MEND IT.

This is a super late post, but back in March...or was it April.  I have no idea.  Sometime this early Spring I went fishing.  It was fun, and I was given some trout fishing lessons from Joel Ebbers, Matt Ebbers, and Aaron Przybylski of Scavenger Fly as they sat on the bank of a juicy run and watched me fish.

The words of advice I received from all of them.

"Mend It.  Mend It.  Mend It.  Mend It."

Joel working a run while Aaron watches intently.

Aaron and I started out with streamers, but switched over to nymphs and the fishing really turned on for everyone but me, but that's expected, because, I have no idea what I'm doing.

Aaron hooked up with a brown trout...

...almost got it...

...and fish.

Matt working a nymph in the distance.

Aaron showing me how to "MEND IT"

Matt working one of his finely tied streamers through a really nice run that should have produced a few trout more than it did.

Almost forgot Mr. Jim Aronson was there at the start of the day, but left early....and of course he did what he always does - catch fish.

Brown trout caught by Jim.

Driftless brown trout caught by Jim.

Big thanks to the guys for showing me the ways of trout, and how important it is to mend your line.  An extra big thanks goes out to Joel and Matt for picking up my net that fell off of me while making my way back to the car.  Oh, and a nice to meet you goes out to Jake White who we came across on the walk back.

Until next time.

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.

Light Box

Last summer I purchased a light box, and I am just now starting to fool around with it.  I'm really happy with the purchase, and I'm looking forward to utilizing it more for flies.  If you don't have a light box, there are many ways to DIY one.  I know my buddy Dave has made one in the past that constisted of a black t-shirt, and some aluminum foil.

Before editing.

Here we have a very delicious beer from a pretty awesome brewery in the Chicagoland area.  Mikerphone Brewing.  Such a fun and cool concept as far as label art, and beer names, because, they're all some sort of musical reference.  Imperial Smells Like Bean Spirit..if you don't get the reference, it a Nirvana album, and instead of a naked baby swimming in a pool chasing some money...it's a coffee bean baby chasing Vermont maple syrup.  Great beer by the way!!!

After editing.

If you don't recognize the fly below, you must be new to following me.  Haha.  It's one of my favorite patterns for northern pike, bass, and even had a few musky take a swipe at it.

Another great beer from Mikerphone Brewing.  Mikerphone Check 1. 2.  I added a little prop in the glass to make the photograph a little more fun.

Lastly, we have a predator sized top water fly from my homie Dave.  I love how the colors pop on this one.  The rubber legs look electric!

Winner Winner...no chicken dinner!

The winner of my little caption contest is none other than the subject himself - +Howard Levett of Windknots & Tangled Lines.  The contest was not rigged, I promise.  I had my lovely new GF go through the comments and decide who was her favorite.  Prize - Hat, Flies, and Stickers.  I'll let you know when those fresh trouty bugs are all tied up, Howard.

Be on the look out for another contest.