2013 Bikini Ice Fishing Team

There is a dearth of Bikini Ice Fishing Team material this year.  Perhaps additional sponsorship is needed?

That's No Split Mr. Van Damm,

this is how you do a split, holiday style.


Chuck Norris pushed those cargo jets apart.

Shake-up a Martini and enjoy...

Dean Martin's, "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Christmas"


Merry Christmas!

Hank Patterson Invites the "Whole World" to Today's Holiday Extravaganza!

Mentor, not Minotaur...

Santa's Christmas Pike!

Ho, ho, ho!

Tis the season...

To start planning our first fishing trip of the new year and inquire as to whom may be interested in a steelhead trip in the next month or so.

Good to know...

Nice Go-Pro Copter Footage Mon!

John Spriggs - Madison River, Montana from Cheeky Fly Fishing Theater on Vimeo.

Coutesy of Cheeky Fly Fishing Theater

This should look familiar...

fly fishing Penns Creek, PA - 2013.10.19~20 from Don Wu on Vimeo.

No respect for the little ones, roll 'em around in the dirt and grass.  Please try to help the little ones become big ones by treating all the fish with respect.

Friday Bacon!

In support of Movember I give you...

Let your 70's porn 'stache fly!

Missed this Hank Patterson masterpiece

This is one way to test reel balance and bearing quality.

From Cheeky Fly Fishing


Cheeky Fly Fishing Mojo 425 from Cheeky Theater on Vimeo.

I don't think the fella in the chair had the highest confidence that things were just cheeky?

Friday Bacon!

Just when you thought Friday Bacon could not possibly get any "weirderer."
Behold, Bacon Dance Fight!

Carry on...

More interesting gear selections that fell into my Inbox...

First:
The dog survival collar, why should Master carry all the paracord?

 Next, the wicked cool micro-hatchet from Triple Aught Design.

Third, the vicious Molle compatible hunting vest from Tactical Tailor.

Fourth,the no bottle bottle from Vapor Eclipse, you can decant a whole bottle into this unbreakable bad boy.

And finally a key blank to use when you're making copies for your buddies, just to let them know that they are still number one in your book.

Carry on...

Johno's Yeti

Although it may have been auctioned off back in October by NBCAM to raise awareness about breast cancer, if we all chip in we can probably get this for Johno in time for Christmas.

Some unique gear discovered,

over the past week or so...
For the ultimate workout,
 Zombie Kettlebells

and if that doesn't work for you, there's always Boobie Bells!

Next, the ultimate in personal watercraft, the Yacht Capsule...
Jet Capsule

Heineken Torpedo Tube

 

Ammunition

 Loading

Firing

That is all.

November Steel on 11-12-13

The numerically sequenced date must have been the ticket.

I've never seen this before...

Angler nearly loses reel while fly fishing from Catch Fly Fishing on Vimeo.

Or have I?

Interesting little video,

"OG on the Bighorn River"

OG on the Bighorn River from Catch Fly Fishing on Vimeo.

Simms Sale!

Some Minions recently lamented the state of their waders and boots. Here's a potential solution...
Try this link: Blue Quill Angler Simms Sale

to lead you to not indecent prices on these;

 Happy shopping!

Easy Switch Cast

Time to get back in the groove.

Fly Fishing is...

New Online Magazine - Revive

Revive a Quarterly Fly Fishing Journal

Only a few days left...

to enter the Abel Reel-Art Contest.

ABEL REEL ART CONTEST OPEN TO AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS

CAMARILLO, Calif. – Artists – from first-time amateur to student, fly fishing guide or professional – may compete for the opportunity of designing the fish graphic finish of a new Abel Reel including recognition and write-up on the firm’s website and 2015 catalog. 

Two winners, fresh and saltwater species fish finish, will be awarded the Abel Reel of their choice, showcasing their own winning design, announced Jeff Patterson, director of sales of the California tackle manufacturer. There will also be one junior division winner for all artists ages 15 and under at the time of submission. 

“To enter the fly-fishing artist competition, submit all artwork and a signed release form available at www.abelreels.com to our email address atinfo@abelreels.com no later than September 30, 2013,” said Patterson.

Abel will select the Finalists, up to 10 pieces of artwork in each category, and picture them on the company’s Facebook page. The Finalists in each category will be open for vote over a 2 month period during October and November, 2013. Each Facebook “like” will be considered one vote.

Fresh, saltwater, and junior division winning designs will then go into production, with the three winning artists each receiving a free reel of their choice.


Art templates and official rules available at:
Abel-Reel-Art-Contest.html

Visiting fermenters in firehouses...

in the Upper Delaware watershed.

 Bear fishing...

 Bootlegger corn mash vodka, mmm,

 Calicoon brewery in an old firehouse,

 Prohibition Distillery in an old firehouse,

 Columns, right for vodka, center for bourbon and left for gin.

The Roscoe Brewery expects to start production on sire by the end of October.

Might hit this place for lunch...

enroute to said distillery.

I hears that they make a mean Rueben.

Try to find this tomorrow...

Prohibition Distillery.

Our Gluten free, 100% American corn grain, Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka, has a unique genesis. After all, our colorful approach and romantic reverence to the Prohibition era of the 1920’s and 30’s, has given us supreme optimism in the face of today’s divergent opinions and social conflict. Just as the Bootleggers shrugged off the 18th Amendment making the transport and sale of liquor illegal in the U.S., we said, “to heck with the financial woes”, and instead quit our jobs to follow our dream. A dream to make a locally crafted spirit that respects a sense of tenacity found in the American entrepreneur. A spirit that pulled us out of a depression, saw the birth of the cocktail, backroom speakeasy, and Bootleggers of notorious fame.

Although we started out to simply build a company we could be proud of, we ended up discovering a way of living, working, and appreciating what we have right here, right now, from our own toil. We call it Bootlegger 21, named for the 21st Amendment that repealed the ban on booze in 1933. It is an elegantly crafted Vodka, that calls New York its home. The great Empire State that mirrors America’s past vivacity in the face of uncertainty, and where prohibition was most powerfully felt and vehemently disputed.

Thus was born our super-premium vodka, “Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka”. It took us some time to learn our new trade and to perfect its uncommonly smooth feel and flavor. Early on in the process, we sent our initial recipe to the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, to gauge if we were on the right track. We received a Silver Medal and thought “Hey, that’s not bad, but let’s keep working to make it even better”. So we spent an additional nine months to perfect a vodka that is smooth enough to be sipped, yet pure enough to be mixed perfectly into any classic cocktail, all while being complex enough to be awarded the gold medals at the 2010 New York International Spirits Competition and an “Exceptional 90-95 Rating” from the esteemed Beverage Testing Institute. Now we’re happy, and we’re certain you will be too.

Fall Fest at The West Branch Resort

Fall is an exciting time in the fly fishing world. New gear is released for the upcoming season and Steelhead / lake run Brown Trout season is right around the corner. The debut of new products also means big discounts on discontinued products. Coming to the West Branch Resort on October 5th, daa, da, daaa, Fall Fest 2.0!  
Expect discounts of 20 - 50% off on products from Sage, Simms, Patagonia Orvis, Ross, Winston, Hardy and more. Out with the old in with the new!  The new 2014 Spring product lines from Simms, Patagonia and Orvis will also be available for viewing.  See the new gear for Spring here first!!!!

Other goodness:

Learn to Spey Cast for Free!! : Building off the concept of fly fishing 101/201 this is a unique oppourtunity to learn the basics of double handed casting for free! If you find that after the 101 class you would like to further the training we will be offering a 201 class for a small charge of $75.00. Registration is required to attend the 201 class you must all so register for 101. To register Spey 101 & 201 Registration

• Spey 101: Saturday 10/5 9am
• Spey 201: Saturday 10/5 1pm

John Miller Tying Demo: West Branch Angler's head guide John miller will spend some time showing off his favorite flies for fall steelhead. John's patterns are both innovative and effective this is something you don't want to miss!

• Saturday 10/5 9am-4pm

Steelhead Alley Outfitters In The HouseThe boys from Steelhead Alley Outfitters will be in the house to talk to use about fishing the Lake Erie Tributaries for Steelhead as well as showing off some of there favorite patterns for fall.

• Saturday 10/5 9am-4pm

Rich Strolis Tying Demo: Local legend Rich Strolis of Casting Shadows will on site tying a handful of his fall streamers for brown trout Including his new masked avenger streamer. Rich will also be tying some trailer hook swinger style streamers that can be used for steelhead as well and a few other patterns for fall. Rich is a streamer Jedi his flies are awesome you won't want to miss his tying demos!

• Juggernaut JR
• Ice Pick
• Masked Avenger
• BS Swinger
• Mop Head

Scott Radian Test Cast: This rod has been a huge success.  We will have almost the entire line of the rod that has changed the way we all think of high end performance!

• Saturday 10/5 9am-5pm

Helios 2 Switch Rod Test Cast: On site for all to cast will be the brand new Helios 2 switch rods. Bring a pair of gloves because these things are smoken hot!

• Saturday 10/5 8am-5pm

Scientific Angler Line Trade In Promo: Your poor line has just taken a serious beating this season. From dragging in along the bank and catching it on every possible thing on your driftboat it's time to trade that line in. To help you our bring in your old line and we will give you 20% off a new in stock Scientific Angler Fly line.

• Saturday 10/5 9am-5pm

Shop Talk BBQ: Sam will have a nice BBQ going with burgers, sausage and hot dogs. Relax grab a brew and a dog and cast your brains out.

• Saturday 10/5 11am - 3pm

Friday Bacon!

Alert!: Today's Friday Bacon is a duality of bacon awesomeness!
First the second installment of bacon infinity, behold the bacon mobius, there is no end to this bacon in sight. Go ahead trace your way around it, unending bacon pleasure isn't it?

Second instead of just cheesy bacon tater tots, I give you bacon wrapped around cheesy tater tots.

Recipe included:

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tot Bombs

Ingredients

·         ½ bag Tater Tots (thawed to room temperature)

·         1 8-ounce package Sharp Cheddar Cheese (cut in ¼-inch squares)

·         Hot Sauce

·         1 16-ounce package Bacon (strips cut in half)

·         ½ cup Brown Sugar

Instructions

1.    Preheat over to 400F

2.    Cube the sharp cheddar cheese in to very small pieces.

3.    Cut bacon strips in half.

4.    Cut out a small center portion of a Tater Tot, place cheese cube in the center of the Tater Tot.

5.    Wrap the Tater Tot and cheese cube in one of the bacon strips that have been cut in half.

6.    Roll in brown sugar and place in pan seam side down.

7.    Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, turn each bacon wrapped Tator Tot over to brown the bottom. Bake another 10 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy. Cool and serve with your favorite sauce.

Happy Weekend!

Some decor for the abode or camp?

We do custom sheet metal at Rado Enterprises

The welcome sign which I am partial to,

an alterative insert,

 

and of course to make this all relevant to a fishing blog.

 The newest fire ring in production,

(Thank Shillelagh for the inspiration)

 The coach special 

If you feel inclined stop by the stand at the Bloomsburg Fair and check it out.

 

Idaho Desert Spring Creek Toads

Idaho Roads & Desert Toads from Waist Deep Media on Vimeo.

Charcuterie?

In The Charcuterie

There are few joys in life greater than preparing delicious preserved meats for fishing excursions— and it's with that pleasure in mind that we present to you In The Charcuterie: The Fatted Calf's Guide to Making Sausage, Salumi, Pates, Roasts, Confits, and Other Meaty Goods ($24). With 125 recipes for preparing meats, brought to you by the proprietors of San Francisco's legendary charcuterie, The Fatted Calf, you'll be able to make some of our Bear and Coach's favorites (and probably some things you've Stew's never heard of) right in Curly's kitchen. The book will walk you through everything from preparing Curly's kitchen, to selecting the right cuts, to the basics of butchering, to salting, curing, brining, stuffing, and much more.

Enjoy the Patio...

Pizzeria Pronto Outdoor Pizza Oven

Upgrade your apres' fishing patio experience this fall with freshly-cooked pizza, using the Pizzeria Pronto Outdoor Pizza Oven ($300). This propane-powered, highly-portable pizza oven can reach temperatures of  700 degrees, and preheats in only ten minutes, so you can cook up plenty of pizza for your fishing buddies. It features a dual-layer pizza stone that heats evenly, so your pizza gets evenly-baked every time, while a moisture vent ensures great, crisp crust. It's also easy to clean, assembles and disassembles in just minutes, and includes just about everything you need to start cooking, (except the gas).

Enjoy, enjoy!

I dont' always go fishing...

See you at the Cold Cup!

Friday Bacon!

Hope they bring this stand to the self-defended Bloomsburg Fair this year!

 

Mmmm, the small hands cook the bacon so tastily...

Jackson Hole "One Fly"

By Josh Cooper, Jackson Hole, Wyo. September 11, 2013

Twenty-eight years of Jackson Hole One Fly competitions have produced many stories about guides saving their clients’ flies. They have jumped out of the boat to wade or swim to retrieve a fly that was stuck in vegetation. This year one shimmied up a tree to pull a snagged fly out of a limb. All to keep anglers in the competition, because once they lose their fly of the day, they’re done.

So Don Goodwin wasn’t feeling so good when he snagged a submerged tree 40 minutes into his float Saturday. His guide, Jean Bruun, ferried across the river and fought the current as Goodwin let out 100 yards of line. As they got close to the snag, the fly popped free. Goodwin was ecstatic. Until he discovered the hook had broken off. “I’m sweating at this point,” Bruun said, “because this is the only chance this guy has.” So she innovated. Bruun trimmed off some excess materials, as allowed by the strict rules. She bent down the shank into a hook shape and filed it to a point. She changed the dry fly to a strange version of a soft hackle wet one. With this Frankenfly, Goodwin pulled in a few more fish before the rest of the hook broke off, leaving only an eyelet and a few threads. “He kept the most exemplary attitude of anyone I’ve ever seen in my life,” Bruun said. “He couldn’t have been more of a gentleman about it.”

Manners aside, anglers take the competition seriously. Mark Rockefeller had the winning fly: a size-14 mayfly nymph. He had the highest single-day total Saturday with 695 points — awarded according to the sizes of fish caught. Jeff Currier had the highest two-day total with 1,191. Rockefeller’s team — the South Fork Anglers with Mike Engles, Jonathan Lancaster and Peek Garlington— won the competition over 39 others. They scored 2,805 over two days. Tim Warren was top guide. Anglers in his boat scored 1,719 in two days. Flies can’t be larger than size 6 (a measure of the size of the gap between the shank and hook).

Anglers can use glue to touch up a fly if it starts to unravel, but they can’t add material to it or retie it in any way. It is legal to unravel a fly and to take materials off. This has led to the creation of several kinds of “convertible flies” that have easily removable parts. Anglers seek every advantage, starting with their selection of a robust fly. They go to some of the valley’s top fly tiers as a start. Experts like Scott Sanchez, Will Dornan and Bruce James have developed techniques and patterns that are durable and can take repeated abuse. Their flies can cost around $20. Sometimes you can see one of these enterprising fly tiers pushing their product on the riverbank before the day begins. “It looks like a crack deal is going down,” veteran guide Scott Hocking said. “You see guys swarming around them, cash flying in every direction. It can get crazy.”

When looking at what flies have won the event in years past, there’s no discernible pattern, Hocking said. “It has gone from the smallest to the largest,” he said. “From streamers made with bunny fur to rusty spinners, size 16.” Money raised from the event goes to a number of stream-improvement projects. An auction of fly-fishing goods helps boost the take.

 The highlight this year was a rod and reel that belonged to President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Australian Scott Carey bought it for $27,000. Two dozen “bombproof” flies tied by Sanchez sold for $1,000.

Weather was an issue this year, as heavy rain on Friday caused portions of the river to become muddy, making the fishing tricky. That’s all par for the course, said Sue Bashford, the One Fly’s executive director. “All in all it was a great year,” she said. “The river did blow out a little bit, but that’s fishing. The camaraderie was great to see, and everyone had a great time.”

Kinda' reminds me...

of most outings on the West Branch, except for the mouth breathing.

Apparently they have some fish in Lapland...

and skeeters!

Lapland in waders 2013 from Inwaders Media on Vimeo.

Tie your flies right...

This one is worth it just for the awful soundtrack.

Norway flyfishing 2013 from Niklas Andersson on Vimeo.

Leetle Tiny Sulphurs

Two days of floating: Friday with Johno and Bear, Saturday with Curly and Bear, were fairly productive. Both days we floated Stilesville to the Indian Country access. Water was well chilled and had mostly size 18-20 Sulphurs as well as a few Cahills and Isos. Johno picked up this fine specimen near my favorite stump.

We caught mostly smaller browns and rainbows, a good omen for future fishing.   All in all it was a fine week of fishing.  Thanks to Dr. Carroll and John S. for allowing me to tag along with them midweek, and to Amy and Andi for encouraging Johno and Curly to come up for a weekend visit.

Hank Patterson is...

doing commercials now. Hey, a guy's gotta eat.

Fish Spots Announcement By Hank Patterson from Trout Jousters on Vimeo.

This Bonito fishing...

looks like it might be interesting?

BLOOD in the WATER from SHALLOW WATER EXPEDITIONS on Vimeo.

These guys...

might be fun to fish with?

Long Strip from Casting Tales on Vimeo.
Somehow I missed this very interesting video last week. My bad.

Can I get some of those tippets?

Courtesy of Trident Fly Fishing at the IFTD / ICAST show.

Gink & Gasoline Reports...

from the IFTD / ICAST show in Vegas baby!  Just in, new goodness from Derek & Janelle DeYoung.

GT's, Gangstas of the Flats

Language Alert!

Gangsters of the Flats 2 from FlyCastaway on Vimeo.

Friday Bacon!

Behold...

the Bacon Warrior!

Summerfest!

Summerfest, Anglers Market & Jubilee  Weekend                                  August 3 & 4, 2013

Plan now for a fly fishing related weekend you won’t forget, the 30th Annual Summerfest.   This is the longest running event the Center has and the show continues to go on.  Every year it gets bigger and better.

The Anglers Market features over 100 tables of fly fishing and outdoors sports related equipment, collectibles, fly tying materials, old rods, reels, and everything else you cannot find anywhere else in a flea market setting on the lower field.  Vendors set up their tents and tables early in the morning and are ready to go by 8:30 AM. If you see it, buy it, as it is mostly one of a kind and if you turn your back, it will be gone. The Anglers Market runs Saturday from 8:30AM until  5:00PM   and Sunday from 9:00AM until 3:30PM.

Once again, we will host The Hardy Cup, a bamboo rod casting contest bringing in casters from our back yard to as far away as Japan. This exciting event consists of 3 competitive casts; two for distance and one for accuracy. You don’t have to be the best to enter. You’ll have a chance to win a  Hardy  flyreel. Don’t be intimidated, even the finest casters have lost many points on the cast…wind, collapsed lines, lost momentum and anything you can imagine on the stream. All it takes is a try and you have a chance to win.  For more details, visit the Hardy North America site at www.hardynorthamerical.com.   On Saturday after casting is done, Hardy provides a Pig Roast barbeque, at no charge  for all present even those who did not compete. On Sunday after casting has been completed, all winners will be announced at 1 PM.

       Paint Out: New this year will be an arts crafts show and an art show. For those of you who need a family day out, bring the whole family. Those not interested in fishing can roam the field at their leisure and visit with some local crafters. You, on the other hand, will have the time to see all of the fishing items. We are also happy to announce the first outdoor art show in cooperation with Canvas, a monthly arts, culture and entertainment newspaper distributed in the greater Orange county area. Canvas has invited artists from all over for an open Paint Out and art show. Artists will be on site and have their art for sale. In addition, they will also do a Paint Out,  each artist creates a themed piece over the weekend. All paintings will be featured in an art show in the Wulff Gallery running from August 15 through October 18.  This will allow ample time for all Center visitors to have a look.

            Sunday, August 4, will be The Annual Jubilee Day to celebrate events and special occasions that end in three (3).  If you have a birthday, anniversary, or other special day ending in a three we will provide the cake at 1 PM.  Although Agnes Van Put’s birthday does not end in a three, she will be 97 and although neither her birthday or birth year ends with a three, we celebrate it anyway because she simply enjoys a party. 

            At 3 PM, in the Wulff Gallery, we will assemble to celebrate the life of ‘Doc’ Allan Fried.  Doc was very important to everyone’s life, community, and our organization. Join us for a farewell and celebration. 

            This weekend continues to grow. If you have never attended a Summerfest, start now and see what you have been missing.

This is Goofy

"How to Fish"

Goin' all old timey & ...

schitt.

Fly Fishing from Memorialist Media on Vimeo.

Wait for the summary from Dan at the end, "What is more important than school?"

New from Rio...

Perception Fly Lines and Suppleflex Leaders.

The new Perception fly line is an exciting new floater that's designed to take your river experience to the new heights. Built using ultra-low stretch ConnectCore technology for increased sensitivity, these lines deliver superior cast timing, mending ability, line lift, and hook sets. Each line features the SureFire tri-color system which breaks the running line, back taper, and front taper into three separate color segments making it easier for anglers to get an accurate idea of distances for better casting and presentation. Finishing off each line is a MaxCast hydrophobic coating, MaxFloat tip technology, and an Agent X coating to increase floatation and shootability.

RIO also introduced the Suppleflex line of trout leaders at ICAST.  Suppleflex is a perfect compliment to the new Perception fly lines. These new knot-less leaders are purpose made for fly anglers who demand the ultimate in stealthy presentation.  Each leader is made from ultra soft nylon that allows flies to land quietly making your best drag-free floats possible. The butt portion of each leader is a camouflagy dark olive color, but the tippet portion is crystal clear.

Suppleflex leaders feature a hand-tied perfection loop on the butt end for fast rigging. Leaders are available in 9 and 13.5 foot lengths, ranging in size from 7X (2lb) to 3X (8lb)

John Brown's Body...

at the Beachcomber on Cape Cod.

"They blew the roof of the place" and I think my hearing has been permanently impacted.

Here's some crappy iPhone pics to give you a sense of the long distances between the band and our vantage point.

 Awaiting entry at the beach bar.

 The horns belt out the jam.

 Hotties working the crowd.

A lovely way to conclude our visit to old Cape Cod.