Update - I'm back from the Bitchin' Tour

Recently, the PIG FARM INK crew borrowed a van from punk rock band Teenage Bottlerocket and set out across the Midwest and up to the Northeast to spread the good word that fly fishing is rad, and that we should all care about our environment.  

Being a Pig Farmer, I jumped aboard after the event we hosted here in Minneapolis - American Flydol (Fly tying and Karaoke), and originally I had planned to stay for 4 days, but I ended up staying for roughly 15...and yes, I still have a job.

I have a lot of catching up to do, and photos and video to sift through.  I just wanted to check in with all of you, and let you know that I'm still here, and that I am looking forward to sharing all of my stories of good times, and the people we met along the way that made this trip such an amazing experience.

Here's a taste.

Get Trashed

Delaware River Club

Starlight, Pennsylvania

Low riding on the Delaware River.

71 tires were collected!  That's not including the other trash that was picked up and out of the great Delaware River.  Everyone came back with a drift boat chalk full of garbage.  I mean how freakin' awesome is that!  71 tires!  There were so many left behind, too.  There was simply just not enough room in the boats to transport them back.

We're not stuck...or are we...

Midwest Golden Bones - Recap (Late)

The 1st annual Midwest Golden Bones Fly Tournament was a great success.  Kurt Nelson and Bill Katzenberger were the masterminds behind the tournament, and my hat goes off to those guys for all of the work they did.

There's a great write up, and some fantastic photographs from the event over at the Tippets and Tales blog.  I highly recommend you check it out!!!  --CLICK ME--

The event even made The Moldy Chum blog. --CLICK ME--

FRIDAY - MEET UP AND PFI: IRON FLY
I hosted the PIG FARM INK - IRON FLY event to kick off the weekends festivities at the Rivers Edge Bar & Grill in Batavia, IL.  Kurt had his Towee boat parked in the beer garden and he had compartments filled with ice and beer provided by Sweetwater.  Booze, Boats, and PFI: Iron Fly...an equation that equals a bitchin' good time.  Huge thanks to my homies from the FARM for hooking it up with some killer prizes provided by Yeti Coolers, Costa, and Post Fly.  What a fun night of fly tying challenges, happy anglers, and some creative and questionable flies.  I only took a few pictures, and they're not good. (For pictures please visit Tippets and Tales post.)

Mike Burns walking away with a Dead Weight Fly swag

SATURDAY - TOURNAMENT DAY
Check in at the DuPage Fly Fishing Co. shop was between 6 and 7 AM.  I arrived at 6:58 AM.  Haha  I had slept over at my cousins place which was literally 10 minutes away.  I woke up early and told myself that I had time, and I should just close my eyes for another few minutes.  Next thing I know, I wake up, and it's 6:47 AM.  I was out the door!

After arriving fashionably late, I received my swag bag, measuring device, was given the run down of the rules, and off I went.  Per usual...I didn't have an exact plan of attack, but when Bill said that Salt Creek was in, I knew I had to go back to my old neighborhood.  On the way to my spot, I became very hungry, so, I stopped for breakfast at my favorite breakfast spot, and ordered my usual chorizo/jalapeno omelette, with extra crispy hash browns, and pancakes.  I was stuff, so, when I finally arrived to my destination....I tilted the seat back in my car, and took a nap. (Oh, it was raining at this time btw.)

3 Amigos omelette at Bentley's

2 hours later, I woke up to a big truck, and some guys talking.  I leaned up and peaked to see who it was, and it turned out to be 2 guys from the tournament.  Hilarious.  We had no idea anyone else knew about the water we were intending on fishing.  Needless to say, they were already geared up and ready to rock and roll on the water, but I on the other hand definitely was not, so, I started my car and drove to a back up spot in the area.

...and after fishing a little while at the back up spot, I decided to head back to Naperville and fish the DuPage River.  Long story short...I caught a bunch of small smallies, and bluegill.

CHUBBY.

Huge bluegill that I thought was a decent sized smallie.

I finished the day with no carp, but that was quite alright with me.  Once back at the bar for the final results, there was a plethora of food and booze.  Just what you need after a long day of fishing.  The guys did an outstanding job organizing this event, and I'm looking forward to it next year.  Congratulations to all that won raffle prizes, and those who placed in the top 3 for the carp that they caught.  Extra huge CONGRATULATIONS to Mike Allen who won the tournament with an insane number of fish caught.  You da man, Mike.  You da man!

PIG FARM INK - IRON FLY @ GOLDEN BONES

The Midwest "Golden Bones" Fly Tournament is 3 days away!!  This Friday is the first day of the event, and not only will it be a meet and greet with a run down of the rules and information, there will be beer, food, and a PIG FARM INK - IRON FLY event hosted by yours truly!!!

It's going to be one helluva time!

Big thanks, to all of the sponsors for the PFI Iron Fly event - Costa, Yeti, Post Fly, and of course my dudes at Pig Farm Ink!

GeoBass

I'm finally all caught up with the Geo Bass series, and I just gotta say, WOW. I am extremely envious that these guys get to go all over the world and fish for these crazy big bass!! Like the Motiv Fishing team, I have never heard of these species, until I watched their series. I would love to some day share the water with these guys. They seem like a fun bunch!

One day, I will be able to take an adventure like these guys do. ..

Bass Fishing - It's almost time!

The snow is almost gone. I had almost forgotten what grass and mud looked like. Warmer temps are in the forecast for this week.

Costa and Motiv Fishing couldn't have picked a better time to release the first episode of GEOBASS on YouTube. I'm super excited to get out there, and bass fish! Not the kind of bass fishing that the guys with Motiv are doing. (That could only be a dream....for now.)

Maybe, I'll be able to hook up with some peacock bass when I'm in Florida next month.

Check out this video. It's sure to get you pumped up for warmer weather and bass fishing.

Fly Fishing Film Tour aka F3T

So, very excited! I got my tickets to the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) yesterday in the mail. I wasn't able to go last year, but I did go the first year. I just want to say thank you to Robert Thompson of Third Year Fly Fisher for making this happen here in Chicago.

If you aren't familiar with Robert Thomas and his blog Third Year Fly Fisher, I suggest you familiarize yourself with him, and his work. He has done some great fly fishing films, and one of my favorites - Musky Country: Zero 2 Hero.