Effective Flies!

The Lunch Money caught some nice, river smallmouth lately.

Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy

Last weekend, I received a couple of messages from some very thoughtful and happy customers of mine.  They both informed me that the flies I sent them were working well and that they were very happy with the results.  I cannot express how happy this makes me on so many levels.  I got into selling flies for three reasons.  1. I wanted to help folks catch more fish on patterns that have been productive for me.  2. I wanted a reason to keep tying.  I could probably fill all of my fly boxes in a couple of months, but after that, why would I keep tying?  Running an online store keeps me working and keeps my skills sharp.  3. Finally, I would be dishonest if I didn't mention that the income is a factor.  I don't make a huge amount of money but currently, it's helping me pay for my new boat and it's nice to have some emergency money to use in case an unforeseen emergency were to present itself.  

I believe that win-win situations where both parties are happy with an outcome are ideal.  I'm glad to help other anglers and I'm glad for the positive feedback that makes me so happy.  If I could provide you with some flies, I sure would be happy to send some your way.  Feel free to check out my store on Etsy or request a custom order by emailing me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com.  Thank you for visiting my little slice of the internet today and thank you for your support whether it is an order or just a visit to this site!

Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShowMeFlyGuy

This is a rainbow trout from the White River in Arkansas and that is a size 6 wooly bugger in it's mouth.  I guess the trout are on the baitfish bite right now!

Maiden Voyage

The Kingfisher (that's what I named my little boat) made its maiden voyage yesterday and things could not have gone better.  All credit for the results go to my buddies Corey and Chris.  These buys are pretty mechanically inclined and have boating experience and I appreciated both.  The process of unloading, running the trolling motor/main motor, and loading the boat was flawlessly.  As another bonus, I didn't notice any leaks.  While I am apprehensive about doing this on my own, I feel like I learned a lot and got my first experience out of the way!  

From here, I'm not exactly sure where to go.  I know that I want to start fishing Smithville Lake and really patterning/targeting white bass, but I don't know when to start or where to focus...but that's the fun part!  Now that the boat is purchased and I know it is operational, the fun can begin!

 

Song of the Week- Hurricane - Week 16

If you follow the website Moldy Chum, you will recognize where the idea comes from.  If you don't follow the site, they have a post every Sunday called "Sunday Toona".  Essentially, the post contains a song of the week.  I liked that idea so much that I decided to start a similar tradition.  I plan on posting a YouTube video every Sunday and this post is the first of many more to follow.

I wouldn't blame you if you wonder how music connects to a fly fishing blog.  Well, the bottom line is that it really doesn't, at least on the surface.  However, if you fish, then you probably listen to music.  Maybe you listen to some tunes in your boat.  Maybe you slip in some earbuds and listen to jams while you fish.  Most of us probably listen to music on the way to go fishing.  So there is a connection between fishing and music, albeit a small connection.

The other reason that I want to start this routine is that I really enjoy music.  I have ZERO musical talent and that might be the reasoning that I appreciate the talents that other musicians have.  I don't like all music though.  I like music that has heart.  I like music that tells a story.  Most of all, I like music that I can relate to on some level.  For those reasons, the music that I share might not be to your liking...and that's ok!  I listen to a lot of music that you won't find on radio stations and that's why I want to share it with others.  

I started this blog cause I wanted to share my experiences with others in the hopes that others might learn and benefit from what I do.  Sharing music that touches my heart, or makes me laugh, or brings a tear to my eye falls in line with the aforementioned ideal.  I hope you dig what I share and I hope you find something that you can connect with.  For the first Song of the Week post, I present to you "Hurricane" by The Band of Heathens.

Link to Band if Heathens YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCreQfmi70xWwMflguZcWrOw

I Bought a Boat!!!

If you frequent this blog, you probably saw this coming.  A couple of weeks ago, I posted about looking at a boat at Angler's Port Marine.  What I didn't mention was that I put a deposit down on a boat that day.  I didn't want to mention anything at the time because I was nervous that the deal might fall through and then I would have to explain why it didn't work out.  Last Saturday, I picked up my boat!

Let me start off by heaping as much praise on Angler's Port Marine as I possibly can.  My salesman, Cory, was funny, professional, and incredibly helpful.  The dealership was flexible with their time and did not pressure me at all.  Maybe most importantly, they worked to rectify any problems that the boat had before I could even inquire about them.  While Angler's Port is a 2 hour drive from my house, it was worth it and they have a customer for life.  No, they did not give me a price break or pay me to give them a positive review.  Everything I said is from the heart and is as honest as the day is long!

As for the boat, it's nothing flashy or fancy and that's exactly what I wanted.  I had been looking at boats for over a month now and I had a ballpark idea of what I wanted to purchase.  I wanted an aluminum boat and a bow mounted trolling motor.  I wanted a boat that was built in Missouri, if possible, and a tiller motor.  I ended up with a G3 (built in Missouri) with a 20 horse Yamaha motor (a tiller), a Minn Kota trolling motor, and aluminum (and in green which is what I REALLY wanted).  The trailer matches the boat as well which looks pretty cool.  This is a simple boat that I feel will help me dip my toe into the world of boat ownership.

To say I am excited to put this thing on the water is an understatement.  I paid my sales tax and got everything registered and licensed yesterday so I am ready to hit the water on Sunday before the super bowl.  I am hoping that I don't discover any leaks and that the motor works the way it is supposed to, but I am bracing myself for issues because, well, it's a boat and boats have issues routinely.  I will keep everyone updated on how things go but for now, I'm just excited to own a boat that is going to open up a lot of fishing possibilities for me.  Maybe I'll even do a little guiding out of it at some point as well.

I also want to thank my wife for putting up with all of the recent boat talk and for allowing me to take up so much of our garage space with the new purchase.  I know what I can be a handful sometimes and I wanted to say thank you to her for always being supportive of my endeavors.  Thank you Wendy for supporting me and putting up with all of the things that I pursue.  

Black SBS Variant is For Sale!

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1412608035/smallmouth-bass-streamer-black

Come and get your black SBS streamers while you can!  These little devils are ready to be fished in flooded, murky water which is right around the corner.  You can fish them on floating, sink-tip, and sinking line.  Trout, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass will find this fella hard to resist.  It is tied on a 1/0 hook so hookups with dinks should be minimal and lip piercings should be reserved for substantial fish.  This fly has a marabou tail, a complex twist body, a laser dub head, and large dumbbell eyes.  It will ride with the point up which should help it skate over submerged rocks and timber.  If you think this thing could be useful this spring, head on over to the Etsy store and pick yourself up a few.  The pattern also comes in olive and white as well.  As always, thanks for reading and all of your support!

Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1412608035/smallmouth-bass-streamer-black

For Sale!

If you live in the Kansas City area and have a desire for a kayak, I am selling mine and wanted to give the readers of this blog first dibs.  It is a Field and Stream Eagle Run 12.  It comes with an anchor trolley system, a matching paddle, and straps that can be used to hang the kayak on a wall.  It has always been stored indoors but has a few scratches from being used.  It has modified rod holders that will fit fly rods, spinning rods, and baitcasters.  While it is a sit-in style of kayak, there are movable foot rests inside the kayak.  I have enjoyed using this...a few times...and would like to pass it along to someone that will enjoy its use.  It is big enough to fit anyone from 5'4'' to 6'2''.  I know that because my youngest son used this kayak a few years ago (5'4") and so have I (6'2").  It doesn't take much effort to get this thing moving and moving fast.  The tracking is a little rough but that's what you have to give up in return for speed.  The kayak is 12 feet long and 28" wide in the middle.  I'm asking for $400 for all of it and you can email me at showmeflyguy@gmail.com if you are interested.

I'm also selling my master chef mini fridge which is covered in some pretty fantastic stickers.  I don't know how old it is, but it works fine.  The dimensions on this puppy are 34" X 19" X 21".  I'll even through in a few more stickers if you want them.  $30 and it is yours.  Again, hit me up at showmeflyguy@gmail.com if you want it.

If you are wondering why I gave a boat to a cousin, why I am selling a kayak, and why I am getting rid of a mini fridge, please don't worry.  I'm not in financial trouble, so no need to worry.  I just need a little space in my garage.  Trust me.  This is a sale that I happy to be running.  

SBS Variant in Black

 

Last night, I spent some time on the vise turning out some of these little devils.  I had some hooks that I had already attached yellow eyes on and wanted to do something a little different than what I had done in the past.  With spring rains and higher, murkier water on the horizon, I felt like an almost all black SBS variant made sense.  Bass and trout will both hold up in shallow water and ambush dark-colored prey that comes cruising by.  I figure this streamer would work on both.  It can be fished on floating, sink-tip, and full sink line and is tied on a 1/0 hook that rides point up.  Also, and I'm not exactly sure how I pulled this off, most of the flies I tied last night look mean as heck.  This fly looks like he has some sort of scowl on its face and looks ready to wrestle with some bigger fish!

I Received My TWIC Card

Another big step was taken recently towards my goal of becoming a fishing guide.  One of the biggest challenges in becoming a guide is obtaining a captain's license.  The first step towards a captain's license is obtaining what is called a TWIC card.  It involved a $128 fee and a background check through Homeland Security.  I applied for this card about 3 weeks ago and received my card in the mail last week.  The next steps that I have to take are:

1. Log enough hours on the water which provide navigation experience.

2. Pass a captain's license test which I hear is extremely time consuming and expensive.

For now, I'm happy that I have cleared my first obstacle towards becoming a boat captain!

 

A Sentimental Story About a Little Boat

This little boat has had quite a journey.  As with most journeys, it is important to start at the beginning, or at least what I know about the beginning.  I have two cousins, Eric and Bryan.  Their dad, which would make my uncle their step-dad, passed away about 10 years ago.  After he passed, I was contacted by the boys to see if I would be interested in buying his small, two man bass baby fishing boat.  I jumped at the chance and bought it for about $200.  I instantly loved the boat because it was identical to the bass baby that I already owned with the exception of mine being gray.  My plan was to take it up to our family farm and leave it there.  I made this decision so I would always have a boat there and wouldn't have to tote a boat back and forth.  The plan worked out really well for a couple of years.

As my sons got bigger, I came to the realization that the boat needed to come home.  I wanted to go on more local fishing outings and wanted the boat to be a little handier.  I bought a small trailer, stacked the boats on top of one another, and we would go off on adventures.  Sometimes both kids would hop in the boat and head out and sometimes the oldest would navigate it on his own.  He liked the independence...and being away from his little brother.  This was a great system for a couple of years.  

I've also used this boat to take out folks that are new to fishing or don't have access to a small boat.  This boat has taken out friends, relatives, and dogs.  A lot of fish have been in this little boat as well.  I have never had a single problem with it and zero maintenance (aside from charging the trolling motor battery) which has made its use problem free.

In the last couple of years though, I have wanted to gain access to bigger lakes and to have more room.  Having two people (Wendy and I) as well as a dog in a boat this size is a challenge.  I would also like to have my two sons in the same boat with me sometimes as well.  So, I have decided to go a different direction which means that this little boat isn't as necessary as it once was.

I thought about selling the boat.  I thought it would be nice to get some money that I could put towards the purchase of a bigger boat.  I thought it would probably sell quickly if I posted in on Facebook Marketplace this spring.  Then it dawned on me.  I was going about this all wrong.  I realized that I needed to call my cousin Eric.

Between Eric and Bryan, Eric is more of the angler.  I asked him if he would have any desire at all to have his dad's old boat back.  I could hear the sincerity in his voice when he said, "Actually, I would really like that."  So this little boat that has meant so much to me and created memories for a lot of folks, is headed back home.  I didn't ask Eric for any money because it just felt like the right thing to do.  I figure that I just rented it from them for about $20 a year.  

Maybe I'm being a little sappy and a little sentimental, but I'm kind of a sappy and sentimental guy.  I'm glad this this boat that has been a lot of fun and served a lot of purposes is going to stay in my family and continue to serve a lot of purposes in the future.  I'm excited to see pictures of Eric, his buddies, and his kids having fun in the boat that their grandpa used to own.  I'm glad to see that this journey hasn't come to an end, it's just charted a different course.

Streamers- Altitude and Attitude

Last Saturday at Rainbow Fly Shop, Ryan Walker of Ozark Smallmouth Alliance Guides and Outfitters put on a seminar on tying streamers.  The two biggest things that I took away from this seminar was to consider what a streamer does when it is moving and when it isn't.  Ryan referred to this as altitude and attitude.  Does the streamer sink or rise when it is stopped?  Does the turn or stay tuned to the same direction when it is stopped?  How does the streamer move when it is stripped slowly and how does that differ from when it is twitched?  These are great observations that not only fly tyers need to consider, but things that anyone that fishes a streamer should pay attention to.  Sometimes it is nice to be reminded to pay attention to the details and to step back and focus on the little things!  Thank you Ryan for putting on a great seminar.  It is with good reason that many folks have referred to you as one of the best fishing guides in Missouri!