Fishing, GFP Style

Well, today, Brian, Ché and I fished in the name of Guys, Flies & Pies. We met at Lion's Park and the weeds were in full force, but thankfully just a bit below the surface. Ché started us off with a red ear, and he never stopped. He pulled in the most, probably close to 30 fish, mostly reds, but about 5 bass. Brian also did good catching his first 4 or 5 fish on his new rod. He also put his phone in a zip lock bag, although he didn't have any intentions of wadering up or getting wet. Me, well I did well, pulling in about 5 bass and about 10 to 15 reds. I got the prize for biggest fish, a nice 13.5 inch bass! Pictures are coming....hey, I got an email, maybe that's them!

The New Guys, Flies & Pies Website!!!

Announcing the new www.GuysFliesAndPies.com website!

The new www.GuysFliesAndPies.com website has been created to promote the November 15th 2008 Guys, Flies & Pies fly tying event that is open to the public. Please feel free to tell everyone about the event. Remember, we have 2 fly rods that we will be raffling off and there will be door prizes and pizza and drinks provided!

Some Crayfish

I saw Pete Collins tie up a crayfish at Coleman's Fly Shop last Saturday and it got me thinking I should try it again. My first attempt was a Kzoo Craw a month or two ago and that turned out pretty nice. My second attempt didn't get past 1/2 done. After watching Pete tie on Saturday I had some new ideas to work with. Here's what I came up with.

The top one was the first one this weekend. Not too bad. The middle one has no claws.....it was getting late and I forgot to add them. The bottom one turned out pretty nice and I was pleased with it.



Then my last one from yesterday was tied on a larger hook and turned out quite nicely. This is my favorite so far. I have some changes I plan to make for the next one I tie.



Then Brooke wanted to tie one like mine. I helped more than I usually do, and hers turned out pretty nice!



These are fun to tie and I will definitely be tying up some more since I hear they can catch all kinds of fish.

The View From My Desk

My wife is very cool, and understanding of the NEED to tie flies. I found that having the desk upstairs didn't allow me to tie much. So, recently the desk has been given the prime location in the house. After all it is all about "location, location, location."

It sits in the front room, right in front of the biggest window in the house. Not a bad view, if I say so myself!

White Streamers

I tied up a dozen white streamers for a swap I'm in. I really like this fly (although I just invented it and haven't fished it yet.) The hook is a Mustad Stinger hook, size......uh.....2.....maybe 4. I wrapped hackle not as much for look, but having it there seems to hold the grey rabbit strip out from the hook giving the streamer a larger profile. I'll have to try it out soon.

Fishing with Mike L

Mike L and I fished for some lake run browns last Friday. We had a good spot to ourselves and were successfully catching nothing. About 30 minutes later 4 guys come down and get right in our way. As much as I know to expect this during the fall runs, I was a bit upset because there was plenty of room around because there were not that many fisherman out that day. Then, they proceeded to catch fish after fish. While Mike and I were catching nothing, we could at least be comforted by thinking that maybe there weren't any in this hole, well these guys showed us that we were just not catching them. I was also a bit upset having to wait to cast because their drift was well into my area.

Well, we had fun anyway but just a bit ticked off by that. I ended up seeing a great blue heron, a mink, some fish, a red fox and 2 turkeys on the trip!

Dying Feathers with Big Zill

Earlier this year Big Zill and I dyed some feathers using Kool-Aid and vinegar.



First we mixed the Kool-Aid, vinegar, and water...


Then we stirred in some feathers...


Then we microwaved them for about a minute, maybe 2.....


And rinsed them off and let them dry!


It worked pretty well, and I'm told they should hold color good enough to fish, but I haven't tried fishing with any of them yet.

M.O.A.E.S.L.

The Mother Of All Egg Sucking Leeches is one of the coolest patterns I've seen tied in a while. Matt (Day5) ties this fly up in such a way that I've never seen before. One of these days I'm going to rig up something like this so I can tie a few of them too. Having fished some he's sent me, I can tell you that the action these jointed flies makes is awesome!!!

Oak Orchard

Today I fished with Graham, Brent, and Howard, who is from Brent's club back home. After a few hours of tossing flies, I finally caught this beast on a black stone fly! I had a few other hits and lost another one. It was a good day but cold and snowy, with some hail.

Fishing with Graham, Brent & Alex

Today I went out to Oak Orchard creek to see if I could find and meet Graham. I ran into him just after noon and he was fishing with Brent and Alex. When I walked up Brent had on a steelhead and I stopped to watch. I seemed that Graham was nervous that I would steal his spot in the water if he got out to grab his camera, so I said "I'm not going to take your spot, but I'd like to introduce myself." He was relieved and after photographing the fish he offered to let me join them in the water and fish. I proceeded to practice casting while the rest of them caught fish or had hook ups. I had nothing, but that was expected. Just before I left I met Fred and his friend Joe. Tomorrow night we will all tie together!!! I can't wait!!!

Casting Practice at Sandy

I went to Sandy yesterday. There were a lot of salmon, but I only saw 1 brown trout. Hopefully the rains today will bring more water to the creek and then more browns. The salmon didn't want any of the dozen flies I tossed at them. I did foul hook 2, but broke them off. One shiner took an egg, and that was it. My boots ripped so now I'll have to duct tape them up since I can't afford to even window shop for boots. Someday I'd like to get good equipment so I'm not trying to get buy on cheap gear.

1 week from tonight, and GFP with guys from all over the country will be in full swing!

Fished Sandy Today

Got out to Sandy today with Crystal and Brooke and Tyler. We set up the pack and play and took turns fishing.




The water was low since we haven't had much rain and the canal hasn't been let out. I hope it gets let out November 1st so the fishing can pick up.


We did see a bunch of salmon running around and Crystal spotted four brown trout (not pictured).


We spotted this sign about a place buying fresh salmon eggs, and as much as I don't like the thought of people harvesting fish just for eggs............



......after seeing 2 dead torn up salmon in a garbage bag on the side of the road.....Crystal liked the sign even less!


Gotta love watching them run!!!