Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Santa Guarantees Delivery – FREE ON ALL ORDERS
10:54 AM | Posted by
Cassie Designs
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
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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
Monday, October 11, 2010
Five Favorite Flies
Although trout may be caught throughout the year, few months offer as much action for anglers as those preceding the harsh blast of winter. During this time of year all species of trout start to act more aggressive. The brown trout begin staging to spawn, and the rainbow and cutthroat trout begin fattening up in order to survive the winter season. While fishing this special time of the year, I have discovered 5 flies that always seem to produce. These flies include the Foam Beetle, the Royal Wulff, the Elk Hair Caddis, the Bead Head Pheasant Tail, and the Hare’s Ear Nymph.
The Foam Beetle has probably been the most productive dry fly I’ve used during the fall season. During this time of year, fish are less picky. They tend to look for more general fly patterns that imitate a wide variety of insects. The foam beetle fits the bill perfectly. With its visibly segmented body, and iridescent peacock underbelly, the foam beetle can imitate a wide variety of insects. It can be a beetle, a carpenter ant, or even a cricket if tied on a larger hook. The fact that its body is largely made up of foam also gives you the option of using it as a strike indicator for your favorite nymph patterns.
The Royal Wulff is probably THE most well known dry fly on the market today. It has been around for decades and is always a great producer during the fall. It, like the beetle, imitates a wide variety of insects. No matter where you fish, the Royal Wulff will likely be a welcome addition to your fly box. Frequently you may see many different insects hatching off all at once. This is where the Royal Wulff really comes in handy. Instead of trying to find which specific insect the trout are feeding on, tie on the Royal Wulff and cover all your bases.
One of the most abundant hatches throughout the fly fishing season is the caddis fly. From the tiny Micro caddis hatches of the early summer to the giant October Caddis, the elk hair caddis has you covered. The elk hair wing offers superb floatability without sacrificing life-like action. The elk hair actually enhances the action fish desire. When fishing the Elk Hair Caddis, cast up stream as usual but instead of recasting immediately after the fly drifts back to you, let the fly drift past you and down stream. As it flows past, lift your rod and shake it erratically. This causes the caddis to jump and bounce across the surface just like the natural caddis does as it lays eggs. And then brace yourself for some furious strikes!
Although dry fly fishing is fun, sometimes the fish just don’t cooperate. That is when nymph patterns can really turn dead days into producers. I’ve found that these two nymphs will imitate just about every insect found in the river. The Pheasant Tail in its smaller sizes is a terrific mayfly/midge imitation, while in its larger sizes (#10 and #8) it can imitate a stonefly. The Hare’s Ear Nymph fulfills a similar role but the fatter, lighter colored body gives it the added adaptation of imitating a caddis larva as well as a scud.
Ok, so I lied. I’ve actually chosen 6 favorite patterns instead of 5. No fly box can be complete without a few streamer patterns, especially the Bead Head Crystal Bugger. This is by far the most common streamer pattern. In still water situations it is a great imitation of Dragon/Damsel fly nymphs. In rivers it is equally effective. Darker colors such as black and olive allow it to imitate leaches, hellgrammites, and even small baitfish. Just before and after spawning, brown trout instinctively guard their redds and chase any small intruder out of their territory. During the fall, take advantage of the Crystal Bugger to elicit some fierce strikes from the territorial brown trout.
If you haven’t used them yet, give these flies a try this fall. I’m sure you’ll be impressed!
Tight lines!
Cody Kempton
Monday, October 4, 2010
DON'T TRY TO BUFFALO YOUR WIFE!
The Nekid Fisherman
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
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
Monday, September 27, 2010
Of Mice and Men
The old man held a wooden shingle with a long string attached. The spinning rod next to his side had a large curved hook attached to the line. Next to it was an aluminum box that contained some live mice. The entire scenario interested me--but not as much as the two big brown trout he had sitting on the grass next to him! I had often fished the same river but fish that big were rarely caught there, especially two in the same evening. I wasn’t very old but I had been fly fishing for a number of years and could see he was doing something different. And those two fish were too big to ignore. I asked him how he had caught these fish and he told me to sit down and he would show me. Smiling, he asked, "You know how to run a spinning reel?" I admitted I did.
I was shocked at what happened next! The man took a mouse out of the box and stuck the hook through the skin on its back. He then placed the mouse on the wooden shingle and put it out into the river. He let out the string attached to the shingle as the current pulled it across to the other side. Suddenly he yanked the shingle out from under the mouse! The mouse started swimming hard against the current but it pushed him toward the corner of the hole where foam gathered on the surface. Almost immediately I saw a large brown trout rise slowly to the surface and mimic a great white shark attacking a seal. The attack lasted only a few seconds before the old man drove the hook into the brown’s jaw.
Now I was looking at three huge fish and knew I had to try catching one of those browns. But I wanted to use my fly rod. I had taken a class on stacking and spinning deer hair so the next day I got a big hook, a long piece of chamois for a tail, and spun a lot of deer hair around the hook. I cut it down to make it look like a mouse. I will never forget what happened when I threw my deer hair mouse out into the same hole a few nights later. A big brown, just like the old man’s, came to the top and tried to kill my deer hair mouse! As I set the hook, I was converted to deer hair mouse fishing. Immediately there was a change in my entire philosophy of fly fishing and what I could catch fish on.
Since my first mouse experience more than 20 years ago, I have used deer hair mice to catch trout in the west, large and small mouth bass all over the country, Dolly Varden, sockeye and Coho salmon in Alaska. I hope to add peacock bass to that list in the next few years.
I can hardly wait for warm spring days when I can drive over to Mantua, Utah, to fish my mice along the edge of the shallow lake. This kind of fishing reminds me of hunting elk: you stalk the fish, looking for prime habitat in the vegetation along the banks that might hold a large fish. When you find the right spot, present a mouse pattern so it looks like a struggling mouse (use mouse patterns with weed guards!). I hold my breath almost every time the fly hits the water because you never know when a big take will happen. One of the longest breaths I ever held occurred while fishing under Flaming Gorge dam at night. With the reflection of the lights from the top of the dam showing the v-wake as I stripped my mouse across the river, I noticed every detail as the fish came up to devour my mouse. When a big fish takes a mouse, the splash sounds like someone did a belly flop!
I used to fish a beautiful creek in Indiana that was full of small mouth bass. Right around sunset they would jump completely out to the water to take my mouse. I would laugh every time it happened. The biggest fish I caught in Indiana was on a mouse pattern. Fishing at dusk, casting my mouse pattern into the fading light, hearing the belly flop splash, and my fly was gone! I set the hook hard and was surprised at the size of the fish that came out of the water. It jumped a number of times and each time my friend and I gasped at its size. When I finally landed the bass, it weighed over eight pounds and was 25 inches long!
Try a mouse pattern; in the right water and the right conditions it will change your philosophy about fly fishing forever!
Here a few tips for fishing a mouse:
• Fish in the late evening or, even better, at night
• Use a weedless mouse pattern if you are fishing for largemouth bass (or any deer hair poppers) to get it deep into the vegetation and trees along the edge of the water
• Use a heavy short leader; the fish are not looking at your leader when they take a mouse--they are looking for a big meal. (A 2X leader about 6 ft long works best.)
• A 6 wt rod with weight forward line works best to cast these large patterns for the big fish
• Use mouse patterns with eyes when fishing for bass
• Keep your rod tip down next to the water and set your hook with a direct yank of the line with your left hand and not by lifting your rod. You’ll get better, deeper hookups which are critical with big fish.
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas is a fly fishing instructor and guide at RoundRocks Fly Fishing. He specializes in helping students and clients learn how to catch BIG fish!
I was shocked at what happened next! The man took a mouse out of the box and stuck the hook through the skin on its back. He then placed the mouse on the wooden shingle and put it out into the river. He let out the string attached to the shingle as the current pulled it across to the other side. Suddenly he yanked the shingle out from under the mouse! The mouse started swimming hard against the current but it pushed him toward the corner of the hole where foam gathered on the surface. Almost immediately I saw a large brown trout rise slowly to the surface and mimic a great white shark attacking a seal. The attack lasted only a few seconds before the old man drove the hook into the brown’s jaw.
Now I was looking at three huge fish and knew I had to try catching one of those browns. But I wanted to use my fly rod. I had taken a class on stacking and spinning deer hair so the next day I got a big hook, a long piece of chamois for a tail, and spun a lot of deer hair around the hook. I cut it down to make it look like a mouse. I will never forget what happened when I threw my deer hair mouse out into the same hole a few nights later. A big brown, just like the old man’s, came to the top and tried to kill my deer hair mouse! As I set the hook, I was converted to deer hair mouse fishing. Immediately there was a change in my entire philosophy of fly fishing and what I could catch fish on.
Since my first mouse experience more than 20 years ago, I have used deer hair mice to catch trout in the west, large and small mouth bass all over the country, Dolly Varden, sockeye and Coho salmon in Alaska. I hope to add peacock bass to that list in the next few years.
I can hardly wait for warm spring days when I can drive over to Mantua, Utah, to fish my mice along the edge of the shallow lake. This kind of fishing reminds me of hunting elk: you stalk the fish, looking for prime habitat in the vegetation along the banks that might hold a large fish. When you find the right spot, present a mouse pattern so it looks like a struggling mouse (use mouse patterns with weed guards!). I hold my breath almost every time the fly hits the water because you never know when a big take will happen. One of the longest breaths I ever held occurred while fishing under Flaming Gorge dam at night. With the reflection of the lights from the top of the dam showing the v-wake as I stripped my mouse across the river, I noticed every detail as the fish came up to devour my mouse. When a big fish takes a mouse, the splash sounds like someone did a belly flop!
I used to fish a beautiful creek in Indiana that was full of small mouth bass. Right around sunset they would jump completely out to the water to take my mouse. I would laugh every time it happened. The biggest fish I caught in Indiana was on a mouse pattern. Fishing at dusk, casting my mouse pattern into the fading light, hearing the belly flop splash, and my fly was gone! I set the hook hard and was surprised at the size of the fish that came out of the water. It jumped a number of times and each time my friend and I gasped at its size. When I finally landed the bass, it weighed over eight pounds and was 25 inches long!
Try a mouse pattern; in the right water and the right conditions it will change your philosophy about fly fishing forever!
Here a few tips for fishing a mouse:
• Fish in the late evening or, even better, at night
• Use a weedless mouse pattern if you are fishing for largemouth bass (or any deer hair poppers) to get it deep into the vegetation and trees along the edge of the water
• Use a heavy short leader; the fish are not looking at your leader when they take a mouse--they are looking for a big meal. (A 2X leader about 6 ft long works best.)
• A 6 wt rod with weight forward line works best to cast these large patterns for the big fish
• Use mouse patterns with eyes when fishing for bass
• Keep your rod tip down next to the water and set your hook with a direct yank of the line with your left hand and not by lifting your rod. You’ll get better, deeper hookups which are critical with big fish.
Chris Thomas
Chris Thomas is a fly fishing instructor and guide at RoundRocks Fly Fishing. He specializes in helping students and clients learn how to catch BIG fish!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Wild Berry Balsamic and Thyme Reduction
Wild Berry Balsamic and Thyme Reduction Donicio Gomez, From Fly to Fire
If you happen to enjoy fall hunting along with fall fishing, you'll definitely want to add my Wild Berry Reduction to your table. This sauce is ideal for big game meat like elk and deer as well as for game birds like pheasant, quail, grouse, and duck. Feel free to print out the recipe to save. Consider an alternative Thanksgiving dinner using wild game meat with this elegant sauce. Show your family and friends that even we outdoor people can have good taste!
Ingredients
2 Tbls Olive Oil
2 Tbls Minced Shallots
1/2 Tbls Chopped Garlic
8 Oz Fresh Washed Blueberries
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
10 Oz Low Sodium beef or chicken stock
1 Tbls Salt
1 3/4 Tsp Fresh Cracked Pepper
2 Tbls Fresh Thyme
2 Tbls Unsalted Butter
10 Oz of Wild Game Meat (Pheasant, Quail, Grouse, Duck, Elk, Deer)
2 Tbls Minced Shallots
1/2 Tbls Chopped Garlic
8 Oz Fresh Washed Blueberries
1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
10 Oz Low Sodium beef or chicken stock
1 Tbls Salt
1 3/4 Tsp Fresh Cracked Pepper
2 Tbls Fresh Thyme
2 Tbls Unsalted Butter
10 Oz of Wild Game Meat (Pheasant, Quail, Grouse, Duck, Elk, Deer)
Instructions
Use a 1-quart sauce pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add shallots and sautee' for 30 seconds. Add garlic and sautee' for an additional 30 seconds. Add the balsamic vinegar and the broth, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness. Once the sauce is about half the original volume, add salt, pepper, and butter. When the butter is melted, add the berries and thyme. If the sauce is not thick enough, add 1/2 Tsp of cornstarch with a small amount of water.
Use a 1-quart sauce pan, heat olive oil over medium heat, add shallots and sautee' for 30 seconds. Add garlic and sautee' for an additional 30 seconds. Add the balsamic vinegar and the broth, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes, depending on thickness. Once the sauce is about half the original volume, add salt, pepper, and butter. When the butter is melted, add the berries and thyme. If the sauce is not thick enough, add 1/2 Tsp of cornstarch with a small amount of water.
Serving
You can drizzle this sauce over seared wild game or lightly simmer game birds in the reduction sauce. Serve the sauce with the meal for continued enjoyment.
Additional Hints
You can always double or triple the recipe for more sauce. You can also use the sauce as an overnight cold marinade for elk or deer.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Nekid Fisherman
The Nekid Fisherman
Yes, that’s really my moniker. I chose it in honor of all the awkward and embarrassing moments I (and most of you, I’m sure) have had while in search of outdoor adventure. Like my friend, Joel, discovered while trying to run and pull his pants up at the same time. Our fishing trip to Alaska became more memorable for Joel when an Alaskan Brown bear chased him off the, er, “outdoor latrine.” It seems the bear wasn’t interested in Joel, but in the, er, “outdoor latrine.” It didn’t do much for Joel’s self-esteem to appear to be running away from a bear while his four other camp mates laughed their heads off. Chalk one up for a “nekid fisherman!”
Joel wasn’t the first, nor will he be the last, to have a “nekid fisherman” experience. Dave and his friends experienced theirs while fishing some high mountain lakes in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. The fish were rising to a great hatch, but they were out just beyond casting distance. And since Dave and his nature-loving buddies hadn’t brought waders or float tubes, they decided to wade “au naturel” in order to reach the hatch.
Now it’s important to keep in mind that Dave and his friends were experienced and thoughtful about their outdoor experiences. That’s why they knew they did not want to hike back to camp in wet clothes (you see how the human mind can justify aberrant behavior?). So they simply stripped and waded.
If you haven’t been fortunate enough to be in the Uintas in June, you can only use your imagination: think of wading in your deep freezer. On your knees. Naked. What Dave found out is that embarrassment quickly turns to laughter when, well, there isn’t much to see ( if you get my drift). Even the biggest guy gets brought down to size by such an experience (if you still get my drift). Chalk up another one for a nekid fisherman.
From the annals of my own nekid fisherman experience (and would it help to say I was much younger and not as wise when this occurred?): never, Never, NEVER sit down in poison ivy after you come out of the river naked. Never. Enough said.
I’ve earned enough stripes and scars to qualify as your official Nekid Fisherman writer. I hope you’ll enjoy my comments and insights; I know I’d love to hear yours–especially your “nekid fisherman” experiences. Send them to
Joel wasn’t the first, nor will he be the last, to have a “nekid fisherman” experience. Dave and his friends experienced theirs while fishing some high mountain lakes in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. The fish were rising to a great hatch, but they were out just beyond casting distance. And since Dave and his nature-loving buddies hadn’t brought waders or float tubes, they decided to wade “au naturel” in order to reach the hatch.
Now it’s important to keep in mind that Dave and his friends were experienced and thoughtful about their outdoor experiences. That’s why they knew they did not want to hike back to camp in wet clothes (you see how the human mind can justify aberrant behavior?). So they simply stripped and waded.
If you haven’t been fortunate enough to be in the Uintas in June, you can only use your imagination: think of wading in your deep freezer. On your knees. Naked. What Dave found out is that embarrassment quickly turns to laughter when, well, there isn’t much to see ( if you get my drift). Even the biggest guy gets brought down to size by such an experience (if you still get my drift). Chalk up another one for a nekid fisherman.
From the annals of my own nekid fisherman experience (and would it help to say I was much younger and not as wise when this occurred?): never, Never, NEVER sit down in poison ivy after you come out of the river naked. Never. Enough said.
I’ve earned enough stripes and scars to qualify as your official Nekid Fisherman writer. I hope you’ll enjoy my comments and insights; I know I’d love to hear yours–especially your “nekid fisherman” experiences. Send them to
Monday, August 16, 2010
How to Spot an Experienced Fly Fisher
A customer came into our shop recently and asked if I could recommend some patterns and some places to fish them on the Logan River in Northern Utah. I’ve learned that before I send someone out, I want to know something about their skill level. I don’t want to send a rookie into fast water or a bank fisher into a wading stream. So I asked, “How experienced are you?” He looked at me and half-smiled and replied, “If by ‘experienced’ you mean, ‘Does my wife get mad because I fish too much?’, then, yeah, I’m pretty experienced.”
So I started asking fly fishing friends and customers how they would know they were “experienced fly fishers.” I’ve compiled their wisdom and urge you to adopt the position that serves you best at any given moment.
You know you are an Experienced Fly Fisher when:
You can’t put groceries in your car because there are too many rods and reels.
You spend more money on fishing than on babysitters.
The old-timers smile and nod when they see you on the river; some even ask for your advice!
You schedule your sick days to coincide with the Salmon Fly hatch.
You've got the scars to prove it.
You are content to teach someone else how to fish and can get satisfaction watching them catch fish.
A “Grand Slam” has nothing to do with baseball or Denny’s restaurants.
You’ve got more fishing hats than your wife has purses.
You’ve driven off the road while scoping out a section of river.
You use the same knife to clean fish and eat an apple.
You carried a fly rod into Sea World.
You take your dog to the river and you both use the same pee tree.
You’ve been kicked out of the zoo for fishing in the koi pond.
You can tell the truth and no one believes you.
There are teeth marks on your fly rod.
Here’s to all the ‘experienced’ anglers! May our experience grow faster than the lies we tell!
The Nekid Fisherman
So I started asking fly fishing friends and customers how they would know they were “experienced fly fishers.” I’ve compiled their wisdom and urge you to adopt the position that serves you best at any given moment.
You know you are an Experienced Fly Fisher when:
You can’t put groceries in your car because there are too many rods and reels.
You spend more money on fishing than on babysitters.
The old-timers smile and nod when they see you on the river; some even ask for your advice!
You schedule your sick days to coincide with the Salmon Fly hatch.
You've got the scars to prove it.
You are content to teach someone else how to fish and can get satisfaction watching them catch fish.
A “Grand Slam” has nothing to do with baseball or Denny’s restaurants.
You’ve got more fishing hats than your wife has purses.
You’ve driven off the road while scoping out a section of river.
You use the same knife to clean fish and eat an apple.
You carried a fly rod into Sea World.
You take your dog to the river and you both use the same pee tree.
You’ve been kicked out of the zoo for fishing in the koi pond.
You can tell the truth and no one believes you.
There are teeth marks on your fly rod.
Here’s to all the ‘experienced’ anglers! May our experience grow faster than the lies we tell!
The Nekid Fisherman
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Not-a-Fish Hall of Fame
I’ve caught up. And I’ve caught on. I’ve caught a cold and I’ve caught a break. And I’ve caught some things that were not a fish. Today we honor some of our Nekid Fisherman friends who have caught a host of unusual and unlikely trophies and thereby gained admittance to the “Not-A-Fish” Hall of Fame (NAFHOF).
We have strict rules for submitting a NAF application. First, you have to be actually trying to catch fish. Second, you have to hook a live critter (boots, tires, logs, boats, etc. do not qualify for the elite NAFHOF). Third, you have to land what you’ve caught. Some of our honorable mentions go to fishers who’ve hooked flying, hopping, swimming, and running animals--but haven’t landed them.
My friend, Rob, was the first inductee to NAFHOF. He and I were fly fishing on a stream in northeast Iowa (yes, there are trout in Iowa!). It was getting on toward dark. I had decided to call it quits because I couldn’t see anything. But Rob wanted to try one more cast. All of a sudden his line started screaming out—AND UP!! He fought his “flying fish” for a few minutes before bringing it to ground. It was dark enough that we had to get our flash lights out to see what he’d hooked. It was a BAT! Try getting a fly out of an angry bat’s mouth–in the dark! That’s how Rob earned his stars and scars to join the “Not-A-Fish” Hall of Fame.
And then there was Dusty. Dusty was fishing for rainbow in Alaska. The fishing was great, but the activity in the air was nearly as great as in the river with all the sea gulls scavenging for a free lunch. On one of Dusty’s back casts, his fly hung suspended just long enough to entice a sea gull! The battle was short-lived, however, since the gull proved stronger than Dusty’s tippet. So Dusty only gets an honorable mention because he didn’t actually land the “not-a-fish.”
Another honorable mention goes to the grandfather of Shaun’s friend who was enjoying a day fishing beaver ponds in Northern Utah. Gramps qualified for NAFHOF on two of the three criteria: he was fishing and the beaver he hooked was a live animal. But snagging the beaver in the tail did not result in much of a fight. As the beaver slapped the tail and dove below the surface, Gramps got his fly back–with along enough beaver hair to tie his own leech pattern. Sorry, Gramps. You have to land the “not-a-fish!”
RoundRocks’ very own Bryan earned his admission by catching a swallow while fishing on Utah’s Green River. It seems that birds and bats are taken most frequently on the back cast when the fly pauses for the brief moment. Bryan felt the tug and a brief frenetic pull before his fly pulled free. However, the swallow that took the fly had been stunned enough that it was on the ground. So, as the official reviewer for applications to the NAFHOF (and the business partner of a potential inductee who does take bribes), I judged that the bird had been landed. Bryan, now known for his St. Francis-like attitude toward all creatures great and small, gently took the stunned bird and laid it in the branch of a tree until it revived enough to be on its way. Bryan also gets a pat on the back for applying a catch and release attitude to both birds and fish!
Billy, our friend from Louisiana, has earned the highest honors to date in NAFHOF by catching a duck. Now I know many of you have hooked ducks, but Billy is the only person who has reported in as having landed one. He was fishing for big bass and dropped a streamer off a lily pad to begin his retrieve. Out of nowhere a duck went after his streamer and Billy hooked it. It took a while to get the duck to shore. Billy covered the duck with his jacket and was able to get the hook out with only a slight indentation in the duck’s bill.
There you have it–this month’s NAF Hall of Fame winners!
The Nekid Fisherman
We have strict rules for submitting a NAF application. First, you have to be actually trying to catch fish. Second, you have to hook a live critter (boots, tires, logs, boats, etc. do not qualify for the elite NAFHOF). Third, you have to land what you’ve caught. Some of our honorable mentions go to fishers who’ve hooked flying, hopping, swimming, and running animals--but haven’t landed them.
My friend, Rob, was the first inductee to NAFHOF. He and I were fly fishing on a stream in northeast Iowa (yes, there are trout in Iowa!). It was getting on toward dark. I had decided to call it quits because I couldn’t see anything. But Rob wanted to try one more cast. All of a sudden his line started screaming out—AND UP!! He fought his “flying fish” for a few minutes before bringing it to ground. It was dark enough that we had to get our flash lights out to see what he’d hooked. It was a BAT! Try getting a fly out of an angry bat’s mouth–in the dark! That’s how Rob earned his stars and scars to join the “Not-A-Fish” Hall of Fame.
And then there was Dusty. Dusty was fishing for rainbow in Alaska. The fishing was great, but the activity in the air was nearly as great as in the river with all the sea gulls scavenging for a free lunch. On one of Dusty’s back casts, his fly hung suspended just long enough to entice a sea gull! The battle was short-lived, however, since the gull proved stronger than Dusty’s tippet. So Dusty only gets an honorable mention because he didn’t actually land the “not-a-fish.”
Another honorable mention goes to the grandfather of Shaun’s friend who was enjoying a day fishing beaver ponds in Northern Utah. Gramps qualified for NAFHOF on two of the three criteria: he was fishing and the beaver he hooked was a live animal. But snagging the beaver in the tail did not result in much of a fight. As the beaver slapped the tail and dove below the surface, Gramps got his fly back–with along enough beaver hair to tie his own leech pattern. Sorry, Gramps. You have to land the “not-a-fish!”
RoundRocks’ very own Bryan earned his admission by catching a swallow while fishing on Utah’s Green River. It seems that birds and bats are taken most frequently on the back cast when the fly pauses for the brief moment. Bryan felt the tug and a brief frenetic pull before his fly pulled free. However, the swallow that took the fly had been stunned enough that it was on the ground. So, as the official reviewer for applications to the NAFHOF (and the business partner of a potential inductee who does take bribes), I judged that the bird had been landed. Bryan, now known for his St. Francis-like attitude toward all creatures great and small, gently took the stunned bird and laid it in the branch of a tree until it revived enough to be on its way. Bryan also gets a pat on the back for applying a catch and release attitude to both birds and fish!
Billy, our friend from Louisiana, has earned the highest honors to date in NAFHOF by catching a duck. Now I know many of you have hooked ducks, but Billy is the only person who has reported in as having landed one. He was fishing for big bass and dropped a streamer off a lily pad to begin his retrieve. Out of nowhere a duck went after his streamer and Billy hooked it. It took a while to get the duck to shore. Billy covered the duck with his jacket and was able to get the hook out with only a slight indentation in the duck’s bill.
There you have it–this month’s NAF Hall of Fame winners!
The Nekid Fisherman
Get all your Fly Fishing Needs at RoundRocks.com
Monday, April 19, 2010
Another Winston Story
As you might guess I didn’t drive 9 hours to catch small fish so I decided to put up the 22’s and 24’s and throw something that might make a fish or two move. Since my confidence was waning I cut back my leader and tied on a big rabbit strip streamer that weighed close to five pounds. I realize that most situations call for a larger rod when hucking giant streamers, but I really didn’t think this was going to work anyway. This is the part of the story that really made me a Winston fan. The rod loaded smoothly and delivered the streamer thirty feet or so to the other side of a deep run. The little B2T had some power hiding in the bottom end. I was impressed. The streamer dropped below the fast current and as it drifted slowly into the deep it just stopped. I set the hook hard and for a couple seconds nothing happened. I figured I was snagged, but just as I prepared to drop my rod tip, I felt my rod shake. The fish rolled on the surface and I caught a fleeting glance. Nice fish. He took me across the river and bent my little rod to the cork. I gained line and he took it right back I applied pressure from different angles to try and disorient him. It took some time, but I finally coaxed the big rainbow into shallow water. I am not sure what the fish weighed but it taped out at just over 25 inches. Needless to say I am a fan of the Winston B2T. It is one of the finest fly rods I have ever fished and it does everything well. I liked fishing the rod so well I have decided to buy a nine foot five weight also, maybe a Winston six weight B2X. I’m also thinking about the Winston MX two-hander. Needless to say I’m sold.
Clarence Beavers
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