outcast

Nice range of float tubes and pontoon boats. You’ll find me around the lakes on these. My plan is to do a season long series of photos called "view from a tube".

http://www.outcastboats.com/outcast/

super size me

Bigger fish want bigger meals… so they say. Bigger bass, pike, trout and many other predator fish adhere to the rule. Mice are often menu items in the meal plans of predatory fish, along with frogs and other smaller rodents. I have always found the mouse pattern very effective for bass, and eagerly wait for the day when I will catch a trout that’s sized to take a larger pattern as such. I did a quick search on line and found a bunch of mouse fly patterns & lures… some very cute, some not, and some just very funny. This year is the year that I plan to meet some bigger fish, so I better tie some of these furry creatures.

Charlie's Tuna

Feast for Fish

It seems Charles has been busy stocking up for the coming season. A lot of flies for a lot o fish. Knowing Charles, he will put all of them to good use.

SURF FLYFISHING PLANS, phase 1- Mexico

Getting Ready for Puerta Vallarta , Mexico vacation with my family. 

Three things I have researched for pacific coast fly fishing off these beaches, just north of the city are as follows:

1) Follow the baitfish balls, and birds- and roosters like to feed at early, early dawn.

2) The depths off the rocky shores north of Puerta Vallarta, and far south, seem to hold more promise of foraging predator fish running up schools of sardines to the shore.

3) Keep moving, and aggressively strip your streamers for feeding fish.

I have tied three food groups- 

Sardine patterns, which i feel will work well for bass and pike.

Saddle hackle provide the par marks, or bars of baitfish, but i have also used permanent marker on a few patterns.

Shrimp patterns, larger for the pacific shrimp, based on some great sites, research, and bonefish patterns.

Pacific squids- which look like a tarpon fly, with eyes located back on the shank or body of the squid.  Clear body wrap works well.

I wrap, tie in hard, and place head cement between the fly elements and components. This is due to the toothy nature of these predators shredding flys, if not tied with quality.

Do a search on "rooster fish, beach fly fishing" and tell me that you don't get passionate about hunting, catching and releasing this amazing fish. 

Keep up the passion, research, match the forage food/ hatch, etc  and fish. 

Remember my Korean friends- nymphs live 80% underwater before they hatch- what do those beautiful cherry trout eat when there is no surface hatch? 

I look forward to the next trip. As always- keep dreaming.

Your pal, kingfisher

Happy Winter Tying

Today, I stop by the fly shop that I go regularly to tie some flies for the spring season. I tied caddis and parachute mainly in different colors and sizes. During one moment that I was finish tying a #18 size white parachute, Mr. Lee who is my tying mentor saw me using whip finisher in awkward way because of the fly size, and he right away showed me how to use that to finish tying small fly with easy method. It was simple and small part of tying technique, but I really appreciate to learn that at that moment. This kind of learning experience makes my first winter fly fishing season still brings me the joy and the excitement.

hallo Fische!

My hope is that 2009 will be the year that will go down in my books as the first year to meet a Muskie at the end of my fly rod. Now who better to learn from than the Esox Man himself, my good friend Pete. Pete’s been hunting these fish for almost 20 years now, and know a thing or two about Muskies. Here are some photos of Pete and his son Matt on their trip up to Crow Lake last season. I am diligently learning to tie the Muskie & Pike flies, big furry ones. All I can hope for is that I will meet at least one of these beautiful fish this season, and with some luck maybe more than one. Please note that on one of these photos Matt’s has two Smallies on one lure! Thanks for the photos Pete and see you on the water soon.

PinLing & Ladyfish

We’ve had a couple of days above freezing temperatures here in the Midwest, and in this heart of winter, I often miss the days out at PinLing. The schools of 3+ pound ladyfish there are amazing to watch and each corner of the valley displays distinctive character. You can sometimes catch hint of tea scent in the air from the tea fields that climb up the hills. According to Wesley, who research the upper section of the river, there are over 25 species of different fish in this river, 15 native. I miss the warm breeze, the good company, and the exciting variety of catching there.