November Podcasts

Brown Trout and Bridge Beers

Episode #12 of the Brown Trout and Bridge Beers podcast featuring guest John Piacquadio who is a fly fishing guide, and fly fishing artist out in Montana.

- 3BT Instagram -

- John Piacquadio Website -

>>>LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE<<<

Remote No Pressure

On the latest Remote No Pressure podcast Jeff talks with Dan and Ally Earnest of Whiskey Leatherworks about fly fishing and their journey as business owners.

- Remote No Pressure Website -

- Whiskey Leatherworks Website -

>>>LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE<<<

Anchored with April Vokey

On episode 148 of Anchored, April sits down and talks with Land Tawney of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, to learn about him and the Montana based organization.

- April Vokey Website -

- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Website -

>>>LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE<<<

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<<<

Vedavoo: Dirty Harry No-Kink Reel Case

The Paul Puckett Dirty Harry design is back!  I remember when Vedavoo released t-shirts of this design a long while back.  I still wear that t-shirt to this day.  So stoked to see Dirty Harry make a return.  Definitely going to need to pick one of these up.

Vedavoo Limited Edition Dirty Harry No-Kink Reel Case

Paul Puckett knocked it out of the park with this one!

Vedavoo Limited Edition Dirty Harry No-Kink Reel Case

Paul Puckett Art

Glass Is Not Dead

#glassisnotdead - The Fiberglass Manifesto

Picked up a new/used Cabelas CGR fiberglass rod (5'9" - 3 wt) at a recent gear swap at Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop.  It had a broken tip, but that was an easy fix.  My homie Drew was building himself a new rod, and he was putting together an order, so, I had him add a new tip top guide to shopping list.  The new tip top fit like a glove, and my new glass rod had a new life.

Perfect for the #icatchsmallfishtour

Since I already own a 3 wt rod set up I got years ago, I didn't need to purchase a new line or reel for the glass rod.  I'll just use the reel for both rods, and that is A-okay with me.  It actually fits the rod perfectly, and I was able to take it out right away to test it out on a local lake before all of the heavy weeds grew in.

So many bluegill were caught.

Bunch of crappie this size.

Rod bends in to the evening.

It was a fun time out there with this rod, and I'm looking forward to using it more and more this summer.  It's crazy how much bend there is!  It's the perfect rod for the #icatchsmallfishtour

FIND YOUR SIGHT LINE

There's no doubt that I love showing my love for fly fishing and fishing in general.  I have so many stickers that showcase this stuck to my car, coolers, water bottles, fly boxes, etc.  I have plenty of shirts that also showcase the sport.  I now have a bracelet from Sight Line Provisions that showcases my absolute favorite fish - The Bass (Small and Largemouth).  I love fishing for pike, and musky...but  fishing for bass is where this passion really began.

Before fly fishing, my favorite method to fish was with my casting rod and a hollow rubber frog.  Nothing got me more stoked than tossing one of those frogs in the thick of the Lilly pads or weeds, anticipating the explosion of a bass bursting through the surface to destroy that frog.  Then came along a fly rod and a size 4 sneaky Pete fly in yellow.  Tossing that little fly along the edge of the weeds, Lilly pads, or over the top of some submerged vegetation to see that little fly get annihilated by some bass.  Endless fun.

Now I can really showcase my love for those fish...in style!  At first, I wasn't so sure about the purchase, because, I didn't really know how I was going to like wearing a bracelet.  I've been super happy with the purchase, and it has been the start of quite a few conversations about fishing.  I think I see a musky or pike bracelet being added to my Christmas list for Santa.

SIGHT LINE PROVISIONS

VEDAVOO UPGRADE

Looking for some new gear to use for the 2018 year.  Vedavoo is offering 20% off their products until April 17th.  That's a helluva deal for some high quality American made products.  While you're on their website filling up your shopping cart, don't forget to read up and donate to the Reel Service Project to donate to an extremely worthy cause...oh and your donation gets you a raffle ticket to win a one of a kind custom messenger bag.

VEDAVOO

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PIG FARM INK: IRON FLY TWIN CITIES

PIG FARM INK: IRON FLY

TWIN CITIES

Saint Paul/Minneapolis

When:

Friday - March 16th

7:30 P.M. - Bitchin' (Close at Midnight)

Where:

Blackstack Brewing

755 Prior Ave N.

Saint Paul, MN 55104

BIG THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS/SUPPORTERS

Pig Farm Ink

Costa

Simms

Blackstack Brewing

Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop

Mend Provisions

Jake Keeler

Post Fly

Harmonic Goods

Rising

Whistle Pig

Wish 4 Fish

Vedavoo

Also, my homie Brooks Miller with the Minnesota Twins will be there with a few pairs of Twins tickets to give away, so, this is definitely an event you'll not want to miss!  So come on out to hang, chill, participate, learn, or whatever.  This is open to all skill levels and we HIGHLY encourage people that have never fly fished or tied a fly before to come out and join in on the fun.

VEDAVOO: REEL SERVICE PROJECT IV

The Vedavoo Reel Service Project IV has kicked off.  If you don't know about the Vedavoo Reel Service Project, then you should.  I've copied and pasted the verbiage from the Vedavoo website below.  Entering is free, and donations are welcomed and encouraged! 

Photo from the Vedavoo website.

Here's a blurb from the Vedavoo website.

Behind the creation of each of these beautiful and unique bags is a effort to get you to donate to Project Healing Waters.

In partnership with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. the REEL SERVICE PROJECT was initiated in 2013 to help raise funds for veteran-focused causes in the Fly Fishing community. That initial effort, which included a series of VEDAVOO packs made out of fabric provided by Patrick over at Recycled Waders featuring original artwork by Jeff Currier set the stage for events to follow.

Proceeds from Reel Service III were enough to pay for nearly 28 YEARS WORTH of FLY TYING COURSES AND MATERIALS for wounded veterans through the efficient use of funds by Project Healing Waters.

Having had the opportunity to receive each artist’s commitment – we are truly humbled and inspired by how quickly and passionately each has stepped up for the cause.  As before, VEDAVOO will lead the effort by providing the materials and labor to build the bags and each artist will provide their time and vision painting their signature aesthetic to each finished piece. This year’s event promises to be the best to date. Enter to win one of these very special bags. No Purchase Necessary.

Photo from the Vedavoo website

This years Artist lineup includes:

Jorge Martinez - Website - Instagram

Derek DeYoung - Website - Instagram

Josh Udesen - Website - Instagram

Andrea Larko - Website - Instagram

Ryan Keene - Website - Instagram

Matthew Stockton - Website - Instagram

Alex Poland - Website - Instagram

Jake Keeler - Website - Instagram

Paul Puckett - Website - Instagram

Borbay - Website - Instagram

Sarah Landstrom - Website - Instagram

Ty Hallock - Website - Instagram

Jeff Kennedy - Website - Instagram

Kendra Leeks - Website - Instagram

If you would like to donate to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing the Vedavoo: Reel Service Project IV click on the link below.

---->> CLICK HERE TO DONATE<<----

VEDAVOO

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THE HUB PODCAST

Do you like fly fishing? ...Yes.

Do you like podcasts about fly fishing? ...Yes.

Do you like to continuously be let down? ...Yes/No/Maybe/I don't know.

Are you in the market for a new podcast? ...Yes.

This guy did not win $1,000...He just discovered The Hub Podcast by the Fish Porn Crew.

Then The Hub Podcast brought to you by the Fish Porn crew of Jeff and Josh for you!  As their number one listener, I can honestly say, that these guys have no fucking idea what they're doing, but I absolutely love it, and so will you!  I'm kidding.  They only have a partial idea of what they're doing.  Love you dudes!

Episode 9 - Brought to you by the state of Missouri and NASCAR featuring yours truly.  I must forewarn you, drinking some hoppy goodness will enhance the show immensely.

Now I know what you're thinking, CARF you're famous now!  I know, and you're welcome.  That doesn't make sense, but I don't care, because, this is my blog and I can write what I want.  I'm kind of a big deal now.  Excelsior!

THE HUB PODCAST

by the Fish Porn Crew

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Call the Fish Porn Hotline and leave them a tasty voicemail.

(970) 834-FISH

WALLY WALLY...WHERE YA AT

This was my first fishing outing of the new year, and we were on the hard water in search of anything...but mostly walleyes and crappie.

Lightfield clearing some snow for the hub.

We pulled up to the lake we were going to fish, and there were quite a few vehicles and ice shelters already out.  It was a good sign to my homie, but to me, it just added to the fear of being on the ice.

Poppin' holes.

A gas powered auger is a luxury...need to get one for myself.

After drilling some holes, setting up the hub, we were inside sitting pretty.  I have never had such luxuries in the few times I have been out ice fishing.  A gas auger, 4 person hub, propane heater, and camping chairs...I felt like I was in the Presidential Suite.  I could get used to this...

The Presidential Suite.

We each had 2 rods rigged up.  One setup to dead stick a minnow, and the other we were jigging with.  The fishing was really slow.  We were fishing in about 26 feet of water near some drop offs, with hopes there were be fish hanging around the edges.  We also chose our spot, because, there were a bunch of other ice shelters around. :)

Working it.

I could get used to this.

Waiting for some action on the flasher.

Late in the afternoon, just as I was about to go out to the truck for something, I had glanced down at my flasher, there were some extra lights.  Finally some action!  I slowly jigged my lure and then my rod bent.  I set the hook and began to quickly reel, but the fish came undone after 2 seconds.  Bummer!  It felt like a good one, too.

Shortly after my failed attempt to bring a fish in, my buddy Lightfield marked a few more fish and he was then hooked up.  This fish put a solid bend in his rod.

Lightfield hooked up on his custom FSA Custom Rods ice rod.

Lightfield found Wally.  It was the only fish that we caught, and it was a good one.  Would have been nice to hook up with a few more, but I was just happy to be out fishing.  Looking forward to getting back out on the hard water.  Just need to get some ice fishing gear of my own.

Lightfield and Wally.

INSTAGRAM - @JUSTINCARF

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Lens #2 - http://amzn.to/2CLhwQZ

Boots - http://amzn.to/2CIGHUc

Yaktrax - http://amzn.to/2DbWDPG

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2CJ9iZx

LIGHTFIELD'S GEAR

Auger - http://amzn.to/2CGVjDl

Hub - http://amzn.to/2CXAeYY

Flasher - http://amzn.to/2Fik4HE

Heater - http://amzn.to/2CKHtjg

Rod Holder - http://amzn.to/2DcNoPr

Bucket - http://amzn.to/2CLcnYP

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

WINTER FISHING WITH DANK

During the Christmas weekend, I was back home in Chicago.  I had some free time, so, I hit up my homie DANK to see if he wanted to get out and fish.  There were a few issues with that...It was freezing cold, I didn't have any of my fishing gear, and I didn't have a car.  DANK replied to my text "I got you dude."

We both were just excited to be out casting a line, but our hopes to catch any fish were not very high.  I borrowed one of DANK's spin setups and I tied on a small weighted paddle tail minnow.  On my 5th cast the rod bent and I was hooked up.  A little Larry came out to play, and I was oh so thankful to him.  Quick shot, and release.

Stoked!

DANK and I proceeded to catch more than a few fish each, and it made for a excellent morning/afternoon winter fishing session.

Beauty.

If you know the spot, do the right thing and just keep it to yourself. :)

DANK hooked up with some very healthy looking Illinois bass, and it made for an excellent day out there with my homie.  Thank you, for picking me up and letting me play with your rod!

Action Shot.

Them IKE's are on point DANK.

Say ahhh

This was without a doubt my last outing in the calendar year that is 2017, and it was a great one.  Fish were caught, and I got to hang out with one of my bestest friends.  I hope one day he reads my blog :)

DANK with the biggest bass of the day.

MY GEAR

My Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

My Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

My Other Favorite Lens - http://amzn.to/2BYop4M

My Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2Cd3Aj6

My Hoodie - http://amzn.to/2CcbqvF

My Boots - http://amzn.to/2Cc4PPl

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

THE PINK TUTU

PART ONE

Text from GRANT:  Jim and I are heading South.  Leaving from BMFS at 6:30.

12 Hours later....

Reply text from ME:  I'm in.

The day was looking promising.  The weather was fantastic (for winter) and we were the first ones to arrive, and had the waters to ourselves.  Grant and I started out chucking streamers, and Jim went with the trusted nymph rig.  This was new water for the 3 of us, and I can tell you that it had some extremely fishy runs.

Grant and I both had a handful of bumps, but couldn't get any of the fish to commit.  No worries, because, here comes Jim to show us how it's done.  Drifting a fly he dubbed The Pink TuTu he hooked up with a nice brown trout.  No surprise to any of us.  Jim is just one fishy dude.

Jim doing what he does...catch fish.

Buttuh.

Jim's Pink TuTu

We continued to fish with no luck.  Jim's brown was still the lone fish on the board, but that was alright with me.  It was a pleasure to be out on the water fishing with my homies, and not freezing.

Grant working a streamer dropper rig in one of the many nice runs.

After some time with zero action for all of us, we took to the streets.  We were on the hunt for more access points to the river through the old time feel main street in this small Southern Minnesota town.

On the hunt for more river access.

On the way, we came across a pay phone and decided to contact the 1-800-BEATDOWN article that we have all read in The Flyfish Journal hoping that it wasn't only for steelhead fishermen.  None of the option really applied to us, so, I think Grant hit the # symbol for phone sex, and to hear that he looked good in his waders, but I'm not entirely sure.

Grant calling the 1-800-BEATDOWN Hotline and hitting the # symbol.

To be continued....

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

5 wt Fly Rod - http://amzn.to/2CMGm2a

Waders - http://amzn.to/2BHwpnC

Sunglasses - http://amzn.to/2CM17Lr

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

MEND PROVISIONS: ALT CHURCH 12/03/2017

It's Winter Sunday morning, and you feel like tying flies.  You sit down at your vise, and you're just not feeling it that morning.  It's probably because you sit there and tie in the same room by yourself all of the time.  Well, I have a solution to pick up your winter fly tying spirits.  Every Sunday throughout Winter unless social media notified, Mend Provisions will be hosting open tying from 10 AM - 3 PM at Mend HQ.

The Mend Provisions SJW tool is an essential and should be in everyone's fly tying tool kit.

The first open tie was Sunday 12/03/2017, and I attended after a night of staying up too late eating ice cream, drinking beer, and watching Saving Private Ryan until 3 AM.  I know what you're thinking, "Man, I wish I could party just like CARF!"  Don't you all worry about that either, I am working on a book titled, "Hey Man, do you want to party like CARF!?"  It's set to be released when pigs fly, so, that should be very soon.

 

During my time at Mend HQ, I tied up some carp bugs that I thought out in my head, and I'm thinking that these things are going to be great.  What do carp love more than corn....candy corn! Duh!  It was real easy for me to come up with a name for these carp treats - CARF's Candy Corn.

 

There were quite a few people that came in tied for a bit and had to go, and if you're reading this, it was nice to meet you all (Dan, Brent, and Dave...I think).  There was another guy there by the name of Cody, and he was tying up some very nice streamers.  Alt Church was a perfect way for him to get some tying done, and talk fishing before he had to start work that afternoon.

Cody McLean whipping up some streamers.

If you're familiar with Abel Reels, you most definitely have seen the Johnny Cash reel pictures floating around on the internet.  I finally got to see it in person, and I just have to say, "DAMN."  My photograph does it no justice at all.  In person and in professional photographs this real is an eye catcher.  There's no doubt in my mind if I were to own it, it would just sit on display somewhere I can just look at it all the time.

Abel Reels - Johnny Cash reel.  Damn. That's a gorgeous reel.

Alt Church open tie is every Sunday throughout Winter from 10 - 3 PM

 

MEND PROVISIONS

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