Some of the best memories I have of my childhood are opening day bird hunts with my Dad. He started taking me dove hunting with him when I was around 3. I couldn’t keep up with him walking so sitting on a tank dam on warm evenings waiting on the dove to fly were just perfect. He’d shoot a bird and I’d run and get it. The running joke was he didn’t need a retriever, he had me. By the time I was 5 or 6, I could keep up, and he began taking me on quail hunts. I thought I was big when Mom gathered up and safety pinned the neck of his game vest enough that I could wear the thing without it dropping off my shoulders. There’s no telling how many shells I lost out of the pockets of that old vest as it would bounce off my shins and hang up in the brush. He didn’t care though. After going thru the same ritual with my son, I realized he was probably just as happy to have me tag along as I was for mine to be there.
When I was 9, I came home from school one day and found an old Savage single shot 20 gauge lying in the floor next to his Franchi 12. I remember wanting it so bad but I was afraid to ask because of the devastation I’d feel if the answer were to be no. So I did the next best thing and asked if he’d bought himself a new shotgun. He said that he had but was afraid it was too short for him and asked me to try it out. I made sure it was empty and shouldered the well worn stock. He said he thought it would fit me better and asked if I thought I could hit a bird with it. I can't remember my reply but I'm sure it included a grin.
I took 4 birds the next day with that old Savage. I have no idea how because I bet I didn't sleep 15 minutes the night before. In fact, for several nights before every opening day, I would have trouble sleeping. I was just too excited. I would be tired and try to sleep but my mind, even at that age, wouldn't shut up. Visions of the coming hunt would swirl around in my brain until the wee hours of the morning before I'd drift off to sleep. I don't hunt much anymore, instead I fish. In a few days I'm leaving on a fishing trip to Colorado and guess what; I'm having trouble sleeping. Long gone are the opening days with Dad, but I still get excited just like I did back then. I can't help it. I'm still just a kid.
D
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Briminator
This past week, I've been working on a new fly rod and have neglected T.D.F. It's not something I'm proud of and hope it won't happen again. That being said, with my mind wrapped up in silk guide wraps, I haven't been able to come up with a post; until today.
Some of you may have wondered what fly that is in the picture at the top of the home page. It's a Briminator. Funny name huh? I tell you what, you won't be laughing at the name if you try one. You'll be giggling about all the fish you're catching.
This little fly is amazing. It's my go-to fly and will catch fish when nothing else is working. Bluegill absolutely cannot resist the thing; hence the name. But, it seems that other species can't resist it either. I've been fishing this fly for going on 4 years now and it consistantly catches bass, crappie, and catfish.
Next week, I'm heading to Colorado to do a little trout fishing and I'm taking a handfull of these little guys with me. Normally I tie it on a size 10 hook but I've got a little sump'n sump'n for Mr. Finicky B. Trout. I whipped up a few of them on size 16 & 18 hooks. In fact, the one in the pic is a size 16. I'll be sure to let you know when I get back if the Briminator can also be known as the Troutinator.
If you tie flies and want to catch some warm water species, here is how I tie it:
Hook - Mustad 3366 #10
Eyes - Gold Beadchain
Collar - Pheasant
Body - Dark Brown Dubbing
Tail - Marabou from bottom of Pheasant Feather
1.) Build up a small amount of thread about 1 bead width behind hook eye.
2.) Attach beadchain using figure 8 wraps & secure with a drop of glue & wrap thread to hook bend.
3.) Remove marabou from the bottom of the Pheasant feather and attach to top of hook at the bend.
4.) Twist the dubbing onto thread and wrap foward, over the top & between the eyes returning the thread to just behind the eyes.
5.) Attach the remainder of the feather just behind the eyes.
6.) Wrap (not palmer) the feather forward toward to the eyes, making sure to pull feather fibers back towards hook bend after each wrap.
7.) Once you have the collar on the way you want it, add a little more dubbing & wrap back to just in front of the eyes.
8.) Whip finish, add a drop of superglue & you're done... Good luck!
D
Some of you may have wondered what fly that is in the picture at the top of the home page. It's a Briminator. Funny name huh? I tell you what, you won't be laughing at the name if you try one. You'll be giggling about all the fish you're catching.
This little fly is amazing. It's my go-to fly and will catch fish when nothing else is working. Bluegill absolutely cannot resist the thing; hence the name. But, it seems that other species can't resist it either. I've been fishing this fly for going on 4 years now and it consistantly catches bass, crappie, and catfish.
Next week, I'm heading to Colorado to do a little trout fishing and I'm taking a handfull of these little guys with me. Normally I tie it on a size 10 hook but I've got a little sump'n sump'n for Mr. Finicky B. Trout. I whipped up a few of them on size 16 & 18 hooks. In fact, the one in the pic is a size 16. I'll be sure to let you know when I get back if the Briminator can also be known as the Troutinator.
If you tie flies and want to catch some warm water species, here is how I tie it:
Hook - Mustad 3366 #10
Eyes - Gold Beadchain
Collar - Pheasant
Body - Dark Brown Dubbing
Tail - Marabou from bottom of Pheasant Feather
1.) Build up a small amount of thread about 1 bead width behind hook eye.
2.) Attach beadchain using figure 8 wraps & secure with a drop of glue & wrap thread to hook bend.
3.) Remove marabou from the bottom of the Pheasant feather and attach to top of hook at the bend.
4.) Twist the dubbing onto thread and wrap foward, over the top & between the eyes returning the thread to just behind the eyes.
5.) Attach the remainder of the feather just behind the eyes.
6.) Wrap (not palmer) the feather forward toward to the eyes, making sure to pull feather fibers back towards hook bend after each wrap.
7.) Once you have the collar on the way you want it, add a little more dubbing & wrap back to just in front of the eyes.
8.) Whip finish, add a drop of superglue & you're done... Good luck!
D
Monday, August 10, 2009
David Lewis 1943 - 2009
Last week I lost a friend and the world lost a master rod builder. Dave Lewis of Performance Fly Rods passed away after battling pancreatic cancer at the age of 66. He will be missed by many.
About a year and a half ago, I began emailing Dave asking questions about choosing wrap colors, finishing techniques, components, and just about every other aspect of rod building that I could think of. I’m sure he was a busy man but he took the time to return each and every email with answers to all of my questions. Soon, it turned into me sending him pictures of rods that I built and he would critique them. He was very open about things I did on a build that he liked and never hesitated to point out the things that he didn’t care for. We had different tastes but that was okay with both of us. Even though I had just begun building rods, he respected my opinion and never tried to force his on me.
His rods are as pretty as they come. His writing and photos are awesome. Even though I never got to look the man in the eye or shake his hand, I counted him as a friend. I only wish I had known him longer.
About a year and a half ago, I began emailing Dave asking questions about choosing wrap colors, finishing techniques, components, and just about every other aspect of rod building that I could think of. I’m sure he was a busy man but he took the time to return each and every email with answers to all of my questions. Soon, it turned into me sending him pictures of rods that I built and he would critique them. He was very open about things I did on a build that he liked and never hesitated to point out the things that he didn’t care for. We had different tastes but that was okay with both of us. Even though I had just begun building rods, he respected my opinion and never tried to force his on me.
His rods are as pretty as they come. His writing and photos are awesome. Even though I never got to look the man in the eye or shake his hand, I counted him as a friend. I only wish I had known him longer.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fishy Kid
Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know about a new website and program that Cameron Mortenson of The Fiberglass Manifesto and Kevin Powell of Red Dirt Studio have launched. It's called Fishy Kid and was put together to give children that love to fish another way to have fun with the sport while helping parents teach their kids respect for nature and conservation. Currently they are holding a coloring contest for youngsters with a coloring book that was illustrated by some of today's hottest angling artists. All kids have to do is log on and register, then download the coloring book and get busy. They have tons of sponsors on board that have donated prizes (and I don't mean toy prizes either) for the winners. If you are interested, they even have a way for you to donate to help keep this thing going and growing. Stop by and check it out.
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