Just picked up one of these from eBay. I needed a better 5 wt so I hope this one is good. For 59, it wouldn't be much of a loss even if it wasn't better than the ones I already have.

Fly Logic - fly rods & fly reels with logic

Try the Search box over in the righthand side of the page. It only searches on fly fishing sites that I have in my bookmarks, therefore the results are very targeted. It works great for finding fly patterns. If you know of any other good sites to add, let me know.

Smith's Creek

Kevin and I took off at 7:00AM on Monday to Smith's Creek outside of Harrisonberg. It was a brutely cold and windy day but we fools took off work and we weren't going to miss out on a day of fishing.

We met Billy at Blue Ridge Anglers who gave us a map to the place and let us know that we were really going to enjoy it. He was right. We had a great time. The water was a little murky, but it helped us hide from the trout. It had been raining the last few days so we were lucky that the water was fishable at all. The place hadn't been fished in 2 weeks so it was ready for us novices.

You can't ask for a better maintained stream. It had easy access. It had fast water sections and still water. It was like a completely made up place. Couldn't get any better as far as I am concerned. I caught 2 browns and a huge rainbow (that got away - my mistake). Kevin caught a bunch more along the lines of 8 browns and 3 or 4 rainbows. He pulled in at least one 16 incher. I'm sure there were some much larger ones in there but on my 5 wt, it was a blast. I was planning to use my 5'6" 3 wt which I am glad I didn't. We were most successful with black wooley buggers, murray strymphs and bh prince nymphs.. all pretty large. I wasn't planning on fishing with larger flies so didn't tie any. And if you are interested, I did try the fuggly bugger and no, it didn't work. The damn thing floated. Anyway, here are the pictures. I have some more that I took on a disposable camera that I'll post later. Anyway, I love that place. I'll be back.

I had to post it. I call it the "Fuggly Bugger".

I wanted to make a really loud fly to get the brown trout's attention in Smith Creek. I think I succeeded. I only hope that if I decide to use it, that I don't ruin the fishing for the rest of the day.

Have you ever heard "if it doesn't fit, don't force it"?

Well, I have but I didn't listen.

I wanted to make some progress on finishing up my St. Croix SCIV rod last night so I worked at getting the handle on the rod. I must not have the proper tools as it was very difficult to bore out the cork. I got it within 5 inches of the handle and pushed a little too hard and POP, the cork split in two. About all I could do at that time was push it back down and hope the glue keeps the top cork close to the bottom cork. I checked it this morning, and it isn't bad, but I haven't got to the line guides yet so more room for goof ups.

I'm almost set for the outting on Monday. Got a pair of new waders from LL Bean. I typically don't splurge on the best stuff, but they had some waders that Simms made for them at half price. Couldn't pass it up. Also got a new vest and some flies. My fly tying is going slow, so I'll probably have to pick up the rest of the recommended flies when I stop by Blue Ridge Angler on Monday morning.

We had a massive round of layoffs at the company I (and Kevin, my fishing partner) work for. Neither of us were affected. So, our trip continues as planned.

Smith Creek Article - I'm getting excited!

Flyfishing Entomology

A comprehensive, and very scientific, entomology web site that I ran across today. It may be a little too technical for me. Troutnut.com is more up my alley, but as a reference, this is an excellent site.

I FINALLY get to go fishing! I'm very excited about this trip because it is for a full day (taking off from work), a new stream, and I'm paying a per rod fee so it better be good. We (me and Kevin) are going to Smith Creek near Harrisonburg a week from Monday for the whole day. More info about the stream is at Billy Kingsley's fly shop (www.blueridgeangler.com). If I tie some decent flies over the next week, I'll post some pics.

Column in the Roanoke Times

Some great commentary and advice from a newspaper in my area.

Went to Franklin Park on Sunday night to basically just cast a fly. I need to raise my confidence level when casting heavy flies in the dark. I'm scared to death that I'm going to hook my face. Needless to say, considering the cold weather, nothing was hitting. It was still nice to get out and cast.

Taken from the FFF ClubWire - October 2004 Issue

One Mississippi Two
By Allen Crise – FFF Certified Master Instructor

Now what would you think of someone driving along in traffic or walking along the side walk, thinking that no one is watching them, raising their arm and hand to along side there head Saying "One- Mississippi- Two." If you have been to Fly Fishing Casting Class with Allen Crise, of Ft Worth Fly Fishers, it might not seem so strange. You might walk up to them and add a
little help by saying 'Don't let your wrist break back". Or "Make that an Up cast not just a Back cast."

I have been teaching fly casting at many of the fly fishing shows around Texas and for the FFF. Part of the casting class is muscle training. Using the hand and arm like it might be holding a six-gun (cowboy at heart). Keeping the rod tip low to start. The Student is taught to raise his arm, hand and elbow to lift the rod high enough to get the rod hand up to the student's ear. In Texas I have the typical bass caster bait caster or spinning fisher person. They have been casting with anything but a fly rod for years. Their style is easy to recognize. The hand is kept low the elbow is held at the side, the cast is performed with a flick of the wrist. Ending with an extended forearm. My teaching for fly casting is to stop all the habits that they have learned to do, to cast a lure or bobber over a worm. To do this I start my class of about 10 students set up with 5 wt outfits from 7-1/2 to 9 ft. I try to keep the shorter rod for the smaller students.

I have found that the shorter rods are easier for the smaller students or kids to learn to cast. I think it is the weight that has to be STOPPED, to perform the fly cast that gives a 60 to 80 pound student the trouble. The shorter light weight rods make it that much easier, just moving and stopping less weight.

After a short introduction to the equipment covering the weighted fly line, rod length and action, how to hold the rod. The single action reel how to grip the reel handle with the finger tips. I have them pull out 20 feet of line. They of course go to waving the rods. This is OK with me. As this
gets them a custom to the rod and flying line. I will demonstrate good cast, bad cast and the reasons for both, with 'my rod'. I try to never take a rod from the student's hand. If I have to show them I place my hand on theirs.

”OK Everyone set their rods on the ground”.
"Time for some muscle training”. In every sport we have been taught we had a "Follow Though".
Batting, bowling, tennis, golf. In Fly Casting we have STOPS. It is the STOP that make this rod cast a weighted fly line 70, 80 or over 100 feet. To train the body to perform the stops we are going to do a little body training.

OK everyone hold a six-gun We are from TEXAS Right?
Of course we keep the barrel down at the ground safely pointed down. This is the same place we keep the fly rod tip. Right at the water, Raise you arm so you palm is facing your ear. That is right. See up by my hat brim. STOP. Move your hand forward about 6 inches STOP. Lower your elbow to your side. REST.

Now to get the line flowing behind you, you will have to pause to let the 30 ft line travel back this is the timing and the hardest part for many to get. Lets call the stops STOP one and STOP two. For the pause I want you to say the word "Mississippi". So it goes like this. Raise the hand to the ear say ONE- MISSISSIPPI move the hand forward six inches. Say TWO STOPPING the rod lower the arm/ elbow to the side, REST. The numbers one and two are STOPS. All the fly casting you will be doing will for a while will have these two STOPS a back or up cast STOP and a Forward cast STOP. You can do this exercise while watching TV or waiting for the Bathroom, those of you with teenage daughters will get a lot of practice. Ok pick up your rod. Lets see some great STOPS."

I then show them one more time some great stops and loops. I explain the loops and how they carry the line. I have them pull out the fly line to have about 30 feet out. I have marked the fly lines at thirty feet with three permanent marker rings. I then go to each student and placing my hand on theirs and my other hand under the elbow. WE do some easy 'Pick up and Laydown' cast. I keep the casting as soft and easy as I can. Not letting them over power the cast. All the while saying "One-Mississippi-Two, Rest". The hand under the elbow ensures that they are raising the elbow and arm and not giving me a lazy wrist cast. Repeating the "One Mississippi, Two, Rest" rhythm to ensure the pause and timing of the cast. Watching for the breaking wrist of a spin caster. I spend about 5 or 6 cast with each student. ensuring that they have the feel of the cast and the reward of watching the line travel full length on the forward cast.

For some women and kids I will change to the word POWER for the speed up and stop of the cast, if they are not using enough power to get the line out. I use hula hoops as targets set at 35 ft or so. This is to gives a sense of a goal achieved, when they see the yarn fly land in the ring. I am trying to instill how easy it is to make a good 40 ft cast with out the Power that spinning or plug casting requires. I try to get to each student twice. Reinforcing the timing and form. One. Mississippi, Two rest. is something they can take home.

This is a quick overview of my group classes where I have many students to teach and expose in a few minutes I do cover a lot more, as I am demonstrating the good cast and bad cast. I will cover the loop, how to form and how it carries the line. How many different ways you can cast i.e. side arm, cross body, back handed, and how the wind will effect the cast you choose. If I have "Casting Coaches' Helping they soon pick up on the rhythm of the timing and casting.
I will have them place the rods on the ground as I give some important information. This does two things. One it give the arms a rest. and it opens the ears. Some people can not hear with a fly rod in their hand. (If you are 12 years old for sure.)

Equipment names are given so that if I say the stripping guide, grip or the butt of the rod they know what I am talking about. This is a running dialog as I give them tips and how-to’s of fly casting. Shooting line is demonstrated as is mending and slack line control.

I never leave a class without giving them a how-to on 'fighting a fish'. Now to hold the rod. How high to hold the rod and how-to strip in the fly line. I feel that if I leave this part off I have not cover the important of fly fishing, catching the fish. There is something wrong if I see a student running up the bank dragging the fish behind him saying "Ol' Al sure did teach me how to fly fish". I snap a mouse trap or fly box on the leader end. Then have them retrieve the "Fish" with out lifting it off the grass, or ground. This is a very helpful training aid that will very quickly teach that they can not wind up all the line and lift the fish in the boat, as a bass fisher will do. They have to "go to the fish". This is also a time to teach the Release part of our creed.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33850-2004Oct14.html/?nav=yahoolocal

Could be a very interesting development for the bass fishers in the area. Not sure what it means as a whole though.

An article about the Hughes River.... very close to my experience a few blogs back.

My brother (twin brother actually) was in town the past few days. Knowing that I would do most anything to get out on some water and fish, he planned trips around my needs. A couple of days ago, we took a trip to the Shenandoah National Park. We hiked down the mountain so I could fish the Hughes River. Unfortunately, I hadn't planned on fishing that day so I was completely unprepared in the fly department. I saw a very large (about 10 to 11" brook trout), but didn't catch anything. I'm pretty sure the flies I tried were too large.

Yesterday, we took a trip to Monticello. On the way, we stopped in Harrisonberg at the Blue Ridge Angler. I met Billy, the owner and their dog. Very nice helpful guy. I told him that I had about an hour to fish to which he responded... "no problem, you could go to Mossy Creek or Dry River and have great fishing "(or something like that). He said to just get some bushy flies for the Brook Trout and I should be set. So I got 3 flies and headed out to George Washington National Forest which was about 10 minutes from the shop. I was there for about 5 minutes and then caught a 8" brookie. I was excited to show it to my brother. I don't think he was as excited as I was but I guess that's understandable. The place where we pulled off was easy access to the road so there was a lot of trash and worm cans. Not the prettiest scenary, but still better than not going.

Article about Bamboo Poles... from Houston amazingly enough.
HoustonChronicle.com - Doggett: Bamboo poles making a splash in modern fly fishing

I stopped by Franklin Park last Friday after work for a little relaxation and fishing. I caught quite a few very little panfish. Nothing special though.

I then tied on a white deer hair Clouser with some pink-ish Flashabou. On the second cast I caught a log... at least it felt like one. Then the log took off towards the moss on the shore. I had a hell of a time keeping it from getting caught up in the muck. I was scared that I was going to break the tippet or that the fly would come loose... I don't tie knots very well. But neither happened and I landed about a 24" 2-3 lb catfish. A catfish on a fly... crazy. Even crazier is that it was in that little stocked puddle with the fountain in the middle. I am addicted to fishing that puddle now. You never know what you will pull out. Now I'll have to see if I can get a chain pickeral! I'll try to stop by there on the way home!!

Franklin was calling my name Sunday night so I went out in the rain and drizzle to see if I could catch some panfish and bass. I took my 8' 5 wt as I haven't played with it in a while. I brought some Clousers that I tied a couple of weeks ago. I didn't follow any pattern, just improvised with the material I had. They were primarily white with some peach flashabou and chain eyes. The fish weren't interested in it all. I switched to a storebought clouser with more yellow and less red with red eyes. On the second cast, I caught a 12" smallmouth bass. It fought really hard and I had a tough time keeping it out of the moss on the surface close to shore.

I also caught probably 10 panfish on #10 olive wooly buggers that I tied. I could hardly retrieve the fly without it getting attacked. I did catch one fish with some odd markings a mouth opening about the size of quarter. Not sure what it was, or even if it was different, but it seemed a little different.

Letort trip last tuesday

I can now say I fished the world famous Letort. I can also say that it
beat me. Just as most people have noted in eastern fly fishing
literature, its a very difficult river to fish. The water was crystal
clear and with no rocks or bolders to hide behind, I had a real hard
time not spooking them.

I stopped by Cold Springs Angler in Carlisle to pick up some flies and
get advice. I got some terrestrials (ants and letort crickets) and went
on my way. The stream was probably 5 minutes from the shop. When I
pulled into the parking area, a younger guy (can't believe I said that -
I m getting old) was just leaving. We chatted for a bit. He didn't
have any luck, said he spooked them all. He also mentioned that he saw
quite a few snakes.

Unfortunately I didn't have any luck either. I spent about 4 hours there trying to get any of the large (saw some that had to approach 20") trout to pay attention to my flies. I tried griffiths gnats, scuds, bh nymphs, etc with only one fish showing any interest. Therefore, I didn't have anything to put into a log book that was kept in a mailbox on the banks. Word of advice, be prepared for some of the mudiest conditions possible. I spent 80% of my time in about 2 feet of mud. It was a weird experience.

I never did see any snakes, but I did see some large and small fish. My casting is probably not good enough to catch anything because you can't false cast over the water, but I'll definitely be back to see if I can at least catch one fish. It was still a great experience.

Upcoming Trip

I'm planning to try my luck on the Letort in PA on Tuesday with Kevin.
I've got to get some tying supplies for little midges and sow/cress bugs
at either Orvis or Anglers Lie today. I haven't tried tying anything in
the 24 -26 size so I'm sure it will be a challenge.

Ill post pictures of the river and are on wed.

Franklin for an hour

I snuck out of the house last night for about an hour to go wet a line.
The Franklin Park pond/lake was 1/2 full of moss and algae. I tried a
black wb with a little flashabou mixed in. I couldn't get annything to
hit but bluegills. They were swarming like flies.

I need to get some deeper fishing weighted flies so I can get the large
fish. Maybe next week.

An excellent article about a legendary fly fisherman in Central PA. I haven't read anything by Vincent Marinaro or even anything about him, but the article peaked my interest. I'm going to see if I can find some of his books on Amazon or eBay.

Central PA Magazine - WITF's Monthly Magazine

I've found the greatest place on earth... Pennsylvania. I know, hard to believe, but I went there on Saturday to go to a flyfishing show in Boiling Springs at the Allenberry Resort, home of the PA Fly fishing museum. Although I didn't make it to the museum as I was too anxious to get on the water, I will definitely go back to the resort soon. The Yellow Breeches Creek ran adjacent to the property.

I went to the Yellow Breeches Outfitters to get some flies and hopefully a book on PA flyfishing. I was very happy to see that the shop was very nice sized and had some friendly people working in it. I was told that the Yellow Breeches Creek ran right outside the shop. The trout are all stocked right now so any kind of terrestrial would work. I picked up some Shenk Crickets, various ants and my favorite standby, the Wooly Bugger. There is a one mile section of the creek that is catch and release only that runs right out of a stocked pond. I was told that it will be pretty crowded so I was expecting to see some folks there.

What I didn't expect to find was people every 10 feet.



I hiked past the cnr section and found a little secluded section of the stream where a fork of it combines into one. I fished for about 2 hrs there but only got one strike. I have a hard time casting with my little 6'5" 3 wt rod. I got caught up often in the trees on the bank. Although I didn't catch anything there, it was a great experience. After some of the folks left, I went back upstream to where there were tons of people. I found a small section that I could "claim". I caught a trout there, but lost it when I was getting ready to pick it up. There was also one that was rising below a branch that just wouldn't go after any fly I tried. I'm sure I spooked it. I saw some folks catching some of the nice stockers so they were definitely in the creek.

The thing that I really liked was the tradition and focus on FLY FISHING. Everyone was curteous and I didn't have to worry about beer sloggin cheese fishing people messing up the experience. There was even an ancient old guy there on the banks that had a cane and he was fishing as well as he could. It was obvious he had been doing it for years and a creaky old body wasn't going to stop him.

I'm so excited to find this area. There are a ton of creeks and rivers there that I can try out including the famed Letort. Can't wait to go again!!

Went to Franklin on Sunday... used my father's day fish card. It was extremely sunny, but very nice outside. I had a dismal day fishing though with 2 fish caught in 2 hours. I would call it a complete waste of time except for the 2 lb small mouth I caught near the end on a Clouser. Unfortunately, I ended up knocking the eyes off of it somehow (great casting skills obviously) and the fly just didn't work well when it didn't sink. I did see some of the large catfish I mentioned in an earlier post. They were trolling around on the surface. I would have mistaken them for carp except for the coloration.

I think I'm going to invest in a nice 7 wt rod soon and lots of clousers. I haven't caught a harder fighting fish than that smallie.

Stories

Here in Purcellville VA, we have a nice little Park called Franklin
Park. It's where all the ball games get played around here. Well, it
also has a little stocked pond. I've caught a few Bluegills in it and
the occasional bass, but nothing really worth blogging about.

I keep getting reports from people saying there are in fact large fish
in there. I have heard of chain pickeral, channel cats in the 10 lb
range and lunker bass. It's hard to believe especially if you see it.
I think I need to invest in a sinking tip line or leader. I've been
told the secret is get the fly deep. Sounds like it may be worth
trying.

Nice trip to the mountains

Had about 4 hours on Sunday to go fishing. I decided that I needed to
take advantage of it and headed straight to Shenandoah National Park. I
chose to fish White Oak Canyon because the description in Harry Murray's
book, described it as being easy access to parking and with the limited
amount of time I had, I didn't want to spend it hiking.

So I made it there around 6:00pm. I was hoping to get re an hour of
fishing for the native brookies in before the darkness ran me out.

As expected, the stream was made up of a bunch of series of small
waterfalls. It was a beautiful scene. I saw multiple hatches including
some kind of yellow stonefly looking thing, a mayfly, and a black
stonefly. They seemed to be interested in a small elkhair caddis which
worked very well. I also used a yellow elk hair caddis as I was hoping
the color would be a good enough imitation. It worked great. I caught
8 beautiful Brook trout in the typical small size. I missed probably 15
others that got off the hook or hit the fly and spit it out.

I could have stayed all night and actually semiseriously considered it.
But, I had to go to New York the next morning to take my daughter to an
Avril Lavigne show.

I didn't think that a rushed fishing trip like that could be fun, but it
was wonderful. I came back full of life and energy, counting the days
when I could sneak back up into the Park.

Good article on the upcoming Cicada "hatch" that should happen any day.

ESPN Outdoors

Ran across this nice little regional site the other day. It has some very nice pictures and info about streams in the area.

Riffle and Rise - Home

Still my favorite fly fishing shop in the area. I really enjoy the Angler's Club. I highly recommend it to people in the DC area.

Murray's Fly Shop