bamboo rod class: day 1

Today was my first day of 6 days course of bamboo fly rod class. I arrived in Blue Ridge, Georgia last night and just came back from the first day of class. Today we spent all day flamming and splitting a cane which will be planed down tomorrow. I'm with five other gentlemen from all over the states. its good to be with other fishermen who are passionate about this sport.

I noticed that Pataguchi's new waders are being made in Korea now! I was told a few years ago that no one outside of china was producing waders(except Simms). I wonder who's making them?

Rio Azul Waders - Regular

$239.00 

Style No. 82185

Our lightest, most packable waders designed for the traveling or backcountry angler who requires lightweight performance.

This garment has a Relaxed Fit

Shown: 

Narwhal Grey (NHG-602)

When you're carrying everything you need for a week of hard fishing on your back-or in checked airline baggage-every inch and ounce counts. Our new Rio Azul Waders are built for extreme lightweight performance and max packability. The tough 4-layer, 5-oz polyester fabric with waterproof/breathable H2No® HydroStorm barrier and Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish rolls up tight for travel and keeps you dry when you fish. Fully adjustable suspenders and anatomically designed left and right neoprene booties ensure comfortable fit for long days in the water. A waterproof interior pocket protects phone or car-alarm remote from the inevitable that-tailout-was-deeper-than-I-thought swimming sessions. Stretch Wading Belt with DuraFlex® Stealth-V buckle protects you from the same. Front utility keeper for convenient tool attachment. Field repair kit included.

Details

• Durable polyester plain weave fabric features our waterproof/breathable H2No Hydrostorm barrier and a Deluge DWR finish; with fully taped seams
• Adjustable suspenders
• Anatomically designed left and right neoprene fitted booties
• Laser cut Hypalon® utility keeper for easy access to tools, nippers, etc.
• Interior waterproof pocket
• Field repair kit included
• Main Body: 4-layer, 5-oz 100% polyester plain weave with a waterproof/breathable H2No® HydroStorm barrier and a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish
• 997 g (35.2 oz)
• Made in Korea.

Two guys from my home town trying to kickstart a new flyfishing comedy show. Kick em a few bucks if you'd like to see it happen...

Skunked in Paradise

Inspired by Charles, headed up to Paradise Springs for an afternoon. It was pretty as ever and those trout were picky as ever. Putting up a few photos anyway for mrLee, so he can remember what it looked like.

High-sticking in NJ

As I mentioned in the previous post, the Northeast area is going through the warmest winter ever. Today, I found myself high-sticking in Ken Lockwood Gorge for some trouts. Twenty plus anglers had the same ideas as I have... Could be the double digit unemployment rate...

Due to over crowd, I only had a few spots to fish. I even had a nasty altercation with a guy who casted his spinner to a pool which I was fishing.

I have been spoiled by creeks I'd been fishing which provide plenty of solitude experince and found myself being somewhat frustrated but it was nice to see some bigger stocked fish.

For your viewing pleasure

First Trip of the Year

Northeast is going through an exceptionally mild winter which I'm not complaining. However, I haven't been fishing due to busy schedule. Although I had to be back home by 4pm for my nephew's first birthday party, I couldn't resist the 49 degree weather...

The first sighting of the creek nailed me in my track and helped me unwind.

I used to catch a lot more brookies in this stream than browns but it seems though browns are taking over the creek as the most of my catch are brown. I've noticed this throughout the last year as I spent a lot time on this creek. I'm not sure if this is the survival of the fittest but this is somewhat disturbing for me because this creek is the closest creek from my house that holds abundances of the native fish at least used to be...

Fly Fishing Film

I went to a film screening yesterday which is held at one of the Patagonia store in the city. The film is about an epic journey to Kamchatka peninsula. I've shed some tears...

Eastern Rises | teaser from felt soul media on Vimeo.

Seeking suggestion

Patty and I are planning on a trip to Yellowstone this summer for two weeks. Initially thought about flying out to Jackson Hole and fish there for a couple of days and then move onto Cody, Cooke City and end our trip in West Yellowstone. Then I realize that we might not truly enjoy the experiences if we bounce around too much.

Currently, I'm just thinking about staging our trip in one or two area (West Yellowstone and Cody) and throw in as many different fishing experiences as possible.

Any suggestions on itinerary, timing, guide services and etc..? Thanks in advance for your help...

A Great Fishing Report

I recently came across a fishing report from Blake on their site, "Illinois Wisconsin Fishing" and was refreshed by the concise, generous, and thoughtful nature of the report. There seems to be thousands of fishing reports out there on even more blogs, but once in a while you see a good one like this. Thanks for a great report Blake & Team.

Check out this:
http://illinoiswisconsinfishing.blogspot.com/2012/01/trout-river-iowa-driftless-report.html

and more at:
http://illinoiswisconsinfishing.blogspot.com/

ANGLING WORLD 魔魚釣界

Damn! Wai Loong and his friends how to party! These guys are everywhere and everywhere they find the craziest fresh water beasts! Happy New Year Wai Loong, thanks for all the information. Can't wait to see your photos from the Thailand Jungle Trip.

Check out more at:
http://anglingworld.blogspot.com/

Swimming with Iphone

I had a dream last night where GF was wading ahead of me, lost his balance, and fell in. Rather than freak out and start gasping for air, like I would do, he started swimming gently across the pool with rod in hand. Good news for all you smart phone users...No more plastic bags, or worrying about taking a call streamside. I wonder if they can do it for cigarettes????

Things make you smile

Found this metal curb in Brooklyn. Near Pratt Institute to be exact.

Yes boys, Although I love seeing cool videos, we need to go fishing...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Always dress for the PAwty boys. Happy New Year

micro nymphying

I miss fishing...

Warm Wishes for my Friends

It's hard to believe it's already the end of 2011. It's not a feeling that the year went by any faster, it just feels like with all the giant changes happening all around the world, I should have also been doing something (although I'm not sure if more or less). Watching these changes makes me feel hopeful, fearful, ashamed, small, connected and old at the same time. Maybe this is just part of reaching midlife, noticing the waves of change around me, wondering (and worrying) how those changes will affect the world my children will live in. Maybe it's something more simple, like the fact that I fished a lot less than I should/could have, which provided too much time to dive into the crap, none of which made me any more informed or wiser. All I know is that spending way more time in airports than on streams isn't good for me.

I am deeply thankful for a lot of things. Above all my family, our health, and time with good friends. This year, I'm espcially thankful that I was there when my son caught his first cherry trout, that I had a chance to fish in Colorado, and that I got to catch some steelheads for the first time. I guess it's such moments that I will remember about the year (and all the times I got drunk with Soboro). I look forward to 2012 ... like a stream that changes with each season, I hope next year will be filled with lots of good changes that we can laugh out loud about.

I wish you & your family the best in 2012. Thank you for being such great friends.

Happy Holidays.

Closing Statement

2011 fishing experience has been particularly good to me as I think I made the most improvement with my fishing skill. The most of my fishing hours were spent on this small mountain creek in New Jersey with one specific pattern (Ausable Bomber) mainly to improve my casting skill.

Come to think of it, I've started the season at this creek and I fished it yesterday to be my last fishing trip of the year makes this creek somewhat special for me.


I pretty much had a whole creek all to myself. Not even a single hiker to be seen on trails leading to the creek.

I hope everyone made their good fishing memoirs this year as I have and hope to see you guys next year with even bigger smiles (from fishing of course) from pictures you will post.

Tightlines...

ㅋㅋ

from my friend Pete, The Esoxman...

Each year about this time, hear from my friend Pete/ The Esoxman, about his annual Canada trip. This year Pete had 8 Muskie and 6 of them were over 40 inches and one at 48inches. As usual, his son Matt also accompany him on the trip and adds to the count of Muskie encounters. An annual fishing trip like this, with your family is something I think I can get into now, now that my kids are a little older. Pete continues to be a mentor to me beyond fishing.

Looking forward to catching up soon Pete. Seems like we're crossing paths in the air.

Beginning of New Experience

Since my last saltwater fishing trip, I've tried to tie some flies for stripers. Surf candy is to be exact. The first one I've tied as seen below came out like a fat goldfish with a long tail. Eventually I was able to simulate the fly good enough to fool a striper so I hoped...

With much anticipation along with my newly tied flies, I hit the beach by 4am last sunday only to find that the section where I needed to be is barricaded with a park ranger on guard.


I've decided to stay and practice cast as I know I will be coming back first thing next spring. Striper season is officially over as of this week but I am glad that I was able to take my first step to new fishing venture I am sure I will enjoy.

I like this beverage...

I love it that America has good beer named after a famous river and has a trout on it. And it's nice and potent too. Cheers from Hong Kong.