TRAGEDY

I would just like to let all of you know, that it is possible for nightmares to become reality.  While in the Boundary Waters 2 weekends ago, tragedy struck.  While on a mile hike to a lake to see if any walleye were biting, I had to crouch under a tree, but I forgot that I had my beloved white sunglasses in the pocket of my rain jacket.  As I went under the downed tree, I heard a crack.  I knew then and there that it was my sunglasses.

We had a good run.

RIP Summer 2009 - May 28, 2017

BMFS GRANDER SLAM

Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop in Saint Paul Minnesota just dropped some big news for all Minnesota fly fisher peoples.  You can for sure count me in on this, although I'll be out of town in Sioux Falls South Dakota from June 19-23rd for a work training course, so, I'll be at a huge disadvantage missing the majority of the week.  Oh well, it's going to be awesome.  Peep the details below!

Details from the original post.

In this land of 10,000 lakes, 70,000 miles of rivers and streams and 162 species of fish (according to Wikipedia) we have fishing diversity that is second to none. This summer let's celebrate what we have with the 2017 GRANDER SLAM TOURNAMENT. Starting June 16th and spanning 10 days to June 25th, the fly angler who catches the most species of fish wins. So clear your calendar, and get ready to use up some over due PTO. Be ready to explore new waters and techniques. You're going to need to get out of your comfort zone to win this one. Registration will open 6/2. More details to come. #GranderSlam2017 #mnflyshop

BOB MITCHELL'S FLY SHOP

BOB MITCHELL'S FLY SHOP FACEBOOK

HOPS AND HOPPERS

Now that Winter and Spring have gone, the open tie nights at Lake Monster Brewing hosted by Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop have come to a close.  For those of us that don't ice fish or do any winter fishing, it's a great excuse to get out of the house, drink a beer, talk fishing, and shake off that little bit of cabin fever.

My first open tie night back in February when I first moved to Minnesota.

The last open tie night was back in April, so, I know this is a very late post, but I still wanted to share.  These open tie nights, were super beneficial to me while being new up here.  It allowed me to get out and make some friends, and have some fun at the same time.

Articulated streamer on some very sharp Partridge of Redditch hooks.

I've tied a few flies, but mostly socialized at these gatherings.  It was a great way to put some faces to quite a few people I have interacted with through social media.

2 flies tied....and then given away.

What a cool pair of scissors....can you see what it is??

Rhea Hawkins working the crowd, per usual.

Good times had by all.

The picture below is a funny one - I was told the moon was out, and it did look out, but something was a bit fishy about it.  I didn't have my glasses and don't see very well at night for distance, so, I was almost fooled.  Almost, Rhea.

They were almost fooled, too. Almost.

Fish.

BIG THANKS GOES OUT TO:

BOB MITCHELL'S FLY SHOP

LAKE MONSTER BREWING

CHECK THE REGS

My first fish in the state of Minnesota was illegal.

The photograph above shows a beautiful healthy smallmouth bass, a big smile on my face, and my ever so popular white sunglasses, but there's a big issue that is not shown in the photograph.  This fish was caught during the closed season for bass here in Minnesota, and I had no idea.

I had completely forgot that I wasn't in Illinois, and overlooking the fact that each state has different regulations, even for catch and release.  I'm thankful for the 2 guys that shot me a message to inform me, because, I would have kept fishing on my lunch break while unknowingly breaking the rules.  Big shout out goes to Tom of Voyageur Pursuits and Aaron of Scavenger Fly.  You guys saved me a future fishing ticket, and I THANK YOU!

Minnesota Fishing Dates

Walleye, Northern Pike and Bass - May 13 - Feb 25

Musky - June 3 - Dec 1

Crappie, Blueys, White Bass, Perch, Channel Cats, Bull heads - Open year round

For more information on Minnesota fishing regulations, please visit this link - MINNESOTA FISHING REGULATIONS

If you're traveling or have moved to a new state, don't be like me, remember to check the regulations.

Big Trout Flies

Since moving to Minnesota, I have been trout fishing more in the past 3 months than I have the past 4 years when I lived back in Illinois.  I have also learned that trout don't shy away from big flies, either.  Usually, the big trout flies are streamers of some sort, and tied by Aaron Przybylski of Scavenger Fly or Matt Ebbers.  I've decided to mix it up and tie up some very effective small flies, bigger.... 

What do you think?

Don't forget the little caption contest I'm hosting - CAPTION CONTEST.  The winner will be chosen tomorrow afternoon.

Kinnickinnic River

The Kinni (Kinnickinnic) River - I've fished it once last year when I was up here with my homie Dave for the River Falls Fly Fishing Expo hosted by Brian from Lunds Fly Shop.

• FISH, FILMS AND FUN IN RIVER FALLS
• RIVER FALLS FLY FISHING EXPO PART: 2

I was invited out to fish the Kinni by John and there would be 3 others with the group - Robert of Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop, Charlie Forbes, and Jigger Jim.

The day started early.  It was cold, slightly windy, and as the day progressed the warmth of the sun was seeked.  The guides on our rods were freezing up, and there were no fish being caught, but damn was it nice to be out.

The difference in temperature between the shaded and sun hit area was fun.  We all much preferred the sun.

John and Charlie discussing flies and Jim working a very nice pool in the distance.

Theme of the day.

Robert trying his hand at a pool Jim just finished working.  The rest of us were working on our tans.

While Jim and Robert were working the pool above, Charlie, started to rig up a nymphing rig.  We were all tossing streamers all day and the only person who hooked up was Jim.  Once rigged up, Charlie worked the pool and caught a few little browns.  He then suggested and insisted that he rig me up with a nymph, and I agreed...first cast and drift I had a fish on, and I didn't even know it.  Haha

Thanks, for the picture, Jim!

On the trek back John found a deer carcass frozen in some shallow water along the bank.  Interested to see if it had a rack, he started to kick some of the ice, and that unsettled some very potent smells, which lead to some laughs and the end the day.

Kick and Sniff.

Done.

A big thank you goes out to John, Robert, Charlie, and Jim, for inviting me out and showing me some new water.  Much appreciated guys!

The Kinni.

BREAKING NEWS!

I am moving to Minnesota.  

Yep, you read that right.  I, Justin M. Carfagnini, am picking up and leaving the state of Illinois, where I have resided almost all of my 34 years of existence.  This has been in the works for a few months, and now it's official.

Am I excited - Absolutely.

Am I scared - You bet your behind.

The move is going to come quick, and I have to be in the Minneapolis area on February 1st, so, there's a few things I need to take care of by that time, like...finding a place to live. Hahaha!

I'm really excited for this new opportunity, and I'm looking forward to experience life in a new city/state that I have only visited one time.  Talk about taking a leap.

Lets all hope the outcome is much better than that.

How fitting I rerecorded this cover of Green Day - Good Riddance just the other day.  This was the first song I learned how to play on the guitar.

Josh DeSmith Art

Website - Josh DeSmit Art

The art of Josh DeSmit.  It's pretty damn awesome.  I'm a huge fan modern, abstract, new age, grungy, Ralph Steadman type art.  It gets my attention very easy.  That's not to say, that I don't like or appreciate other arts.  It's just this style is more, well, my style.  Check 'em out!

Note: All of the pictures below are from Josh DeSmit's website.

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.

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.