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....