Saturday Shoutout / Deeter on Competitive Fly Fishing
KIRK DEETER IS THE MAN!
I don’t know of anyone who gets more universal respect in the fly fishing world than Kirk Deeter. Not only is Kirk one of the smartest and most knowledgeable folks to ever hold a rod, his head and his heart are in the right place as well. When Kirk Deeter talks, everyone listens. Especially me.
That’s why I’m glad that Kirk has taken on the topic of competitive fly fishing. This piece he has written for Fly Talk is spot on. It’s not a condemnation of competitive fly fishing, nor is it some airy fairy ethical argument based on ascetics. It’s a very honest look at some real problems with the idea of competitive fly fishing for trout.
Kirks ideas are worth your time whether or not you ever intend to compete.
CHECK OUT
“WHY I’M NOT SURE COMPETITIVE (TROUT) FLY FISHING WILL EVER WORK”
Read More »New Technical Outerwear From Simms
A BOLD NEW LOOK BORROWED FROM THE MILITARY.
Simms really stepped up their outerwear line this year. The new G4 pro jacket begs the question, “How much farther can you go?” The features of this jacket are amazing. The fit is outstanding and the design is inspired. I’ve had a couple of Simms jackets and this one is my favorite by far. Simms worked with US military contractors on the design and it’s bad to the bone. The new black model has the look to back it up.
In addition the new Kinetic Jacket is a well thought out update of one of my favorite Simms insulating pieces. A great combination of PrimaLoft and Polartec Wind Pro fleece that’s both warm and durable. These two pieces together will keep you warm and dry no matter how bad the weather gets.
Check out this video and Rich Hohne will walk you through all the features of the new Simms outer ware.
Read More »12 Tips for Taking Awesome Fishing Photos
WANT TO TAKE BETTER FLY FISHING PHOTOS?
Just the other day one our Facebook followers asked if I would post some tips for taking better fishing photos. I’ve written a good bit on the subject, but the articles are scattered across the site. I thought this would be a great opportunity to put together one source for some of my best photography tips and tricks.
So here it is, 12 tips that will make your fishing photos rock!
Holding Fish For Photos
The first step in getting a great shot of a fish is knowing how to hold it properly. I am constantly amazed how many anglers don’t know how to hold a fish for a photo, but to be fair, Kent and I have had a lot of practice and we have it down to a science. Here’s an article from each of us on the subject.
Hold That Fish
4 Tips For Getting A Better Picture Of Your Trophy
What if you’re fishing alone when you catch the fish of a lifetime?
No problem. Here’s an article that will give you plenty of options for getting a great shot.
Getting The Hero Shot When You’re Fishing Solo
Great photos start the basics.
Read More »Sunday Classic / Better Bonefish Retrieve
So you’ve found yourself a bonefish and you’ve made that big cast into the wind, now what?
The propped retrieve is key to success. There are several things keep in mind. The speed and length of the strip, keeping slack out of the system. And what if the fish follows but doesn’t eat? Bruce Chard is back to help you get it all right and hook that fish!
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Midcurrent Talks To Keaton
I ALWAYS ENJOY MARSHAL CUTCHIN’S INTERVIEWS.
They’re personal and pertinent, warm and wise. You just feel like you’re there in the room. Marshal’s recent interview with actor Michael Keaton is no different.
They discuss fly fishing, acting, bird hunting, mortality and the joy of bing lost in ones own focus, both on the river and in work. The interview is available in both audio and text.
Michael Keaton stars in the new film “Birdman” directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, a work that required “unbelievable patience.” ”Birdman” arrives in theaters on October 17, 2014.
INTERVIEW: MICHAEL KEATON ON ACTING AND FLY FISHING
Read More »Airflo Gets Good and Salty
AIRFLO HAS BEEN KNOCKING IT OUT OF THE PARK LATELY.
Their Super Dri line, which came out earlier this year is one of the best trout lines I’ve ever cast. You can read more about that line HERE. Now Airflo is stepping up their saltwater game by adding Bruce Chard to their list of expert line designers.
It’s easy to see how this is a game changer. Airflo is an industry leader in materials and technologies and I don’t know,two,guys who know more about fly casting than Tim Rajeff and Bruce Chard.
The new Airflow, Bruce Chard line will feature the Airflo Ridge Technology and well as a low stretch core and the new Airflo Zone Technology. I’ve cast the prototype and let me tell you, it’s dynamite.
Check out this video where Bruce and Tim walk you through the features of the new line.
Read More »8 of the Spookiest Waters to Fish
WARNING!
Your home water could be on this list and you may not even know that it is haunted. This is a fly fisher’s Halloween brought to you by Gink and Gasoline! Enjoy reading about the top 13 spookiest places to fish … Look out behind you!
#1) The Red River, TN
You can fish for striped bass, largemouth, catfish, and more all throughout the year on Tennessee’s Red River. Not only is it a great warmwater river to fish, but it also comes with a dark past. The story of the Bell Witch is one of the most well known supernatural stories in American history. President Andrew Jackson even acknowledged the tales of the witch spirit who terrorized Betsy Bell while he was in office! You can reach the famous Bell Witch Cave by the Red River, which runs by the Bell family property. A witch has terrorized this cave for centuries, and there have been a few eerie sightings of the Bell Witch on the Red River as well.
#2) The Potomac River, MD
The Potomac River is home to largemouth bass, striped bass, witches, and smallmouth bass. In Mallow’s Bay, which is apart of the Potomac River, you will find the biggest ship graveyard in the entire western hemisphere. Mallow’s Bay contains over 230 ships that were sunk in its waters. Not only does the Potomac River hold ghostly ship graveyard, but it also runs through the Black Hills – the famous location of the Blair Witch Project!
#3) Rock Creek, PA
Rock Creek, also known as the Monocacy River, is a well-known trout fishing destination on the East coast. Rock Creek is in south-central Pennsylvania and runs across the state borer into Maryland. You know what it also runs through? Rock Creek runs through Gettysburg, the site of the bloodiest battle in the history of the United States. Over 45,000 soldiers lost their lives by Rock Creek, and locals still report sightings of Confederate soldiers firing muskets across the once bloody waters.
Baby Tarpon Slam Fest
By Bruce Chard
IT’S FALL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS AND THE EXCITEMENT BUILDS EARLY IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO THE BOAT RAMP.
Its 83 degrees and still pitch dark outside. The AC in the truck is trying to cut through the high humidity. You can see limp flags, but doubt lingers that the water is actually glass calm until you reach that first bridge where you can inspect the true water conditions. AHHHH YES! Glass.
This not only confirms the guarantee of at least an enjoyable morning on the water, but also creates an instant increase in moisture build up on the outside of your lips, as you nervously lick them over and over. With every lick the RPMs on the truck engine increase as we envision how good the baby tarpon fishing should be.
These calm, hot and humid weather conditions combined with an increase in floating sea grass build up are common in the fall and play an important role in reducing oxygen content in the shallow water by early in the morning. This forces shrimp to leave the protection of the sea grass below and drives them up to the surface in search of more oxygen. As the shrimp try to reach the surface and break through the sea grass the baby tarpon and snappers are there to greet them.
Any shrimp that make it to the surface then get plucked up by any number of different sea birds hovering above. This creates an incredible feeding frenzy that can all be seen on the surface of the water from a long way away. Baby tarpon rely on these shrimp hatches as a main food source. Staging up in these areas during the fall months allows them to take advantage of shrimp hatches whenever the conditions are right.
I hear many of my anglers commen
Read More »The Gink and Gasoline Fly Shop 500
WHICH SHOP WILL BE THE 2014 FLY SHOP OF THE YEAR
2014 is winding down. It’s been a great year of fly fishing for us and we hope it has been for you! Now it’s time to show our support for the guys who have been behind us on every cast, every drift and every fish in the net. The good folks at our local fly shop! This year Gink and Gasoline is putting our money where our mouth is. We are giving some serious love to the best fly shop in the country, in the form of a year’s free advertising!
But who will decide which shop is best?
The 2014 Fly Shop of the Year will be decided by the most knowledgeable, most dedicated, most engaged anglers on the planet. You! Our readers.
FlyShop500headerTHE FLY SHOP 500 – TAKE YOUR SHOP ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.
This competition is comprised of twenty-seven of the most elite fly shops in the nation, all fighting for The Fly Shop 500 competition crown January 1st.
How to Play:
Click here to vote for your hometown or home-state fly shop
Share our content on our social media pages so your friends can vote too!
Spread the word!
The Winner will Receive:
An entire year of free advertising on Gink and Gasoline
Fly Shop 500 gear
Bragging rights for an entire year
DON’T WAIT! GIVE BACK TO YOUR FLY SHOP! THEY ARE COUNTING ON THEIR PIT CREW…
Read More »Sunday Classic / Carp on the Fly – 12 Q&A’s to Get You Ready
GOOD FRIEND AND FLY FISHING GUIDE, RYAN DUNNE HAS BEEN CAPITALIZING ON THE GROWING CARP BUZZ BY FLY ANGLERS LATELY.
Ryan commented, “I’ve seen a significant increase in carp fishing inquiries the last two years, and when the dog days of summer arrive and the trout fishing bite goes south, I now opt for poling my skiff and guiding my clients to carp on my local rivers and lakes”. Thank you Ryan for taking the time to sit down with Gink & Gasoline to answer twelve frequently asked questions about fly fishing for carp.
Have you found certain colors of fly patterns to be more effective than others?
I find that the water conditions and ambient light conditions dictate which color is more effective. I typically stick to four different colors when tying carp flies. They are black, brown, olive, and orange. Although the majority of my flies are tied in the aforementioned colors, I do tie with other colors as well.
Have you found certain fly tying materials (synthetics or natural) that carp seem to dislike?
I haven’t noticed a difference in carp behavior towards either type of material. However, most of my fly patterns contain a combination of both synthetic and natural fly tying materials.
What are a couple of your favorite go-to carp flies?
My two favorite patterns are the Carp Carrot and Carp Dragon.
Is the weight of your fly patterns critical and if yes, when do you prefer heavier flies?
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