2010 was a challenging year for me both personally and professionally and of course the economic issues we've all been dealing with sure didn't make it any easier. The two constants that make dealing with the day to day grind acceptable is my family and the great outdoors. I am very fortunate to have a healthy, loving and understanding family that not only puts up with my passion for the outdoors, but also encourages it and participates in it and for that I am truly thankful.
I can't forget my partners in crime that also partake in our outdoor adventures because without them there would be no stories to tell, no memories and a whole lot less laughter. Yes there would be more peace and quiet but what is the fun in that.
To all my new friends that I've met through my adventures in blogging, a huge thank you to all for sharing your outdoor adventures with me and allowing me to share my passion with you.
Wishing everyone a very safe, healthy and Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what 2011 brings.
This is just what the doctor ordered when recovering from ringing in the new year. Just roll out of bed, grab some water, I'm sure you'll need it, and turn on the TV to catch the first episode of Wild on the Fly.
Wild On The Fly, presented by Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop in Missoula, Montana is debuting on the Outdoor Channel on January 1, 2011 at 1:30PM. Wild On The Fly is a new 13-episode series of angling adventures from all around the world.
Targeting specifies from Perch and Trout to some toothy critters like Muskies and Sharks. A little something for everyone. For more information and to view the 13 episode schedule check out the press release here.
Even if you are not lucky enough to have trout waters open to fly fishing through out the winter months there are many ways for you to keep your learning going and to stay fresh. Weather you are looking to get started in Fly Fishing or looking to further your personal Fly Fishing education there is no better time then winter time. Every winter I sit down and review my Fly Fishing season and think about what steps I want to take next. I use the winter months not only to replenish my supplies of flies, some of which I tie myself and others I will purchase over the coming winter months, but to learn new techniques. I will also take some time to give my fishing gear some TLC and perform some preventative maintenance. What ever it is you are looking to do or learn here are some my favorites places and things that have helped me tremendously over the past year.
My Local Fly Shop
Nothing can ever replace the gang at your local fly shop and the winter time is the best time to make those visits and get some help and to stock up on materials. The hustle and bustle of the fishing season has died down as winter takes hold and that usually finds Steve, Jim and the rest of the crew at JT's Fly Shop with much more time on their hands to answer my questions and help me improve. I have attended many formal classes held at the shop as well as been informed of nearby presentations and opportunities through their weekly shop droppings emails. Steve, Jim, Brandon and Stan have invited me in and made me feel like one of the crew and all have had a hand in helping me improve my fly fishing and fly tying skills. In return I try to help out wherever and however possible and I know they appreciate it. Make sure you visit your local fly shop and check in to their classes and see if they have an enewsletter that you can sign up for. The trip will be well worth it.
Trout Predator Online (TPO)
Besides the great staff at my local fly shop the TPO forum has been the best online fly fishing resource I could ask for. Aaron Jasper, the founder of TPO, and many of the regulars are always willing to help out with any question or inquiry you may have about equipment, techniques, flies or even locations, just don't expect the GPS coordinates to their favorite trout hiding spots. The site is filled with many instructional video clips, including the Fly of the Month tying video, as well as instructional threads on different fishing and tying techniques and even regular fishing field reports. I've had the pleasure of meeting Aaron and asking him questions long before I booked a guided trip with him and I can tell you for a fact he is passionate about Fly Fishing and full of energy and if you can keep up with him a day on the water is well worth it. However if you can't hook up with Aaron personally then I suggest you take advantage of his newest video European Nymphing - Techniques and Fly Tying as after a look at the trailer below I have no doubt this video will be informative and full of energy and great advice just like Aaron himself. I can't wait for my copy to arrive.
CFFA - Connecticut Fly Fisherman's association.
The CFFA is just one of a few local Fly fishing organizations and it is local enough for me that I can make meetings regularly as well as take advantage of their tying and fishing classes. They even have their own web forum so staying updated is easy and it helps with meeting other members as well. There are many people in these organizations that are more then willing and happy to help other fisherman out so make it a point to look up a local Fly Fishing organization in your area and get to a few meetings. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Outdoor shows
Winter is the time for outdoors shows and in my area we will have plenty of them to keep us busy. One that I am especially excited to attend is the Fly Fishing Show in Marlborough, MA. They also have shows in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. Now if you have a fly fishing only show in your area make sure to take advantage of it.
Books, videos and the Internet
There are plenty of great books for beginners and seasoned veterans alike. One of my favorites from when I was starting out was the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide. This book covers everything from the basic equipment needed, flies, type of fishing and reading the water and a book that I read every winter for the first few years. The Orvis website also has a great resources section at the bottom of their main page that offers up loads of information and their Animated Knot page is tops. Another outstanding web site with loads of fly fishing information is Fly Anglers Online which claims to be your complete internet flyfishing resource and they may just be. With everything from great articles, fly fishing basics and ofcourse fly tying information. Fly Anglers Online is a must stop for anyone interested in fly fishing. One of my favorite sections of their website is the Tying tip archives which contain many great suggestions or helpful tips related to fly tying. Youtube is another great place to find tying and fly fishing videos both instructional and entertaining. The video shown below is an instructional tying video for tying the Wooly Bugger which is one of may favorite ties to fish with. Take advantage of many of the fly fishing forums like TPO and Flyaddict to research books and videos before buying them, heck you might even find someone willing to loan it to you.
For many, winter time is something we all struggle to get through as we crave the days of warm weather and more light but regardless of where you are in your fly fishing endeavors the winter is a great time to move forward and to learn new things or to brush up on the old.
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2011, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere . Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wish.
I wish I could take credit for the above but I can't. It's been floating around the internet for some time now and it still doesn't get old.
And for those of you that are okay with the old traditional greeting that I grew up with.
Around my neck of the woods the hard water has arrived and it's time to start thinking about hitting the ice but before doing so a review of ice safety is in order.
The biggest questions is how thick is thick enough? I can tell you this, I won't be the first person ice fishing, instead I will usually be late to the game just to be safe. Most charts on ice safety use 4 inches as safe for one angler and gear and 7 to 8 inches for group activities. It is also important to remember that ice thickness is not the same across the entire body of water soa good rule of thumb is to check the ice thickness every 150 feet. It's important to note that moving water like a river or a stream will wear ice from below so the view from above may be misleading. To be safe you should always check the thickness of ice and be aware of the under structure as well as this could affect water movement and the thickness in that area.
What do you do if you fall through the ice?
Don't Panic and stay calm.
Do NOT remove your clothes as the trapped air can provide some extra flotation.
Turn back the way you came as you know that ice was safe.
Place your hands and arms on the ice and kick your feet to help you get back on the ice.
Once back on the ice stay flat and roll away from the hole.
Get dry and warm immediately.
What if someone else falls through the ice? Practice Reach, Throw and Go.
REACH - Use something like a pole or branch to reach out to the person.
THROW - Throw a rope or PFD to the person.
GO - Go for help. If you are the only other person present DO NOT try to approach the person yourself.
It is very important to be prepared for a day on the ice and to have items to help you out in a bad situtaion and to make those cold days a little more comfortable. Something like a boat cushion not only adds a little comfort to your sit, but can be used to help someone who falls through the ice. Here are some other items that should be part of your ice fishing gear.
Ice Awls like the Picks of Life can be a life saver if you fall in and no one is around to help and at the cost of less than $20 there is no excuse for not having a pair or two but if you can't afford the cost you can make your own with just some rope, dowels and nails.
Ice cleats or creepers that you can slip on over your boats that will provide the necessary traction to keep you vertical and stop the potential of a bad fall where you smack your head on the ice which from personal experience is NOT a good feeling. Even some sand in a bucket can be handy and helpful.
A rope with a buoy on the end can not only be used to help tow your sled full of gear but can be used to help rescue someone who falls through the ice.
Extra socks, gloves or other clothing. During a day on the ice you are bound to get a little wet and getting dry and keeping warm is a must for a great day on the ice.
Disposable hand warmers are part of every one of my outdoor gear packs as they provide quick and easy warmth when needed and inexpensive.
First aid kit including matches. If you in a remote area you need to be ready for anything.
Make sure to review your Ice Safety and preparedness before your venture out for your first trip of the season so you can concentrate on landing the big one.
