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

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

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**