Fly tying symposium

I made it to the fly tying symposium in Somerset this past Saturday.  This was my first time going.  I was surprised how much smaller this event if compared to the fly fishing show.  As the guy at the Rite Bobbin booth said, "Fly fishing is a subset of fishermen in general, and fly tiers are a subset of fly fishermen."  It makes more sense when put in perspective like that.

By the way, I did buy a Rite Bobbin and they are amazing.  LOVE IT!

I ran into Bryson and Alex at the show and the three of us went over to some of the materials shops and browsed together.

I ended up purchasing some barbless jig hooks, and Bryson was kind enough to show me where to find them.

We also hung out and watched Doug, Matt Grobert's nephew, tie up some flies and I came away wishing I had a tenth of his skill when I was his age.  He was fast as hell on the vice.  He also was able to describe the features/pitfalls of all the jig head hook manufacturers on the market off the top of his head.  He's an impressive kid, so keep your eyes open for him.  When we were standing there, Doug had 4 or 5 people watching him and Matt had none.  Doug stole the show for a while!

I saw Tim Flagler from Tightline Productions there as well.  He was there with his wife.  I should have asked him the secret of getting his significant other out to a fly tying show.  I did talk to Tim about doing a presentation for the chapter and he is on board with it for next year in the March/April timeframe.  His presentation will be amazing, with all the video footage he'll be incorporating.  No one does it better than Tim.  I am really looking forward to hear him speak.

Johnny Utah was there too.  I said hello, but when I went back to chat with him, we was off hanging out with other Ridge and Valley members.  I like his blog and would have liked to talk him up.  Next year Johnny.

Last, I hung out with Ben Turpin.  If you haven't talked to this guy, put it on to your to-do list.  The nicest guy, and a hell of a fly fishing guide.  I float with him about 6 times a year on the big D and he always brings his A game.  He still has a custom Z Axis 5 weight for sale I've had my eyes on.  Can I justify having four 5 weights?  Probably not.  I should sell some and buy that one off of Ben.  I also saw my pretty mug (and my wife's prettier one) in Ben's slide show of his trips.  Were celebrities now!

All in all, a fun couple of hours with some good people.

I did get out

I kept my plans and used a day off to my advantage on Friday.  The girls got dropped off at school and then I was off to the South Branch (I am sure everyone wondered what river I would pick all weekend).

The water was so low and gin clear it wasn't even funny.  On the other hand I pretty much had the river all to myself.

I started the day trying to fish Griffith's gnats to a few fish that were taking on the surface, but for whatever reason, they just weren't buying what I was selling.  My fly would drift over them and then they would take something else.  The rises did look to be just under the surface though, so I I thought maybe a #20 PT soft hackle.  Nothing.  BWO loop wing emergers didn't fare any better.  It was a tough day on top and in the film.  I really pushed it, trying my best to fool something where I wanted, not where the trout wanted. 

Finally, with a half an hour before I needed to head out, I had an epiphany.  Maybe, I should try something different.  I switched to a bugger that I had just tied up the other day in my favorite color; a grizzly tail, with grizzly hackle and a white flash chenille body.  A few casts later, I was off to the races and landed a fat rainbow.

It just reminds you that your opinion is less important than the fish's.  I need to be less pig headed when it comes to fly selection.

With the rain we are supposed to get this week, maybe things will change for the better soon.  35 cfs on the South Branch does not make for the best outing.

Yes, I am fishing this Friday

Friday, it seems, will be a day off for me.  After I drop the kids at school, Ill have until 2:30 to do with as I choose.  I choose to fish.

The question is what flies are going to be hot.  I think Ill start the day nymphing with small brassies and sucker spawn.  As the day progresses, I hope to lure a few to the top with a griffith's gnat or if I'm really lucky, some BWOs.

I haven't been to the Musky in a while, but the South Branch is my go-to river 90% of the time.  I guess that Ill have to see how I feel that morning.

Well see how it goes.

One thing I do know, stealth will be in order.  Ill be staying low, trying to stay out of the water and watching my shadow.  Its low right now baby!  Either way, fishing is certainly better than working any day of the week.

We're just getting started...

This site update is at the forefront of Hacklebarney TU's push to serve NJ.  As a chapter of the coldwater conservation group Trout Unlimited, we are commited to growing our membership through this site, chapter meetings and outings.  Our goal is to pass our passion and knowledge of fly fishing on to whomever wants it.  Through this passion, we are working to build a strong membership base that will care for, and look after, our coldwater gem rivers and streams. 

If you are interested in fly fishing, meeting other fisherfolk, learning how to tie flies or to just drink a few beers on a Thursday night, Hacklebarney TU is your crew.

Were having a good time at it.  Come join us.

We'll see you on the river.