Good Friends, a Boat, and a River

Sometimes the best fishing trips end with no grip and grins. Rob, Troop, and I had plans to float Sunday, but Rob had husband duties come up, so my best friend of 27 years Dyson came who came up for a surprise party for my fiancee, was able to fill the open seat. We didn't take a rod less than 8wt with us and had our sights on the toothy critters that reside in the Schuylkill. The 10wts flew all day, we tested new flies tied over the winter, drank some beer, told stories, ate lunch, and more. We did just about everything you could on a float, but catch fish. It was one of the most memorable trips of my carrier to have my best friend and Troop brave the cold and high water with me. Just a little proof that its not all about catching fish. Its about the relationships, connections, and stories these trips bring. There are lots of reasons why I fish, one of which is to make a living, but most of all, I just love to fish. I told an old friend of mine once: "When I'm old and sitting in my rocking chair, I want to look out at the horizon and say, yeah that was a good life." Well with great friends, family, and a dream job, I can already say that! While I'm talking about how much I love this sport and my job, I have to thank my fiancee Elizabeth for all her support, if it wasn't for all her patience and understanding, I wouldn't be where I am today. She is a blessing and I have to Thank her for all she has done to help me. Ok back to the fishing, Enjoy the photos from our trip!

NRS Freestone Drifter ready to roll 

Orvis Helios 2 Esox Edition -  Bad Ass stick

Three Full boxes of Roamers - Awesome Predator Fly 

Oh yeah, and for somewhat of a fishing report, Troop and I fished this morning on the Tully. High water, cold temps, and a bit of mud made for a tough morning, but we managed a few fish between the two of us. Big caddis larva, small midges, and San Juan Worms, are what fooled the fish this morning.

Featured Fly - The Reaper

Here is a little mixed up nymph that is a little out there. Mostly black with a blue hotspot, and Chartreuse ribbing. A great fly for prospecting those little wild trout streams around the state. I have become obsessed with the Orvis Tactical hooks, the short shank wide gape makes for the perfect hook. A lot of my most recent fly designs have been based around what I can tie on these hooks.

Materials:

Hook: Orvis Tactical Hook sz. 12 - 16

Bead: Tungsten Bead - Black sized to match hook 

Rib: Ultra Wire sz. Small - Fl. Chart.

Tail: Saddle Hackel Fibers - Black 

Hot Spot: Uni Thread 6/0 - Silver Doc Blue or Danville 70 - Blue 

Body: Goose Biot - Black 

Thorax: SLF Squirrel mixed with Ice Dub - Black & Peacock Black 

Step 1: Make a small thread base behind the bead.

Step 2: Finish making a thread base while tying in the ultra wire rib.

Step 3: Pull about 10 saddle fibers off and tie in. Tie these in a little down the hook bend.

Step 4: Make a small thread base or hot spot, then trim extra off.

Step 5: Tie a goose biot flush to the hot spot. Then move thread forward.

Step 6: Wrap the biot forward. Tying it off right behind the bead.

Step 7: Taking the ultra wire under the tail first, wrap forward making a rib.

Step 8: Take your blended dubbing and make a thorax.

Step 9: Make a small hot collar with the thread. Whip finish and cut off!

Finished Fly: The Reaper Nymph

Musky - Blane Comes to PA

This post is all about Blane Chocklett's long weekend at TCO. Blane made the trip from VA last weekend to spend three days sharing his love and knowledge for musky with us. I would like to first thank Blane for coming up and then thank all that came out to support the shops that weekend. While Blane was up here unfortunately all the rivers and streams were blown out from the recent snow melt and rain so floating was not an option. We did however get out for about an hour after the Reading event just to get a couple flies wet and talk musky. Then after that it was a quick trip to the bar for some food, a beer (maybe two), then back to the apt for a long night of tying. Before I get to the pictures I also want to thank Moose and Shane Clemens for manning the register and hold the fort down that day. And another thank you to Clemens for smoking 5 dozen wings for the event and our new shop sponsor Jesse's Barbecue, who donated some of the best pulled pork I have had.

Spring Creeks - First Guide Trip

Over the past four years I've spent a lot of time fishing and learning the spring creeks of southwest PA. This past weekend I was finally able to guide my first clients out there. Carl and Jim are long time clients if mine and welcomed the idea. We had a great day in the 60 degree weather, we netted a couple nice fish and had action all day. Black stones, midges, and BWOs were hatching just about all day. The weekend before I took Jack with me and we had a banner day as well. High sun and heavy winds didn't stop us. Fish were eating stones and BWOs all day long.

Featured Fly - Tactical PT

The Tactical PT is not anything ground breaking. I tied this fly to feature a style of hook more than a fly itself. The Orvis tactical hook has become of of my favorite hooks. It is ultra sharp, and the design of the hook gap is perfect. However this little nymph has worked well for me all over the state. The Fl. Fire Red thread hot spot really gives it some pop in the water.

Materials:

Hook: Orvis Tactical Wide Gape sz. 16 - 12

Thread: UNI Thread - 6/0 - Fl. Fire Orange 

Bead: Tungsten Bomb Bead - Copper 

Rib: Ultra Wire - Sm - Copper

Tail: CDL Tail Fibers 

Body: Pheasant Tail - Natural, Olive, Black, Orange 

Thorax: SLF Nymph Thorax

Step 1: Make a small thread base behind the bead.

Step 2: Make thread base while tying in the ultra wire. Make your thread base of down the bend a couple wraps. 

Step 3: Tie in about 8 CDL fibers all the way to the bead.

Step 4: Take the thread back to the tail, then wrap it forward 4 time. This will make a hot spot. 

Step 5: Tie in the Pheasant tail tips first, advance your thread to the bead. 

Step 6: Wrap the Pheasant Tail forward.

Step 7: Wrap the Ultra Wire forward, making a rib. 

Step 8: Dub the thorax.

Step 9: Whip Finish and cut off.

Finished Fly: