New Stick & Bad Conditions

Really diggin the 7136-4 Z Axis i had built up. Light powerful & a decent parabolic curve under load. I'm super impressed with it.



Aside from the the really low water con's (the worst I've seen in several yrs here) I did manage a few hrs over a few days & even lucked into a few Steelhead, which isn't bad considering I haven't logged any water time since mid Aug.

Also like'n the Islie I have been workin in conjunction with the new stick. It's been dubbed the "Toonie" and performs exceptionally well.



Until next entry..

updates

Two months since my last entry...Not much happening, water conditions are dismal this year & I'm not really interested in fighting the Minion hordes for stresses Steel in low-water cons.

The new Sage 7136-4 ZAxis Spey conversions sits quietly & patiently awaiting it's inaugural outing. Along with a few new 'Pins. Honestly my desire to get out sans our recent conditions have been at a low. Generally I've been whoring (to scam this line) myself shamelessly to the work front as needed. Thus I've been living vicariously through my fellow Steelie-nite bloggers to the right.

'till an actual report/outing is worthy of cyber-space...

Almost time

So ends the regular Trout Season this past weekend. The Professor managed to get away for a two-day venture this past weekend. Not sure how he managed thus far.

Thus ensues about a 1/2 month of static limbo for me. It gives me time to focus on some OT at work, for much needed funds for the coming year. It also has allowed me to seriously contemplate (and by stating this I'll let the flood of emails ensue) narrowing down the "Collection" and take a gander around webs-ville to see some of "The Drakes" new entries into their 2007 vid awards.

Thus far the only ones that don't look like re-makes of TBD Vol 1 are the boys at Felt Soul Media and possibly the new TBD Vol : Iceland. While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it's time for some new thinking/approach in the flyfishing DVD world already. Don't get me wrong they are all fine work, but seriously how many times can you portray fish porn without it becoming monotonous ??

Just waiting for consistant precip to head our way and then gear up for some Steelhead. Possibly a few trips NY side to blow the cob-webs out and get into the swing of things are in order (??)

From Brown to Silver..The Last 24

Headed back West for one last round on the Grand yesterday with the "Professor", looking for some sort of redemption from last Sunday.

Previous nights T-Storms in the area buggered us on the conditions however, making for a frustrating day looking for consistant risers/feeders. A small Trike hatch pre-dawn had our hopes up, as I watched the morning un-fold in almost a 60's psychadelic like trance.

Wasn't pretty fishing, sort of wingin it all the way, making some stupid-azz type casts & mends 'cause when we did spot fish, they were holdin tight to structure, giving us the big pectoral fin salute at times. Can't really complain about the season however. Tied into & landed decent hogs thru-out, the Professor & I did. Some fish were more memorable then others, for reasons of their own, yet each was appreciated. Lots of shitz n giggles & taunting of each other, while we ply'd the trade each outting, searching for our own persoanl jesus within. Good times, no doubt about it.


With that, it draws my season to a close on the Grand. Time to switch focus to the dark, cold & lonely ambiance of the Steelhead Rivers. Where one can zone out and seek a Zen type frame of mind. All seems right with the world during the Steelhead season. Watching a float meander by, or making some Jedi-type casts with the Spey & Switch rods, sorta gets the lost Mojo/Ju-Ju stirring in the soul.

The Professor has even geared up for Steelhead. Lord help his azz, once the first Chromer takes him into backing Bruce way. He'll get that zombie-like trance, start haunting online weather crystal balls, muttering to himself about lack-luster conditions/cold fronts, wonderin if he has enuff egg & micro speys to cover the day & sport wood everytime the barometer hits that special zone like the rest of us soon enough. Poor soul... He has no idea what's about to un-fold in the coming months...The only burning quetion is, wonder if he'll provide a good Single Malt for our excursions ?

Looking forward to a 3-4 day sabbatical NY-side, where I point the "Silver Goat" south-east for some early Nov Lake O. Brownage on the swing. Until then pic below says it all..

'Nuff said..

Served

So the Professor convinces me for one last (or second last) kick at the Grand this year for this past long weekend. Figuring I had been given Sage's newest release (ZXL) to mess around with for the Mrs', I figure what the heck. Sept is usually a good month to search out some of the Grand's hogs that are feeding up on Sept Caddis, Micro Caddis and the like. The fish are relaxed, on the feed & to a degree predictable.


Every-once-in-awhile a fish comes along (regardless of species) that completely humbles you. Regardless of what experiences you may have, had it completely does something that you are un-prepared for. Yesterday was the case, as I tied into a brute of a Hog. We had heard reports of this 28"-30" fish haunting our fav hole all year. Local guides had clients tie in the brute on occasion this year only to be owned by it. As luck would have it, yesterday was to be my turn. The take was subtle, but the battle that ensued was anything but & short lived. You just know you've got a pig on when a #5Wt is bent over & bucking wildly, resounding out the big shoulder-to-shoulder head shakes thats going on. A long hard run deep back into the slack water of the pool, with more head shakes and zig-zagging going on & next thing I know the whole line comes flying back at me. Served.... badly... I threw all my stink at him/her and they did the same, ultimately showing why they have reached that size.

The picture above is of the Proffesors' 22-1/2" that I christened last years new release from Sage (Z-Axis) on earlier this year. Adding insult to injury on the day...

Yup served...

Big Jack

So i get an e-mail from a friend last night while at work. Seems they had another banner year on their annual FLA adventures. Of course work dictated a sabatical from fishing the saline this year & as luck would have it they even had shots at 100-120 'Poon regularily...figures

Of all the species of Salt critters I've chucked a fly at Jack Crevalle rank as my favourite. Aggresive feeding machines by nature, they hit hard & a 5Lb'er will double a #9Wt to 90 Deg nicely.

I'm gonna guess this slab is bordering on 20Lbs or so...All I can say is holy fugg stains that's a brute !

Soon

Checked the local haunt this morn for the King action. Boats are closer in, colder nights and precip in the forcast should bode well in the next week or so.

Gotta love the aggresive nature of a Chrome/Semi-Chrome 'Nooks under a slip-float with a gob o skein. One second the rig is top-side, the next it's dropped and racing for open water. Besides you can get into some Slabs with regularity..



Soon..

Hidden Gem

Every once-in-awhile you find a Gem amongst a sea of crap. Such wa sthe case this past week when an E-Bay auction showed up finally.

I consider myself pretty down with my 'Pin knowledge & lore within the Great Lakes Region. I had heard the rumours of this gem, but seemed to miss one of these every time they came up.

So when i placed a bid on this on E-Bay and won i was delighted to say the least. After finally getting some time to give this reel the attention it required, I'm pretty stoked about it. Shyte I hardly even removed all the previous Mojo that it was caked in... Decent start-up & NO wobbles it should bode well on a new 6126-4 Z-Axis blank I just ordered, given it's 4-3/8" size

Few more week/s and the Kings should be in...time to break out the 3113 and get down & dirty "Poon" style w/some Chrome 'Nooks...

'Till then..

Seriously..

Much could be said about the etiquette/respect proper or lack thereof in our particular 'lil sub-culture of 'Pin'ers. Especially when making purchases within said community.

However, the "Voluntary Beatdown Faction shows ya hows it's done proper. No fuss or big deal.. It's just done..Read on..

how-to-sell-some-shit-and-get-respect

See now that shitz is what's lacking in this 'lil so called community these days. A 'lil touch of class can go along way to establishing yourself as a "Class A" 'Pinner thru & thru... Something that is sorely lacking these days...

As you can surmise I was givin the dirty on a recent purchase, that was, well...sub-par to say the least...The above article just reminded me of this past deal & how easily some people can ruin an already decent reputation in the mere blink of an eye, by not following thru on their plans..

Yes, I'm a lil bent about it... Then again, I expect alot during a deal, as I give it my full attention until all is said n done (just the way it is)

Honestly people get your stink sorted out before you list or email about an item being sold not after the greens have changed hands!

S'all I'm saying...

X

Just finished reviewing Howard Films newest release Location X. Jamie Howard has yet again provided footage comprable to his previous two releases. For a this newly professed Tarpon nut like myself stuck here in the "Great White North" it provides a fix until I'm able to travel South next April, even if it is just a temporary fix...

The footage quality is intense, yet I'm wondering why it was edited in the same TV format once transfered onto DVD. It tends to break the ambiance set into place by both the surroundings & music. Quiet possibly it is too keep the TV version alive to the home viewer? Personally I think an edited version ala TBD 1 & 2 or "Running DOwn the Man would be better suited.. Just sayin..

That aside, it is done in Jamie's typical fashion. Quality footage of extremely LARGE Tarpon, eating bugs readily! Sometimes, as close as 5" from the Skiff. There's also the infamous "wading" footage. An Angler waist deep on a flat with two Large 'Poon circling at his feet for multiple shots !

Overall another decent addition to Jamie's growing collection of avail Hi-Def DVD series!


So what next for the Howard Film crew ?

Enter... Chasing Silver 2.. "The Final Journey"


Jamie & Crew are back in the FLA Keys with renowned angler Andy Mill for the final installment of Chasing Silver. There's no current "Teaser" posted, but once posted on Jamie's site, I'll provide an update here.

Which brings to light a simple question. When will Howard films focus on other Saltwater notables like Reds', Stripers' or even the expanding Shark on Fly venues ? One thing is certain, I highly doubt Howard Films is far from done...

Recent Musings

With no time to fish due to some insane work hours recently, I'm relagated to minimal time on the 'net to poke around and see what's what these days.

One of the Sage 7136-4 Z-Axis Blanks I've been patiently waiting for has arrived & now is in the hands of a capable local builder. Once all is said n done, it should look in apperance to what Sage would build if they were to offer factory sticks. I had enough confidence in their potential when i saw the factory demo last year, I ordered two blanks. Given the rumoured costs of Loomis' yet to be "officially released" GLX line-up of Float Sticks, I'll still be in for less $$$ spent, which is good..

Still considering selling off the "book-end" & my Miller Ti (4") C-Pins to help fund some Tarpon gear for next April/May, but having a hard time with the final decision. Nothing wrong w/either of the two reels, but they do have some much needed fundage appeal. Problem is... I highly doubt anyone is willing to ante up on the Miller given it's exclustivity (1 of 2 only) and Ti construction. The book-end on the other hand is going up in value as it's all original with schematics (from the web-site) & original finish. Last offer was $600 U.S. (maybe i shoulda taken it??) a fe wmonths ago. Also awaiting another Ang Spec, which will be my last one. With upwards of 25 C-Pins, I think I have enuff now..

Other Worldly Happenings :

The owner of my "other" favourite beverage has sold 80% of his ownership in order to accomodate a world-wide distribution. This is good, as it now means my Wife won't have to smuggle 2-3 bottles of Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila from her US biz trips every 6 months. As much as I'm a thru & thru Single Malt Scotch lover, this shyte will knock you on your azz proper after two belts. Smooth like water, yet fugg's w/ya harcore after two..Proceed with caution... Just the way I like it.

Another three-four weeks & I should be getting into some Chrome 'Nooks around the local Piers/Marinas. Lets hope they show up in numbers this year, rather then the sporadic action over the last few seasons...

'Nuff said until then..

Finally

News of my much anticipated Sage Z-Axis 7136-4 Spey Blank has arrived, is good news this indeed morn. Components have been assembled for months with hopes of building this new Spey-Float Conversion in time for this past April's offical "Trout/Steelhead Opener".

I don't think Sage had anticipated such an over-whelming response to a new line series previously, thus pushing the Spey & Blanks for retail and custom builders configurations to bottom priority.

Know this my fellow CPin freaks.. This blank should be the cats azz in regards to Spey-Float Conversions thus far.. Pics forth-coming

Run & Gun

Pointed the "Goat" North-East with much anticipation and headed into the Kawartha Cottage Country for a day of Muskie on the fly. Running in a friends' Hewes 18' Flats Skiff made the experience worth the short drive.



It's been about 2yrs since I was last in a Flats Skiff (in FLA). The ability to plane out and be up on trim faster then any of the Bubba Bass Rangers', Skeeters', Tritons' or the like, made us non-favourites on the water.



Starting in an access creek adjacent to the Lake we'd eventually fish, we started belting out big bulky patterns to wake our targets. While I can layout tiny dries effectively, I'm much happier tossin bigger sticks & patterns, so #2/0 & #3/0 flies were a welcome change. Besides anyone can learn to toss a #4 or #5wt in short order and be effective on the Grand. Give those same folks say a #9 to #12Wt, tell them they have to make a precise presentation 50'-70' out into the wind @ 30Km/hour and watch 'em fall apart..

Both my "guide" for the day and I managed to roll several 38"-45" range 'Skie's from cover. Watching your bug/bait move along silently in the water, then seeing a big "V" wake trail behind it & then big explosion of water spray on the strike, certainly gets the heart racing. While we managed to roll them, only one was vaguely keen on the committal aspect & that even half-heartedly.

Once on the Lake, we switched over to Sinking lines & started fishing drop offs. A bunch of 'Eyes were making their presence known in full force. We had hoped that the 'Eyes presence would induce a marauding 'Skie, but not on this day. Between us we managed over 3Doz 1-1/2 'ers, almost the perfect size for a shore lunch.

Overall a decent day, save for the lack of co-operation on the Muskie's part. Back at it in a week or so out of the same Boat, so hopefully a better report then...

Opportunity

When a guy gets a chance to run outta a Hewes Redfisher (one of the few in the provonce mind) and toss either a #9Wt or #10Wt and Puglisi style bait patterns up to 7-8" long, with a person who's knowledgable & successful in this venue. Well it's pretty much a fore-gone conclusion that one day this weekend, I'll be on either the front deck or poling platform of said Hewes.

Stay tuned for pics & lowdown...

Recent Happenings

A week of intense trainig at another new position has seen little time on the water. Seems I'm back in an Industry that requires Tactical training & I'm still a little expended after a rigourous & intense five days. In light I do have some updates from friends and across the web.

The "Professor" has gone out & out-done himself, bettering last years mark of 24" by another 3" (reportedly). Unless I'm witness to, or see actual pics showing a measurement, I'm always skeptical. That said however, they guy does have a nasty habit of getting into Big Brown's consistantly. So big (pending lol) props to him on this accomplishment.

Felt Soul Media have revamped their web-site. Along with the two vid-clips of "The Hatch" & "Running Down the Man", there's also a new clip featuring noted artist James Prosek.


The Chum'ster is always a good source of Fish Porn, odd news & generally weird & wacky flyfishing goings on. He has turned up a new E-Zine in "This is Fly" hopefully it lives up to it's acclaimed status of hi-res pics and solid articles, where other's have choked.

'Nuff said..

Delayed Report

May 28th '07:

Pointed the Silver Goat Westbound with hopes that an afternoon session, would elavate the Mojo/Ju-Ju & could rub it in with the "Professor"

Too bad I was sadly mistaken....

While water temps were up, seems only the stockers & second yr class (14-15") fish have showed up with any enthusiasm, either sub-surface or up top.

Water levels are extremely low & little precipitation in the long range forecast, working seams that were once productive over the last few seasons is now fruitless. Those seams and feeding lanes are now gone & the Brown's have taken up new peices of real-estate, in very difficult liess.

This has become REAL technical fishing kiddies!

Stretching out to 12' leaders of 6x & 7x tippet, you still have to make multiple "Jedi" type mends in order to get little drag. I've never seen refusal's this bad in all my years of fishing here.

A #22 BWO Nymph was the producer of the day. With only a single 17" er to show for my efforts, it was hardly worth the cost of fuel....

Frustration 5/19-'07

With only a half day of avail time to hit the Grand, The Professor & I headed out the door at our usual 3Am yesterday. Anticipation was high, as water temps had come up to a whooping 50-52F. Hopefully allowing for some increased nymphing activity.

Slight problem however.. With last weekends Kayak races & the increased flow rate outta the Dam. It has left this past week as a recuperation period to allow for acceptable levels in the lake for the long weekend. Dropping down to under a 3cms flow rate & with a river that normally sees an average of 3.5-4.3cms through-out the year, this menas a change of tactics were in order.

Even with a change of basic presetations i.e. longer leaders, I had to go down to 7x tippet size in order to get a bite. While I did note some relatively active nymphing as opposed to previous outtings, it wasn't until later in the day, after the sun had warmed the water & just as time had run out for our jaunt.

I did mange four hook-ups to decent fish in the 18"-22" range, how-ever my run of late '06 Steelhead Mojo must be back, as I managed to lose all four to pulled/thrown hooks while under tension.... Figures... I'm hoping yesterday was a one-off & not a sign of the season to un-fold.

Hoping to get back mid-week for some Hendrickson dry-fly action (although I may have missed the bulk of it). The above pic was by a third-party friend, who tagged along with us. Great scenic sunrise shot of yours truely doing the "Steelhead Jig" (swing thru, move five feet down..) through a well known run...

The Challenge... 5/14/07

There is a well known/exclusive club 'round parts of the Grand R. Affectionately known as the " The 20/20 Club".

Pretty simple entry application...

A 20" Brown (or more) on a #20 Fly (Wet, Dry or Nymph). Conservatively thinking of course, I'm gonna garner a guess it's members between 8-12 yearly (even that might be too high). Probably 1/2 of those are repeat or yearly entrants.

Figuring I'm on a bit of a tear lately (and only because I've been rubbing it in w/the Professor as payback). I'm gonna issue a new challenge to both the "Professor" & "Gilligan" (if he can ever get out to fish...) as of this weekend.

A bit of background history first. "The Professor" has been at this particular game for awhile now. Although he may say I "just wing it" I find it hard to believe as he consistantly bangs off 22"-24" ers every year. I've been there to witness it on many occasions, presenting the same fly as him, either right in front or behind his presentation. Only to have him ding the brute. Seen pics of them as well, so I know when he calls or emails it's legit.

The kid a.k.a "Gilligan" is a bundle of energy. Think Jack Russel Terrier on 6 Triple X-Large Esspresso's and you might have a close enough refrence point.

He on the other hand...Well... Seems they're all 23-25" er's when he fishes... alone. No pics to accent the tale, I give him 1/2 credit based on his Steelheading prowress.. Only 1/2 mind..

So back to the challenge..

Welcome to the "3/20 Club". Rules are simple

1 - #3Wt or less
2 - #20 or smaller fly
3 - photographic proof (mandatory) or viable witness (inserted for Gilligans' sake)
4 - May 19th - seasons end

Let's see who is first and/or the only entrant into this club is, by year's end..

6 Days Later..

It's funny how downtime in-between jaunts can lead one to believe or hope that conditions would/will change change for the better....

However, the only thing that was in my favour was warmer air temps. Still low flows (3.2cms) and gin clear water meant switching out to 12' leaders and 6x & even 7x tippets times.

A cool, crisp morning with some light fog patches always leads to a good BWO & Midge hatch in early morning. Yet with water temps still around (46-47F) the "big boys/mama's are still in a lethargic mode until well int to the morning, when the sun has wamred everything adequately. Cold enough water temps, that even the recent annual stocking of 8"-12" fish were not into nymphing or the afore-mentioned surface action.

However it gave me time to familiarize myself with the new Sage Z-Axis 486-4 I was lucky enough to borrow. Able to roll cast almost as good as my SP 490-2 and track very well during Nymphing presentations, I was impressed. It also lands #22 dries out, like it's "painting them on water" ... Shyte..this stick even tosses a #2 Puglisi bait pattern with authority !

My efforts were rewarded with this 22-1/4 (measured) incher, putting a good bend in the 486-4 at times.



Definately not the early season I'm accustomed to on this watershed, but at least the Caddis should be coming off in a few weeks. Then.. the big boys/mama's will get stupid... Maybe I'll be able to actually time the Hendrickson's this year ??

Time will tell...Until next time.. back to the tying bench..

The Day Before..

There's always an anticipation before an outting with me, beit Brown's or Steelhead.

Trying to factor or guage conditions on any system is usually a hit & miss scenario. Luckily I have a network of contacts, that are 90% accurate in their descriptions.

I'm being told there's active nymphing by the "hogs' for the last few days & the over-night rains have lowered viz to a comfortable level. Hopefully with the last few days of warm temps, everything has settled in to it's early season mode..

Only tommorrow will tell...Stay tuned..

And the Gods Smile...

A low CFM Rate (3.2), coupled with low Gin-Clear water & cold water temps (47) proved to be difficult conditions. Yet if you grind it out and bring your "A-Game" , the rewards can be ten-fold!

23" s of Grand R. Brown'age.. 'Nuff said..

The End of One Season..

Preludes the start of another..

Sat April 27th, marks the official open season for Trout here in Ont, Can. With some reluctance I pointed the Silver Goat East & headed to private waters I'm fortunate to have access to. Given the amount of vehicles on the road leading into the property (which..god I love this part) is patrolled by Doberman's & Sheppards during the weekend) to help keep the over-enthusiastic/non-members out & to the North of the property. I'm glad to have a small piece of solitude every year to fish on this weekend.

Since Jan I've become increasingly despondant towards the whole C-Pin set-up I usually favour. Instead taking the Spey gear and looking for aggressive fish on the swing. I think I've taken the 'Pin gear out a total of three times since Jan... Even still my soul wasn't into it & was taken more outta convienance then anything else.

I must say this about that however... There's nuthin like the tug of Steel on a swung Spey/Mini Spey/Tube Spey pattern. Aggresive takes, airborne displays & typical torpedo runs are becoming rather addicting as opposed to watching a float meander along. Nuthin wrong with the latter however, just becomes a little monotanous after 20+ yrs of doing it. That and the throngs of would-be floaters, who know jack-shit about etiquette, is enough to turn me off of this gig at times. Nuff said..

The day went well. Overcast, light drizzle early morn w/some fog, 3-6" viz, perfect conditions really. Doing the typical close in then extending further out presentations through a long deep slot/trough, then moving 5' down is relaxing. A quick dram of the 'Phroaig every-once-in-awhile to take the chill off & the world seems proper at times....

Fifteen feet from my starting point (that's three moves down stream for those counting) and the Lady Caroline has taken hold of the first customer of the morning. A big initial run, coupled with a few acrobatics and he's landed & released in under five. A nice clean droppie of 8Lbs rocketing off like nothing ever happened. By the time I've reached the end of the trough, I've rolled 3 more and landed a 3Lb Shaker for my efforts. Time for a change and slow meander back to the top & allow the others to work through.

By mid-day I'd accounted for five Steelhead, rolled another 1/2doz & managed to kill the better part of a flask of 'Phroaig. It was time for the customary luncheon that one of the members puts on & a lil slap-rapping about fish caught, missed opportunities & the talk of the season soon to be ended. All-in-All not a bad way to kill 3/4's of a day really.. Yup no pics (well I have 'em)m but I'm not into posting hero shots, so I'll wait to get decent pics in the Fall..speaking of

Until Fall Steelhead Season... Nuff Said..

Gearing up for some Hog Brown'age on the Grand R. for the next while. Been out once, but a dip in barometric pressure from the previous day, high flows & low water temps made for a dismal first outting Sunday. 'Sides I'm not into the Micro shit that comes off in early hatches (BWO's & Midges). One I can barely see them on the water.. Two I can't tie the shit on to 8X tippet in short order, so usually I just say fugg it...

Tommorrow's "Round 2" we'll keep ya posted...

Gone..