Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
Five long years had past since I’d last set foot on a flats boat in the Florida Keys.
My previous trip I had left the keys vowing to not return until I was a more capable saltwater fly fisher. A few things were in my favor this time around. The five years that elapsed, had allowed me to drastically increase my fly casting skills. I wasn’t worried anymore about making quick backhand casts to tarpon trying to slip out the backdoor. Targets at eighty feet no longer seemed an impossible distance to reach, and most importantly, I had permanently imprinted in my brain, “Thou shall never set thy hook like a trout fisherman”. There was no doubt I was going to be much more prepared this trip, but even with all the drastic improvements in my saltwater game, I’d still have to cope with being rusty as hell.
Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
I don’t recall whether it was Louis or I that came up with the saying, “Don’t get mad, get even”. What I do know is I started silently chanting those five words on the bow after both of us blew shots at high happy tarpon that first day of fishing. It had become crystal clear to me that the worst thing saltwater anglers can do to themselves is get mad and lose their cool on the water. Doing so, anglers will almost certainly throw away any chances of having success. If you blow a cast or screw up a hook set, the best thing you can do is
All New G&G Bahamas Bonefish Schools
Big changes are coming for the 2018 Bahamas Bonefish School, Jan 13-20 and 20-27, 2018.
The Bonefish School on South Andros is one of our most popular trips. It’s hands down the best way to shorten the learning curve for saltwater fly fishing and build the skills and good habits you need to be a successful and self-sufficient saltwater angler. Many anglers return year after year to enjoy the camaraderie, the laid-back atmosphere and the amazing fishing on South Andros.
This season we are upgrading the experience with a new venue. I will be hosting 2 weeks at the famous Bair’s Lodge. Part of the Nervous Waters family, Bair’s offers a relaxed, unpretentious vibe with personal service and amenities unmatched on the island. Delicious food, an exceptional guide staff, a fleet of brand new Maverick skiffs and an in-house fly shop are just a few of the things which set Bair’s apart. I am excited to be partnering with them to provide the best experience possible. Check out the Bair’s site; you’ll like what you see.
“Reid and I both could not have asked for a better trip — in large part thanks to time you dedicated to answering our numerous questions and to teach us about everything from strip setting to casting to tying flies and leaders. We learned more about fishing in our one week at South Andros than we have in our entire lives previously.”- John Hamilton
NOT SURE HOW HOSTED TRIPS WORK? CLICK HERE.
The School
Don’t stress, there will not be a test. The Bonefish School is as laid back as it gets. On our arrival, I offer my Bonefish 101 primer to anyone who is interested. This brief rundown is designed to prepare you for your week and get you off on the right foot. Anglers who are new to the salt always find it enlightening. Repeat offenders appreciate it as a refresher and as a great opportunity to heckle me!
I will work with you to be sure that you have your gear set up for success and feel confident stepping onto the bow, whether it’s your first time or your thousandth. Each day you will fish with a guide who not only put you on bonefish, but reinforce the techniques needed for success. I will be available to work with you individually as needed, to answer questions, work on casting or just mix drinks. I am there to see that you have the best possible experience. You don’t need any saltwater experience to have a blast and catch plenty of fish.
The Fishing
I’ll never forget how excited I was the first time I visited South Andros. Before my trip I asked a friend what to expect. He thought for a moment and said,
Read More »Sunday Classic / Yellowhammers and Specks
“I thought you might like these,” my brother Tom holds out an old yellowed envelope. “I found them going through some of Pete’s things.”
William Starling Cahill, who preferred to be called Pete, was my Grandfather and the man who taught me to fly fish. He’s been gone for many years now but from time to time little gems that he left behind will turn up. My brother now lives in Pete’s old house which puts him in a good position to uncover relics.
I open the envelope and into my hand spill two feathers, dark down one edge and bright yellow along the other. “Ooooohh,” I exclaim and catch Tom’s eye, “Unobtainium.”
Yellowhammer is what we call them here in the south. The Yellow Shafted Flicker, a delicate little woodpecker who’s hammering used to echo off the hills of the Southern Appalachians. He’s almost completely silent now, shotgunned to the brink of extinction. Just having those two little feathers now could land me in jail. The Yellowhammer is heavily protected, now that it’s pretty much too late.
Yellowhammer is what we call the fly too. The one that’s tied from those feathers. It’s a wild, buggy looking thing. You wouldn’t expect a trout to eat it, but they do, like there’s no tomorrow. It’s a pattern as old as the little abandoned country church I pass on the gravel mountain road that leads to the stream I don’t tell anyone about. It’s as old as the graves there in the church yard and just as forgotten, but I still fish it.
It’s the perfect fly to catch Southern Appalachian Brook Trout. The Brookie, or Speck as they used to call them, is our only native trout. Forced south from New England by the ice age long before there was an England, new or old. When the ice retreated, like lots of folks who visit the south, the brookies stayed. They evolved, adapted to their new home and, like the Scotts and Irishmen who came to these mountains, they ended up just a little different from their northern cousins.
They are as scarce as the yellowhammer now, but with none
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Tenkara Tying
A collection of Kaberi tying videos from Northwest Tenkara.
It’s been a while since we had some good tenkara info so I though I’d share these great tying videos. Like all things tenkara, these flies are simple but effective. I’m especially fond of the Midge Kaberi and I think it’s a better midge imitation than many traditional western flies. This begs the question, should we be fishing midge kaberi on our western fly rods. I think so.
You can find more great Tenkara content at Northwest Tenkara and more videos on their YouTube Channel.
3 GREAT KABERI TYING VIDEOS.
Read More »Tim Rajeff on Casting Heavy Flies: Video
Here are some tips for casting heavy flies and tandem setups without pain or tangles.
No one enjoys casting a lot of weight but sometimes thats what it takes to be effective. all too often it means a lump on the head or spending half your day untying knots. Sound familiar? Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.
There’s an easy way to cast weighted flies and avoid the complications. Tim Rajeff is back to show you how to cast the heavy stuff without a helmet.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR MORE CASTING TIPS FROM TIM RAJEFF.
Read More »4 Worm Patterns I Always Carry In My Fly Box
Worm Fly Patterns That Consistently Catch Fish
It’s no secret worm patterns are super consistent most of the year for catching both stocked and wild trout. They work especially well for stocked fish, after a big rain, and during the spring, winter, and fall seasons. I’ve had days when the only thing I could get trout to eat was a san juan worm. There’s a bunch of haters out there that will not fish them, claiming it’s the next closest thing to fishing a real earthworm, but look in their fly box and I bet you’ll find a few. I on the other hand, have no problem fishing worm patterns, because they do a great job of keeping my clients rods bent, which in turn, pays my bills. To top it all off, worm patterns are among the cheapest and easiest fly patterns for me to tie. I can rip out about a dozen in less than ten minutes, for about $2.50 worth of materials. Choosing to put worm patterns in your fishing line-up, will almost certainly put more fish in your net. Below are four worm patterns I always keep in my fly box.
A Resource Worth Fighting For
On April 12th, the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee approved Bill 10 to build a reservoir to curb Lake Okeechobee discharges.
Finally we are close to some meaningful action, which could help restore the premier U.S. fishery. Clean waters and natural flows are one of the most crucial conservation challenges of our generation. Only by restoring the natural flow of clean, fresh water into the Everglades can we save the fisheries of the Everglades, Florida Bay and the Florida Keys. Now is time to make our voices heard by the Florida House. They are all that stands between us and real, lasting change.
Don’t kid yourself that this is a done deal. There are lots of folks behind this bill, on both sides of the aisle, but there is big money against it. The sugar industry does not want it to pass, so we have to keep the pressure on. Even if you don’t live in Florida, speak up. Remember, Florida relies on its tourists. We all have a voice in this.
Last time I called Florida “America’s greatest fishery,” I got some push back from anglers around the country. I’m not knocking your fisheries, but tell me this, Where else can you find hundreds of species of fish, some weighing in over 200 pounds and traveling in schools of hundreds, and every single one of them is wild? If you are not fishing in Florida, you should be.
Please watch the video, produced by Orvis, below. I’m proud to be a sponsor of the film and happy to support the good work Perk Perkins and Orvis are doing on this effort. You can help, too.
Here’s what you can do to help:
Read More »The Orvis US Made Mirage Fly Reel: Review
The USA-Made Mirage Makes Its Debut
It’s been a big push for some time now… Fly rods, reels, lines, gear, accessories, clothing; Anglers want more products made stateside, as opposed to the cheaper, foreign alternatives. This typically means a steeper price, but with that also comes a more reliable, quality product. And anglers have shown they are willing to pay the higher prices to get a better product. Thankfully, many companies within the fly fishing world have listened to their customers and made the necessary moves to get more USA-made gear into fly shops.
Photo Caption: (Orvis is one of those companies that is making a big push to manufacture more USA-made products in order to continue the tradition of providing some of the finest gear to fly anglers everywhere.)
The new Orvis Mirage hit the scene this past summer at IFTD and many that attended the show were impressed by the looks, features, and specifications that this new reel boasted. However, what I was most excited about was the fact that this reel was made 100% in the US of A. Finally!!! Orvis has been hand rolling some of the best rods on the planet right here in Vermont for decades, and now there is finally a high-performance reel, that is proudly made in Vermont, that will wear the Orvis name.
So what about this Made in USA Mirage is going to make it great?
At first look, the new Mirage
Read More »Sunday Classic / Stretch Thy Fly Line
Are you looking for more a little more distance in your cast? Is your fly line not shooting through your guides as easy as it should? Is it lacking that fresh from the box high floating buoyancy? Are you spending more time untangling your fly line than fishing? If your answer to any of the above questions is yes, you should think about taking a couple minutes before hitting the water to stretch your fly line out.
Read More »Saturday Shoutout / Kharlovka
If you’ve ever dreamed of skating a fly for Atlantic Salmon, this film will make your heart pound.
Almost a mythical beast, the Atlantic Salmon excites anglers like no other species. With runs dwindling and the future of this fish in doubt, it’s wonderful to see steps being taken to preserve them and their habitat.
Take a trip to the Kharlovka Atlantic Salmon Preserve, with film maker jako Lucas, and get a gleams of the past, and if we are all very lucky, maybe the future.
ENJOY KHARLOVKA
Read More »