Borneo Nabau Giant Reptile (Photo: photoshopped or holy shit!)

Borneo Reptile or ?

“But now local villagers living along the Baleh river in Borneo believe the mythical creature has returned after this photo of a gigantic snake swimming along the remote waterways has emerged.

The picture,  taken by a member of a disaster team monitoring flood regions by helicopter, has sparked a huge debate about whether the photos are genuine or merely the work of photo-editing software.

Earlier this month scientists unearthed the fossil of a killer snake that was longer than a bus, as heavy as a small car and which could swallow an animal the size of a cow.

The 45ft long monster – named Titanoboa – was so big that it lived on a diet of crocodiles and giant turtles, squeezing them to death and devouring them whole.”

http://www.oddnewsarticles.com/127.html

Steelhead (if you are not a swinger, then nymph)

Doll's Hair Nymph

Prince Nymph

Copper Swan

Cz Nymph

The Egg

 Lately, I have been on the river flailing about with a Spey Rod. I am determined to master the techniques because it is aesthetically pleasing; because I have invested in the gear and because I am surrounded by highly successful fly fishers, who use the technique to the exclusion of other techniques. Prior to picking up the Spey rod, I was never one to swing Green Butt Skunks or Freight Trains. I had transitioned to steelheading from drift gear. My steelheading was bobbers & jigs, hardware or slinky’s, corkies & yarn and NYMPH’s. I caught many steelhead, especially with the nymphs (Winter and Summer). 

The other day, I was trudging uphill, back to the rig, when I encountered a young man headed down hill. We exchanged pleasantries..the usual stuff. He asked if I was hanging it up for the day…I said yes. He said, too bad…He had had recent success each afternoon about this time. I asked what he was using and he said nymphs and eggs. He said he was ol’ school (he was probably late 20′s) and had not yet converted to a two hander. We parted and as I got out of the waders, I watched him below. Wading a short distance out, slinging and dredging an egg pattern, fishing the edges and rod held high. That was how I had fished for steelhead for years with a spinning rod and a fly rod. I still knew it had merit. When one fishes multiple ways on stillwaters and rivers, you get distracted from the basics as you search out new gear, flies, techniques and places.

For the beginner and/or those resistant to change, nymphing, as for trout will definitely work for that big sea going trout…the steelhead (even salmon). Tie or use nymphs in sizes 10 (I know you can go smaller, but no need) to size 6. Nymph the seams and pocket water. Strike indicators, roll casting and mending; it is the same. Beef up the rod, at least a 6-7 wt. 

Two handers, single handers, nymphing, swinging. Just part of the arsenal. Heck you may just find yourself sometime plunking eggs, back bouncing or pulling plugs. Stay loose.            

Sri Lankan HooK Set (outsourcing production tying~headed to Europe and Asia)

Sri Lanka

“Lanka Fishing Flies Ltd, a Sri Lankan based company which claims to be the largest producer of artificial fishing flies to the US market is exploring the possibility of penetrating the European and Asian markets. “Fly-fishing,” is a popular sport in the United States and we supply 90 per cent of artificial fishing flies to the USA market,” its Managing Director Suresh de Mel told Daily News Business. He said they export all products under the Umpqua brand and are proud to be the exclusive North American distributor for Tiemco hooks. For twenty years Tiemco has been the world’s most respected designer and manufacturer of hooks designed exclusively for fly-fishing.”

“He said that the fly fishing sport is gaining popularity rapidly in Europe and Asia. Therefore, they are now in the process of expanding into other regions as well. The idea was mooted by our founder, Dennis Black in 1972. As a fast and professional fly-tier, Dennis was known for his skills and speed in producing hundreds of dozens of flies each year for the larger mail order houses. However, he was also quick to realize how fast the demand for excellent flies would outstrip the abilities of cottage industry types run by him. He said that Dennis established the first of what would eventually be five separate fly-tying factories, first in India, then in Sri Lanka and finally in Thailand.”

http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/28/bus01.asp

I rarely buy flies. Every once in awhile, I will see a novel pattern and decide to buy it and study it further. This can be instructive as to proportionment and how the fly looks in your hands v. in a book, magazine or on the net in a poorly photographed thumbnail. Buyers in each shop have a large selection of flies to choose from via Umpqua, Idyllwild, Wapsi or ???. The flies are rarely the same once beyond the basic dries and nymphs. That is when each shop often carries a few patterns unique to other local shops. So, in my area, if I travel to Kaufmanns, River City, Oregon FF Outfitters or the Caddis Fly, I will observe a half-dozen unique patterns in each shop, not available in the other shops. If I see one unique and interesting I buy it. Some woman in Sri Lanka, India or Thailand may have labored over a vice to create one thousand+ of that unique pattern I have discovered in a shop in Eugene, Oregon.      

Switters B (origins amongst the juiced receptors of Tom Robbins)

By way of explaining, should even one person care, I thought I would explain Switters and B. Switters was born from the main character in Tom Robbins’  Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates. A character so diverse and betwixt that I just related at the time of my Tom Robbins binge. Have you read Tom Robbins? Any NW rain sodden brain should have read some Robbins. Why?

“Not infrequently, he’d spot one of them [girls] in the market again and exchange with her one of those futily desirous smiles that are like domestic postage on a letter to a foreign destination.”

“The old market, worn half away by dampness and fingerprints, sweat drops and shoe heels, pigeon claws and vegetable crates; soiled by butcher seepage, sequined with salmon scales, smelling of roses, raw prawns, and urine; blessedly freed for the winter from the demanding entertain-me-for-nothing! gawkings of out-of-town tourists, the market bustled now with fishmongers and Vietnamese farmers, florists and fruit vendors, famous chefs and food-smart housewives, gourmets and runaways, flunkies and junkies, coffee brewers and balloon benders, office workers and shopgirls and winos of all races.” (any NWester should know where this is)

“The Latino smiled, but it was not a friendly smile; it was, in fact, the sort of quasi-smile one observes on small dogs in the backseats of parked cars just before they begin to bark..”

“When she unhooked her bra, it was like a farmer unloading a cart, and when she pulled down her panties, Switters thought he was back up the Amazon.”  (Oh, baby)

(B)umpatter was born from an appreciation of the curved, the firm, the yielding.

Sage Rods (sign of the times…what’s next Walmart, Costco?)

Valley Angler: More proof that the apocalypse is near

A lot of companies are making major changes to their marketing strategies as well. One of the most shocking renovations announced a few weeks ago was that the Sage rod company would market a rod exclusively for Cabalas. Any shop that has been one of their dealers for any length of time and has maintained the inventories that Sage has required over that time period must be mortified. In my opinion the company sold out their dealers and sold their soul to Cabalas.

http://www.mountwashingtonvalley.com/buildIncludeW.lasso?-database=WWW_CDS_WeeklyArticle&-layout=WEB&-response=Story.lasso&-recordID=36928&-search

Actually, they can do what they need to, to survive…just a bit odd given how dictatorial they have been to so many shop owners. Maybe Walmart could say, ‘No thanks, our boys  don’t fish Sage’. 

Cut Trees~No Don’t Cut Trees (Common Sense Up in Flames)

Brush Fire, Australia

 

 

During question time at a packed community meeting in Arthurs Creek on Melbourne’s northern fringe, Warwick Spooner — whose mother Marilyn and brother Damien perished along with their home in the Strathewen blaze — criticised the Nillumbik council for the limitations it placed on residents wanting the council’s help or permission to clean up around their properties in preparation for the bushfire season. “We’ve lost two people in my family because you dickheads won’t cut trees down,” he said.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/02/11/environmentalism-killsagain/

This story highlights the issue of enviro policy that is wrapped in the climate change absurdities and the infringement upon property rights for the supposed greater good. The aftermath of such tragedies is often filled with enormous grief and anger. Hopefully, clear headed assessments will be made to determine if eco policies may have contributed to fuel that allowed the deadly fire to cause such harm. Common sense brush clearing or tree removal is not equal to Brazilian deforestation. Again, balance. 

Who’s Your Daddy? (Swift Microproducts may be……..)

Swift Micro Products~putting the knots in your legs

“The Daddy has been created in answer to a problem that has plagued fly fisherman for many years. Tying knots into pheasant tale feathers or any kind of fibre has long been a frustrating, time consuming activity. Now with the advent of this innovative and once used, invaluable tool, you will find yourself knotting a variety of fibres within minutes.”        http://www.swiftmicroproducts.co.uk/reviews.html

Fly Fishing Geography: Tasmania (always learning…the point of this blog)

Tasmania. I have heard of it.

My 2007 Christmas Is. Trip..Huh? There It Is...Tasmania

I am embarrassed to say, as someone that has a pretty good geographical fix on most places on Earth, that I had NEVER noticed where Tasmania was located. Don’t ask me why, but I always thought it was out there to the East, closer to New Zealand.

Tasmania

But, alas, as you can see, there it is right off the coast of Australia. So, just as I have recently learned about SE Europe Fly Fishing, Mongolian Eagle Hunting and the magicians with a Spey rod; I learned where exactly Tasmania was (well, and is). I wonder if my Christmas Is. skipper new where it was…obviously his clients did.     

“Just a point of order, Sir. Tasmania is a state of Australia… and Tasmanians would object to being ‘located’ – “just off the coast of Australia”. More correctly… Tasmania, is right off the coast of ‘mainland’ Australia.”  Dear God, can I display my ignorance any more soundly? (Yes, with my grammar and other ways)…..Thanks to  ’rantsampersandmore’

Quite amazing information from Mountain River  Journal re  Tasmania…..!!!!(see Comments Section)   http://mountainriverjournal.wordpress.com/

“Tasmanians avoid the term mainland Australia.
We refer to it as the North Island of Tasmania”

The Nymph Weave Technique (Lucian Vasies)

The Weave~Lucian Vasies

Lucian Vasies brings his excellent photography to the forefront in showing how to perform the weave technique (call it Polish Weave or shuttlecock, other names as well).

http://www.flytying.ro/masa_muscarului/article.php?id=324

Work around the language issue. Use the excellent visuals to figure out the methods,  whether the weave or other patterns. This site is more of an intermediate level skill set. 

The Last Chance

Within the streams, Pausanias saith,

That down Cocytus Valley flow,

Girdling the grey domain of Death,

The spectral fishes come and go;

The ghosts of trout flit to and fro.

Persephone, fulfil my wish,

And grant that in the shades below

My ghost may land the ghosts of fish.