Alright - There's no doubt about it, that I have been slacking on my blog. I don't want you all to think that I'm going to let this die off, because, I won't allow that. Now that I'm pretty settled in up here in Minnesota, and have spent so much of my free time exploring and learning the lay of the land, trying to make new friends, fishing, and learning an entirely new job, I am starting to find my groove. Good things are on the Horizon - Possibly another contest where the winner will receive their prize 1 year later...How does that sound, +Howard Levett ? :) In the meantime while I figure that contest out. Here's a VLOG of an outing I had with my new Flycraft Stealth.
Jake Keeler musky art on a gose style beer from Fulton Brewing. Yes Please!
The Carf Outdoors #icatchsmallfish tour still in full effect!
Pretending to look like I know what I'm doing. The reality is, I have no freakin' clue what I'm doing. Just trying to look cool.
Got out for a float with my homie Aaron of Scavenger Fly on the St. Croix River. The plan was to row up river and drift back down in search of musky, pike, and smallmouth. Our friend Ted surprised us when he said that he was on the river, too. He met up with us, and generously offered to tow us up river. THANKS TED! You da man!!
I bought a Flycraft Stealth boat/raft...whatever you want to call it. I can't seem to make up my mind, so, I've been referring to it as both. Big purchase for me, but I am stoked to own it, and get it on the water. I know what most of you all are probably thinking, that's an expensive raft, but the way I see it is...
I don't need a trailer.
I don't need a garage or driveway to store trailer or an actual boat. (Wish I did, though.)
I can put this thing away in a closet in my bedroom....or I can leave it inflated and use it as a couch in my living room. I don't think my roommates would mind. Hahaha
Here's a video of me unboxing it and setting it up (not the full installation)
Big round of applause for my roommate Ben for posing for this picture...for America...and my entertainment. Haha
Just a little reminder to all of you, and me, that I still fish. In fact, I have become a master of catching small fish. #icatchsmallfish - It's my new thing.
Inthe picture below, my white sunglasses are still alive and well. You will all be happy to learn they will soon be making a return. Superglue is a wonderful thing.
Casting for small fish with my 5 wt.
...and below is a random picture of a water tower near my place in Saint Paul. It has a moon attached to it. I believe I shared a picture of this water tower, but it was at night. Well, here it is during the day.
The week long contest kicked off on Friday the 16th at 6 PM with a run down of the rules at Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop. The rules will clear and simple - Don't be a dick.
Wasting no time this weekend, I did quite a bit of fishing. I am traveling to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for a work training thing, and I'll be gone until Friday the 23rd...the day the contest ends. **UPDATE** I am not a smart man. I was kindly reminded the contest ends Sunday 6/25. That gives me more time to fish. :) Thanks, Rhea!
It's Monday morning now, and I am pretty much done fishing until this coming Friday when I return. I'll have a few hours before the final buzzer and I'm hoping to knock off a few more fish, but we'll see. For now, below you'll find what I've caught. I'm positive that this will not be enough to win it, but whatever, it was fun!
Species: Bluegill
Length: 7.25 inches
Species: White Crappie
Length: 6.25 inches
Species: Green Sunfish
Length: 4.25 inches
Species: Pumpkinseed
Length: 5.75 inches
Species: Largemouth Bass
Length: 15 inches
Species: Blue Floss Fish
Length: 2.75 inches
To keep up with all of the 2017 Grander Slam action search the hashtag on social media (Facebook, Instagram etc.)
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.
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
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.
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 ofVoyageur 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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
