2013 Arctic Circle Flies

Occasionally cool things happen to flies I tie. Sinking hooks into jaws is always nice.  Sometimes my flies get to travel to faraway places that I can only dream of fishing.  Thus I live vicariously through my flies.  In mid-June I was contacted through a social media vacuum by an individual in Germany who had stumbled across a picture of some flies I had tyed a couple years back for a buddy who was headed to the Arctic Circle.  This individual wanted to know if I was interested in tying some flies for him as he was going there himself in late August.  For me it’s always exciting to see messages like this.  There is a gamble involved with a prospect like this; meeting deadlines, shipping costs, lost packages, currency exchange rates, and just getting ripped off in general.  Fly fishermen are generally decent people and keeping initial orders small tends to minimize the risks.  Sven and I worked out an agreement for me to tie some flies for his trip to the Ekaluk River.  On July 22, 2013  mailed the flies to Germany.  Then the waiting began……lots of waiting.  It took nearly a month for the flies to arrive and Sven got them literally days before leaving.  PPPPHHHHEEEEEWWWW!  I never anticipated it taking that long for the flies to reach him and anxiety had set in over what to do if they had arrived after he left on his journey.  Part of our deal was to share some photos from his trip when he returned.  Sven delivered on his end with some cool pictures and a brief note. 

Had a Great Trip, flies worked well, cold and storms (Winds over 100 mph), very nice people, Good Camp, loads of big, big Char!

Flies ready to go!

A view from on top of the world

You know it's windy when shit flows sideways.....LOL



Awesome!!!!



What it's all about!!!!



This is what it’s all about…..it fuels the fire within and drives the motivation.

A huge thank you to Sven for his patience and sharing his experience with me!!! 
Sven stayed at: Camp Ekaluk with B&J Flyfishing Adventures

Here is a link to my blog post from a few years back:

http://vern-o.blogspot.com/2011/09/artic-circle-flies-part-two.html

Salmon River Trip 8/25/13

Tom Coughlin Stadium Sunrise.

I swear I see a brook trout.

The great eye in the sky.

Swimming fly.

Magog in color with Flymen Fishing Company "Fish Mask"

Not a lot to say about the fishing, it was more of a visual trip.  There were a few fish around, but they weren't players in my game.  Really a good experience.  Sorry for the stupid sideways photos, the pics appear rightside up, but blogger turns them and won't let me correct...

Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead (Book Review)

With the hint of fall in the air, what better time to brush up on our quest for Great Lakes steelhead than with a review of Rick Kustich's book. Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead is a sort of follow up book to Rick and Jerry Kustich’s 1999 book Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead.  The timing is perfect with the viral explosion that has become a never-ending pursuit for many of us that is steelhead fishing, in particular Great Lakes steelheading with a fly.  Rick Kustich was the first fly tier I went to actually watch do a solo fly tying demo.  I remember that brisk Buffalo, New York winter day at the Oak Orchard Fly Shop.  Rick was on hand to tie tube flies and I was just scratching the surface in my curiosity for the tubular knowledge.  I remember being captivated by the simplicity in execution and the fluidity in which he spoke and educated his audience.  Every step and material had meaning and purpose.  One thing I took away from his demo was that tube flies are a great way to have youngsters learn the skill of tying.   No hooks to pierce inexperienced appendages until they are ready to be fished. It wasn’t long after that I was enthralled in his first book. Detail, detail, detail, every page had it.  It opened a whole spectrum of new ideas for me and destinations to ponder.  The ending notes of protecting our beloved surroundings and resources sealed it for me.  As the years have evolved so has my quest for steelhead along with many of my fellow anglers.  I no longer chuck parachute cords filled with lead to dredge the river bottoms with tiny nymphs dangling six feet away.  I now prefer the quality of the tug rather than the numbers landed. 

Rick Kustich has evolved as well and his detailed ability to capture every nook is chronicled in his new book Advanced Fly Fishing for Great Lakes Steelhead.  Rick methodically breakdown our sport covering virtually every nuance and niche.  What I like about Rick’s approach is that he covers many aspects and options and then states what style he likes and why.  It’s a no-nonsense style that doesn’t dance around what is politically correct. I applaud his stance with statements like, “Personally I have nothing against any sporting means to catching a steelhead, but when one approach significantly takes opportunity away from other anglers, there does seem to be something that borders on the unethical about this type of behavior.”   Rick certainly doesn’t soapbox issues, but rather his on the water experiences have exposed him to a vast array of individuals and techniques.  Rick explores countless tactical approaches and keys in on environmental factors that affect the success of connecting to our quarry.  Rick points out the advancements in technology to make our gear that much more versatile.  Rick makes no qualms about the fact that pursuing steelhead with a two handed (Spey) rod is his driving desire.  This style alone warrants a title using the word “advanced”.  Rick takes the time to describe several casting strokes, many of which are designed but not limited to two handed rods.  Careful descriptions are given followed by outstanding photo sequences taken by Nick Pionessa.  The book is peppered with stunning scenic photos and many a magnificent Oncorhynchus mykiss specimens.  This book really makes you appreciate and want to preserve the natural beauty that encompasses the Great Lakes region.  The book nears its conclusion when Rick discusses the search for a quality experience and gives insight into possible new trends to improve our sport.   Much like catch and release or catch limits have evolved through years of education, Rick hints to pool rotation and sharing in the experience as new avenues for improvement.  The book wraps up with chapters on flies tyed by many of those who fish these great lakes with passion and a breakdown of the many rivers and streams in which to challenge our desires.  There are no real spot burns, but rather a point in the right direction.  Rick has a grasp on this fishery that can only make one wonder what lies ahead in the next fifteen years or so.

Mental Health Day

As real life would have it I occasionally get overwhelmed and frustrated mostly with the real life job.  I then need that mental release, thus the need for a mental health day.  For me there is usually a bunch of planning, on what species and what body of water, etc.  What makes a mental health day more complete, than to score some fish.  This day was designed to score some warmwater species from the kayak.  The weather forcasted changed on me last minute making me rethink my original destination.  No problem I usually have a backup plan.  I headed to the North end of Cayuga Lake and searched for a launch spot.  Once I did I was off and eager to get the day reeling.  No dice, I moved to another location, and another, and another.....no dice, no dice, no fish.  A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.....right?  So be it, not every outting can be what the vision in my head wants it to be......thus the quest continues.  I did manage to take both my girls fishing, so that brought smiles to everyones face, myself included.

Deerfield River Spey Day June 1, 2013

For the last three years now, I have volunteered my time, my abilities, and my money to help out with the Deerfield River Spey Day in northwestern Massachusetts.  The event is hosted by Walt Geryk (www.neffguide.com) and his crew of volunteers.  The event usually consists of fly tying, spey casting demos, free BBQ, raffles, and auctions. 

The proceeds go to Reel Recovery, an organization devoted to assisting cancer survivors in their recovery through fly fishing.  I enjoy helping the cause and traveling to some beautiful river locations.  Every year I have constructed a leather fly wallet and tie a few flies to go along with it.  The items are then added to the list of wonderful trips, gear, and artwork to be auctioned.  This year was no different, except I may have donated more flies and materials than usual.  Again, it’s all for a good cause.  This year was a little different for me.  I usually have the family in-tow with me and we spend time after the event together.  With the addition of a new puppy to our family, traveling a good distance and finding accommodations for the puppy was a bit much this year.  I made the trip this year solo.  Thank goodness the weather held out, unlike last year’s monsoon event.  I had aspirations to fish before and after the event. You would think a solo trip would allow me endless hours of fishing, but it didn’t. 

At the Hairpin Turn

The drive is nearly five hours each way, and not leaving until late Friday afternoon put the kibosh on the evening hatch since I had to find a place to throw down the tent for the night. 

Up early on a quest for coffee took me to the Shellburn Falls Coffee Roasters, then as I scoped out fishable water I ended up at the Zoar Picnic Area and decide to give a hand setting up the big tent. 

Once the event got underway there was a steady flow of people, some faces new, and some familiar.  My little travel table/tying table soon had the company of two other tiers, one of which was Allen Landhere.  I’ve encountered Allen at many of the Somerset Tying Shows, and he is an exceptional tier.  It was nice to have fellow tiers at the table to share in the skills and chatting. 

Allen Landheer

To say the least, the day was perfect and as the afternoon wore on and the event was winding up, I contemplated driving back home or fishing the evening hatch. 

Walt talking casting finess

Auctioneer Chuck!!!

Streamers donated by Eunan  http://addictedtovise.blogspot.com/

What I’ve noticed each year of doing this event was that the auction has some really incredible items, and each year I watch as countless items go for virtually less than cost.  The point of the event is to raise money for a charity, not get an item for dirt cheap.  This brings me to why we are there.  I am sure we all know someone who has lost the battle with cancer.  I for one know an individual who is currently battling cancer.  His name is Mark and he is an avid soft hackle tier and angler.  Mark goes by the screen name soft-hackle on a few web forums and is a co-founder of the flymph web site (www.flymphforum.com).  I met Mark a few years back at a tying event in the Catskills.  I think Mark was the first internet human being, at least fly tying related that I met face to face. Mark came up introduced himself and we just started talking flies, and everything soft hackle. The knowledge just fell out of him.  This was my first time really doing a tying event and I wasn’t even unpacked yet. Mark made me feel like I had been tying with him for years. I think from there it’s been no- stop for me. I still smile thinking of all that enthusiasm he shared.  Eventually I got to sit down and watch him tie and again the knowledge just gushed and I beamed with respect.  Mark and I have stayed in loose contact over the years since then.  Mark truly has been an inspiration to me.  Two years ago I got to see Mark while battling with cancer at the first annual Flymph gathering in the Catskills.  I was glad to be able to stop and say hello to him and the fellow Flymphers.  I had hoped to tie at this years Flymph event, but scheduling was an issue. 

I digress a bit here.  Flash back to the Deerfield.  I decided that my obligations to get back to New York were greater than fooling around chasing trout all evening.  I packed my vehicle with a bit of mixed feelings, but mostly pleased with being a part of the Deerfield River Spey Day.  I couldn’t resist the temptation to wet a line for an hour or so.  I found an unoccupied pull off and threw together my gear and hit the water.  I worked my way toward a sweet little run when I noticed a decent splash as a trout inhaled a bug.  I opted for a March brown parachute pattern, since they were sporadically coming off the water. I then wanted to increase my odds of hooking up with a fish, so I added a dropper fly.  I chose the Genesee  Jewel wet fly, created by Mark.  I’ve heard and experienced the capabilities of this fly as a searching pattern.  Now let me paint this in a different light. 

Genessee Jewel by Mark Libertone

 I am on a tight schedule, I’m physically and mentally beat from the previous events, and I’m fishing a non-descript piece of water I have never fished before, in hopes of connecting with a fish (trout preferred) on a sunny slightly humid June 1^st day.  It wasn’t easy, but eventually my parachute was pulled under and the Genesee Jewel was connected to an over excited rainbow trout.  I played the fish to submission with a giddy kid type feeling overcoming me.  It happened, my road trip, tying event, hoopla extravaganza was candy coated with one simple fish, taking one wet fly, created by one remarkable person. 

I fished a bit longer hoping to improve my odds and as the sun shone bright, a brief down pour of rain told me it was time to go.  I searched the skies for a rainbow, but realized it came in the form of a fish.  I thank you Mark Libertone for all the inspiration. 

http://www.flyanglersonline.com/features/oldflies/part402.php