Saturday, August 27, 2011
Sometimes it's not about the fish
8:01 AM | Posted by
Cassie Designs
As we neared the watering hole from the north (and as the kids were watching where they placed their feet among the sagebrush to avoid stepping on any snakes), I quietly and firmly told them to stop. “Stop! Stop!” I whispered. I had spotted a cow moose and her juvenile calf coming down the mountain from the west about 100 yards away, moving toward the water.
The cow spotted us (of course); we stayed stationary while she looked us over. All three adults with their respective teenagers were about the same distance from the watering hole. After a brief pause, the moose’s teen ambled down to the water and began drinking. She followed behind, stopping every few steps to look at us. She finally made it to the watering hole and, as though her arrival was a sign of permission, her teenager flopped down into the watering hole and began rolling on his back in the water.
My grandkids wanted to get closer. So I told them to slowly make their way toward a bush that was on a tangent to the watering hole so we would not be approaching them directly. “When the mom lowers her head to drink, take 2 or 3 steps and stop,” I instructed.
We waited patiently until she began drinking and then moved about 3 yards. We paused. She raised her head and looked at us. We waited for about 20 or 30 seconds for her next drink. She lowered her head and we moved another few steps and stopped. We repeated this slow approach another five or six times to arrive at the bush that was about 60 yards away from the moose. The mom kept her eye on us, but she and her teen remained calm and stayed at the watering hole.
We were able to watch this rare wildlife encounter for another 10 minutes until my grandson, in a brief fit of teenage energy, spooked the moose and they burst out of the watering hole. We expected them to move into the trees for the night, but they stopped and began feeding on grass near an aspen grove about 75 yards from us. Mom kept looking at us as they grazed their way up the mountain into the grove of aspen.
Yes, I would have enjoyed fly fishing with my grandkids. But sometimes it’s not about the fish. My wife and grandkids and I had a far richer and more memorable experience with the moose than if we had caught another fish.
The Nekid Fisherman
The Nekid Fisherman is ramblings from one of the owners of Round Rocks fly fishing. We believe that at this time, he has spent so much time on the edge of the river, he has lost his mind .... and his clothes.
www.RoundRocks.com
This article was recently published in Business 2 Business magazine featuring the Nekid Fisherman
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Learn How to Fly Fish
Weekly Featured Product
Dry Fishing Fly Special - 100 Dry Fishing Flies
Learn how to fish at Round Rocks. Start your outdoor adventure with fly fishing and fishing flies you get from Round Rocks fly fishing. This is a great way to start your fishing fly collection. 100 assorted dry fishing flies. Get outdoors with Round Rocks Fly Fishing.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Santa Guarantees Delivery – FREE ON ALL ORDERS
Simms Gloves—Always a Hit!
Simms Glacier Gloves feature Fleece-lined 2mm neoprene material with slits on the thumb and index finger for digital dexterity. Thumb and index finger have the patented Touchrite technology. Use them for fly fishing, but they are all-purpose outdoor gloves that anglers, hunters, boaters, and hikers enjoy.
Simms Convertible Gloves feature 200 Series fleece making these gloves both soft and warm. The simple strap system allows for easy tuck of fold over mitt for out-of-the-way convenience. Ideal for cold weather applications.
Simms SunGloves provide maximum sun protection for your hands. These SPF 50 gloves are very light and feature an open palm for comfort. Now you can feel your palm on the fishing rod handle or boat steering wheel. 4-way stretch breathable fabric makes these gloves comfortable for all day wear.
Simms Windstopper Foldover Mitt This glove is our staff’s favorite. Redesigned for 2010, these durable, lightweight, quick drying gloves have more features than any cold-weather, wet weather glove. The Softshell Fabric comes with a DWR finish to repel water and a WindStopper membrane to block the wind. Palm and Cuff areas feature Polartec WindPro Hardface fabric for enhanced dexterity, durability, comfort, wind resistance and water repellency. The Windstoppers are imprinted with 3M reflective logo details for additional safety. And for an added bonus, the gloves come with an integrated heater pack pocket located on interior cuff that will accommodate a regular size HotHands hand warmer pack. This heats the blood going into your hands, keeping you warmer, longer. WE WILL INCLUDE A FREE PACKAGE OF HOTHANDS HAND WARMERS WITH EVERY PAIR OF GLOVES.
We received more of our Ice Fishing inventory recently. Be sure to check out the Ultra Violet Flashlight for your glow-in-the-dark jigs and lures. Plus our Maniac lures have been among the MOST productive of any lures we’ve used.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Nekid Fisherman Joins Facebook
Facebook for Anglers
OK. I have finally done it. I’ve given in to technology. I heard about this Facebook thing but I couldn’t make sense of it. I don’t think many people are interested in my face—or any other part of my anatomy, for that matter. But I finally agreed to give it a try. My wife tells me to do it for my grandkids. Like they’d ever own up to having me as their Gramps.
So I started by completing my PROFILE. Heck, I was all ready for a nice sideways photo of my casting technique. I always liked that profile. As it turns out, this PROFILE is just a lot of nonsense information about me that no one is interested in anyway. So what you see is what you get—basic information coming from a confirmed liar.
Before I go any further, let me get one thing off my chest--this thing called POSTING. Up until yesterday the only writing on posts I’ve been interested in is the “No Trespassing” sign I may encounter along the river. Now I learn that I have to POST something on my Facebook. Sounds suspiciously like that wanted poster that used to bear a remarkable resemblance to my twin brother.
So anyway, after I POST things, I find out I have to FRIEND people. I have to tell you—that makes me very suspicious. The only “friends” I’ve known are those rascals that buddy up to me just so they can find out where my favorite fishing spots are. Some friends. By contrast, my wife has more than 500 FRIENDS on her Facebook. Can you imagine what would happen to my stretch of river if I suddenly had 500 friends hounding me. So here’s my advice: If you want to be my FRIEND, just don’t expect me to take you fishing. It ain’t going to happen.
There. That should keep a lot of pesky folks on their computers looking for friends that they can email. Just means fewer people on the river….
Now I have to be honest about this STATUS UPDATE. Keep in mind that I’ll be writing only when I want to or when I get around to it or when I’m not fishing. That should be about 2 or 3 times a year. Unless, of course, you show yourself to be the kind of FRIEND who tells me where you fish. It’s kind of like that “you show me yours and I’ll show you mine” thing among anglers. (I’ve never used the phrase “tit for tat” in a Nekid Fisherman article. Not only does it sound a bit racy, I’ve never figured out what a “tat” is.)
As I understand this Facebook enterprise, once I get you as a FRIEND, I have to POKE you. Now that’s something I’m familiar with. You know those “friends” I referred to that just want to find out where I fish? I’ve had to poke more than a few of them when they showed up tromping through my favorite holes. Just don’t try to go poking me…you may find yourself dangling from my POST.
So now my next lesson is about how to do this UNFRIENDING thing. That something I think I already know more about than most people. For now, you can follow me on Facebook, but if you follow me on the river, you might just get poked.
The Nekid Fisherman
nekidfisherman@gmail.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
2…4…6…8…Ten…kara
Yes, RoundRocks now carries Tenkara fly rods!
Tenkara is the traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing where only a rod, line and fly are used. It originated in the mountain streams of Japan and is the ideal method for stream fly-fishing.
Tenkara is about fly-fishing simplicity. It eliminates unnecessary complexities to let you enjoy the fly-fishing experience. Instead of gear, you're free to focus on your casting and fishing techniques. The ultra-light and portable gear is great for backpacking, 11-13 foot rods collapse down to 20 inches and the long rods allow you to effectively fish challenging waters.
Tenkara is about fly-fishing simplicity. It eliminates unnecessary complexities to let you enjoy the fly-fishing experience. Instead of gear, you're free to focus on your casting and fishing techniques. The ultra-light and portable gear is great for backpacking, 11-13 foot rods collapse down to 20 inches and the long rods allow you to effectively fish challenging waters.
GEAR
Tenkara was a fishing technique that originally used bamboo rods. Over the centuries, Tenkara has evolved to the point that modern Tenkara is known for using sophisticated technology to produce extremely light and strong rods. The rods are made with high-grade carbon-fiber, and are telescopic, making Tenkara rods the most portable yet pure style of fly-fishing. The rods' extended length (normally 12ft) and portability (they close down to 20 inches, with all pieces fitting inside the handle) makes them ideal for mountain stream angling and backpacking. Traditional Tenkara lines are furled, and, like in western fly-fishing, are necessary for casting the weightless flies forward.
Tenkara was a fishing technique that originally used bamboo rods. Over the centuries, Tenkara has evolved to the point that modern Tenkara is known for using sophisticated technology to produce extremely light and strong rods. The rods are made with high-grade carbon-fiber, and are telescopic, making Tenkara rods the most portable yet pure style of fly-fishing. The rods' extended length (normally 12ft) and portability (they close down to 20 inches, with all pieces fitting inside the handle) makes them ideal for mountain stream angling and backpacking. Traditional Tenkara lines are furled, and, like in western fly-fishing, are necessary for casting the weightless flies forward.
TECHNIQUE
The absence of a reel makes it the simplest style of fly-fishing, where each basic element has evolved to be the most effective at its use. The few elements between you and the fish, along with the sensitive rod, will transmit even the smallest vibrations directly to your hands.
Tenkara is very well suited for: fishing a dry-fly (virtually drag-free due to the supple line and little line in the water), dapping a fly on a pool or holding it on an eddy, Czech-nymphing and high-sticking, playing a soft-hackle wet fly, and manipulating the traditional reverse hackle flies. Fixed-line fishing methods such as Tenkara allow for a lot of control over the line and fly.
The absence of a reel makes it the simplest style of fly-fishing, where each basic element has evolved to be the most effective at its use. The few elements between you and the fish, along with the sensitive rod, will transmit even the smallest vibrations directly to your hands.
Tenkara is very well suited for: fishing a dry-fly (virtually drag-free due to the supple line and little line in the water), dapping a fly on a pool or holding it on an eddy, Czech-nymphing and high-sticking, playing a soft-hackle wet fly, and manipulating the traditional reverse hackle flies. Fixed-line fishing methods such as Tenkara allow for a lot of control over the line and fly.
Casting requires a slower and shorter stroke to completely turn the tippet over. Though simple and easy to do, a large casting repertoire can be acquired and can be useful in different fishing situations. For example, a snap cast can come in handy when wanting to change direction of the fly without false-casting, while an under-hand cast is good for getting under a tree.
We have found that the Tenkara approach provides a fun and easy way to introduce kids to fly fishing. Plus, it’s a load of fun for those of us who are looking for something new and different to add to our enjoyment of our beloved sport. Check them out on our web site: http://roundrocks.com .
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
What Happens at Round Rocks, Stays at Round Rocks
It happened again. A customer came into the shop recently and began fondling the fly rods. Yes, he already had a few rods, but, as any fly angler knows, you can never have too many rods. So he tried out a few and found one that "felt right." After deciding on a rod, he made his way to our reels. He moved from fondling to caressing. His eyes began to lose focus, but after a few minutes he took a deep breath and decided on the right reel for his new rod. As he was checking out, he said, "My wife is going to kill me for getting another outfit." My reply? "What happens at RoundRocks STAYS at RoundRocks!"
In my defense let me say emphatically: we do not run an unethical business nor do we condone immoral lifestyles. Sure, we tolerate the usual amount of lying that accompanies any gathering of anglers. But we are committed to protecting our customers from the disasterous consequences they bring on themselves.
Like, for instance, the guys who make their way to northern Utah "on business" and deduct their "business" trip--including fly fishing--on their taxes. What happens at RoundRocks STAYS at RoundRocks!
Or the anglers who sneak away from work a bit early or take a l-o-o-o-n-g lunch break to score some nice fishing mid-day. In fact, some of Logan's finest have been known to conduct "stakeouts" on the Logan River along the golf course. It does me good to be able to say to a police officer, "Don't worry, Officer. What happens at RoundRocks STAYS at RoundRocks!"
I know. It's a slippery slope when we grow comfortable with fibs and little white lies. Once we start down that slope, it only becomes easier to tell our own tall tales and, before you know it, your last fish grew an extra few inches as you told the story. Or, instead of going to the meeting, you "meet" your friend at the river. Or (believe it or not), people have even skipped church to go fishing! In fact, one of the biggest brown trouts ever caught in Utah was landed by a couple of kids that skipped church in order to fish. If only they had caught smaller fish, no one would have been the wiser. But they got busted because of the size of the fish. If only they had come directly to us--we would have had the solution for them: What happens at RoundRocks STAYS at RoundRocks!
So be assured: we can keep a secret, we don't snitch on customers, and we presume the innocense of those who step into our shop. Bryan and I figure that's the only way we'll have any chance of expecting the same in return. Because, like our customers--our wives don't need to know about the new gear we have to "demo" or the afternoons when we have to "update our fishing report." And both Bryan and I have taken some pretty nice tax-deductable fishing trips. So I'll make a deal with you: if we protect YOUR privacy, you can protect OURS. Remember: What happens at RoundRocks STAYS at RoundRocks!
The Nekid Fisherman
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Nekid Fisherman
DON'T TRY TO BUFFALO YOUR WIFE!
Jim Croce was right: You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind; you don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Jim. Actually, he was only 80% right because I learned you also don’t do some things without telling your wife.
Jim Croce was right: You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind; you don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Jim. Actually, he was only 80% right because I learned you also don’t do some things without telling your wife.
The fall bow hunt just started in Utah, so many anglers’ thoughts turn to a nice venison stew or an elk steak. I fell prey to that delusion a few years ago and committed the unforgivable mistake of trying to sneak some wild game meat onto my wife’s plate without telling her. Since she rarely reads our fly fishing newsletter, I think I can avoid any additional fallout when I tell you MY side of the story. All I ask is that you keep a secret.
My wife used to eat the pheasants I hunted in Iowa. She eagerly eats the fish I bring home. And she’s been known to even try rabbit and squirrel. So when we moved to Utah and I began hunting deer and elk, I thought she would at least try some. Nope. Not Dave’s moose meat. Not his caribou. Not even her husband’s hard-won elk meat. No wild game. Period.
So I thought (which is where most wayward actions arise) I’ll cook some buffalo, since it is a great game meat that closely resembles beef. Buffalo steaks! That’s the ticket!
So I brought home some incredible buffalo steaks. I grilled them to perfection. And we sat down for a wonderful dinner. She loved the meat. In fact, she enjoyed nearly every bite—every bite except the last three left on her plate. That was when I said, “And at least it isn’t elk.” I couldn’t keep my trap closed.
She put her fork down beside her plate and said, “It’s not elk.” She said it in a way that suggested it better not be elk. So I quickly assured her it wasn’t elk. And then I realize that I’m in it pretty deep by now. She said, “What is it?” as she fondled her steak knife. I have never been a very good liar, so I admitted that it was buffalo. Now both of her elbows went on the table, but at least she hadn't started gesturing with her steak knife. She said, “It’s beef.” This in a way that said IT BETTER BE BEEF!
What an ethical dilemma! I could either tell her the truth or tell her the truth that she wanted to hear. Being a coward at heart, I chose the latter. I agreed with her and said it was beef. For just a nano-second, the tension left her body. Whew! That was close, I thought.
But the brief moment of possible reprieve passed and she continued, “It’s not beef, is it?” No, I admitted, it’s really buffalo. So she got both sides of the truth anyway. And, as it turned out, it didn’t seem to make her feel any better getting the whole truth. Without a word, she picked up her plate, went to the kitchen sink, disposed of those last three wonderful morsels of buffalo, and went to her office.
The rest of the evening passed rather slowly and quietly. I think it was partly because she gave me so much time to think about what I had done and partly because I tend to think pretty slowly when I’ve done something REALLY BAD. To this day I believe the entire evening would have gone better if I’d told her I’d had an affair with a buffalo rather than sneaking buffalo steak onto her plate.
The good news is that we have repaired the damage that the buffalo caused that night. And she showed her spirit by getting me to eat some chili that a friend had made. After I had eaten the chili, she sprang it on me: IT WAS MADE WITH ELK! I think she wanted me to learn some empathy by getting my reaction when somebody surprised me with wild game meat. Unfortunately, her lesson was lost on me; the chili was excellent!
The Nekid Fisherman
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