Hawkeye Fly Fishing Show

Had another good show. Larry Dalberg was a featured guest, as was Chris Helm. Both were really cool guys. Sold some flies, got invited to a couple of new shows next year and picked up some new ideas for flies.

Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association Event

Packing up to head to another fly tying event. This is a local Iowa event, so I know a few of the guys personally. This is always a good time, because it is more like a weekend with friends than the other Midwest events. I will post some pictures and such afterward.
http://www.hawkeyeflyfishing.com/

Flymage Magazine

This may not be new to any of you, but I had never seen it before. They have wonderful photos and nice articles.



http://www.flymage.net/english.php

Clouser Shrimp- Approved by the Creator himself

Remember I posted these a couple of weeks ago.

Just for giggles I sent them to a higher fly fishing power and received this in blessing.

bcminno@aol.com

James, That is an incredible combination, nice work, Bob Clouser


Words like fly tying gold.

Weather is good but rivers are crap!

Planned to hit the water this weekend but the rivers are blown out from the melt off. May still be able to hit the 5 and 1 for a while, since it has some good back pools. We will see.
Pray for fish!

This weekend looks good!

A couple of more days and we should be on the water again. Temps are getting close to 40 and the water at the local dam is freeing of ice. I have a new Striper sinking line to try and a few other goodies. Hoping to have some new fish porn to post. C'mon spring.

Thanks to everyone!

I would like to personally thank all 31 loonies for following my site; as well as all of the rest of you that stop by from time to time. My blog can be informative, random and a soap box once in a while. It is what it is.
Thanks.

Clouser Shrimp

I needed some new flies for my Florida trip this summer and we all know how well clousers work. I was diggin through some old tying material and found a bunch of shrimp eyes. I added extra long flash for the feelers and the eyes in the center of the two hair bunches and walla! Clouser Shrimp.

Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters

OK, as most of you know I buy all my material from the Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters. Andy, the owner and I have been talking for a while about a sponsorship program between the two of us. I think we have some thing worked out for the future. I will personally vouch for these guys. I have spoken to Andy and Jon allot and they are both great guys. The store is also a great shop and chuck full of all the highest quality stuff. If you choose to buy from them, add a note on the order and tell them that I sent you. If I get enough business moving we will make Andy change his logo fish to a Pike.

Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters
312-944-3474 866-922-8130

Fly Tips from the blizzard bound midwest.

There is about an inch of epoxy behind the hook barb. This gives the fly a flatter bottom line which I like. The weight of the epoxy helps to keel the fly in the water since I use light saltwater hooks. The epoxy almost completely stops any fouling of the hook. Which only gets worse with the larger size and length of fibers on the body of the fly.

The fly head is placed as far back on the hook as possible. This moves the fibers further back away from the barb which also stops the fouling.

I am very careful not to get any epoxy on the eyes as much as possible. Any epoxy over the pupil gives it a foggy look and detracts from the life look of the fly.

Now get to the vise.