Minutes To Spare - First Brook Trout

Before the River Falls Fly Fishing Expo.  UA Dave and I decided to forego the early set up of our tables, and fish a stream that flowed on the backside of the parking lot of the building for the event.

We both hooked up with our first brook trout within minutes of each other.

It was awesome.

The brook trout was gorgeous.

I'm still pretty thrilled about the catch.  I just wish the light would have worked better with me, so, I could have captured all of it's colorful beauty, but you take what life gives you, and I didn't want to keep the fish in the net for long, so, off she went.

Big thanks goes out to +Brian J Smolinski and Lunds Fly Shop for jokingly telling Dave and I that there were fish in the stream behind the parking lot.

FISH, FILMS, and FUN IN RIVER FALLS

This past weekend, UA Dave and myself jumped in my car at 330/4 AM and started our drive North.  The destination was +Brian J Smolinski shop - Lund's Fly Shop in River Falls, Wisconsin which is just about 40 minutes Southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

We were headed up for the River Falls Fly Fishing Festival, which consisted of the F3T on Friday night, and a Fly Fishing Expo on Saturday...and of course we had to do some fishing while up there.  We arrived at the shop around 9:30, and it was hard not to give Brian all of my money for all of the awesome things he had in his shop.  Haha  We hung out for a bit, and then went to fish, but not without being told where and what to use.

CARF Outdoors sticker has been added to the Lunds Fly Shop Vault.  Honored!  Can you spot it???

After leaving the shop, Dave and I, drove 5 minutes to the spot we were told would be good for fishing, and guess what we did next...fished.  Dave hooked up with his first 2 Wisconsin trout, both were browns, and both came when we were at the end of our fishing outing and I was waiting on the bank thinking about sandwiches and beer.

Fishing the Lower Kinni.  UA Dave in the distance

Dave trying to entice some risers.  No dice.

After fishing, we checked into our hotel and then headed over to the University of Wisconsin - River Falls campus to where the F3T event was being held.  The doors opened at 5 PM and the show didn't start until 7 PM.  During this time, Dave and I were able to set up shop with our fly tying gear and flies that we had for sale on the balcony near the ticket table.  There were a few other fly tyers and artists that had tables, as well.  Sort of a mini expo before the films started.

Whippin' up some Esox Bugs.

CARF Outdoors setup.

Dave getting down on some BBQ Pulled Pork and adding extra flavor to his flies.

There were a few other great fly tyers that had tables as well. (I forgot to take pictures of their tables. #fail)

• Gabe Schubert - Gabe ties some of thee MOST impressive musky flies I have ever seen in my life.  One word to describe his work, "WOW."
• Andy Selvig - Andy ties some really awesome intruder style flies that I don't know if I would display or fish them.
• Aaron Przybylski - Aaron ties some really awesome small baitfish, that scream to bass and trout "EAT ME!"

Website - Kevin Lovegreen

Kevin Lovegreen is an Author of outdoor books for kids.  He had some great stuff that are easy reads, and will not only help kids get away from video games, but they will certainly help with their reading skills, and get them excited about fishing, hunting, and the outdoors.  Some really great stuff!!

Website - Josh DeSmit Art

Josh has some serious talent, as you can see from the painting of the brown trout above.  If you're into fishing, hunting, or can simply appreciate art, I highly suggest you check out his website and admire his work.  I have.

The F3T was great, and there were soooo many people!  The attendance doubled what I'm used to seeing here in the Chicago area.  There were also a ton of awesome raffle prizes that were donated to the event by some great sponsors.  The films that I found most memorable were Turning Points North, GEO BASS, and Tidewater.

Day 1 in the books.  It was a great day of fishing, tying, and meeting so many awesome people.  Be on the look out for Day 2.

R4F - Stop On By!

RIVER FALLS FLY FISHING FESTIVAL

Just a reminder, this weekend, CARF Outdoors will be in River Falls, Wisconsin participating in all of the fly fishing fun.  So, if you're headed to the Fly Fishing Film Tour aka the F3T on Friday night, look for +Dave Kuntzelman  (Urban Assault Fly Fishing + CHI-TIE) and myself.  Dave will be tying up some of the biggest flies for bluegill you have ever seen, so, you definitely won't want to miss that.

On Saturday, we will have our own tables at the Fly Fishing Expo.  We will both have stickers and flies available for sale.  Our friend PJ's Guide Service will also be at the show.  Stop on by and lets talk fish!

I should also add, that we will be doing as much fishing as we can with our free time, so, if you want to share some information with me about fishing opportunities in the River Falls area, that would be awesome and greatly appreciated!  Shoot me an email at - CARFOUTDOORS@GMAIL.COM

Hope to see some of you there!

For more information please click on the links below.

R4F Expo Exhibitors - Full List

FRIDAY - Fly Fishing Film Tour 

SATURDAY - Fly Fishing Expo

Lunds Fly Shop

River Falls Fly Fishing Festival

The River Falls Fly Fishing Festival

The River Falls Fly Fishing Festival aka R4F is happening in March in River Falls, Wisconsin.  It's 2 days of fly fishing fun.  One night you have the F3T and the next day you have a fly fishing expo full of all kinds of fun and awesome vendors, artists, and fly tyers.

Two of the fly tyers that will be up there are UA Dave and yours truly!

So, if you're going, stop by and say "What up!" and tell us your fishing spots....or you can share your fishing spots with me now, because, Dave and I, plan on wetting a line while we're up there.  We'll both have flies and stickers for sale.

EVENT INFORMATION

WHERE

500 Wild Rose Ave, River Falls, WI 54022

WHEN

March 11 - F3T (Fly Fishing Film Tour)

• Doors open at 5 PM.
• Tickets for the F3T are $15 available at Lund's Fly Shop and online (Click Here) and all proceeds go directly to the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust.
• There will be raffle and many awesome prizes.

March 12 - Fly Fishing Expo

• Doors open at 10 AM and they close at 7 PM.
• Clinics & Seminars, fly tying demonstrations, local fly fishing artists, local tiers, guide services, fly casting instructions, and much much more.
• List of Exhibitors - CLICK HERE

I will post another reminder closer to the show with a schedule of all the seminars.

F3T - aTight Loop and Dun The Magazine

Towards the end of July, my friends Kurt - a Tight Loop, and Jen - Dun The Magazine, hosted the Fly Fishing Film Tour here in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  What a great night of familiar faces, raffles, beer, food, and good times.  I did not do any research on what films would be included in this years F3T, because, I know, it's going to be a good fishy time, none the less.

Before the show started, they was a casting contest.  I forgot what the entry fee was, but I was talked into it by Sean from Rushing Waters, who was working the contest.  The contest was with a practice casting rod, and you had to land the fly in 3 small hoops laying on the ground at different distances.  I'm a sloppy caster, so, I was terrified of showcasing my loopty loops for all to see.  I finished in 11 or 12 seconds, I forgot.  They were going to announce who had the fastest time at the break, so, I had to wait to find out the results.

Let the show begin.

The show started, and being a warm water fishing fanatic, I was a little disappointed with the films.  They were all filmed beautiful, but lacked some of the fishing that can be done by just about anyone.  There were lots of destination fishing films, places that I sure as hell could never afford haha.  My buddy Dave - Urban Assault Fly Fishing, and I agree that these film tours/festivals such as the F3T and IF4 lack some of the "rough" fish that most of us are accustom to.  Oh well, looks like we'll just have to do it ourselves! Ha  Other than my personal opinion, the films were great.  Really jealous of all of these guys who can fly around and fish for all of these crazy awesome fish in some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

I ended up taking first place in the casting competition, I was completely surprised, and couldn't help but laugh.  I won a Rio Products - 5 wt Gold Line.  Perfect timing, too, because, I was in the market to replace the 5 wt line I've had on my 5 wt reel for 3 years.

After they announced the winners to the contest, they began to pick raffle tickets for the rest of the prizes.  The prizes ranged from a few different things, such as, rods, lines, face buffs, art, and a guided fishing trip with PJ's Guide Service.

I ended up getting one of my numbers called and won again!  This time I won a koozie from Maven Fly, an awesome hat from Midwest Flies, and 5 wt line from 406 Fly Lines.

Maven Fly

How awesome is this hat!?!?!  While it doesn't fit my head, I'm not a fan of low fitting hats, this hat is pretty awesome.  I think it makes a great piece for my bookshelf near my fly tying desk.  I love the art work of the trout on the side of it.

Midwest Flies - Front.

Really awesome art work on this hat.

Now I have 2 options to replace current 5 wt line.  I'm not sure what to choose.  Do I go with the well known Rio Products Gold line, or do I go with this 406 Fly Lines that I am completely unfamiliar with.  Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Can't forget about the sample bottles of vodka we received as a door gift when walking into the event.  The Vodka was from Dry Fly Distillery out of Washington.  They provided some mixed drinks that were absolutely delicious.  My GF and I really enjoyed them, and I wish I could remember the name of the drink and what was in it, but I just cannot.  I'll have to do some research on their website.

It was a great night, and I just want to shout out a huge THANK YOU to Kurt and Jen.  They are a hell of a team, and always on their hosting A game, and really know how to organize an event.  Looking forward to the next one!

Fiberglass Fun

I am finally joining in on all of the fiberglass fun. With my recent win of an Abel Reel in an F3T photo contest, I needed a rod to go with the satin blue colored reel. I am one for things to look good, and a blue reel wasn't the easiest reel to pair with.

At first, I thought about all the beautifully colored fiberglass rods from Swift Fly Fishing, and Blue Halo...and then I started looking at the price. I just couldn't do it. Then it hit me, duh, how about those yellow Eagle Claw Featherweight fiberglass rods. It's a match!

Now I'm just waiting for the blue line I ordered from Shadow Fly Fishing, and then I can take it out on an outing. Looking forward to it!

F3T & Abel Reels

In December, F3T (Fly Fishing Film Tour) held a photo contest along with sponsors Abel Reels, and Ross Reels. The contest would have 2 winners. 1 for Abel Reels that represented their slogan "Crafted for Chaos." The other for Ross Reels slogan "Made on the water."

The picture that best showcased Ross Reels - Made on the water, was a photo by, Tim Morrison. His Instagram name is @steelhead_dreams. For being chosen he won a reel from Ross Reels. I'm not quite sure on the model, but congratulations to him. I think they chose a great photo.

The picture that best showcased Abel Reels - Crafted for Chaos, was yours truly! My musky release photo got me the win. I still cannot believe I was picked to win! I was sent a beautiful Abel reel, that I will show off below. Here is the picture that was chosen.

Here is the beautiful reel I was sent. It's an Abel Reels Classic click and pawl. It's rated a 3/4/5 wt, and it's in my favorite color blue! HOW FREAKING AWESOME!!!

A big THANK YOU goes out to the F3T, and Abel Reels! Thank you, mas much!

So, in November I won a Yeti Cooler, and now I win an Abel Reel....I seriously must have a horseshoe shoved way up my keester! That's the only logical thing I can think of. My GF said I should really start playing the lottery. I think she's right!

Any suggestions on what I rod I should look to pair this rod with? I was leaning heavily towards the 5/6 Featherweight Eagle Claw. I've been wanting a fiberglass rod, and not wanting to speed big bucks. Plus, I think the blue and yellow are a perfect match!

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. ..

F3T - Wilmette, Illinois

There were only a couple of films that really grasped my attention.

1. Urban Lines
2. Blackwater: Devils Gold
3. Riding High: The Science of Tarpon

All of the films were great, and had some nice story lines, history, and cinematography. It's just those were the only 3 that were for me. (Remember: Everyone has different tastes)

All in all, it was an excellent night. Met some awesome people, discovered a new favorite beer (Three Floyds Brewing - Alpha King...Delicious!) and I even walked out of the theater a winner of one of the giveaways. Can't beat free stuff!!!

I won a TU hat, Heart of the Driftless DVD, some stickers, and an Orvis Gale Force Sling Pack. How awesome is that. Now all I need is the regular sling pack, and I will own all of them. Haha

I love me some free stuff...especially if it's fishing related.

I am already looking forward to next years F3T!!

Getting Ready

So, just the other day I was looking through my fly tying materials, and I found a few items that have been hiding from me...some foam spider bodies (Waspi). I remember purchasing these years ago when I first started tying, and I still had quite a few left. (I actually had 3 - 24 packs left - haha.) So, I decided to give them a go, and ended up running out of hooks. Now I think I have enough spiders to last the spring and summer.



Small spiders for Bluegill and sunfish.

Big spiders for the big Bluegill.

A bunch of EP Fiber patterns I tied. Hoping to fill this box by May.

These smaller flies (Beadheads) are new to me. I don't normally tie stuff like this, but I've been wanting to learn to tie different patterns. I normally tie stuff for bass...streamers, clousers, etc..

A friend of mine has emailed me a book with a ton of different classic patterns in it for trout, so, eventually, I will be diving into that and trying to tie up some trout flies. Maybe, I'll get to use them when I go out to the Driftless Area.

I wish I was out fishing right now, but we just had some huge storms the past few days, and especially yesterday into today that have every body of water flooded. There were a ton of road clousures today, and a 15 minute drive took me 1 hour, and to get home took me 2 hours. Ugghhhh!

CARP

Chum an area of a lake with corn, put a few kernels on a hook,  and wait. Growing up, that's how I was taught to catch these lake behemoths. It's probably been a good 20 years since I've actually targeted a carp, until now.

One of my goals this upcoming fishing season here in the Chicagoland area is to hook up with some carp on the fly. I have read, and talked with people about how much fun it is. Fly fishing has rejoiced my childhood love of catching bluegill, and I can only imagine what hooking into a 10+ pound carp will do.

Stumbled upon this online magazine today, and it has only fueled my fire to catch a carp on the fly. Unfortunately, that fire I am experiencing does not melt away the snow and/or ice that we have here. So, I will just have to wait....

Please feel free to share any tips you might have!

One thing that I do know is, that I will be tying and trying out this pattern I heard about from a blog you should check out. BrookfieldAngler - The Backstabber

Here is the digital magazine - CarpPro

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.