BMFS: HOPS & HOPPERS 12/05/2017

Another fun night at Lake Monster Brewing for Hops & Hoppers hosted by Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop and Lake Monster Brewing.  I meant to tie a bunch of flies, but that didn't happen.  So enjoy a bunch of pictures.

1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Bret is a rad dude with laser like focus when he's tying trout bugs.  He also in a band Too Pure To Die.

Focus.

Some times that focus affects Bret's periphreal vision, and he has trouble sensing dangers in the form of A-A-Ron looking intently for the right opportunity to pounce on him.

 

Guys who wear undersized hats always find each other.

Here we have Drew and Josh.  Josh is really cool, and has some mad skillz at the vise.  Drew...we just don't know about.
 

Josh on the left.  Questionable Drew on the right.

One of the guides that works out of Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop is a super fishy dude, and his name is Evan.  He has a goal to tie 1 million of these white murdich minnows by winters end.  Not even 1 month in, he's 1/3 of the way to his goal.

Evan whipping up murdich minnow # 34,120

Grant and his wife are some pretty rad individuals.  They like cooking bacon on their flattop grill, and posting ridiculous pictures of each other on social media.

Grant giving Ashley some tips on what to do when you see a camera aimed at you.

Awww so cute.

Below we have a picture of something that simply cannot be explained.  Rhea, Matt Ebbers, and myself just couldn't keep a straight face while Grant just looked over at Ashley like this was a normal occurrence.  Can you take a guess at what was happening here?

Amazing.

Eddie Rivard has a black belt in bugs.  Here is a rare shot of him sharing his knowledge to Josh, Micah, and an unknown dude for free.

Josh, Micah, and an unnamed dude listening to the expert advise of Eddie Rivard.

Do you know about The Driftless Flyer?  If you don't, simply click on the name/link and do a bit of reading, and you will.  Did you know that it was that easy to know about something?  Now you do, and you're welcome.  The Driftless Flyer is actually a 2 person team comprised of Micah and his wife Abigail.

Do you even trout, bruh?  Question for The Driftless Flyer

Mike Carina is super creative...how do I know?  Well, he has a website appropriately titled Carina Creative. 

Mike showing off his creativity at the vise.

Eddie Rivard is also an International Fly Super Model.  Here he is helping Carlin Samela show off some of his most recent musky flies for free.  Such a charitable man that Eddie Rivard is.

Say Cheese.

Andrew Muntz is a flure tying machine.  Some people make balloon animals, but Andrew makes fly animals.  A little kid walked up to him at the brewery and asked him to whip up a lion, and he did.  Mad Skillz.

Andrew Muntz showing off some serious vise skills.

...another fun night at Hops & Hoppers.

FOR SALE: FILSON CHEST PACK

The item I have for sale is a Filson Chest pack.  It's a great pack, but it's just not my style.  It is used, and in great condition.  Asking $50 plus shipping, unless you're in the Twin Cities area and can meet up sometime.  If you would like to inquire about purchasing this great pack or have questions, please feel free to email me at - carfoutdoors@gmail.com

THANK YOU!  I hope this finds a great new home!

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

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

LUNDS FLY SHOP: BUGS & SUDS 11/15/2017

 It's the 3rd Wednesday of the month, and you're looking for something to do.  Well, you're in luck, because, every 3rd Wednesday of the month, Lund's Fly Shop hosts an open tie night at Swinging Bridge Brewing in River Falls, Wisconsin.  This open tie night has a name, and its name depicts exactly what you can expect from one of these nights, Bugs & Suds.

Tying flies and telling lies.

If you are without a vise, not to worry, because, there are extra vises to be used by anyone.  In my experience, others are willing to share knowledge, materials, and even teach others who are looking to wet their feet in fly tying.

I'm a fan of IPA's and Swinging Bridge Brewing is brewing up an excellent one by the name of East Cascade.  They also just released a fantastic stout, Captain Trips.  It's a chocolate roasted coconut stout that I was fortunate to get a taster of before they released it, and I must say...damn, that was delicious.

Head Brewer Mike O'Hara pouring me some fresh suds.

Wandering around checking out what others are spinning up, you'll find a variety of bugs.  Big bugs, small bugs, and weird bugs, they're all there.  One of my favorite things about showing up to open tie nights is the all of the interesting flies you'll come across.

Carlin Salmela showing off a fresh musky bug.

My vise waiting for me to replace the tiny hand with a hook.

Josh Mattis whipping up some trout streamers.

Tavis focused.

When you combine the people, the stories, and beer at Bugs & Suds, you're going to have a good time and some good laughs.  Oh, and pretzels, how could I forget about the pretzels, and beer cheese soup.  Hell, the whole menu there at the taproom is fantastic.  It was made with the help of other local business, and features quite a few locally grown/raised options.

Nick Brevitz kissing the fly 1/2 tied by myself, and the other 1/2 tied by Drew.

On this particular night, there was a tier by the name of Andrew Muntz.  Initially, I was greatly impressed with the work he was putting in on the musky flies he was tying.  Brian Smolinski noticed me watching and shouted out to me, "Hey CARF check this out" and handed me one of Andrew's flies.  I was like WHOA.  That is not a musky fly, that is a musky lure, and my level of impressed went through the roof.  This dude does some RAD work.

Andrew Muntz working on one of his impressive flures.

Others who were not familiar with Andrew's work were just as impressed as I was.  Drew was so impressed with the flure that he wouldn't stop petting it, and I think became best friends with it after a few more beers, and there are even rumors that Drew and the fly are now in an open relationship.

Drew has the look of love in his eye.

Peace and love in the heart of the Driftless.

So much love.

Drew loves everyone.

Don't forget - it's the 3rd Wednesday of each month.  If you need directions or more information please contact Brian Smolinski over at Lund's Fly Shop.

MY GEAR

Camera - http://amzn.to/2hnMwkD

Lens - http://amzn.to/2hhdHJS

Rising Stellar Scissors - http://amzn.to/2yCE7wM

Vedavoo Bench Basin - http://amzn.to/2zGBU78

Rite Bobbin Half Hitch - http://amzn.to/2hzxKab

Peak Vise - http://amzn.to/2zXEBCd

**The above links are Amazon Associate links**

KINNI CORRIDOR PROJECT

I was contacted by someone with the City of River Falls and they asked to use a few of my photographs for their webpage.  They used 2 of my photographs for banners on their webpage from last winter.

Featured in the photograph below are 3 of my homies.  Jim Aronson, Charlie Forbes, and John Sherlock.  Jim was fishing a nice run, while Charlie and Sherlock were...I don't know.  Tying on new flies?  Talking about world domination?  Undoing wind knots?

RIFFS & TUGS: The Art of Jake Keeler

Ever wanted to see the art of Jake Keeler in person?  Well, you're in luck, because, it's on display at Bad Weather Brewing Company.  You're also in luck if you wanted to tie flies while you visit the brewery to see Jake's art, because, on Friday, November 17th from 6 PM to Bitchin' you can bring your vise and tie some flies.

If you have never tied a fly before and want to learn, come on down!!!  Pig Farm Ink and Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop have provided vises, tools, and materials so those who want to try it out, can!

Tie some flies, drink some beers, and view some arts!

Spread the good word!

Jake Keeler Website - www.20acrecarcass.com/

Jake Keeler FaceBook - www.facebook.com/JakeKeelerArt/

Jake Keeler Shop - www.etsy.com/shop/JakeKeeler

If you have any questions about the event, please feel free to contact either myself or Jake Keeler.

QUICKIE

Found myself in Wisconsin with some time to spare, so, I did the logical thing....I went trout fishing.  I was out and about enjoying the weather and hiking around Willow River State Park, and afterwards, I decided to head on down the road to the Kinnickinnic River.  I grabbed my FSA custom 3 wt, Vedavoo hip pack, and Tacky fly box, tied on a top water bug I've been working on, and walked on down to a new spot I scoped out back in June.

EATER

The no name fly I've been working on was the ticket and my fly box was not needed.  I found some rising trout on the tail end of some small riffles, and they were picking off anything that was drifting through.  

Vedavoo hip pack.

Wet waded up the river just a little bit in to some skinny water, and found some a few more fish drifting that same fly.  I don't know if it was the fly or the amount of fish caught, but the fly was starting to come undone.  Need to do some tweaking...I kind of want to think that the trout were just beating it up throughout the short outing, which is very possible.

Brook trout like to party.

Came across a floating fish, and upon further investigation - I determined it was the biggest trout that I have ever seen with my own eyes in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, and that it was a brook trout.  Didn't have a wallet on it, so, I wasn't able to determine it's age or where it came from.

What a shame.

All in all it was a solid 1.5 spent fishing on a beautiful day, and a reminder to me and to all of you that live here in the Midwest to get out there and enjoy the outdoors and the kick ass weather while we have it....Winter is coming.

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.