This is just a quick post to give you an update on the quest I’m on to develop my own line of fly rods.
Things are beginning to come together. The first run of prototype blanks are due to be delivered tomorrow. I’m very excited about this. Hopefully I’ll be able to work with the blank supplier to tweak the blanks and give the fly caster the feel I’m looking for.
Another development is that I got a wood turning lathe for Christmas. I’m going to turn my own reel seat inserts. Maybe with the help of Mark Malczynski, I’ll get it figured out in time to include them on my first builds.
Stay tuned as I post further developments on the birth of D.F. Fly Rods.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Christmas Lists
This holiday season I’ve been surfing the net, doing some blog reading and have noticed a lot of them are putting out gear lists trying to give folks ideas of what to get the fly fisherman in their life. There is a lot of cool gear out there but I’m not going to sit here and give you a list of neat gadgets, reels, or rods. I figure if you’re reading a fly fishing blog then you know what’s out there and a pretty good idea of what gift you intend to purchase.
What I’d like to do is give you a list of fly fishing destinations. This won’t be your ordinary garden variety destination list though. This one is strictly for warm water species and some of them may not be locations that you’ve heard of.
South Llano River State Park This State Park is just south of Junction, TX. It’s a great river to float or wade and it’s where I caught my first Rio Grande Cichlid.
Brazos River Below Lake Whitney There are several access points to the river below the dam near Hillsboro, TX. This fishery provides chances for both small mouth and large mouth bass, white bass, bluegill and carp. It’s also a great river to float or wade. But, if you hear the horn at the dam signal an immanent water release, get out of the river. The water comes up quicker than you think.
If white bass are what you long for; this spring don’t overlook the Nolan River in Hill County, TX. It boasts an awesome springtime white bass run. It’s known by most Texas fly fishermen and nearly every spin caster so it gets a lot of pressure. But, there’s not very many things are as fun as tossing a Clouser at schooling sandies.
Most everyone knows that crappie make some of the best table fare. If you have a boat, Miller Creek Lake near Munday, TX is a great place to go. Bring at least a sink tip along and hit the brush piles.
I saved my favorite place for last. Caddo Lake in far East Texas is warm water heaven. All I can say about this fishery is I love it. Give Billy Carter a yell and he will put you on the fish. If you find yourself in Uncertain, TX (yes there is such a place) check out Johnson’s Ranch. It’s the epitome of a fish camp; nothing fancy but hey, you’re there to fish right?
Oh by the way, Merry Christmas.
d
What I’d like to do is give you a list of fly fishing destinations. This won’t be your ordinary garden variety destination list though. This one is strictly for warm water species and some of them may not be locations that you’ve heard of.
South Llano River State Park This State Park is just south of Junction, TX. It’s a great river to float or wade and it’s where I caught my first Rio Grande Cichlid.
Brazos River Below Lake Whitney There are several access points to the river below the dam near Hillsboro, TX. This fishery provides chances for both small mouth and large mouth bass, white bass, bluegill and carp. It’s also a great river to float or wade. But, if you hear the horn at the dam signal an immanent water release, get out of the river. The water comes up quicker than you think.
If white bass are what you long for; this spring don’t overlook the Nolan River in Hill County, TX. It boasts an awesome springtime white bass run. It’s known by most Texas fly fishermen and nearly every spin caster so it gets a lot of pressure. But, there’s not very many things are as fun as tossing a Clouser at schooling sandies.
Most everyone knows that crappie make some of the best table fare. If you have a boat, Miller Creek Lake near Munday, TX is a great place to go. Bring at least a sink tip along and hit the brush piles.
I saved my favorite place for last. Caddo Lake in far East Texas is warm water heaven. All I can say about this fishery is I love it. Give Billy Carter a yell and he will put you on the fish. If you find yourself in Uncertain, TX (yes there is such a place) check out Johnson’s Ranch. It’s the epitome of a fish camp; nothing fancy but hey, you’re there to fish right?
Oh by the way, Merry Christmas.
d
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sharing a Cold and Wet Day of Fishing
The alarm clock rang out, my wife gently touched my shoulder and I raised myself to a sitting position. After convincing my arthritic knees and ankles they could once again support my weight, I staggered off to the bathroom. It was 2:30 in the morning and I was happy. I was going fishing. 245 miles later, Doug Hollen, Carl Sims, and I were fishing the Blue River in Oklahoma. It was cold and wet but we managed a few rainbows.
Doug struck first taking this nice one on a midge.
Carl answered with this chunk taken on a jitterbee of all things.
I have been determined to take a trout on a briminator. I began the day using them and promptly got broken off twice after vicious hits. Now that I know they’ll work, all I have to do is bring a trout to hand and get a photo of it with the triumphant briminator planted firmly in its lip. Then I’ll be satisfied. I did get on the board though with this guy who fell to another Doug Hollen tied midge.
Carl ended the day with this toad. It was the fish of the day and gave Carl and his little 4wt a run for their money.
At the end of the day, we were standing around saying our goodbye’s, when Doug commented on how it’s always fun to go fishing but it’s infinitely more fun when a day of fishing is spent with the camaraderie of good friends. He was absolutely right. I mean, come on getting up at 2:30 and driving over 200 miles to stand in bone numbing cold water waving a stick in the air is fun; getting to share it with a couple of buddies makes it special…
Doug struck first taking this nice one on a midge.
Carl answered with this chunk taken on a jitterbee of all things.
I have been determined to take a trout on a briminator. I began the day using them and promptly got broken off twice after vicious hits. Now that I know they’ll work, all I have to do is bring a trout to hand and get a photo of it with the triumphant briminator planted firmly in its lip. Then I’ll be satisfied. I did get on the board though with this guy who fell to another Doug Hollen tied midge.
Carl ended the day with this toad. It was the fish of the day and gave Carl and his little 4wt a run for their money.
At the end of the day, we were standing around saying our goodbye’s, when Doug commented on how it’s always fun to go fishing but it’s infinitely more fun when a day of fishing is spent with the camaraderie of good friends. He was absolutely right. I mean, come on getting up at 2:30 and driving over 200 miles to stand in bone numbing cold water waving a stick in the air is fun; getting to share it with a couple of buddies makes it special…
d
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