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.

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!

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!!

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.