DREAM ON- Part One

 

Today I talked with an old friend whom I have not seen in years.  During high school and much of college we had  elaborate dreams for travel to exotic places- Nepal, Alaska, Baffin Island, Patagonia, Thailand…. the list does not end.  Lucky for both us we have been able to check off some of these locations sadly none together.  

It got me thinking.  While maybe not as sexy as another country, South  Carolina has always been high on my fishing list.  Redfish, sea trout, flounder, cobia, and shark OOOHHH BUDDDDY.  And best of all my friend lives kind of close to some great South Carolina fisheries.  If I am lucky enough I will be able to drag him any from his successful job and amazing family for a few days.  I decided to look up flies that are used down there and start tying some up.

Great minds think a like.  This redfish pattern is super close to my CopyCat (a carp killer fly).  Not an exact copy but close enough.  And yes the head was colored with a Sharpie I had no blue thread.  I guess redfish eyes pick out blue really well and flies can always benefit with a splash of blue.

Cobia are simply ball busting brutes and fly shop owners dream  They shatter rods, tear lines on structure, and mangle flies- keep local shops in business fish for cobia.  A tying forum promises that this pattern in yellow and red is a killer combination for cobia.  I know I know never trust forums but if it fails in the salt I am sure there is some stupid pike out there that will crush it.  

 

Now every few tying sessions when I have the time and materials I am gonna spin flies with dreams in mind.  And in the words of Aerosmith “Dream until your dreams come true”

It must have been a Wooly Bugger

I am lucky enough to have many fly fishing mentors- people who can tie circles around me and cast better than I can walk.  They continue to teach me and I cannot thank them enough.  My mentors have built upon my passion for fly fishing that was instilled upon me by a family friend.  Like most kids I started fishing with a Zebco combo complete with the time honored 3030 reel.  I used to run around my parent’s pond- throwing spinners, jigs and dreaming of joining the FLW.

One day I was fishing and my friend Dave came over to me with a fly rod.  It was probably a flimsy trout rod being that Dave was a dedicated Ausable River junkie at that time.   “Fly Fishing is lots more fun” said Dave and gave me his rod.  After he walked me through the absolute basics of casting, he tied on bug probably a wooly bugger.  I soon realized that casting a fly rod was nothing like casting a spin rod.  Some time later I was able get enough line out to be graciously called a cast.  

Being of a gracious nature a smallie came out a hammered the fly.  Probably setting the hook himself more than me.  The rod bounced and danced as the bass fought me- I felt like the fish was in my hand as the energy of the fight traveled down the fly rod.  Grinning ear to ear my friend and I laughed at the joy of it.  Lipping the fish, pulling the fly out and listening to my friend on how to safely release a fish (the bass master release was not cool apparently) little did I know how much it would change my life.

Take a kid fishing- spread the disease of fly fishing.  Watching a kid laugh when fishing will remind you why you started fishing in the first place.  Enjoy yourself on the water you could always be working.  And remember when taking a photo of the fish- grinning laughing is part of grip and grin- no cool guy faces needed.

MAKING LEMONADE- THE FLY FISHING VERSION

 

 

My parents settled in North West Ohio.  Good schools, close to Lake Erie, good standard of living, and located nowhere near any good trout fishing.  The Western Edge of Steelhead Alley is over an hour away, smallies of the Huron River about an hour, the Ausable River four hours.  Now once a kid gas grown up these are not huge drive times and don't tax allowances much.  Still nowhere close for a quick trip to the river. 

 

The Maumee River is world famous its Spring Walleye Run-  people fight for prime fishing spots to throw Carolina Rigged floating heads for these tasty treats.  You quickly learn how to throw your line so you don't tangle your line much with our fellow fisherman.  Parking spaces along the road are as much in demand as those on the water.  When you are driving up to the river looking for a place to fish and park you might be lucky enough to spot the camo wearing DNR looking for people who are snagging.   

 

Trout bum paradise, fly fisherman paradise hardly.  But for those willing to fish outside the box- they fish for smallies, walleye, carp, catfish and even gar: the lemonade of the fly fishing world. 

 

Especially for catfish yes catfish.  These fish pull hard, their trade mark rolling on the line leaves your tippet slimy and identifies the fish well before you can see throw the muddy rivers of the Maumee.  As the summer progresses they become easier to catch moving up the water column for minnows and bugs.  But most times especially during the Dog Day's of summer they are tight to the bottom.

 

Enter the Turkey Dinner.  The Turkey Dinner everything that makes Thanksgiving so good in one bite. A wiggling mess of movement.  Maybe a crawfish, maybe a bug, either way something good.  Use a loop knot to attach the fly to a long, heavy, flat (untapered) leader and whatever sinking tip is needed to get the fly down.  Fish it deep and slowly on a drift.  And wait for the catfish to hammer down on it when they bite on the fly. 

 

Ladies and Gentleman, make lemonade.  Fish hard, fish often.