Friday, May 16, 2014

Spring has Sprung……Update

WOW…..Its been an awfully long time since I updated. Well, sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes your own ego gets in the way. Sometimes you need to get your sh*t together for yourself and the things you care about. Thats where I am. Its a long complicated story for sure and personal, MOVING ON…..

This update is going to be a big mess of photos, maybe a video and general rambling. Try to keep up!

First things first, I have been tying. Don't get me wrong, I don't spend nearly as much time in front of the vise as I'd like. Thats going to change! Anyway, below is a dump of photos, all random.









With Winter having a tough grasp on this area, fishing wasn't a top priority. Plus it was just to damn cold. I spent the Winter organizing tackle, lubing reels, getting new gear & swag.

Winter collection of stickers finally installed

Breathable waders from The Fly Shop
Waders

Swag from This Is Fly

Cleaned & Organized

Since the weather has finally broken for the better. The spawn is on, the Spring migration is on, SE PA opening day is finally over with…..Everything is in full swing, including my grass growing! UGH!


And of course this is never a shortage of special beverages being consumed…..

That completes this update. I have promised myself a new level of commitment to this blog. I need it personally, to occupy myself and be somewhat of a release and distraction.

Monday, January 6, 2014

December Recap

December is often a time of shoveling snow, busy holiday shopping, parties, work functions, year end paperwork, wrapping, eating, drinking, etc... This year was no different. Mother nature provided plenty of snow for December and I was tasked with shoveling and running the snow blower. The snow blower put my December and perhaps longer, right in the drain. While putting the snow blower back in its cozy space in the shed, I "tweeked" my lower back! It was a very painful experience, basically rendering me useless! After a doctors visit, some meds and basic exercises to help rehab the pulled muscles, I was semi-back in action. Although I had to have my parents put our tree up, since I could barely lift the tree stand.
Self medication

I treated myself to a nice gift from Fly Tyers Dungeon, it was a holiday gift package, baby baitfish box, full of congo hair, eyes and flash. I've never used congo hair, but I have used EP fibers and from what I understand these are very similar materials. What you got for the price was outstanding!
Special holiday package, courtesy of www.flytyersdungeon.com - Baby Baitfish Box

First pattern I tied using the congo hair. Its a perch pattern I've tied perviously using EP fibers. Looks great and I'll be tying a few more for the Spring.

I believe my kid (3 years old), saw Santa at least a dozen times. He was really into Santa this year, actually the whole Christmas experience. I took advantage of a Cabelas sale just before the holidays and bought him his first fly rod & reel. We didn't give it to him this year, perhaps next year or maybe for a birthday.


I had Flyers tickets and my brother-in-law was in from out of town. Since he's never been to a game, we decided to go. Traffic was aweful, but the game was very entertaining and glad we stayed until the end. Our seats were excellent!
Crazy Comeback


Before I wrecked my back, I did sit down at the bench to get some tying done. I've had several materials laying around unopened for some time. Plus I have had a few "project" ties I have been meaning to test out.

Damsel nymph for Spring carp
 Eel - This is a heavy eel pattern I made for tossing around jettys. It has worked in the past, but with the quick change in the weather & water temps, I didn't get a chance this year.
 "Kinky" Sandeel
Epoxy sandeel tied with EP fibers. I tie this pattern using EP fibers cut in half, making the fly about 6" out of the vise. I then can cut these down in the field to "match the hatch".


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Quick Late Fall Update

Its been a very busy Fall, both on the water and off the water. The Fall run has not been great/stellar/epic or super memorable, but it has produced fish. We have been experimenting with trolling this Fall and for the most part it has worked well. Still fine tuning the set-up, but overall it has been successful.


I've been experimenting with my two HD cameras. I missed several video opportunities on my last fishing adventure. I had the controls wrong, which lead to no video being taken. The above picture was taken with the camera, in waterproof case, mounted onto the motor case using the wireless remote. Pretty decent picture for the first time. We now know we can stand alittle closer, since the wide angle of the lens covers the whole boat almost.

Be sure to check out my youtube channel, which is a work in progress!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Blowing NE

With this weeks past weather system that came through, the beach front (surf) was in no real great condition to be fished. So besides watching football, checking off some 'honey-to-do' items, I added some tackle.








Once the weather past and after a few days of letting things calm down, I got back at it. Nothing to show for my fishing efforts however, but still always nice to be away from reality. Even if it is only a temporary escape.


Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Fly Rod Blue Fish

Here is a video I put together from a recent trip. It was my first real opportunity to use both the Swann Freestyle & Contour Roam together and pair the videos together. Some adjustments will be made for the next go around, but overall I was satisfied with it.


Flounder has closed in NJ, so basically now its a waiting game until the stripers show up. And I can't wait!!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Very Late Report from Vacation

June 15 thru 22
Late report/story...

Our annual South Jersey vacation with my wife's two brothers and sister was June 15-22 in Sea Isle City. Our house is located right on the bay and we have been going down for 9 years. Typically fishing is done to entertain the kids and its not very serious. Over the years I've caught some nice crabs, a few keeper flounder, sharks, blowfish, etc... The normal back bay stuff. This year I stepped up my game. The plan was to try and get a few times during the week to explore and try new things. I didn't get to explore as much as I hoped, but still had a great visit.

Well that happened! We visited the Cape May County Zoo, which was very nice and I recommend it for any families in the area.
Bald eagles are always amazing to me

This zoo puts the animals upclose and personal

This guy was huge! I was amazed at how big these cats actual are.

One particular day, the mid-afternoon heat was getting to me (perhaps the beers too). I had some clam out soaking. It was being tormented by smaller fluke and seabass. After changing out to a nice fresh piece, WHAM! Made Gavin's day (and mine!).


Thursday, June 13, 2013

Sandy Hook/Kayak SOL Meet

My normal kayak fishing partner ditched me for his "Honey-to-do" list or more like keeping the peace on the home front. I totally understand! So happened that the SOL kayak community was meeting at Sandy Hook lot C at 0530 (ouch).

0236 departure from the house

The morning drive was alittle rough. I was very tired and its never a fun drive solo in the dark of morning pre-dawn. I did manage to get out of the house earlier then planned, which was shocking.
Once arriving I was the first one there and a tad early. Nice to be around the salt again though. I began unloading my equipment and other began to arrive. Quickly into the task, SNAP, my camera mini-flexy-tripod breaks. Good start to the morning.
Broken mini-tripod
After loading my kayak, and pulling it toward the beach, SNAP, my home-made kayak cart breaks. I tested it with just the weight of the kayak without a problem. I guess the additional load of my gear, plus the uneven surface was to much for the PVC. I believe this time I will look to order something made from metal, designed for this application.
Broken PVC kayak cart
Once we finally got to the fishing part, which seemed to take forever, we/I found fish right away. A small was up from our launch site was a nice rip and smaller, less obvious secondary rip. Both location where holding fish. I landed several small flounders & blues, plus two sea robbins. Made several drifts through this area, each time seemed like a hook-up or missed fish.

Then I broke a major rule with fishing, never leave fish to find other fish. So while I was not boating keepers, I decided to move on and discover new water. A move further North and I found a nice drop off. A nasty scum line was in the area with cocktail sized blues feeding on minnow type bait fish. I only managed to hook a few blues in this area and the ones I did came unbuttoned at the boat or in the boat. All fish found a way to get there freedom, unhelped from me, which I was perfectly ok with. I tried topwater plug, no takers.

Tide went slack and fishing stopped! I mean grinded to a sudden halt. About 45 mins to an hour and things began to turn back on. The tide started to move out and fishing picked back up. By this time I had started to work my way back towards the launch site, fishing in the earlier rip area. And had the same results, several small flounder, blues and sea robbin.
Fluke on Diawa SP in 22' of water
Keeper Blue @ 18"

263 Mile round trip