If You're Too Busy to Go Fishing, Then You are Too Busy!

I have indeed been too busy!  I haven't hit the water a lot lately so I haven't had a lot of content to post about.  To give you a small taste of how busy I have been, here is a small list of things that have kept me from fishing.  I'm sure you will be able to relate to a few items.

1. Work
2. Sick kid
3. Piano lessons (youngest child)
4. Soccer practice (oldest  (oldest child)child)
5. Soccer game
6. Soccer practice (youngest child)
7. Soccer game (youngest child)
8. Part time jobs to compensate for inflation
9. A truck that broke down
10. Lawn care 
11. Lawn care machinery that broke down
12. Boat maintenance
13. A lack of sleep
14. Shorter days which mean less time to fish

I could continue, but you get the idea.  Please don't take that list as me complaining...actually, you can take it that way if you want...but that's life, right?  Things happen.  Life gets busy and sometimes to a degree that is out of your control.  Life is like a yin yang.  There is good mixed with bad.  There is way too busy mixed with too much time on your hands.  I've leaned on a few sayings lately and they are:

Tough times don't last, but tough people do.

and

It is always darkest right before the dawn.

I have a few outings that I have been fortunate enough to plan and I will have more fishing content soon.  Until then, I hope you are able to hit the water and make some solid memories.  When I get the chance to do the same, I will be sure to share some stories with you. 

I was Reminded Recently: Vary How You Retrieve a Streamer!

Recently, I fished a couple of farm ponds for some largemouth bass.  With the water temperatures cooling, I figured that the healthy population (or overpopulation in some cases) of bass would be ready to feed up due to increased metabolism.  There wasn't much wind on this particular day and I dedicated myself to only throwing a fly rod.  I also dedicated myself to throwing a white game changer as I had not yet fished this color in farm ponds for bass yet.  What I was expecting was to catch 100 bass on this fly.  What I got was a lesson in humility and problem solving.

The first pond that I went to didn't produce a single fish.  I had one take but missed it.  I decided that maybe the fish in this pond were...less than motivated to strike.  Rather than changing flies, I decided to change ponds.  I seriously considered changing flies but I really wanted to see if it was the pond or the fly so rather than changing two variables (changing flies and ponds), I just picked one.  I fully appreciate the luxury that is afforded to me by having multiple fishing locations to fish.  I also wanted to take advantage of the situation as well.

At the first pond, I almost exclusively used an hand over hand retrieve.  I cast out the fly, let it sink as I adjusted my hands, and began my hand over hand retrieve which gave the game changer an outstanding swimming motion.  When I arrived at the second pond, there was one spot that looked like it had everything that a bass needed.  There was structure, cover, a change in depth, and shade.  I decided to use the exact same retrieve as I had previously used.  This did not produce a single strike.  That's when I decided that it was not the location to blame.  It dawned on me that it could have been the fly itself that was to blame for not inducing a strike, or it could have been the retrieve.  The minute I switched to a retrieve that was erratic and with some pauses, that's when I started to catch fish!

I caught 6-7 fish while standing in one spot.  I missed about 4 more that I should have caught.  I then visited another nearby pond.  I caught two more fish there by using an erratic retrieve rather than one where the fly was in constant motion.  The moral of this story is if you are fishing a streamer, switch things up and let the fish communicate to you what they are wanting on that particular day.  I wish I would have been more flexible at the start of the day but sometimes you just have to learn or be reminded "the hard way".  Hopefully you can learn from my experience and have some good days on the water with a streamer as a result.

New Trail Cam Pictures and More Fishy Prints from my 3D Printer

Things have been busy around my house and around the farm.  The 3D printer has been cranking out toys and tools.  Three trail cameras have been capturing some amazing images as well.  Fall is always a fun time and I transition from a lot of fly fishing to more indoor-related activities.  I also tend to fish less and hunt more as well.  While these changes do affect my time on the water, I will keep up the posts with most of them still being centered around fly fishing.  In fact, there will be a fun post later this week about stripping streamers for largemouth bass.  Until then, these images will have to suffice but I hope you dig them!

I Didn't NEED a New Hobby...but Here We Are!

I didn't need a 3D printer, but I have wanted one for a couple of years now.  After pitching the idea to my youngest son and getting him on board with the idea, I decided to pull the trigger on one.  I chose to buy a used one off Facebook Marketplace because, on average, the 3D printers that I found were half the cost of a brand new one and already assembled.  This seemed like a win-win situation to me.  I picked up my printer on Sunday and was printing things as of yesterday morning.  However, that is making a long story short.

I didn't realize the learning curve that I would experience with this toy/tool.  There was a lot to learn and I didn't know where to start.  Since I bought the printer used, I didn't get the user manual, tools, or experience of assembling the machine.  I wasn't sure what software to use, how to use the software that I chose, or how to use the settings on the printer.  I learned a few things on Sunday on my own but also experienced a lot of frustration, a feeling of being overwhelmed, and some buyer's remorse.  

While reading online discussion boards, watching YouTube videos, and texting some folks that own 3D printers helped, I needed a teacher.  I needed a person to look at what I had, show me how it worked, and identify flaws that my printer had.  Luckily for me, the guy that teaches industrial technology at the school that work at has a lot of 3D printing experience and an extremely helpful demeanor.  He was able to show me things, correct errors that were present in the machine, and help me understand my misconceptions.  

This process reminded me of a couple of things.  For starters, I learned that learning something new can be really difficult and sometimes frustrating.  As a teacher, it seems like I should know this, but this endeavor was a reminder of the process.  It seems like the older we get, the less we take on new and difficult tasks.  When we do, it reminds us that learning something, especially something complex, is a challenge.  Second, there is no replacement for a good teacher.  Sure, I could have watched a bunch of videos and read a bunch of content online, but having an experienced, patient, and enthusiastic person to help me move past my confusion.

Now you might be wondering, what does this post have to do with fly fishing?  You would be justified in your thinking but here comes the purpose of this post.  I am hopeful that I will be able to 3D print some fly fishing tools and equipment in the coming weeks.  I've already printed a knot tying tool and fly line collector that can be attached to a belt.  I'll keep everyone posted about what I am making and will be sure to give field testing reviews as well.  I'm excited to see what I can make and I hope that you find this new endeavor to be interesting as well!

Frontline Fly Fishing: A Powerful Message of Hope and Healing

 

If you, or someone you know would benefit from being a part of Frontline Fly Fishing please feel free to email me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com or frontlineflyfishingmedia@gmail.com.

Ladies Fishing Day at Bennett Spring State Park, THIS SATURDAY!

Calling all lady anglers!  Bennett Spring State Park is hosting a Ladies Fishing Day event this Saturday, September 28 from 7:30 AM to 7:15 PM.  Aside from a designated fishing area for ladies only, there will be several fly tyers attending. Bennett Spring Fly Tying Group will be there and possibly handing out flies to the girls and ladies.  Capital City Fly Fishing Club will have door prizes there  in a drawing.  Those who wish to fish in this program will get a tag at the store and then to the designated area in Zone 2.  One of the best parts is that the fishing and participating in the event is all free!  Participants do not need a daily tag or even a fishing license.  Good luck to all that attend and I hope everyone in attendance has a great time catching beautiful fish in a pretty spot in the Ozarks.

 

I was Asked to Participate a Fly Tying Competition at The Iron Fly. Here's my Story- The Conclusion

So there I was, blindfolded and determined to tie the best wooly bugger that I could without my favorite of the five senses.  The mental picture of where my tools and materials were located was still fresh in my mind.  I knew that I was going to have to lean on that picture and a bunch of muscle memory to complete a fly that wasn't embarrassing.  

Surprisingly, things didn't feel as unnatural as I had expected.  The hook got secured in the vise, I attached my thread to the hook, and trimmed the tag of the thread with minimal problems.  Once I let go of wanting my vision back, I focused more on routine and feel.  I've tied a lot of wooly buggers in my life and that level of experience came in really useful.  I sure was glad that I wasn't tying an Adams or a Humpy.

This endeavor was not without a few hiccups though.  I got my thread wrapped around the point of the hook once.  There was also a moment when I dropped my hackle (feather) and panicked but eventually found it.  I also got the hackle wrapped around the point of the hook once as well but was able to reverse my wraps and get things back on track.  I eventually got to the step where I needed to whip finish my thread (that means make a knot so my fly doesn't unravel) and this was tricky too.  I gave a couple of whip finishes because I thought too many knots is better than no knot.  I was ready to remove my blindfold but, I'll be honest I was scared to look at the results.  

I didn't know what to expect.  Would I cast my eyes upon a hideous monstrosity or something that at least resembled a wooly bugger.  I wasn't expecting perfection at all, but I was hoping that maybe I tied something that was fishable.  When I finally built up the courage to open my eyes, I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw.  It wasn't bad.

I inspected my creation and took time to notice the flaws as well as unexpected but favorable components.  Some very kind folks shared some generous praise with me, and I'll be honest, my ego inflated a little.  It felt good.  It always feels good to receive compliments but one glance at my fly brought me back down to earth.  It wasn't awful but it could have been better.  Between the internal and external conversation, I completely forgot that this was a conversation.

At some point, Cody (my youngest son) pointed out that awards were being handed out.  While I hadn't inspected the other contest entries, I thought I had a shot at not being at the bottom of the rankings.  In all honesty, that was all I was hoping for.  I know, those are some pretty low standards but I struggle with self confidence and always have.  I heard the name of the third place finisher and it wasn't me.  That was fine.  I then heard the name of the runner-up, and that too, wasn't me.  Finally, my buddy Eric gave me a slap on the back and said something to the effect of, "Well, I guess we are going to have to give this one to The Show Me Fly Guy."

What happened after that was a blur.  I can only liken it to what people experience when they win the Super Bowl and are then asked, "What are you going to do now?"  The only words I had were, "Are you serious?  Oh my gosh!  That's awesome!"  I had never won a fly tying contest before and at the risk of sounding egotistical, it felt really good.  That feeling didn't last long and humility rushed in without any hesitation.

I realized that I was standing in the presence of heroes and that is not an exaggeration.  It took seconds to realize that my small victory was miniscule when compared to what the other attendees had experienced.  Make no mistake about it, I valued every handshake and hug that I received from folks that I respect and appreciate more than I can describe.  I am not a veteran or a frontline worker.  I get to revel in and appreciate the freedoms that these fine folks have afforded me.  I get to tie flies blindfolded because of the efforts and sacrifices of our frontline workers.  

For a moment, I felt like an equal, but it was fleeting.  I'm not on the level of folks but I try to appreciate them at every chance I get.  So if you're a frontline worker or a member of Frontline Fly Fishing or a veteran of public service, please know that I appreciate you and everything that you have done for the citizens of the United States.  All of us that are indebted to you, appreciate what you have given us.  The trophy that I will proudly display for the rest of my life is not one of pride, but an acknowledgement of a tip of the cap from legends and heroes.

I was Asked to Participate a Fly Tying Competition at The Iron Fly. Here's my Story- Part 1

I went to the Iron Fly to support a good cause and hang out with some outstanding folks.  While I was aware of a few fly tying competitions, it was not my intent to participate in them.  I just wanted to hang out and enjoy the social component of the event.  Eric, the coordinator of the event, had an alternative agenda as I would find out.

My youngest son Cody and I arrived shortly after the "Beginner Fly Tying Competition" and I was disappointed that I missed seeing what the participants had created.  Eric informed me that the "Advanced Fly Tying Competition" would be starting shortly.  I informed him that I wasn't planning on participating and certainly didn't want to take the place of someone that wanted to participate.  As Eric was working his way around the table and setting up for the challenge, he pulled out a chair in front of me and said, "Here you go.  This spot is for you."  While I was hesitant to join the competition, I certainly didn't want to be rude to the host of the event either.  Reluctantly, I had a seat.

It is important to note that I am an incredibly competitive person.  I was taught at a young age to take competition seriously and to always give my best effort.  The minute I sat in the chair, I started to try to figure out what the details of the competition were going to be so I could start mentally preparing a strategy to do well.  When Eric handed me a piece of fabric and told me that this was the first part of the competition, I was confused.  My heads up came when I heard someone down the table say, "Oh, it's a blindfold."

"Oh good gracious.  Are you kidding me?"  Those were the first thoughts that ran through my head.  I have never tied a fly while blindfolded and the idea was intimidating.  A small amount of relief came when I found out the type of fly that we were tying.  Eric handed me the materials that I needed and I tried to organize them in a sequential way in front of me.  I also arranged my tools in a way that made sense to me as well.  I tried to take the best mental picture that I could right before putting on the blindfold.  When we were given the signal to start by Eric, I put on my blindfold with a little hesitation and entered a world of darkness.

Iron Fly, Presented by Frontline Fly Fishing, was Amazing!

I wanted to give a short recap on the Iron Fly that I have promoted a few times, especially since it was my first time attending the event.  I had tried to attend in the past but something always seemed to get in the way.  To say that I had a wonderful time would be a gross understatement!  The people were amazing, the events were fun, and it's just fun to hang out with like-minded folks.  There were fly tying competitions, a live auction, and a silent auction.  There was a raffle, amazing food, and time to just socialize which was really nice.  There was an amazing video that was shared that I hope to share on this site soon as well as a special presentation of a bamboo fly rod to a special member of the organization.  

I want to make sure that I make it very clear to everyone that I have never served in the military or as a frontline worker.  I haven't witnessed the tragedies that many of the members of this organization have witnessed.  Frontline Fly Fishing's goal is to connect frontline workers in a way that allows them to share their experiences and receive support from fellow members.  While I have not been a part of that component of the group, what I have witnessed is my heroes (and that's not an exaggeration) be as passionate about fly fishing and fly tying as any humans that I have ever met.  There has not been a single instance where I have ever witnessed a group member reveal their inner struggles and every time I hang out with these folks, they are nothing but happy and enthusiastic.  

What that says to me, as an outsider looking in, is that the group must me accomplishing it's mission.  That's what I see on my end at least.  The folks that are members and facilitators of Frontline Fly Fishing are as kind, warm, and welcoming as any people you will ever meet.  If you know of someone, or maybe even yourself, that would benefit from being a part of such an organization, please email me and I will put you in touch with the right folks.  I've seen this group change lives and I foresee it continuing to positively impact the lives of people for a long time.  Please email me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com if you would like some contact information and/or more details about the organization.

Winter is Coming

This is your friendly reminder that fishing, in a lot of places, is going to start slowing down in the coming months.  If you need some extra motivation to hit the water this weekend, there it is.  Sure, trout streams can be fished all year long as well as lakes stocked with trout.  For me though, I live quite a ways from those places and don't get to access them as much as I would like.  If you fish warm water impoundments, the fishing should be getting better as water temps cool this fall but you will notice a sharp drop off when the temps get to a low enough temperature that fish slows fish metabolism and fish activity. 

On the other hand, if you are a deer hunter, like myself, deer seasons is going to be heating up in the next few months.  I've been checking trail cameras for a few weeks now and wanted to share some pictures that I have received.  I'm actually thinking about bowhunting for the first time in decades in an effort to extend my season and get outdoors a little more when the fishing slows down.

Regardless what you do, I hope you get outdoors this weekend to enjoy some peace and serenity.