New Rod Build - Epic 476

I wanted to see what all the fuss is about with fiberglass rods.  So I decided to build myself one.  I saved up some money and ordered myself an Epic 476 in soo blue. 

It took about a week to get in and I was impressed. I tried an experiment with thread but it did not work out. So I ordered some YLI to wrap up the Snake Brand Guides.   Also ordered an agate stripping guy from J.E. Arguello.

One that didn't work

Much better

I decided to stick with the Ritz style handle that Zeb from Snowman Custom Rod Works showed me.  I love the feeling of this style.  It gives you a great ergonomic feeling and power.

The reel seat is nickle silver and a maple birdseye insert.

Got everything together and matched it up with a Hatch Fintastic reel.

Casting fiberglass is very different then graphite.  The Epic made my graphite feel like a broomstick.  It does take some getting use to.

I have only taken it out twice for an hour each time.  Only a little rock bass and a three inch wild brownie were landed.  So I am still waiting to see what fiberglass feels like with a decent fish on it. 

Hopefully that will come soon.  

Rises

I have been seeing a lot of bugs on the water, but I have not seen any rises. A couple here or there but not a fish that committed to eating off the top. 

That ended last Saturday.  I finally was in the right place at the right time.  Saw four fish rising in one hole. 

I cut off my nymph and picked out a dry. I was so excited that it took me five minutes to get my tippet through the eye. 

All the while the trout just kept coming up. Just adding more to my excitment. 

I finally got the fly on and cast out to them.  First drift, I had a take but no hookset. After the third cast, I got a nice little brownie in hand.  

Got to say.  Dry fly fishing is exciting and that made my day. 

Lunkerfest

Robb asked me if I was interested in going to "Lunkerfest" this year.  It's a tournament put on by a local fishing club. They stock trout from 14 to 30 inches in the Lehigh River.  With 100 tagged fish for prizes and stuff. 

I never been before so I thought I would see what it was about.  So woke up at 5am and picked Robb up around 6:30.  We went and registered around 7. 

Since fishing didn't start till 9. We went to a diner for breakfast and coffee.  We were both a little hung over and tired.  

After breakfast we headed back and found that it was packed as hell. It reminded me of salmon fishing in NY.  Definate combat fishing, which I do not do. 

We decided to stick around a bit and watch the circus. And that was exactly what it was. 

(About 200 people and 6 boats in a hole)

We waded down river from the madness but didnt get any hits. 

After a while we just left to hit another part of the river. 

I don't fish rivers much and of course got the skunk. But enjoyed the view and got to bring out the switch rod. Which is always fun even though I still have a lot to  learn to cast it. Robb even gave it a shot. 

Ended up taking Robb back and then went to meet up with my brother at a stream. 

Gotta say.  I am much better that steam fishing then rivers. First cast I had a fish on. 

Ended the day with a couple trout and Brett (brother) got five. 

Might head back to the river during the week to see if I can get any left overs from Lunkerfest.  But we'll see. 

After work session.

Got out after work yesterday.  I went to a stream I have yet to fish this year, but has been good in the past.  Within two casts I landed my first trout.   Walked down stream, casting into holes here and there.  The fish were there and they were hungry.  All fish were caught nymphing.

I did see a couple sulfurs coming off the water and was excited to finally hit a hatch. But it never developed and ended the day with nice rainbows and browns.

Took a while to figure what they wanted.

I was away on vacation last week.  Got back yesterday and wanted to get out.  

Went out today and I couldn't figure out what they wanted.  Finally got one to take an egg. After that nothing for a while. Switched up to the most natural flies I had and finally got hits again. Trying to set to hook with size 24 nymphs is not easy and I need practice on it. 

Some times the fish have to win.

Went out sat and sunday morning.  Not having much luck lately.  Was able to hook into a couple but non landed. 

I started to feel the frustration set in.  Then just looked around. Watching the wild life.  The ducks, geese, squirrels, and fish. It humbles me and just enjoy being in the outdoors. 

It was a good weekend fishing.  Wether it was by myself or with friends and family.  I love it. 

Pa Iron Fly

Beer was drunk. Flies were tied.  Met cool people. 

State opener 2014

Went up to my family house up in the poconos.  Had some dinner and hung out at the house for the night. 

Next morning got to the stream around 6:30 and waited for the 8:00 start.  

It was higher then I am use to. Which didn't help my day. Ended up getting 3 brookies on a wooly bugger.  Didn't have too many flies so went back and started to tie some more streamers. 

Weekend stockies

Got up early Saturday and met up with Brett and Tyler.  We started out at a small local stream and they both got one.  I did not even get a bite.  It was slow and we decided to hit another stream.

We hit the Lil Lehigh and did well.  I limited.  Tyler got 9 and Brett got three.

Brett did get his first Palomino.  22 inches.  He always had bad luck and never got one before.  So was happy to net it for him!

On Sunday head out with Robb and got the big skunk.  Don't know what happened but the fish turned off.  I did manage to hook one but my leader broke.  Ending up having to change it cause it was so bridle.

All in all a good weekend with family and friend.  Now have to refill my fly box for the statewide opening next weekend.

SE PA Opening Day 2014

I find that most fly fishermen don't like opening day and stay away from the circus.  But it's family tradition for me and I wouldn't give it up for the world.  I am not one of those fly fishermen that think I am better then spinner/bait fishermen.  As long as you fish by the rules, and have etiquette you are cool with me.

Got up around 4am and at the diner by 4:30.  Met up with Brett, Tyler, Pete and some of Tyler's family.  We all had breakfast and headed up to the stream.  Got there around 6am.  Of course it was packed, but we got a spot and messed around till 8am, then it was on.   Fish were caught right away.  It was a good day and once the rain started it was even better.  The crowds cleared out and we were able to move around the stream all day.

While fishing a woman asked if it was okay if she took our picture.  I said sure.  She was with three children.  Pete hooked a fish and let her son reel it in.  The kid was hooked and tried to catch one by himself.

After a little while we moved on and fished a little more down stream.  Then the woman came back with coffee for us.  Which was extremely nice.  Pete let her son use his fishing rod again and taught him a little about fishing.   I spoke with her a little and she has a web site WhatsGoingOnInTheLehighValley which is why she was taking pictures of us.  I forgot my camera and wasn't going to take my phone out in the rain.  So all pictures on the post are credited to her and her site.

We ended the day with decent numbers. I got 11, Brett got 13, Tyler was somewhere in the 20's, and Pete got 9.  I got fish on olive hare's ear, stone flies, egg patterns, wooly buggers, and pheasant tails.

More tying

Just been sitting down at night and cranking out some more flies.  Most of the time just playing with materials. Waiting for it the days to get longer and the air to get warmer.

A purple nymph

BWO with CDC wing.

Playing around with materials.

A simple swimming caddis

Playing around more with the swimming caddis.

For some reason i just can't sit and tie one pattern.

Tying and trying to fish.

Last weekend i went with Mike to check out The Classic Fisherman.  I fly shop in Lansdale. Great deals to say the least. We spent about an hour there and then made plans to have a tying session in the evening. 

Played around with the new materials in the afternoon. 

Got to Mikes around nine and was there for half the night. Beer, flytying, Misfits.  It was a good time. 

Sat at the vise for the rest of the week and played around. 

I decided to head out last Saturday since the trout streams are closed and only the fly fishing section is open. Also there were three different outdoor and fly shows in the area.  So i new it wouldnt be packed. 

I fished for two hours and only had one on and lost it.  Bite was extremely slow.  Was sight fishing to a trout and bounced the fly off his mouth and he just swam away.  Was still nice to get out.