Showing posts with label fly fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fly fishing. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

WINTER TROUTING & ROOT RIVER ROD CO.

PART TWO
Part One - The Pink Tutu

Jim perusing the selection for the fly of The Root River Rod Co.
After fishing all morning and only coming up with 1 brown trout brought in by the illustrious Jim. We (Grant, Jim and I) decided to take a walk down Main Street.  Here we are, 3 guys in waders carrying fly fishing rods and walking the streets of a small town in rural Minnesota, and we come across a fly shop none of us had ever been to - Root River Rod Company.

Shop owner Steve Sobieniak whipping up some lunch time bugs.
The shop was clean, bright, and welcoming.  The shop owner Steve Sobieniak was very informative letting us in on what the local fish are keying in on this time of year, and was even nice enough to whip us up some fresh flies for our departure back to the river.


Jim supports local business, but also knows how to get info.
Jim just couldn't leave without making a purchase to support the local business, but also being a resident of Minnesota, you can never have too many quality gloves during winter.  Jim was also excited to see a whole section dedicate to Root River Hackle, and he proceeded to rave about the quality of the feathers.

Steve pointing us in the right direction.
Jim's purchase also bought us some extra information, in the form of a hand drawn map.  Unfortunately, after Steve completed the drawing, we all learned that we could not take the map, because, it was kind important to the shop, but that's what camera phones are for, right!?

Steve discovering the map was on something important. :)
Stoked to get back out on the water with some local intel we stepped out of Root River Rod Company, and saw a watering hole across the street.  It's lunch time, and we deserve a drink for all of the hard work we put in on the water during the cold winter morning.  

Sitting at the bar in our waders, tossing back a $3 personal pitcher of beer, and enjoying the locals at the end of the bar cheer on Godzilla (We later learned it was King Kong) as he destroys New York City was one of the better lunches I had in a while.

Jim laying out some line with precision.
After the bar we set out to wet some lines with the intel Jim acquired with his glove purchase.  After a short car ride and Grant showing us how to properly jam out to some Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey, we found our destination.

Grant sending some smooches.
The spot had some great looking water, and looked promising.  We just didn't have what the trout were after that day, and with the sun setting at 1 PM (Kidding - It just feels that way) we had to make the drive back North.

I hope you all download this for your next phone background.
Not a bad day in our books at all.  Brushed off the early shivers of cabin fever, new water was fished, 1 trout was caught, cheap beer was drunk, Godzilla (King Kong) destroyed New York, and a new fly shop was shopped. 

End of the day and into the tall grass we go.
ROOT RIVER ROD COMPANY

ROOT RIVER HACKLE

MY GEAR
5 wt Fly Rod - http://amzn.to/2CMGm2a
Wading Bootshttp://amzn.to/2qiwU5p
Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2CM17Lr

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

Friday, December 22, 2017

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
Mop Fly Materialhttp://amzn.to/2DyX8TW
Bench Basinhttp://amzn.to/2BSCHAL

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

THE PINK TUTU

PART ONE


Text from GRANTJim 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
5 wt Fly Rod - http://amzn.to/2CMGm2a
Sunglasseshttp://amzn.to/2CM17Lr


**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

Thursday, December 14, 2017

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 JoshJosh 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.


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

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??


Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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!

Monday, December 11, 2017

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.

Friday, December 8, 2017

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

Friday, December 1, 2017

LUNDS FLY SHOP: BUGS & SUDS 11/15/2017

 It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month, and you're looking for something to do.  Well, you're in luck, because, every 3rd Wednesday of the month, Lund's Fly Shop hosts an open tie night at Swinging Bridge Brewing in River Falls, Wisconsin.  This open tie night has a name, and its name depicts exactly what you can expect from one of these nights, Bugs & Suds.

Tying flies and telling lies.
If you are without a vise, not to worry, because, there are extra vises to be used by anyone.  In my experience, others are willing to share knowledge, materials, and even teach others who are looking to wet their feet in fly tying.


I'm a fan of IPA's and Swinging Bridge Brewing is brewing up an excellent one by the name of East Cascade.  They also just released a fantastic stout, Captain Trips.  It's a chocolate roasted coconut stout that I was fortunate to get a taster of before they released it, and I must say...damn, that was delicious.

Head Brewer Mike O'Hara pouring me some fresh suds.
Wandering around checking out what others are spinning up, you'll find a variety of bugs.  Big bugs, small bugs, and weird bugs, they're all there.  One of my favorite things about showing up to open tie nights is the all of the interesting flies you'll come across.

Carlin Salmela showing off a fresh musky bug.

My vise waiting for me to replace the tiny hand with a hook.
Josh Mattis whipping up some trout streamers.
Tavis focused.
When you combine the people, the stories, and beer at Bugs & Suds, you're going to have a good time and some good laughs.  Oh, and pretzels, how could I forget about the pretzels, and beer cheese soup.  Hell, the whole menu there at the taproom is fantastic.  It was made with the help of other local business, and features quite a few locally grown/raised options.

Nick Brevitz kissing the fly 1/2 tied by myself, and the other 1/2 tied by Drew.
On this particular night, there was a tier by the name of Andrew Muntz.  Initially, I was greatly impressed with the work he was putting in on the musky flies he was tying.  Brian Smolinski noticed me watching and shouted out to me, "Hey CARF check this out" and handed me one of Andrew's flies.  I was like WHOA.  That is not a musky fly, that is a musky lure, and my level of impressed went through the roof.  This dude does some RAD work.

Andrew Muntz working on one of his impressive flures.
Others who were not familiar with Andrew's work were just as impressed as I was.  Drew was so impressed with the flure that he wouldn't stop petting it, and I think became best friends with it after a few more beers, and there are even rumors that Drew and the fly are now in an open relationship.

Drew has the look of love in his eye.

Peace and love in the heart of the Driftless.
So much love.

Drew loves everyone.

Don't forget - it's the 3rd Wednesday of each month.  If you need directions or more information please contact Brian Smolinski over at Lund's Fly Shop.

MY GEAR
Rising Stellar Scissors - http://amzn.to/2yCE7wM
Vedavoo Bench Basin - http://amzn.to/2zGBU78
Rite Bobbin Half Hitch - http://amzn.to/2hzxKab
Peak Vise - http://amzn.to/2zXEBCd

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**