.

Last Saturday, Jim and I went to a gun shop in New Florence, PA. he had won a new rifle at a Gun Bash in October, but did not pick it up till now. While at the shop, I was looking for a .22 Long Rifle for general use. I settled on a Savage Mark II .22 Long Rifle. I am very pleased with it as well. Sunday morning, I ran about 250 rounds through it. I need to add a scope at some point, but that will come in time. One feature that I really like is the Accu-Trigger. Really a smooth trigger for sure.

With the snow on the ground and the roads getting kinda nasty out, I made my way to the tying bench. Yesterday I tied about two and half dozen pheasant tails at a size #16. I do not know who is more of a nuisance when I am tying now, my cat ,Sidney, or my Setter, Zoie. Any feather I pull out is getting their full attention. I felt like I was tying in front of a crowd watching every move I made on the vise.

On Wednesday, I stopped in town to grab a few things for tying. I came across UV Knot Sense and the light that accompanies it. The light was rather expensive, but after using it, I am very impressed. It cures in seconds and easy to spread around the fly for application. Below I posted a video that I found on YouTube for some applications that can be used with this product. I personally like the scud pattern and the midge on the video.  Its worth the look.. 

New Toys...

Due to the rainy weather and some snow spitting in the forecast, Jimmy and I were rather productive. I asked my father in-law if they were going to use their deer feeder that they had sitting in the shed. Since they were not using the feeder, they had no problem passing it on. Jim and I hit up Gander Mountain yesterday prior to picking up feed and the feeder at Alicia's parents house. Having some money left from returns from Christmas, I decided to get a trail camera as well.  I am really excited about this camera. Here is my first test shot above. hopefully the deer begin to show up soon.  

Grouse...

Being Jared is really on a Bird Hunting kick, I figured I would add one of my own. This grouse was killed in the ANF (Allegheny National Forest), with the help of my outstanding guide Garrett Brain and his trusty Gordon Setter (Danner). We had about 30 flushes in 2 1/2 days of hunting, it was a great time and can't wait to do it again!
You have to love the Nemacolin Shooting Academy promotion also...

A look back...

Here are a few pics from last summer. As we approach winter I though it would be nice to look back at a great season. This past season at Nemacolin was awesome, we had a chance to meet and fish with a lot of great people. I already can't wait for spring, and this upcoming season is already shaping up to be great! I also am making a promise to myself to stay on top of the blogging. I really fell off this past season, I left a bunch of great memories undocumented. So my early New Years resolutions is... That's not going to happen this season, so be ready for more pics, videos , and what ever else we can throw at you.
Tight Lines and bring on 2012... The year of the "FISH"

WVU Tailgate and Birds...

Big Help from Dad and Jimmy with the cook out for the Back Yard Brawl....

In the foil is a deer hind quarter rubbed in a roasted garlic peppercorn rub. Then we drizzled red wine over it. The two side cars are pork tenderloins that had a spicy coffee rub on it as well. 

Brisket and two racks of ribs. 

Zoie and I with a solid day with her.

Jimmy and Zoie posing for a photo.

Picked up a new Stoeger Uplander 28 Gauge at Ace's this weekend.

Had a solid Holiday and had a chance to get away to hunt with the dog. On Thanksgiving morning, Jim and I met up for a short hunt in the morning. All we ran into was a flock of turkeys at a local game land. We were still looking for a few stray birds in the fields, but it was rather soggy out and we decided to work up the hill instead. All in all it was a good workout prior to the fest later that day.
On Black Friday, while my wife was out searching out the great deals, Dad, Jimmy and I had taken the grill to a friends house to tailgate for the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pittsburgh. We ended up cooking for close to 50 people and had a great time doing it. I also want to mention that people loved my Smoked Portabellas with blue cheese on them. Always a huge hit.
After waking up with little sleep, Jim was at the house Saturday morning bright and early for some all day bird hunting. We met up with his Uncle Rory and went to a local game land. We saw one bird and it was from a distance. It had crossed the road into a farm land that was posted. Zoie wasn't really birdie that morning due to the lack of scents. We then headed up the mountain to grab a bit to eat at Subway as well as plan our next spot. We hit up another game land in the mountain and was able to flush one Grouse. Jim had the only shot at it, but it was a distance away and moving quickly. We had taken a small break then headed over to the farm to finish up for the day. Zoie at first busted a few birds. But after I reflected on the hunt, I felt that I had her hunt with the wind rather than into it. When we had worked back into the other direction, she started to point really well and held her ground as long as the birds held still. I thought she did rather well and next time I will have my camera. She was very stylish on her points and her tail was straight as can be. She held tight until we flushed the birds. My favorite was when she had point a covey of quail. Between Jim and I, four pheasant, one chukar, and one quail. What a solid weekend for sure.
I have also got on the bench this week. I will post some photos soon on what I have been tying. Enjoy...