More Double Fly Rigs

I guess double fly rigs are the flavor of the week here at the site.  This article was written by the man, the myth, the legend that is Joe Cermele and covers some interesting strategies I have never seen before.  The ideas are creative and the graphics are extremely helpful.  I'm not sure how useful these techniques might be for stocked rainbows in lakes, but I bet with a little brainstorming, you could develop your own rig that just might become your best fly fishing idea you've ever conceived.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/double-fly-rigs-for-winter-trout

Live Hank Patterson Event

While I don't think I'll be able to make it to the Egyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho, on December 9, I know I will be watching this at some point!  Enjoy the Q and A at the end because its vintage Hank!

2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour: Dubai on the Fly Trailer

Well it looks like we have our first trailer from the 2018 Fly Fishing Film Tour.  As always, it looks like an interesting story from an interesting location.  Where else would you expect to see fly fishing film footage from Dubai?  That's one of the things that makes the F3T so amazing!

One Fly or Two? What Should You Do?

This is an interesting dilemma that I often wrestle with on the water.  I have had a little success with 2 fly rigs, but I usually fall back on the simplicity of a 1 fly set-up.  However, this article is pretty helpful in solving some of the issues that arise in tandem fly fishing.

Link: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/one-fly-or-two/7714499

Happy Thanksgiving

With this being Thanksgiving, and with a moment to reflect on what I am thankful for, I decided to create a top ten list.  Now this list isn't going to be one of those sappy ramblings about family, freedom, and friends (although I'm very grateful for all of those things, don't get me wrong).  Instead, this going to have a fishing theme and will be a little more lighthearted.  Life is WAY too serious sometimes and I prefer to take a break from the high priority mumbo jumbo every once in awhile.  So let's get started.  Feel free to leave a comment below with your own items or agreements/disagreements.

The Fly Guy's Top Ten Fishing Related Thingees that He is Most Thankful For!

10.  Fly Fishing Stickers/Shirts
I'm not going to lie, I love to show off that I'm a fly fishermen.  Let's be honest, we're a bit of a subculture in the fishing community.  We're quirky, rare, and purposefully make something that can be difficult even more difficult.  I love running into other people of similar mentalities and personalities.  We're a pretty cool bunch...a little odd at times...but a fun group nonetheless.

9.  A Perfect Cast...Which is Rare For Me
Every once in awhile, I pop off a cast that feels like what Lefty Kreh must feel all the time he tosses line.  When this happens, I have no idea what I did and can't replicate it for the rest of the day but keep trying.  It probably feels like a 300 yard drive, dunking a basketball, or hitting an over-the-fence homerun.  I've only done one of those and here's a hint- I hate golf and I stink at baseball.

8.  The Rip
Aside from a baby's laugh, there are few sounds I like in this world as much as the sound of fly line ripping off the water when setting the hook on a fish.  If you've never taken the time to appreciate this sound, I highly suggest you try it.

7.  BIG Mounted Fish
Fish mounts get my attention.  New ones, old ones, unique ones...it doesn't matter.  There is always something to be appreciated from mounts.  Whether it is the artistry, size, or uniqueness of the mount, I dig it!

6.  Farm Ponds
I never take for granted the fact that some very kind people have allowed me to fish their private ponds over the course of my lifetime.  I grew up on farm ponds and will hopefully spend the rest of my days enjoying their bounty.  Many of my funnest days and most memorable catches have come from farm ponds.  I don't know where I would be today without them!

5.  Striper Hybrids/Wipers on the Fly
Don't get me wrong, I am NOT an expert on catching these critters but I sure love catching them when I can.  I honestly believe that they are the hardest fighting fish that we have in Missouri that you can target on the fly.  If I knew how to target flathead catfish I might sing a different tune but I have no idea how to do that.  No offense to the trout and smallmouth fishermen, but I think a 4 pound wiper would pull a 4 pound rainbow or smallie around by the tail all day long!

4.  4 Weight Fly Rods
I have often written about my evolution from being a strict 6 weight guy to a more sensitive fella that prefers a 4 weight.  I just love feeling more connected to the fish and feeling their every move during a fight.

3.  Bennett Spring State Park/The Niangua River
When I want to catch some trout, I go to these places.  When I want lots of dumb pellet heads, Bennett is the place.  When I want to feel like I really accomplished something and want to appreciate every single fish I catch, I go to the Niangua.

2.  The Missouri Department of Conservation
I gotta pay homage right here to MDC.  Without them, most of this list isn't possible.  Thanks MDC for all you do for us and for giving us places to fish and so many species to chase.

1 B.  The Thrill of the Unknown
This is the point right?  When you go fishing, you have no idea what species you might catch or how big the fish might be.  You might catch 20 fish or you might catch 2.  You might catch a bunch of dinks or the fish of a lifetime.  You never know what is going to happen which, to me at least, makes our fine sport the most interesting in the world!

1 A.  YOU!!!
I know, I know.  I said I wasn't going to get sappy but I can't help it.  I love managing and writing for this blog but I wouldn't do it anymore without the views and readers.  Thank you so much for reading and visiting my small site.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you from the bottom of my heart of taking the time to visit this site.  It means a lot to me!

Once in a Blue Moon

To my utter shock and amazement, I realized this morning that I have never shared one of my favorite fly fishing videos.  This sucker gives me goosebumps every time I watch it and I hope it evokes similar feelings with you.  If you like big trout, mouse flies, and aggressive takes, well then buddy, you've come to the right place.

The Wade From Postfly

Let me preface this with the fact that I am NOT a subscriber to Postfly and I am NOT getting reimbursed for this post in any way, shape, or form.  With that in mind, I had to pass along a few really interesting posts that the company has up on their blog.  There's some interesting stuff, some funny stuff, and some free stuff.  So if you like stuff...and I bet you do...you should check out some of the links below.  Besides, it's the week of Thanksgiving!  What better way to give thanks for the blessings in your life than to read about one of your favorite things in life?

Big Giveaway
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/11/13/our-2nd-annual-ultimate-giveaway/

5 Weight Chronicles
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/25/estrada-5wt-chronicles-georgia-brown/

Tying a Clouser
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/12/how-to-tie-the-clouser-minnow/

The Fight
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/25/thank-you-internet-the-fight/

Huck Your Meat
Link: https://postflybox.com/blog/2017/09/18/thank-you-internet-huck-your-meat/

Streamer Chronicles- Chris Willen

This is pretty amazing interview with an extremely interesting guy.  Chris Willen seems like a down-to-earth kind of guy that you could spend all day in a boat with and at the end of the day you would think to yourself "Where did the last 12 hours go?"  I don't know if I will ever personally get to chase musky with a fly rod, but if I do, I will definitely take some of this guy's advice.  It's kind of a long video (15 minutes) but once I started it, I couldn't stop watching!  Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Missouri Flies

Now this is my kind of guy!  I didn't see any of his fly fishing videos that included trout, but this guy can catch some fish.  He's a testament to the fact that you can fly fish for a wide range of species here in Missouri and that there are a wide range of tactics you can use.  We live in an amazing state and this guy is making the most of the water he has available to him even thought it doesn't have any Salmo trutta or crystal clear streams.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfyC7eVxPbpKFWn8rLdT2g

Hooks and Knots and a Trail of Dots

I like to play a game I call “Connect the Dots.” I usually do it with news articles that appear unrelated at first, but which do have a connection when viewed from a different perspective. Here’s a string of dots that stretches around the world, from Vietnam to Baghdad to the United States, and twice to south-central Pennsylvania.

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing has announced the five finalists in its National Fly Tying Competition. These finalists will be invited to the International Fly Tying Symposium Nov. 11-12 in Lancaster, PA.

While attending the two-day symposium, the finalists will demonstrate their fly tying skills at the PHWFF booth. They will also have the opportunity to attend the many fly fishing programs and fly tying demonstrations offered during the event. At the close of the symposium, the overall winners will be announced at an awards ceremony.

While a member of ground forces support at Camp Victory in Iraq, Joel Stewart, then a Navy Lieutenant Commander, started the Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing, giving troops an opportunity to fish in the compound’s many man-made lakes during their downtime. Stewart, now a Captain, is a great friend and supporter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing.

The finalists are: Jeremy Bristol, Syracuse Program, Northern New York Region; Trent Myer, Ft. Drum Program, Northern New York Region; Robert Fletcher, Denver Program, Rocky Mountain South Region; Joe Jackson, Indianapolis Program, Midwest Region; and Son Tao, Indianapolis Program, Midwest Region. The list of finalists does not include any participants in our Greater Kansas City Program, but we congratulate all five and wish them the best at the symposium.

I didn’t even realize that there were dots to connect, until I saw the name Son Tao in the list of finalists. The name looked familiar and, as I scratched my head, I tried to remember why (when you reach my age, you’ll understand). After a while the connection came to me. But let’s start at the beginning.

From his book “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag,” Joel Stewart poses with his catch from a Camp Victory lake in Baghdad.

Several years ago – this would have been in 2005 (remember that year, because it adds a couple of dots to this story) – I read an article in Field & Stream about a fishing club formed among ground forces at Camp Victory in Baghdad, in the occupied palace of deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The site included many man-made lakes that were stocked with carp and other native and exotic warm water species. One of the officers, a Navy Lieutenant Commander named Joel Stewart, had the good fortune of having packed a fly rod with him, and he spent his free time trying to attract these fish to his collection of flies.

As interest in Stewart’s pastime grew, the Baghdad Anglers Club and School of Fly Fishing was formed, and the Field & Stream article requested donations of fly fishing tackle for the group. At the time, I was working part-time at the Bass Pro Shop in Independence, and I and my co-workers in the Fly Shop were more than happy to use our employee discount to purchase equipment and send it to our troops in Iraq.

The BAC-SFF continued for the next five or six years. It even had a web site. As troops were moved out of Camp Victory, Stewart was reassigned although the club continued until Camp Victory was transitioned to the Iraqi government near the end of 2011.

An example of Son Tao’s fly tying ability. He is also a master photographer.

1^st Sgt. Son Tao of the Indianapolis Program is one of the five finalists in this year’s Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing National Fly Tying Competition. The finalists will attend the International Fly Tying Symposium in Lancaster, PA, this month, where the overall winners will be announced.

Fast forward a few years. Stewart is now a captain. The BAC-SFF lives on in a book he wrote about his experiences, titled “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag,” published by Wordpress in 2012 (I gave my copy to one of our participants, and it’s making its way through our group), and in shirts, coffee cups and other items available from Cafepress. There are links to both Wordpress and Cafepress on Stewart’s blogspot, https://krazygoof.wordpress.com/ and a portion of the proceeds from all sales goes to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization founded by Capt. Ed Nicholson, USN-Ret., in – do you remember the year? – that’s right, it was 2005, the same year Stewart began the BAC-SFF.

Now, about Son Tao, one of the five finalists in this year’s PHWFF National Fly Tying Competition. He was born in the war-torn Vietnam, and his family fled to Malaysia when the Republic of Vietnam fell to the Communists. They settled in the United States where Son learned to fish, went to high school, joined the Army Reserves upon graduation and earned his electrical engineering degree from Lehigh University. After six years in the Army Reserves, he transitioned out of the military and into the private sector.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, however, Son rejoined the Army. Five combat deployments and two Purple Hearts later, he found out about fly tying, and then about Project Healing Waters. Ever the perfectionist, his very first fly looked like it was tied by a professional. Son, already an accomplished engineer, a decorated soldier and a master photographer, is now a world-class fly tyer.

All of this information I learned from an article I read online about 1^st Sgt. Son Tao. (http://www.projecthealingwaters.org/announcements/a-soldiers-way-by-joel-stewart/) The profile was written by Capt. Joel Stewart.

I recommend reading “A Fly Rod in My Sea Bag.” It’s a great story by a great American who had a job to do and made it better by helping the people around him. I also recommend reading “A Soldier’s Way.” It’s a great story about a great American, too, one who has benefitted from – and is now helping others benefit from – Project Healing Waters.

Oh, and one more dot in the link – when Son travels to the International Fly Tying Symposium in Lancaster, PA, this month, he’ll be returning home. Because when his family arrived in the United States, they were sponsored by a Mennonite family and settled in Lancaster County, PA.

Now you know what John Muir was talking about when he said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” In this case, it’s all tied together with fly line.

Elk Shot in Missouri

If you haven't heard the strange news yet, an elk was shot in Missouri last weekend during the opening of firearms season for whitetail deer.  I know this has nothing to do with fishing, but it is such a strange and interesting event for Missouri that I just had to share it.  Click on the link for the entire story.

Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/13/missouri-girl-14-thought-she-shooting-deer/860605001/

Life of Fly

Yesterday, Moldy Chum featured a video on its site and I had to pass it along.  I don't know about you, but there are definitely a few flies that I have that are special to me and have reached retirement.  If you have a soft spot or a sentimental part, this video is going to hit home.  On another note, I am going to be sharing this video with my middle school fly fishing club.  Prior to them tying their second fly (ever), I hope this video sends a couple of messages to them.  For one, I hope they will understand how our sport is based on science but has so much art and creativity to it.  Finally, I hope they see that they don't have to be one of those anglers that keeps flies and spots to him/herself  but instead tries to spread the love and wealth of our sport through thoughtfulness and generosity.  If you watch the video, I think you'll see what I mean!

Link: https://vimeo.com/242459892

Warm Water Discharge Lakes

While this video doesn't address fly fishing related information, it is still useful for those of us that might be planning on fishing lakes with warm water discharges.  I've heard stories about fishing some of these places and no doubt they can be productive spots all winter long. 

Thomas Hill Reservoir is probably the most popular and widely known warm water discharge lake in the state.  I have never personally fished it but would love to this winter if I can work it out.  Here's a link for more information on Thomas Hill.

Link:  https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/thomas-hill-reservoir-ca

The Rainbows are Here...for Some of Us.

For those of us that live in the Kansas City, Missouri, area it is on much like the popular 80's arcade game Donkey Kong.  A couple of days ago the Missouri Department of conservation announced that it has recently stocked some lakes in the Kansas City area with rainbow trout.  So if you're not headed into the deer woods for opening weekend of rifle season, I hope you're able to get out and catch a few of our yearly visitors.  If you ARE headed into the timber and fields, I wish you the best of luck and hope that you stay safe.  Enjoy your weekend and get outdoors!  The weather is only going to get worse from this point on so enjoy what we have left!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-stocks-rainbow-trout-winter-fishing

Fly Tying: Double Deceiver....Reimagined

This is an AMAZING articulated fly that should be a challenge for the novice or the experienced.  Good luck and happy tying!

Tagging Millions of Salmon and Steelhead with Automated Fish Marking Sys...

Holy macaroni!  I think it is pretty safe to say that the state of Idaho loves their steelhead and salmon.  This is a heck of an operation and worth taking 5 minutes to watch!

20 Inches Stone

If you are anything like me, it's about that time of year to dust off the fly tying vice and materials.  Personally, my fly boxes are starting to look a little empty and need to be filled.  I prefer to spend my winter months tying, and the rest of year fishing.  I'm not sure if I am in the majority or minority here, but that's my method.  This is the time of year that I spend refilling boxes with my staple flies and experimental ones for the coming year.  This fly looks like a good one to include for next season!

Link: http://www.flyfishfood.com/2017/11/20-incher-stone.html?mc_cid=dcfb0e18f9&mc_eid=6b3831ef40&m=1

Vlog 6 -- Behind the Scenes, Streamer Chronicles

I'll be honest, there's not a whole lot of fishing going on in this video but there is something about this guy that I love and he makes me laugh.

Fly Rod Reviews- You Know You Need a New Trout Rod!

Recently, Field and Stream published an article that reviewed fly rod models with three different budgets in mind.  The criteria that was used for the reviews was really well worded and thought out.  I thought since Christmas is on the horizon, you might want to add one of these puppies to your wish list.  Personally, I think I am going to be asking for (in the immortal words of Randy Moss) "straight cash homey" so I can purchase the best all-around rod!  Here's a hint, it's the same one that Hank Patterson wants.

Link: https://www.fieldandstream.com/how-to-buy-new-trout-fly-rod-on-any-budget#page-7

Project Healing Waters Fundraiser- November 4

I just wanted to take one last opportunity to remind everyone about the Project Healing Waters Benefit at K & K Fly Fishers in Overland Park, Kansas, this Saturday from 10:00-3:00.  There will also be a casting contest at 11:00.  I am going to try and make it out there for some of the fun and festivities and I hope to see you there!  It is a great event that benefits a great cause so if you feel moved to donate in some capacity, I have no doubt that it would be appreciated and useful!

The Rainbows are Coming! The Rainbows are Coming!

While the air and water temperatures are getting lower and most of the warm water fish species here in Missouri are becoming more lethargic, some bodies of water are about to heat up in terms of the fishing.  The Missouri Department of Conservation recently announced that their Winter Trout Stocking Program will be kicking off soon and many lakes around the state are about to be stocked with Rainbow Trout.  So even though the weather is starting to change for the worse (in my humble opinion), the fishing on some lakes is about to get a whole lot better.  For more info about the program, visit the first link below.  Admittedly, I have had some days of getting skunked while chasing these stockers, but then there have been some good days and a rare excellent day.  You never know what type of day you're going to have (which is one reason that I love fishing so much) so get out there and try to catch these seasonal visitors!

Link: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/winter-trout-fishing-kicks-november

Here's a list of lakes that trout will be socked in this winter.

Link: https://huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/fishing/species/trout/trout-where-fish/winter-trout-fishing-areas