Gear: Things we DON'T want this Father's Day

River's Edge Fly Fishing Toilet Seat

$64.87 from Amazon.com gets you a Lucite toilet seat with various fishing flies embedded within. It's all fun and games until some desperate angler with an empty fly box starts chipping Mickey Finns out of your throne.

Break Time Slab

FlyfishMagazine.com's Westernmost Representative, Ali Hassan taunts us with this beast of a "Wiper" (white bass / Striper hybrid). The monster was subdued not two miles from Ali's office in Denver, Colorado no doubt as he took an extended "restroom break". This slab was so big we didn't even give him a hard time about the spinning rod in the background.

East Meets West: Tenkara Expert visits Catskills

Photo via TenkaraUSA.com

Tenkara, (think fly fishing sans reel) Sensi Dr. Hisao Ishigaki recently visited the United States and put on on casting seminar that "awed close to 50 participants, including one of the most recognized names of fly-casting, Joan Wulff."

Saturday’s event was a day when “East met West”, as participants witnessed the meeting of two giants in the world of fly-fishing, Dr. Ishigaki and Ms. Joan Wulff. Joan Wulff, one of the most recognized names in Western fly-fishing, tried her hand at casting with a tenkara rod, showing at once that tenkara fishing is no “cane-pole fishing”. She quickly adjusted to casting with a tenkara rod and formed a nice and tight loop, turning the line and fly over.

Click here to read the article at the TenkaraUSA.com blog.

Just another...

Tequila Sunrise

Gear: GPS = FAIL?

Twitter pal @BoatingMagazine tweeted some disturbing news to any person (typically the male of the species) who dislikes the thought of having to stop and ask directions. It seems the Global Positioning Satellite System might just be on its last (or significantly weakened) legs.

According to the Guardian, the report said, "It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption. If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected."These adverse effects could range from system failures, to boaters being given unreliable or incorrect directions.

Chances are the government or even private industry would never let the system fail, but if it did, reading maps and knowing which side of a tree the moss grows on might just come back into fashion.

Urban Fly Fishing: Atomic Style

I popped some potassium iodide pills and did a little Atomic Urban Fly Fishing this weekend. No catches but I did manage to sight cast to a good sized long nose gar and almost hooked a massive turtle. Any idea what color "lining" (ala brownlining) this would be? Radioactivelining?

Healing Waters: Evergreen Hand Fly Tying

Helping wounded warriors tie flies, the Evergreen Hand was created by Jesse Scott and makes it possible for a fly to be tied using only one hand.

Grassy!

Gear: Sanyo Waterproof Camcorder $349.95

Sanyo VPC-WH1 HD Waterproof Flash Memory Camcorder w/ 30x Optical Zoom (Yellow)

Unleash your inner carp bum and capture HD video of your next extreme fishing trip, all the while not worrying about getting the camera wet when you slip and fall on your hindquarters.

The price of these old school style HD units keeps going down making 720p (at least) affordable for the fly fishing masses. The yellow color makes for a nice beacon when it comes time to flag down the boys from Search and Rescue.

Capt. Paul Rose: Top Ten Reasons To Take A Carp Trip This Summer

FlyfishMagazine.com's Editor of Rough Fish, Captain Paul Rose, put together his top ten reasons to take a carp trip this summer.

10. Backyard flat's excursion

9. 100% sight-fishing to moving targets, not hula hoops in the yard

8. Learn to haul and cast on target while experiencing "carp fever"

7. The definition of stealthy is .....

6. Transition from trout snob to trash hunter

5. Cheap way to get 20+ tailing fish shots

4. Catch the largest fish you have in a long long time on the fly

3. See if the backing knot you tied slides through the guides easily

2. Practice for a bonefish trip or redfish trip so you do not blow the shot of a lifetime.

1. Learn to pole a skiff-at no charge

Capt. Paul Rose

http://www.carolinabonefishing.com/

Editor's Note: Watch for Paul's posts from the upcoming FFF SE Conclave at Calloway Gardens. If you plan to attend be sure to take part in his seminar about catching the elusive Carolina Bonefish on the fly.

Gear: New 12 Wt Ross Essence Rods

If your gamefish of choice is big enough, Ross' new 12 weight fly rod offering might be just what you need.

Ross is pleased to announce the addition of a 1290-4 in each of the three Essence series -FS, FC and FW. The new fly rod models will be available June 1, 2009!

All three series are manufactured with a "Ross Exclusive" proprietary graphite design, resulting in rods that are smooth casting, sensitive and precise. The Essence series fly rods carry line effortlessly when casting in close, or reaching out to far away targets. All three series are powerful and sturdy, yet light enough to minimize fatigue with long days on the water.

The Essence series fly rods have been assigned graphite designations of R-1, R-2 and R-3 to highlight design differences. While the fundamentals of each series remain true to the design, a higher numbered R-Value indicates a slightly more progressive action. All three series are 4-piece rods that ship complete with a rod sock and rod case. These fly rods set a new standard for what an angler should expect from an affordably priced fly rod. For the money, there is not a better value on the market today!

For more information about these rods and other Ross products, please visit the company online at http://www.rossreels.com/.

Fly Fishing Quote of the Week

"Flyfishing is like sex, everyone thinks there is more than there is, and that everyone else is getting more than their share." -Henry Kanemotto

FlyfishMagazine Redux: Orange Jumpsuit Fly Fishing

Trying to sell your house takes lots of time. That's why you are getting another look at our story about Prison Fly Fishing. Think of it as trying to brownline without getting shanked.

"Broughton Pond is actually two ponds that are sandwiched between two correctional facilities. One is Foothills Correctional Institute, a traditional looking prison with the razor wire, searchlights, and guys with shotguns etc. The other is a high rise building that holds juvenile offenders. Apparently the hunters in the area are not the only ones required to wear blaze orange."

People: Competitive Fly Fisher Gordon Vanderpool

This might well be a picture of North Carolina's current rising star in the realm of competitive fly fishing. Fly fishing guide Gordon Vanderpool, of Turning Stones Fly Fishing, LLC and a member of the North Carolina Fly Fishing Team has been on a roll of late. Gordon finished first in the casting portion of this year's Rumble in the Rhododendron and first in the Lake Lure Olympiad Fly Fishing Masters a few weeks ago. This weekend he took top spot in the first round of what amounts to a FIPS Mouche rule equivalent of a pick up contest on the Nantahala River. Congratulations Mr. V.

***Update*** Another article on Mr. Vanderpool

Piscatorial Carpet Baggers Welcome

Jason Puris of TheFin.com fame dropped us a note about an article in his local paper.

New York Times reporter, Christopher Percy Collier spent some time fishing in the Old North State and even visited a few of our friends then gave up all the details in print.

As trout fishing destinations go, western North Carolina has long remained relatively unknown on a national level — and some contend this has been by design. “Locals used to be pretty tight-lipped about how good the fishing is,” said Kevin Howell, a guide and the owner of Davidson River Outfitters and a third-generation fly-tier.

He even managed to spill the beans about the National Park that we share with Tennessee. and Jackson County's Fly Fishing Trail. The article is well written and might remind you local boys and girls of a few places we probably take for granted.

***Update**** Don't follow the maps in the article. Fly fishing legend Hugh Koontz discovered that doing so might just lead you astray by 2500 miles. From his blog post on the subject:

My guess is that some copy editor daydreamed his way through the story, misnamed the fish and put the deceptive inset map with the article.Being a copy editor, I am not going to come down hard on the Times for those slips.It may not have been a slip. I’m thinking in the back of my mind, it was a trick, and that copy editor is probably casting dry flies now near my cabin.

The Movie: Now available on Blu Ray

Although, we are still not sure that we care to see Buster's sunburned hindquarters in HD.

Sightings

Found standing in the corner at the world's largest knife shop. He looked a little two dimensional to me.

Brownlining: Ever hear "fore" on your backcast?

FlyfishMagazine.com hereby officially advises bicycle helmets and Epinephrine syringes as additions to your fishing kit.

Letter to the Editor
An Open Letter to the Citizens of Mason and Visitors, from the Board of Directors, Ft. Mason Golf Association...

2) Citizens and visitors to the area are using the irrigation pond on the golf course for family recreation, including fishing. The water in the pond is not potable and could very well be dangerous to the health of anyone who consumes it or the fish that they may catch in it. Additionally, it is in the middle of an active golf course, so the danger from being struck by flying golf balls is very real. We encourage people to use the park for family recreation, and the Llano River, San Saba River, or Brady Lake for fishing.

To date no golfers have been injured

Hassan's Crappie Carnage

FlyfishMagazine's Westernmost correspondent, Ali Hassan fires up the deep fryer for some tasty fishes.

Find Ron Scheepstra - Missing Fly Fisher

Ron Scheepstra, age 49, from Lufkin, TX was vacationing in Xcalak, Mexico when he disappeared without a trace. Ron was fly-fishing with 3 friends. He had visited Xcalak before and had fly-fished throughout the world. On Saturday, April 11, 2009, Ron vanished and has not been seen since. The local law enforcement, villagers and Mexican military has searched for Ron and found nothing. Not a trace. His wife, daughter and sister traveled to Xcalak a few days after he disappeared and joined in the search. Unfortunately, they returned home a week later, discouraged and with no answers.If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Ron Scheepstra or the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, please contact Ron's loving family and friends at info@findronscheepstra.com . Even the smallest detail in cases like these could make the difference in finding someone that is missing or not.

This case provides a reminder that even in these days and times travel abroad can be risky. Ron's family is attempting to have his case converted from missing persons to a criminal case. Doing this would allow the FBI to visit Mexico in search of the missing angler.

Found in the urban wild

Things we are glad the wife didn't see before our Bristol Bay trip.

Gear:Kayak + Boat = KaBoat

Because Boyak didn't sound so good.... It seems a Kayak and a Boat had a steamy affair and the offspring was the KaBoat. Available for $499 from Boatstogo.com, their press release reports:

A crossover between inflatable kayaks and inflatable boats, KaBoats represent the best of both worlds. Modeled after narrow Asian Dragon boats and due to their narrow profile, KaBoats can go faster then standard inflatable boats with lower rated engines.

To use it as a regular kayak, just paddle it anywhere, such as on the: ocean, bay, river or lake. If you get tired, just use an electric or gas engine installed on the marine grade plywood transom. The KaBoat is extremely portable and will fit in a medium size bag. The KaBoat is light, and will run great with an inexpensive electric or small gas engine.

KaBoats can be easily paddled with regular kayak paddles, allowing them to visit extremely shallow or narrow places. KaBoats are very stable. Customers can stand while fly-fishing and even get into those narrow spots where most other boats can't go, to get the best fishing.

At $499 it might just be an excellent option for inshore fishermen chasing spooky fish. Their YouTube Video Demo has what might possibly be the worst soundtrack known to mankind. Enter Zamfir, master of the panflute at 4:30

Found on Twitter

Found via Twitter:

@InTheHillsFish: "At 38 years, I finnaly got me the woman that said those six words I wanted all my life to hear: "My Dad owns a Fly Shop"

Follow us on Twitter and we will introduce you to our pals. @FlyfishMagazine

Fish Art

Thursday road warrior fish art post

Gear: 35th Anniversary Ross Vexsis Tye Dye Reel

New from Ross Reels comes a limited edition fly reel that might be as at home at a Dead concert as it is on the creekbank. The 35th Anniversary Ross Vexsis Tye Dye Reel.

In celebration of their 35th. Anniversary, Ross is pleased to announce the availability of an exclusive, limited edition series of Vexsis tie dye reels. Each reel is custom engraved with a limited edition number. Only 175 of these reels have been manufactured. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased from any authorized Ross dealer, while supplies last!

Availability Date
June 1, 2009
Available Size and Quantities
175 Vexsis #2 fly reels
Finish
Picture finish 3-D tie dye

For more information, please visit the Ross website at www.rossreels.com.

No word yet on how they get the rubber bands to stay on the reel when they dye it.

Cupidfish.com

We all know him. That angler who doesn't know the joys of matrimony. Most likely he just got back from a jaunt to Mongolia to fish for those giant fish that eat small dogs for snacks. He probably works three months of the year and then spends the rest of his time roaming the country side fishing while you and I are mowing the grass and taking out the garbage.

Do your pal a favor. Point him to Cupidfish.com so that he can find a mate and get properly hitched up like the rest of us. Tell him he owes it to his married buddies.

Got some Fin Mail

We got a weekend surprise in our mail box. Jason Puris of TheFin.com dropped us a package with a schweet Fin hat and a Kiss Your Fish shirt. I'll be rocking the trucker hat but the Editorial Trophy Wife snagged the shirt. No worries, she looks much better in it than I do.



Thanks Jason

FlyfishMag Redux: Ten Ways to Ruin a Fishing Friendship

Ten Ways to Ruin a Fishing Friendship
By Jeff Paisley

1. Don’t tell your friend that you bought a new boat until he sees you pass him on the river. Be sure to wave.
   
2. Don’t share your flies with him because you know he will just lose them anyway.
   
3. Tell him to meet you at 8:00 am but start fishing at 7:30.
   
4. Don’t let him know what fly they are taking until you have a least a five fish lead.
   
5. When his boat capsizes, don’t help him out of the water until you get plenty of pictures.
   
6. Don’t console your friend when he breaks off the “fish of a lifetime” until you catch it and can give him back his fly.
   
7. Make fun of him on his answering machine when his wife won’t let him go fishing.
   
8. Buy a new truck just so he won’t recognize you on the river.
   
9. Give your buddy the best spot on the river then cast to the trout rising just behind him (catching one at his feet will really make this more effective).
   
10. On the way to the river, buy your buddy breakfast at a nasty fast food restaurant with a porta-jon out front, just so you can get some alone time on the water later while he runs for the bushes. (Mexican restaurants work even better if available.)