Quick Trip on the Fly

This isn't really about flyfishing, but more about how quick things had to come together to get on the water. For the last 8 weeks we've been going 6-7 days a week. No time for fishing or much of anything else. I have done hours of day dreaming at work, envisioning myself sitting by quiet waters in my handmade wicker chair, smoking a pipe, adjusting my top hat, and writing in my leather bound river journal thoughts like "My flyrod and wading staff, they comfort me. They restoreth my soul." You know, like the purest do. :) But today was a far cry from those stream bank daydreams.
 I got to work and was told, I thought you were off today. Say what?? We haven't talked about days off in months, it's just part of the busy season we have to accept. But oh yes, I was taking off. I had work to finish and ran out about two hours later. I raced into the house and started scavaging my gear that was spread out everywhere since the last time the yak got wet. Within about 30 minutes I was on the road, yak and gear loaded, racing for the river.

The wind was nasty with a constant 15-25 mph as usual when I want to fish, but it was sunny and 73. I got unloaded and pushed off, ready to absorb everything this day had prepared for me. And the wind kept blowing. I paddled a ways, snapping some photos when I noticed the low battery flashing at me. Go figure. Within 20 minutes I had already landed two bass and headed on down river.

 

It always amazes me the things you get to see while out paddling.

First off was two deer crossing the river way ahead of me. Then two great horned owls came swooping down about 30 yards from me and were fighting a squirrel determined to get away. They got him and  then fought between each other for dibs on the first juicy bite. Out came the camera, turned it on, zoom in, battery died. Figures. I got to the bank, reached around and grabbed my phone which is worthless as a camera. But that's what happens when you don't charge the batteries on all your good cameras.

Here he is flying away with his prize. Again, terrible photo.

After only about a half mile, I came to my first portage. Just a simple, but big dam i've carried my gear around hundreds of times. Today was no different. As I grabbed the yak and prepared to walk down, my feet slipped right out from under me. I hit hard. One of those soul jarring falls. I think my little hamster wheel up top came off it's tracks. I laid there for a few seconds wiggling my toes, then fingers, just to make sure everything was still functioning. My wrist was hurting pretty bad, although i'm not sure why, it didn't help out at all on the landing, just scurried out of the way like a rodent. But I jumped up, and in the voice of Randy Macho Man Savage, I let out a monstrous "OOOOHHHH YYYEEEAAAHHHH!!!". (That was the "I meant to do that" yell just in case anyone was watching...you know, I had to keep my dignity in tact)

It hurts just looking at this pic.

I headed on, well, more like limped on, and got back to fishing. Four more dinks were caught in the next 30 minutes.

 I cast over to a spot that just had that look and thought I got hung up. But the line was moving towards me. Ok, set the hook then? About that time she came up to the surface about four feet from the yak and our eyes met. We both hollered and she went straight under the boat. "Whoa, drag, help, what the..." She was doubling the rod over heading under and my drag wasn't set right. Oops. I got the problem fixed and got her landed. Just over 5 lbs and quite the lively yakmate. She was photographed, released, and gave me a face full of water for my troubles as she took off.

I caught one more nice bass on the way back to the truck, and it was time to go.

I'd only been gone two hours and now the race was on to get the kids picked up at school. Overall, the best day i've had in a long time. I needed this. It would have been a good beginning to the tourney we'll be starting in a few days. It's the one where I will be distributing a friendly, yet unrepentant butt whooping to some of my yakangler brothers. That's if I can get out of bed in the morning. I fear I may have bruised my tailbone. The stiffness and pain have set in and I have adjusted from one cheek to the other a dozen times in the last few minutes. A price i'm more than willing to pay for a day of fishing. (well see if i'm singing that same song tomorrow).

All 8 bass were caught on a Trigger 5" Flutter worm in Watermelon Chartreuse. All were caught on the same worm, it stayed on through all the fights. If it's working, don't change it.

 The wind never stopped and got worse. As of 6pm there wasn't anymore blue skies, although there were no clouds either. The dirt was now here.

At least it waited to get bad after I got back.

Thanks for coming along,
Scott

Long but Great Weekend

 This last weekend didn't work as planned for the family. My kids had a big competition for church in Dallas that they have been working their tails off for two months to compete in. The day before we leave (Thursday) my son decides to get a fever, sore throat, cough. Doctor didn't think it was a good idea for him to go. We agreed. My wife stayed home and that left my daughter and me to head out for the 5 hour drive. We left extra early to hit some malls and just mess around before we had to be there that night. Somehow my GPS took us here.

 When we go to these stores...bass pro, cabelas, etc, I can usually get out pretty cheap, not sure how, but I always do. Not this time. Maybe because my wife wasn't there (very likely), or I just thought I needed more junk. But I left a chunk in the White River Fly Shop area.
 Since we don't have any type of store like this within 4-5 hours of us, everything is done online. And man, it's amazing what I have to have when I can see it in front of me. I'm stocked up on eyes, bodies, and all sorts of "important" things. I don't see how you guys make it with having these in your town.  :lol:
 It was a give and take with my daughter though. I got Bass Pro in exchange for a never ending slough of Justice, Clairs, Wet Seal, Coach, and every other girlie store there is on the planet. It was a blur of perfume, feather boas, 1D posters, and glitter dresses. After all that i'm surprised I didn't end up in heels and make up. Then again, it wasn't Saturday night yet. :)
 We didn't get to make it to the Mariner Sails Demo Days but overall I had an awesome weekend with my little girl. She did great in the competition and we had some great quality time. I wish the whole family could have gone, but now, i'm kinda glad it worked out how it did. Cherish the time you have with your younguns folks!

Thanks for coming along,
Scott

Finished Poppers

I finally finished painting my poppers and got the epoxy set. Then I finished the tying. I just need to finish the epoxy on the thread and I will call them done. Far from perfect, but man, what a blast. I learned so many "what not to do's", a couple of "wait..what?" and only one, "why Lord whyyyyy???" (Last one was the third thread break)  I will start the next batch hopefully next week and see what I can do. This was also a lot of learning with the copic as well, but that's starting to become easier. I did buy a cheap air compressor and that will save a ton in the long run. They are all size 2. Anyway, here they are...2 bass and an attempted red ear sunfish.

I figured i'd do a group shot before they go on to their various destinations.

I only did two frogs this round because i'm waiting on materials to arrive. I didn't have the right stuff to get the legs working the way I wanted so I stopped at 2.

My Purple Derp...

I tried for a more brownish tone to this one.

I quickly realized i'm a much better painter than I am a tier. I really need to work on that.

Here was one I did for a friend at yakangler.com. Notice the yakangler logo at the back of the lure.

The next batch will be smaller in size, probably a #2. These were a bit clunky on an 8wt, but awesome on a 10. I'm pretty sure they would work on an ultralite spinning rig.

Great, another addiction. Oh well, at least i'm having fun.

Thanks for coming along,
Scott