YAKTRAX CONTEST

Want to win a pair of Yaktrax Pro's?

We all love contests, and this one has simple instructions.  On Instagram simply post a photo of one of your winter adventures with the hashtag #STANDUPTOWINTER and tag @yaktraxtraction - Like I said, it's simple!

The winner will be selected at the end of the month, so, get those pictures posted and tagged!

Photo Courtesy of Yaktrax

LINKS

Yaktrax Pro - http://amzn.to/2E8nV9F

Yaktrax Walk - http://amzn.to/2BONcUJ

Yaktrax Run - http://amzn.to/2E90UDQ

Yaktrax Diamond Grip - http://amzn.to/2ChXDne

Yaktrax Summit - http://amzn.to/2Drf3Lk

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WINTER FISHING WITH DANK

During the Christmas weekend, I was back home in Chicago.  I had some free time, so, I hit up my homie DANK to see if he wanted to get out and fish.  There were a few issues with that...It was freezing cold, I didn't have any of my fishing gear, and I didn't have a car.  DANK replied to my text "I got you dude."

We both were just excited to be out casting a line, but our hopes to catch any fish were not very high.  I borrowed one of DANK's spin setups and I tied on a small weighted paddle tail minnow.  On my 5th cast the rod bent and I was hooked up.  A little Larry came out to play, and I was oh so thankful to him.  Quick shot, and release.

Stoked!

DANK and I proceeded to catch more than a few fish each, and it made for a excellent morning/afternoon winter fishing session.

Beauty.

If you know the spot, do the right thing and just keep it to yourself. :)

DANK hooked up with some very healthy looking Illinois bass, and it made for an excellent day out there with my homie.  Thank you, for picking me up and letting me play with your rod!

Action Shot.

Them IKE's are on point DANK.

Say ahhh

This was without a doubt my last outing in the calendar year that is 2017, and it was a great one.  Fish were caught, and I got to hang out with one of my bestest friends.  I hope one day he reads my blog :)

DANK with the biggest bass of the day.

MY GEAR

My Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

My Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

My Other Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2BYop4M

My Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2Cd3Aj6

My Hoodie - http://amzn.to/2CcbqvF

My Boots - http://amzn.to/2Cc4PPl

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2018

"Ain't that somethin'?  She falls down a well, her eyes go cross.  She gets kicked by a mule.  They go back.  I don't know." - Cousin Eddie

What a fun time of year to see all of the creative and fun flies around on social media for all of the Christmas fly tying contests.  I've just entered one with my homies at the Fish Porn podcast who recently invited me to be a guest on their show.  Check out episode 9 to hear the guys and myself bullshit, tell bad jokes, and drink beer.

My entry for the contest is a mop fly Christmas tree.  This is a fun fly to tie.  It's super simple and according to +Mel Moore of The Bluegill Bug on Facebook, it's super effective.  I could also see trout eating these, because, it sort of resembles a big cased caddis, too.

What do you think??

To all of you out there that read this, I would like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you all get some time off of work.

Side note:  I posted this with the year 2018 in the title and was called out by the man, the myth, John Sherlock.  I will not update the title of this post, I sincerely hope you all have a very Merry Christmas in 2018. :)

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Scissors - http://amzn.to/2BQdXZX

My Vise - http://amzn.to/2DxaVdu

Mop Fly Material - http://amzn.to/2DyX8TW

Beads - http://amzn.to/2BQeL0V

Bench Basin - http://amzn.to/2BSCHAL

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

THE PINK TUTU

PART ONE

Text from GRANT:  Jim and I are heading South.  Leaving from BMFS at 6:30.

12 Hours later....

Reply text from ME:  I'm in.

The day was looking promising.  The weather was fantastic (for winter) and we were the first ones to arrive, and had the waters to ourselves.  Grant and I started out chucking streamers, and Jim went with the trusted nymph rig.  This was new water for the 3 of us, and I can tell you that it had some extremely fishy runs.

Grant and I both had a handful of bumps, but couldn't get any of the fish to commit.  No worries, because, here comes Jim to show us how it's done.  Drifting a fly he dubbed The Pink TuTu he hooked up with a nice brown trout.  No surprise to any of us.  Jim is just one fishy dude.

Jim doing what he does...catch fish.

Buttuh.

Jim's Pink TuTu

We continued to fish with no luck.  Jim's brown was still the lone fish on the board, but that was alright with me.  It was a pleasure to be out on the water fishing with my homies, and not freezing.

Grant working a streamer dropper rig in one of the many nice runs.

After some time with zero action for all of us, we took to the streets.  We were on the hunt for more access points to the river through the old time feel main street in this small Southern Minnesota town.

On the hunt for more river access.

On the way, we came across a pay phone and decided to contact the 1-800-BEATDOWN article that we have all read in The Flyfish Journal hoping that it wasn't only for steelhead fishermen.  None of the option really applied to us, so, I think Grant hit the # symbol for phone sex, and to hear that he looked good in his waders, but I'm not entirely sure.

Grant calling the 1-800-BEATDOWN Hotline and hitting the # symbol.

To be continued....

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

5 wt Fly Rod - http://amzn.to/2CMGm2a

Waders - http://amzn.to/2BHwpnC

Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2CM17Lr

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

YAKTRAX COLD CONQUEROR AMBASSADOR TEAM

I am excited to let you all know that I am now a part of the Cold Conqueror Ambassador Team for Yaktrax.  I've used Yaktrax products in the past and can totally vouch for their effectiveness with winter weather.  One of the companies I worked for previously, made it mandatory for it's employee's to wear a pair of Yaktrax Walk if there was ever a need to go outside, because, it was proven to lessen the risk of an employee slipping and falling on ice.

I don't always run during winter, but when I do, I am sure to wear Yaktrax Run and red basketball shoes.  I don't run very far or fast, but I can tell ya that every time I do, I return back to my house unscathed, because, of my Yaktrax I am able to #StandUpToWinter #IAmNotNormal ...I'm really looking forward to getting out on the hard water and putting these to the test while ice fishing.

During the month of December Yaktrax will be running sales on some of their products.  I will list the dates and promotions at the bottom of this post. YAKTRAX RUN

The snake photographed below was not wearing Yaktrax when it was out for a slither, so, it was not prepared to #StandUpToWinter ...and now it's frozen solid.

Where are your Yaktrax, bro?

LINKS

NOW - 12/16/2017 -- YAKTRAX RUN

12/17/2017 - 12/23/2017 -- YAKTRAX WALK

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

BMFS: HOPS & HOPPERS 12/05/2017

Another fun night at Lake Monster Brewing for Hops & Hoppers hosted by Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop and Lake Monster Brewing.  I meant to tie a bunch of flies, but that didn't happen.  So enjoy a bunch of pictures.

1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Bret is a rad dude with laser like focus when he's tying trout bugs.  He also in a band Too Pure To Die.

Focus.

Some times that focus affects Bret's periphreal vision, and he has trouble sensing dangers in the form of A-A-Ron looking intently for the right opportunity to pounce on him.

 

Guys who wear undersized hats always find each other.

Here we have Drew and Josh.  Josh is really cool, and has some mad skillz at the vise.  Drew...we just don't know about.
 

Josh on the left.  Questionable Drew on the right.

One of the guides that works out of Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop is a super fishy dude, and his name is Evan.  He has a goal to tie 1 million of these white murdich minnows by winters end.  Not even 1 month in, he's 1/3 of the way to his goal.

Evan whipping up murdich minnow # 34,120

Grant and his wife are some pretty rad individuals.  They like cooking bacon on their flattop grill, and posting ridiculous pictures of each other on social media.

Grant giving Ashley some tips on what to do when you see a camera aimed at you.

Awww so cute.

Below we have a picture of something that simply cannot be explained.  Rhea, Matt Ebbers, and myself just couldn't keep a straight face while Grant just looked over at Ashley like this was a normal occurrence.  Can you take a guess at what was happening here?

Amazing.

Eddie Rivard has a black belt in bugs.  Here is a rare shot of him sharing his knowledge to Josh, Micah, and an unknown dude for free.

Josh, Micah, and an unnamed dude listening to the expert advise of Eddie Rivard.

Do you know about The Driftless Flyer?  If you don't, simply click on the name/link and do a bit of reading, and you will.  Did you know that it was that easy to know about something?  Now you do, and you're welcome.  The Driftless Flyer is actually a 2 person team comprised of Micah and his wife Abigail.

Do you even trout, bruh?  Question for The Driftless Flyer

Mike Carina is super creative...how do I know?  Well, he has a website appropriately titled Carina Creative. 

Mike showing off his creativity at the vise.

Eddie Rivard is also an International Fly Super Model.  Here he is helping Carlin Samela show off some of his most recent musky flies for free.  Such a charitable man that Eddie Rivard is.

Say Cheese.

Andrew Muntz is a flure tying machine.  Some people make balloon animals, but Andrew makes fly animals.  A little kid walked up to him at the brewery and asked him to whip up a lion, and he did.  Mad Skillz.

Andrew Muntz showing off some serious vise skills.

...another fun night at Hops & Hoppers.

DREW & EDDIE

This is Drew.  He likes to tie flies and fish for trout.

Drew admiring a musky fly.

Drew is also a big fan of playing with my camera while I'm using it.

Drew using my camera while I was trying to use my camera.

Drew also likes to play with my camera when I'm not using it, and sneak close up pictures of peoples faces or behinds.

Drew in search of Eddie Rivards best side.

This is Eddie Rivard.  He likes to fish, tie flies, and share his stories on his blog Eddie Rivard Fly Fishing.

Eddie showing off some bucktails with the Chicago Bears colors.

...and here is the product of Drew sneaking up on Eddie Rivard with my camera.

Possible caption contest photograph for the future??

FOR SALE: FILSON CHEST PACK

The item I have for sale is a Filson Chest pack.  It's a great pack, but it's just not my style.  It is used, and in great condition.  Asking $50 plus shipping, unless you're in the Twin Cities area and can meet up sometime.  If you would like to inquire about purchasing this great pack or have questions, please feel free to email me at - carfoutdoors@gmail.com

THANK YOU!  I hope this finds a great new home!

VISE TIME

It's great to be at the vise and whipping up some bugs.  Recently at work there was a silent auction and all proceeds would benefit our core charities.  I donated 8 bass flies that would be tied to the winner of my auctions liking.  I was happy with the auction, and quite surprised that there were a few bids on my service to tie flies.  It was also great to learn that there are other fly fisher people here at work.

Panfish poppers all tied with some of my favorite hooks from Partridge of Redditch.

EP Fiber bait fish and my favorire Rising Fish Stellar Scissors.

I have a lot of tying to do, but I am looking forward to all of the vise time, because, I know I won't be doing much else during the long winter here in the Great White North.

MEND PROVISIONS: ALT CHURCH 12/03/2017

It's Winter Sunday morning, and you feel like tying flies.  You sit down at your vise, and you're just not feeling it that morning.  It's probably because you sit there and tie in the same room by yourself all of the time.  Well, I have a solution to pick up your winter fly tying spirits.  Every Sunday throughout Winter unless social media notified, Mend Provisions will be hosting open tying from 10 AM - 3 PM at Mend HQ.

The Mend Provisions SJW tool is an essential and should be in everyone's fly tying tool kit.

The first open tie was Sunday 12/03/2017, and I attended after a night of staying up too late eating ice cream, drinking beer, and watching Saving Private Ryan until 3 AM.  I know what you're thinking, "Man, I wish I could party just like CARF!"  Don't you all worry about that either, I am working on a book titled, "Hey Man, do you want to party like CARF!?"  It's set to be released when pigs fly, so, that should be very soon.

 

During my time at Mend HQ, I tied up some carp bugs that I thought out in my head, and I'm thinking that these things are going to be great.  What do carp love more than corn....candy corn! Duh!  It was real easy for me to come up with a name for these carp treats - CARF's Candy Corn.

 

There were quite a few people that came in tied for a bit and had to go, and if you're reading this, it was nice to meet you all (Dan, Brent, and Dave...I think).  There was another guy there by the name of Cody, and he was tying up some very nice streamers.  Alt Church was a perfect way for him to get some tying done, and talk fishing before he had to start work that afternoon.

Cody McLean whipping up some streamers.

If you're familiar with Abel Reels, you most definitely have seen the Johnny Cash reel pictures floating around on the internet.  I finally got to see it in person, and I just have to say, "DAMN."  My photograph does it no justice at all.  In person and in professional photographs this real is an eye catcher.  There's no doubt in my mind if I were to own it, it would just sit on display somewhere I can just look at it all the time.

Abel Reels - Johnny Cash reel.  Damn. That's a gorgeous reel.

Alt Church open tie is every Sunday throughout Winter from 10 - 3 PM

 

MEND PROVISIONS

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