The Swing State

Late season stealheading

October Trout

It was got damn cold out but with no trips on the board, might as well go fishing.

Updates from camp

There's no time to waste at camp.  We started off with a bit of a fishing bender, putting 4 days on the water away from camp.

We've got a bunch of new gear around camp.  Eleven new Beulah rods including my 13'8" 8wt Spey, 8 new mirage reels, 2 Waterworks reels, a dozen new (rubber soled) boots, and a number of lines.  (More on gear later)

We had a few trips on the Kasilof for Kings, and while the fishing was slow we brought a few to the boat, as well as a couple steelhead and dollies.

Ever spent the night in a yurt?

Don't Be Shy

With the price of fly rods you would hope that you're getting a quality machine that will do whatever you ask it to.  That being said, how many people do you know who have broken a rod, how'd they do it?  I would bet that it was either in a car door, stepping on it, or that it was compromised heavily before being stressed and broken.

Of course, some rods break easier than others.  I have reports of 10# Helios rods wilting under heavy power, were as my 8# BII MX  has taken beatings on gravel and still fishes like a trabucco.  Assuming that you haven't thrown your meatwhistle into the tip section of your 6# half a dozen times, what exactly does it take to break a rod?

Also, do you have any idea what kind of pressure you're actually exerting?  The most common problem I find with seasoned fly fishers is that they play it too nice.

I say seasoned because a lot of clients I take out aren't and are not afraid to manhandle their rod, and only very rarely is it too much.

If you pull you damn hardest on your rod, do you know what that translates to in pounds exerted on the tippet - not a lot.

Check this video out, listen to the amount of  pounds Tim calls out and watch what it take to snap these sticks.

If you're not impressed with this factory test, here's Andy Mill (you might know him for his olympic skiing bids and Vail native) trying his best to break a Hardy 12# over a Florida shark:

How have you broken a rod?

P:T Goes Abroad

P:T GOES ABROAD.  Announcing P:T's first ever international fly fishing adventure.  Where too? The Philippines.  The Philippines is not sold as one of the world's premier salt water fly fishing destinations, but with over 7,000 islands and world class diving there must be something to target on the fly.  That's right, I will be traveling to the Philippines, officially to work with a UK-based community conservation organization and unofficially to test myself in the waters of the South Pacific.  Giant Trevaliy, sail fish, exotic reef species, await my catch.

I will be located in Salvacion on the island of Busuanga, southwest of the Capital Manila.  My stay extends from October 15th or so until just before Christmas.

http://siargaofishing.com/

I will be traveling with an 8wt and a 12wt, floating and intermediate lines.  My knowledge of this corner of the world is limited, I know only of boxing, my grandfather's WWII stories, and the sort.  So a plea to anyone with word to share, hand me some intel.  Any insight into the fishing, people, culture, food, beverage, sailing, will help in my presence.

http://siargaofishing.com

Playing the Blues

It is often over looked, but New England, that provincial corner of the US known for it's yankee way, thick tradition, Ivy Leagues and maple syrup sports some of the best Salt Water fishing off the shores of  the USA.  New England's industry was built on fish, cod mostly but haddock, scup, swordfish and lobster as well.  With the demise of the commercial fishery, whether correlated or not, sport fish have gained recognition and attract pursuers to the North East waters.

Striped Bass are the king but there are others in the court.  False Albacore, most notably, along with Blue Fish, Tuna, Black Sea Bass, Swordfish and others.  The word has been that the Ablies are in thick and they are a rush on the fly, to be sure.  That being said the weather has not been favorable and should continue to piss on us for the foreseeable future.  I took out the MaryLou and with her low profile and short length I was content to stay within the break water off Watch Hill, RI.  Birds were active, the wind was steady and the tide was outgoing.  Not the most favorable conditions for a day on the water.  I put in some time and shrugged the frustration of not being able to go where the fish were, beyond the protection of the point and the breakwater, but managed to land and few nonetheless.

This gaudy bait pattern is reminiscent of a coho fly out of my AK box

Blue Fish don't have the sport fish aura but they are fun, blitz hard, and
are eager to please

Some don't like to eat Blue Fish but as for me, it's tasty.  It can be a little oily but that keeps it moist on the grill.  Some simple seasoning and a side of couscous, and a Narragansett Beer.

Stormy weather over the sound

Tying bait patterns doesn't require the finesse and dexterity demanded by midge patterns and dries.  They are bold, even gaudy at times (see above), but do take a certain type of attention.  Shape, size and color all matter but just like all fly angling the presentation, and in the salt, the retrieve is what separates the catches from the catch-nots.  I picked up some Enrico Puglisi Fibers at River & Riptide Angler in Coventry, RI (great place by the way) and have fallen in love again.  Paired with Yak Hair, Krystal Flash, Flashabou, Eyes, Deer Hair, whatever, it ties and fishes great.  At $5.99 it better.

Home-made rainbow anchovy pattern, as long as it looks
good and has eyes it'll work

EP Mullet patten

I swear by Black after dark.  Stripers love it; I love it

Tying station, if you haven't used EP Fibers for bait patterns, pick some up

Sharpies can add barring and gills of these patterns easily.  I carry a few for on-the-water alterations.

Check out Elliot's blog for some Albie action: eliotjenkinsfishing. (He's got a bigger boat.)  A new comer to NE, he's making it happen.  GreasyBeaksFlyFishing.

There's a benefit to being back on the East Coast this time of year.  Stipers are running and word is the False Albacore are in thick.  I've made it out in the newly acquired Marylou a few times to no avail but last weekend that all changed.

She's not much but she's all mine

The Marylou and her casting platform

Narrows River, Narraganset, RI

Go Black after dark

A benefit of a boat, bare feet and lots of room

First salt fish on a fly, Striped Bass, RI

Stripers get hungry after dark