Photos from the Camera

I was flipping through my camera this morning and found all these photos from a trip that Rob, Kevin,
and I did a few weeks back. I also found some photos of smallie flies I took to add to a presentation. Enjoy!!!

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.

Meet the New Guy - Dave Troop

We want to Welcome Dave Troop to the TCO Family! Dave has been a strong supporter for the shop for some time now, from being a loyal customer, to showing his support tying flies at some of our events. Dave has been an avid fisherman for much of his life, and like many of us, once he found fly fishing he decided to dig in deep. He is currently an electrician by trade, but with the love and support from his wife Holly and two kids Lilly and Connor, he is looking to change that, and take on the Dream (as I call it), working at the shop, and filling every free inch of life with fly fishing. Dave is a PA native, fishing many of the rivers and streams in southeast pa, like French Creek, Perkiomen Creek, Tulpehocken Creek, and the Schuylkill River. Dave loves fishing for musky and bass from a kayak, and finds time to make an Erie run for steelhead very year. When Dave isn't fishing, he is teaching his son and daughter to tie flies, camping, hiking, and well thinking about fishing.

Stop in the shop and say hi! We are very excited to add Dave to the Family!

Schuylkill River mixed with Salmon River

Five days, two states, and I'm still tired. The week started off with a couple awesome bass trips, and ended with two days in New York on the Salmon River. It is fall, and the smallmouth are putting their feed bags on, with the water low and clear, this is the perfect time to sight fish to monster bass. The only problem with watching a big fish eat your fly, is when you jump the gun and pull the fly right back out of its mouth. This happens all the time, but nothing gets me more jacked up then, watching a 16 inch plus smallmouth suck down your fly sitting on the bottom. So when you connect and that fish goes ballistic, you may find me dancing in the middle of the boat.  

So, its the end of September, and the Salmon River should be filled with fresh King Salmon, and the added bonus, steelhead. After two days of pounding the water, and teaching four new fly anglers the art of casting a switch rod. All we had to show for it was two baby steelhead, a broken leader (from a salmon), and a bunch of empty beer cans. The one good thing about all that, it equals four smiling clients that just had the time of their life floating down the river, fishing for salmon and steelhead.