Fly Tying: Gunnar Brammer's The Chosen One

When I first saw this fly, I'll be honest, I wasn't particularly impressed.  It just looked kind of, well, blah.  However, after watching the video and getting a feel for what this fly might look like underwater, I really dig it!  If I were to tie it, I would probably replace a few materials with what I have on hand as to follow our local "Stay at Home" orders.  If you tie it, good luck.  If you fish it, I wish you maximum luck.

Link to Fly Fishing the Ozarks YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH9Ra827nueyjCl3h7aLwvA

Fishing is BACK!!!!!!

What I SHOULD say is that fishing is back for me, personally.  I understand a lot of us live in different locations, fish for different species, and use different techniques...but where I live and how I fish, it is now GAME ON!  I got to hit the water some this weekend and fished a number of small bodies of water.  I caught fish on small jigs under indicators and on spinnerbaits.  The white bass, small largemouth, and crappie were caught about 40 feet off the bank and 4 feet under an indicator.  The bigger largemouth were caught on spinnerbaits near the bank.  The largemouth bass and bluegill seem to still be making their way to the shallows and aren't quite ready for full on feeding frenzy mode, but they are getting there!  

Meateater Article and a Plea for Rainbow Fly Shop

This article is a reminder about how small businesses like fly shops and guide services are really struggling to generate income right now.  Don't get me wrong, a lot of people are struggling with finances right now, but this focuses on the outdoors industry.  They aren't more important than anyone else but they might hold a special place in your heart.  If you can send some business their way or maybe help them out in other ways, I am sure your efforts would be greatly appreciated.

Link: https://www.themeateater.com/hunt/gear/outdoors-businesses-suffering-and-adapting-amidst-coronavirus-outbreak

On a personal note, I would like to refer you to Rainbow Fly Shop in Independence, Missouri.  It is the only fly shop in the Kansas City, Missouri, area.  Obviously, Kansas City isn't a fly fishing hub or anything so you can understand why it is the only one and why it doesn't have much competition.  With the utmost sincerity, I am asking you with all of my heart, if you have the need or want, to send some business their way.  I am putting my money where my mouth is too.  I just picked up some materials from Matt (store owner) on Wednesday.  I'm also planning on spending a good chunk of my stimulus money there when that money comes rolling in.  There is no walk through service right now but you can give him a call at 816-886-6502.  This is the best way to see what Matt has available and to place and order that you can pick up curbside.  You can also check out the store's Facebook page at the link below.  The shop is located at 4621 Shrank Dr, Independence, MO 64055.

Rainbow Fly Shop Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowflyshop/

Big Milestone for This Little Site!

Sometime early Tuesday morning, this little website hit a pretty big milestone.  This little blog that was supposed to just take the place of my fly fishing journal.  It was something that I started for myself.  It was going to be a way to put my thoughts in cyberspace rather than on journal pages.  It has become something much more than that and something very near and dear to me.  That's why I was almost brought to tears when I saw that this site has been viewed over 100,000 times!  Think about that!  That's a pretty big number!  Five years ago, I never imagined that my little slice of the internet would be viewed that many times.  So from the bottom of my heart, please know how much I appreciate the fact that you look at this website and that you are reading these words.  The only reason I write anymore is for others and to help others love our fine sport, but if it weren't for the viewers, I would have quit a long time ago!  Thanks again!

A New Fly Tying Desk!!!

I picked up a new fly tying desk yesterday and I am really excited to get it assembled and to start using it!  I got a really good deal on it on Facebook's marketplace.  It's a little rough around the edges but it is solid has lots of storage options.  I plan on doing a before and after picture of my fly tying space in the next couple of days so I can share some ideas of how I use my space.  Maybe it will give you an idea or two on how to change up your own tying space.

Just In Case

Yesterday I ran up to my little hunting/fishing cabin and worked on insulating the roof.  It's a project that I have wanted to complete for a while now and I have a little time on my hands currently.  I also decided to do a trial run of cooking on a wood burning stove.  I'm not some radical or doomsday prepper, but just wanted to see if I could do it.  I am proud to say that I successfully boiled water and made a pot of ramen noodles.  It was a good trial run and I am excited to step up my cooking with more difficult (and more nutritious meals).  If we are going to have a little time on our hands as well as some isolation, we might as well learn a few things and try out some new things!

Simple Flies That Are Effective! Fly Tying Noobs, I'm Looking at You!

If you have ever considered learning to tie flies, this might be the perfect time.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that many of us are spending more time indoors and might need something to keep our hands busy so why not start learning to tie?  Click on the link below to learn about some of the easiest flies for a newbie to learn.  It's written by Joe Cermele and it is his second article that he has published at The Meateater.  It's informational and humorous at the same time and might be just the thing you need to finally commit to tying your own flies.

Link: https://www.themeateater.com/fish/freshwater/five-doomsday-flies-you-should-tie-during-quarantine

A Fly Tying Pattern to Keep You Busy...But Not Too Busy!

You guys know I am a sucker for zonkers.  Big zonkers, small zonkers, it doesn't matter.  However, I have seen so many patterns by now that I rarely come across something new or original but this video checked both boxes.  I really like how the host ties this fly but I also see a lot of room for creativity.  You could tie this with a cone head, with hackle in a couple places, and in a variety of colors.  If/When I tie this pattern, I think I am going to use an olive and white combination with just a hint of red.  Also, this is a fly that uses a few different materials and techniques which makes it fairly easy to tie but not so easy that you'll get bored with it quickly.  Like most patterns, it will probably be a little challenging at first but after you get the hang of it, I think it will look pretty amazing.  Also, I noticed that there wasn't any weight added to this fly.  If you are fishing a sink tip or sinking line, it doesn't really matter but if you mainly fish floating line, you might consider wrapping some lead wire first or maybe even some dumbell eyes.  No matter what, have fun with it and enjoy your time on the vise!

McFly Angler YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC88cGtLpHiHEXhyUGiXFP7g

Jensen Fly Fishing- Moments: "Deep"

This is definitely NOT a video from Missouri but with all of the rain that we are getting (and probably going to get) this spring, it has some really useful information.  This guy wanted to get deep in fast water and had an interesting approach that I don't think I have ever seen.  It is always good to have more tactics in your bag and this is a new one to pack away...for a rainy day.

Jensen Fly Fishing YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/jensenflyfishing

What a Day!

Yesterday was a rare occurrence.  I was free all day to fish wherever I wanted and as long as I wanted!  I decided to head up to our family farm in Ray County and jump from pond to pond to see which had the best action.  And while the conditions were less that stellar (still early in the year, water still cool, lots of rain recently, etc.), it was an amazing day full of fish and surprises.  Let's start with the surprises.

There were three things that happened yesterday that have never happened to me before.  The first was that I saw a bald eagle so close that I could have hit it with a rock.  Now obviously I didn't because these are majestic creatures and I don't want to go to prison.  I'm just using this phrase as a reference point.  It was feeding on an opossum in the middle of the road about five miles from the farm.  When it saw my truck, it flew up to a branch and I drove right under it in my truck.  That was the closest I have ever been to a bald eagle in the wild.  The second was that I jumped a male ring-necked pheasant at one of the farm ponds that I visited.  I have heard them around other ponds at the farm before but never actually saw one.  I wanted to yell "rooster" at the top of my lungs so bad but nobody was there to get the joke...but I did it anyway.  Again, it was a BEAUTIFUL bird!  Finally, and this is a scary one, I thought I was going to get stampeded by a heard of cows.  Kind of joking, kind of not.  I wanted to fish a pond that I frequent quite a bit but some cattle had recently been put here to graze.  I didn't see them until I was halfway to the pond.  Let's just say they showed their contempt for me by ushering me back to the gate.  It was only later that I realized that my red flannel was a poor choice of clothing for the day. 

So let's get to the fishing.  The bass didn't have much of a pattern and popped up here and there.  I could tell that they are just starting to become active and not quite sure where to be.  I caught a 16 inch and 15 incher in one pond and those were the big ones for the day.  After exhausting my bass fishing options, I turned to old reliable...bluegill.  At one pond, they were really active and more than happy to take a small fly.  For bass, I threw a baitfish streamer (The Brave) and the bluegill took a John Deere about two feet under an indicator.  While I didn't catch any monsters and didn't catch a lot, it was still a great day and an indicator of better things to come!

The Fly Guy (Not Me)- Fly Fishing for Carp

I ran across the carp fly and fly fishing footage the other day from The Fly Guy (no relation).  I thought it would be good to share since our barbeled friends around here should be coming out of hibernation and should be hungry.  Here's what you need to tie and how to fish it!  And yes, the name of the fly has A LOT to do with why I am sharing it.

The Fly

The Fishing

Fly Guy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FTzL27nlEUR7SL9M4vClw

Top 15 Things To Do Outdoors While Avoiding Coronavirus

With all of the Coronavirus cases and concerns, I feel like we need some things to take our minds off the worries and bad news.  With this in mind, I have compiled a list of things to do that might give your mind a nice break and your heart a chance to appreciate some of the good things that we have in life that cannot be touched by this disease.  I wrote some of these in a light-hearted mood, but others are actually good options to just staying indoors.  They will also keep you away from larger groups and lessen the chance of disease transmission.

15. Start a fishing journal, or a blog for that matter.
14. Check your backing to fly line knots.  I lost all of my fly line a couple of years ago when a wiper broke me off at the backing...not the leader.
13. Tie some flies, learn to tie flies, or learn to tie a new fly.
12. Buy some flies from my Etsy store so we BOTH have something to do- shameless plug.
11. Fish a fly you have never fished before.
10. Read a book about fishing.

9. Write a book about fishing.

8. Take a kid fishing.

7. Watch A River Runs Through It.

6.Clean your fishing rods and reels.  You know they need it!

5. Assemble a tackle or fly box for a fishing newbie.

4. Organize your tackle.  Again, you know it needs to be!

3. Practice casting.  Maybe even have a little competition in the back hard with some hula hoops.

2. Start an Instagram account if you don't already have one.  There are some really cool fishing pictures and good fly ideas out there.

1. Go fishing of course- hit a trout park, fish a farm pond, hit a local lake...just get out there!  Last I checked, bluegill, largemouth, smallies, and trout hadn't tested positive for Coronavirus!

Other Outdoors-Related Activities to Consider

Scout turkeys for the upcoming turkey season.

Go looking for morel mushrooms on a sunny, warm day after a rain.

Go shed hunting- they are still dropping from what I hear.

Explore new hiking trails.

Go camping...way out in the sticks...far away from everyone.

Learn how to make homemade toilet paper and hand sanitizer.  Kind of kidding, kind of not.

Missouri Man Currently Holds FIVE State Fishing Records

Meet Bryant Rackers.  Bryant likes to fish.  Bryant is really good at fishing.  Be like Bryant.  Seriously though, for one guy to hold five state records for fishing is pretty amazing.  Maybe the best part is that he seems like a driven, but down to earth guy.  Congratulations and keep after it buddy!

Link to Missouri Department of Conservation Story: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/osage-county-angler-continues-record-breaking-streak

On a related note, if you or someone you know lives in the Kansas City area and would like to brush up on some fishing skills and learn a few new ones along the way, MDC has you covered!  Just click on the link below and you can register for the class by clicking on links in the story.

Link to Fishing Skills Class: https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/mdc-offers-free-fishing-skills-and-tackle-maintenance-lessons-kansas-city-area

Put on Your Fancy Pants!

Do you want to look like a genuine fancy pants in front of the vise and your friends?  If so, here is how you can look cool in front of your flies.  I still can't do this and rely on my whip finishing tool.  I guess I will be spending another school year sitting at the nerds and dorks lunch table.

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The SlideInn YouTube Channel" https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeiQJ7VQq8g54_ZS5lkbx1w

Black & Chartreuse Brave Pattern

If you follow this page or purchase flies through my Etsy store, you know that I have a streamer that I am very fond of called The Brave.  It is a streamer that I developed that uses a few different aspects from different flies.  It has caught some really nice largemouth, hybrid striped bass, white bass, and catfish for me.  I typically tie it in a white and olive combination to match bait fish but I was mulling over some different color combinations the other day and couldn't get black and chartreuse out of my head.  I tied one up the other day an in a rare occurrence, it turned out exactly like I envisioned.  I have yet to try them out on the water, but I hope to soon.  If you never hear another thing about this fly, you can assume that it wasn't very successful.  However, if it works, you will be hearing more about this fly.  Along the same lines, if you ever want me to fill a custom order for you (like this fly) or you're in the market for some flies, feel free to email me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com or visit my Etsy store and you can contact me through Etsy as well!