WHITE BEAR LAKE PERCH

It's official - I have caught the ice fishing itch.  I went out and bought myself a used single person flip over sled, 8" hand auger, and a real cheap ice rod combo.  Now my Vexilar is no longer alone as the lone piece of ice fishing gear.

I will not ice fish without one of these.

I drove out on White Bear lake.  Since there were roughly 3 billion trucks on the lake already when I pulled up to the boat ramp, I figured the ice would be safe enough for me to drive out on.  This was the first time I took my own vehicle out on the ice, and let me tell you, it was extremely nerve wrecking.

It's so loud - I love it!

Using my Navionics, I looked for what would be the best spot.  After driving out to the spot I had chosen that would yield fish, I learned that I was not the only person who thought that was a good spot.  There were already quite a few ice houses over the exact areas I wanted to set up shop.  I settled for an area somewhat near them.

Didn't realize my auger and shelter were from the same company.

I set up a tip up with a jig and tipped it with a few Gulp grub worms, and then I set up my shelter.  If was much roomier than I had expected for 1 person, and it kept me out of the cold wind.  I was loving it.  I started jigging and marked a bunch of fish on my flasher, but couldn't get anything to commit.  When I did finally coax a fish into biting the jig it turned out to be a MONSTER...not really.

Monster Perch.

The action was non stop with twinkie sized perch.  I was entertained and super stoked that the CARF Outdoors #icatchsmallfish tour was on fire to kick off the year.

More Monster Perch.

Below is a live stream of the action that is ice fishing with CARF Outdoors.  Don't look away, because, you might miss the action.

Real Time Feed of the happenings inside the ice shelter.  Don't stop watching!

White Bear Lake - You've been conquered by CARF Outdoors.

White Bear Lake.

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2CJ9iZx

Flip Over Shelter - http://amzn.to/2G5c5ya

Auger - http://amzn.to/2GaGefl

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

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??

BMFS: HOPS AND HOPPERS 11/07/2017

Drinking beer, tying flies, and telling lies.  Another fun night spent at Lake Monster Brewing in Saint Paul Minnesota for Hops & Hoppers hosted by Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop.  I typically tie 1 fly at these gatherings, and spend the rest of my time hanging out and talking with the homies.

Hops & Hoppers

It's always interesting to see what others are whipping up at the vise.  On this night there were quite a few trout buggers being tied, along with some big musky, bass, and salmon flies.

Bret at the end admiring the work of Sherlock.

Grant Meyer with his laser like focus.

I forgot this man's name, but he's only been tying a week.  He tied his first woolly bugger on this night, and it was nicer than any woolly bugger that has ever left my vise.

First woolly bugger lookin' woolly buggery.

Micah Crider loves black hats and driftless trout.  He and his wife have a pretty sweet blog with some great photography and stories.  You should take a minute and check it out - The Driftless Flyer.

Michah Crider workin' it.

Just because it's an open fly tying night, doesn't necessarily mean you have to tie flies.  I like to consider fly tying an art, and while Mr. Sherlock was skillfully creating steelhead flies with a hook and vise, Charlie Forbes was right next to him showcasing his skillz with paint and a brush.

Sherlock and Charlie doing thangs.

...and not long after the above photograph, Sherlock was showcasing the powers of super glue.

Sherlock.  Nuff said.

Sherlock.

Charlie does some amazing work, and I am a fan.  If you haven't, you should really check out his Instagram page for more of his work.  It was a really great to see him meticulously paint his works at the open tie night.  I think he should do it more often.

Charlie Forbes creating something magnificent, per usual.

Before he goes to sleep each night, Bobby Nacho's tosses back a few musky flies to keep his musky game strong.  

Bobby Nacho's

Looking forward to the next open tie night I am able to attend.  My goal is to tie more than 1 fly next time.  I'm shooting for 2....Baby steps.

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

FLOATING THE ST. CROIX

READY TO ROCK N ROLL

Got out for a float with my homie Aaron of Scavenger Fly on the St. Croix River.  The plan was to row up river and drift back down in search of musky, pike, and smallmouth.  Our friend Ted surprised us when he said that he was on the river, too.  He met up with us, and generously offered to tow us up river.  THANKS TED!  You da man!!

Ted with the clutch tow.

Aaron...Focusing in on his precision casting.

Overall it was a great float and we all hooked into some fish.  No musky, but that quite alright.  There's always next time, right?!?!

Teeth in the net.

Backhanded casting. Photo by:  Aaron

Check out the short video I made of the outing.  I'm still working on brushing up my recording and editing skills, so, please be kind. :) 

If you liked the video, give it a THUMBS UP!  Oh, and don't forget to subscribe.

Looking forward to the next float on the St. Croix.

Check out the link below.

SCAVENGER FLY - Website

SCAVENGER FLY - Instagram

I BOUGHT SOMETHING BIG

I bought a Flycraft Stealth boat/raft...whatever you want to call it.  I can't seem to make up my mind, so, I've been referring to it as both.  Big purchase for me, but I am stoked to own it, and get it on the water.  I know what most of you all are probably thinking, that's an expensive raft, but the way I see it is...

1. I don't need a trailer.
2. I don't need a garage or driveway to store trailer or an actual boat. (Wish I did, though.)

I can put this thing away in a closet in my bedroom....or I can leave it inflated and use it as a couch in my living room.  I don't think my roommates would mind.  Hahaha

Here's a video of me unboxing it and setting it up (not the full installation)

Big round of applause for my roommate Ben for posing for this picture...for America...and my entertainment. Haha

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CARF OUTDOORS YouTube Channel

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I Still Fish

Just a little reminder to all of you, and me, that I still fish.  In fact, I have become a master of catching small fish.  #icatchsmallfish - It's my new thing.

In the picture below, my white sunglasses are still alive and well.  You will all be happy to learn they will soon be making a return.  Superglue is a wonderful thing.

Casting for small fish with my 5 wt.

...and below is a random picture of a water tower near my place in Saint Paul.  It has a moon attached to it.  I believe I shared a picture of this water tower, but it was at night.  Well, here it is during the day.

TRAGEDY

I would just like to let all of you know, that it is possible for nightmares to become reality.  While in the Boundary Waters 2 weekends ago, tragedy struck.  While on a mile hike to a lake to see if any walleye were biting, I had to crouch under a tree, but I forgot that I had my beloved white sunglasses in the pocket of my rain jacket.  As I went under the downed tree, I heard a crack.  I knew then and there that it was my sunglasses.

We had a good run.

RIP Summer 2009 - May 28, 2017

Light Box

Last summer I purchased a light box, and I am just now starting to fool around with it.  I'm really happy with the purchase, and I'm looking forward to utilizing it more for flies.  If you don't have a light box, there are many ways to DIY one.  I know my buddy Dave has made one in the past that constisted of a black t-shirt, and some aluminum foil.

Before editing.

Here we have a very delicious beer from a pretty awesome brewery in the Chicagoland area.  Mikerphone Brewing.  Such a fun and cool concept as far as label art, and beer names, because, they're all some sort of musical reference.  Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit..if you don't get the reference, it a Nirvana album, and instead of a naked baby swimming in a pool chasing some money...it's a coffee bean baby chasing Vermont maple syrup.  Great beer by the way!!!

After editing.

If you don't recognize the fly below, you must be new to following me.  Haha.  It's one of my favorite patterns for northern pike, bass, and even had a few musky take a swipe at it.

Another great beer from Mikerphone Brewing.  Mikerphone Check 1. 2.  I added a little prop in the glass to make the photograph a little more fun.

Lastly, we have a predator sized top water fly from my homie Dave.  I love how the colors pop on this one.  The rubber legs look electric!

Winner Winner...no chicken dinner!

The winner of my little caption contest is none other than the subject himself - +Howard Levett of Windknots & Tangled Lines.  The contest was not rigged, I promise.  I had my lovely new GF go through the comments and decide who was her favorite.  Prize - Hat, Flies, and Stickers.  I'll let you know when those fresh trouty bugs are all tied up, Howard.

Be on the look out for another contest.