Tanuki Pocket Ninja Kickstarter

Another great find at IFTD 2019 was the Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja.  I met Luong Tam when he asked if we were going to one of the after parties and if he could jump in the Uber with my friends and I.  Absolutely was my answer.  After talking he turned out to be a rad dude, and he has a rad new Tenkara rod coming out, the Tanuki Pocket Ninja. (Kickstarter link - CLICK HERE)

The Kickstarter went live for the Tenkara Tanuki Pocket Ninja on 11/15/2019 and it's already exceeded its goal.  Having held this rod first hand, and even helping out filming a short little video of me putting it in a glove compartment of a rental car, I can tell you that this rod is a backpackers dream.  It's light, responsive, and it breaks down really small!

This rod is definitely going on my wish list, because, it would be perfect for the Driftless Area streams that I fish, my local lakes for bluegill, and when I'm traveling and in need of something compact.  I see this being the perfect rod for backpackers and people who enjoy hiking, but don't want to carry a big rod tube, etc.

KICKSTARTER

>>>CLICK HERE FOR KICKSTARTER LINK<<<

Rising Travel Net Giveaway

At IFTD 2019, I was able to see all of the amazing new products that were coming out.  One of my favorites had to be the Rising Travel Net.  Such a brilliant idea, that was executed to perfection by the crew over at Rising.  We all love to travel to fish, and while our rods, reels, and flies are easy to travel with, our beloved nets simply are not.  Problem solved!

To celebrate the official release of their new Travel Net, the crew at Rising is giving one away to one lucky angler.  The giveaway starts on 11/18/2019 and closes out on 11/25/2019 and a winner will be chosen at 12 PM MST.

To enter the giveaway for a chance to win this great piece of American made gear, enter here:

https://risingfish.net/product/travel-net/

Please click on the link below to enter.

>>>ENTER HERE<<<

Ibo Island - Mozambique

Back in September of 2018, I left the country.  I traveled to the country of Mozambique (That's in Africa for those that are unaware).  I spent time wandering around the capital Maputo, and then traveled all the way to the Northern part of the country to Ibo Island, which is located in the Cabo Delgado Province, and is an island part of the Quirimbas in the Indian Ocean.

A celebration on the island during our visit.

Ibo is an amazingly beautiful place filled with amazing people, and I was saddened to hear that a Cyclone hit the region and caused major damage.  Cyclone Kenneth had the force of a category 4 hurricane.  Upon hearing the news, I contacted our host at the lodge we stayed at during our visit with hopes that everyone was safe, but did not hear back for over a week.  Electricity on the island was knocked out, and so many homes were totally destroyed.

Below you'll find a link to a news article talking about and showing the damage that has occurred in the region.  I have also included a link to Oikos, and a direct link to donate to support Mozambique.

Daily Standard News Article

Istituto Oikos Onlus Link

Casa Das Garcas Lodge Instagram

Donate - Help Mozambique

Casa Das Garcas - Sign outside of the lodge.

A young kid watching the morning tide roll out.

Taking in the Indian Ocean from the Casa Das Garcas pier.

Anchored on a sand flat in the Indian Ocean.

One of the many beautiful sunsets witnessed.

2014 was a good year.

One of my main fishing/outdoor goals this year was to explore new water, and I did just that. Here are the posts that prove it.

• Gulf of Mexico - Fly fished the Gulf of Mexico and caught my first salt water fish.
• 31st Street Harbor - Lake Michigan - It's a brand new harbor on Lake Michigan.
• Orlando Florida - Caught my first gar on the fly.
• Fox Lake - Fished for the first time from a kayak. Explored new areas and water.
• Illinois River - Fished for the first time, and from my kayak. The river is HUGE!
• Northwoods Part 1 - Explored new waters up North.
• Maumee River Ohio - Wet a line for an hour and found a new place to fish when visiting my best friend.
• Northwoods Part 2 - Returned to the same area, but explored new sections. I love it up there!
• Northwoods Part 3 or 4 - Finally hooked up with my first musky. Cannot get enough of the Northwoods!

The Northwoods would definitely be my pick for favorite trip this year. There is just so much water, and wildlife. I would be happy just getting lost in the wilderness for a few days, without my fishing gear up there.

I was also, successful in catching some new species. One of them has been at the top of my list for years, and I finally did it, I caught my first musky! I'm still jazzed by the thought of that beautiful fish eating one of my flies.

I also, caught my first salt water fish in the Gulf of Mexico, a speck/sea trout, and with my fly rod and on one of my flies. Looking forward to visiting Florida, again!

I even hooked up with my first gar on the fly. It was a nice surprise, and definitely a rush, because, I didn't have a proper leader tied on, because, I was bass fishing. I didn't think I was going to find anything with teeth in the lake that I was fishing.

My biggest smallmouth and largemouth bass of the year. I don't weight my fish, so, I'm just guessing, but I'm sure both of them were between 4-5lbs. I can tell you that both were definitely 20+ inches in length.

Looking back on all of my adventures this year, I can only smile and think about all of the good times. 2014 was great, and I'm looking forward to what 2015 has in store for me. I know that it already has a new job lined up for me, and I start the first Monday of the new year. Exciting!

I'm going to continue my 2014 outdoor/fishing resolution to explore new water for 2015. It's amazing how much of it is out there.

I would like to wish all of my friends out there in blogger world a Happy New Year! Cheers to 2015! (Sorry if I forgot anyone.)

• Dave - Urban Assault Fly Fishing
• Nick - Brookfield Angler
• Mel - Pond Stalker
• Juan - Breaking the Bank
• Mark - Northern California Trout
• Howard - Windknots & Tangled Lines
• Kevin - Feather Chucker
• Teresa - Run-A-Round Ranch
• Mike - Troutrageous!
• Lucas - A Tenderloin Runs Through It
• Bryan - Atlas Fishing
• Jeff - High Plains Fly Fisher
• Daniel - The Impractical Fishermen
• Blake - Illinois Wisconsin Fishing Blog
• Bill - Fishing Through Life
• Tim - Critical Angling

I'll end this post with some of my favorite photographs from this year.

Gizzard Shad - Lake Michigan.

Northwoods Smallie ready to be released.

Wading the Gulf of Mexicco. Such an awesome experience!

My biggest DPR Northern Pike of 2014.

The Fat Gordo and I, taking a break from all of the fun.

I just want to fish.

Okay, winter....enough already! I've lost count of all of the subzero days we've had. I know it's well into the double digits, and I don't care to Google it up.

I don't even need Spring or Summer at this point, 30 degree weather would suffice. Just enough to get out on a river without having to worry about dodging icebergs. I just want to breath in some fresh morning air without my nostrils freezing shut or looking like Harry and Lloyd in Dumb and Dumber, while out ENJOYING the outdoors. There is no enjoyment in single digit weather, unless you're an ice fishermen or a polar bear.

Anyone have any big fishing trips planned? I'd love to hear about 'em!

I am still trying to figure out where I will be wetting a line. My fishing goals this year are to fish/explore new water/places.

In April I will be spending 3 days in Fort Myers, Florida. I'll be able to fish part of the time, and I hope to hook up with some salty fish...tarpon, redfish, grouper, sharks...pretty much whatever the hell wants my fly in it face.

Then I'll be in Orlando for 7 days, and I'll be able to fish a limited amout, but I have day dreams of catching bass bigger than 5lbs.

And of course, I have to make a Fall trip to a magical place, Musky Country. This is the year I slay the King of the North.

I'll end this with a thank you, to Mike over at Troutrageous! for showing some love to my blog. If you haven't checked out his blog, you should.