Crazy How it Happens

This is a very short story of how friendships are formed in this industry. Most of the time it starts with a phone call with a question. Other times it's an invite to be a guest tier in a shop. But most of the time the  friendship starts when the cheap beer and pizza hit the table. This is commonly followed by hours of stories about fishing, tying, and college glory days.

One of the coolest parts of my job, is the opportunity to host well known folks in this industry. This past weekend was a 4 day adventure with Greg Senyo, that started out with him driving 9 hours from Ohio to Reading. The first thing he requested was Chinese Food, an hour later we are munching down, and hearing stories about life as a fly fisherman turned Cop. The rest is history, enjoy the pictures.

From the Vise - What I do When I'm Not Fishing

Not too much to say about it, here are a few pictures of the flies I've been tying the past couple weeks. More stories to come, but for now just pictures.

Featured Fly - DP Midge

Winter is the perfect time to tie small flies, especially midges.  The DP Midge was given to me by one of my fly tying clients.  Drew is a seasoned veteran of the Missouri River in Montana; many of his southeastern PA patterns were inspired by effective Missouri River flies.   This midge may have a different name, but I know it as the DP Midge.  It has been a very successful pattern for me all over the state this winter so I felt the need to share it with everyone.  As an added bonus, it is a fun fly to tie!

Materials:

Hook: TMC 2457 sz. 18-22

Thread: UNI Thread 6/0 - Color of Choice 

Bead: Cyclops Beads - Color of Choice 

Tail: Krystal Flash - Pearl or Opal 

Rib: Ultra Wire sz. Sm - Color to Match Bead

Legs: Krystal Flash - Pearl or Opal  

Thorax: Ice Dub - Peacock, Black Peacock, Rust, or Pearl 

Step 1: Make a thread base. I think this fly looks better with a thicker body.

Step 2: Tie in the ultra wire.

Step 3: Tie in three pieces of Krystal Flash for the tail. Make one or two securing wraps, then cut off.

Step 4: Wrap your thread forward. Forming a nice thick body.

Step 5: Wrap the wire forward, making a nice even rib.

Step 6: Tie in 2 pieces of krystal flash on each side, making little legs.

Step 7: Using ice dub, bud the thorax. I make 3 tight wraps.

Step 8: Whip Finish, the display for picture.

Big Spring 20 Plus

Jack and I were looking forward to fishing Big Spring all this past week.  After confirming a “no snow” forecast – at least for the morning – we were off on an adventure.

At 7:15AM, Jack and I pulled into Park Place diner – no need to look at the menu - we reflexively ordered black coffee and ‘Lumber Jack breakfast’ - a tradition that started with our first trip to Big Spring earlier this year.

Filled with our diner breakfast, we pulled up to Big Spring and I could tell it was going to be a good day – there wasn’t a person in sight.  The creek always seems to start slow; it takes some time to get into the groove.  After missing two fish due to my own fault, I finally landed a small rainbow.  Time moved on, saw some lunkers but no hookups.

Finally reaching one of my favorite holes filled with big boys, I could see that they were still there.  I changed flies, crawled on the ground and after countless drifts – one ate.  After two jumps, a couple nice runs, the fly popped out.  Disappointed, I looked back at the hole and thankfully the rest of the fish were still there.  Rewind and replay.  A few casts later, I had another crazy fight on my hands that ended in Jack netting an awesome male rainbow for me! 

Later I was fishing a run without any luck catching two nice fish. I was fishing a dry dropper rig but it wasn’t getting deep enough.  Jack was fishing an indicator rig so he came over and gave the same run a try.  I soon heard “JAKE, it’s a good one!”  I ran up and netted Jack’s 20inch fish – Jack was smiling ear to ear.