Electronic Mosquito Repellents Don’t Work, Say Researchers

As I sit here tonight with pulsing mosquito bites on my ankels, I recall someone last night remarking, as we ran for interior respite from the bites, that someone was marketing a new device that is worn or held that can repel mosquitos via a sound beyond the range of human hearing. EMR’s apparently receive mixed reviews,  so I wanted to delve into the devices in the current market and revisit the sprays and potions to see what is currently judged the most efficient. 

“For more than 50 years, DEET has been the “gold standard” of mosquito repellents. DEET was discovered during a USDA screening program that tested 40,000 chemicals in an expensive process that took a decade.”

I have used Avon Skin So Soft and Off etc. I have bought those super concentrated DEET juice containers at Army Surplus stores…they work but any sun on your skin and the skin cracks, which is not comforting. I know this: Citronella filled Tiki Lamps (6 of them and a mini on the table) did nothing to curb the critters! So, if anyone has current success with a Non Haz Mat concoction let me/us know. And, if one of those gizmo’s works, let us know that too.  

Andy Calnan Photography (Visit His Blog)

Clouds Over Stony Brook~Andy Calnan

Check out Andy’s new blog displaying his photographic efforts….watch it grow.

Breasts (Сиськи) Not Bombs (Russia Gives Peace A Chance….adult content)

It is good to see that Russian women are taking the lead in promoting world peace via their ‘boobs’. A little gnarly but peace has to start somewhere. Slightly more polished and more provocative this peace movement has potential for detente. Remember now how, historically, Russians have recruited double agents….careful here. Adult Content…turn away if you are too young or whipped. What does this possibly have to do with fly fishing or fly tying you ask? World Peace=Open Borders=New Waters=New Fly fishing Opportunities. I am doing my part to promote the peace initiative. Amazingly beautiful women on the one site…it you are into that.

Flymphs (combines the best of the nymph and the emerger)

McGee's Flymph PMD

         Flymphs

• term ‘flymph’ describes the transitional hatching stage between nymph (or pupa) and dun or adult insect
• introduced (1941-1979) by Hidy and Leisenring - influenced by Skues, called “the American Skues”
• fished throughout water column with movement e.g. the ‘Leisenring lift’
• shaggy body materials trap gas bubbles – may mimic gas bubbles trapped beneath exoskeleton of pupa and nymph that facilitate ascent and eclosion.
• Patterns

Happy 4th of July (Enjoy and Be Safe Out There)

Hey! It is Independence…Not Dependence…Screw The Nanny State!!!

Tilapia (non-native species can take a fly and are tasty)

Tilapia

Tilapia Flies by 'Graham' @ talkflyfishing

“In South Florida, USA, the spotted tilapia (at least in the eyes of some biologists) has earned the ignominious distinction of not only being a rapidly spreading pest species, but having served as a ready-made argument for the state’s existing desire to introduce an additional exotic fish to the area. The piscivorous South American peacock cichlid, Cichla ocellaris, was introduced in the mid-1980′s, ostensibly in part to control populations of the abundant spotted tilapia. To what extent the peacock cichlid has been successful at controlling spotted tilapia or to what degree it has outperformed the native largemouth bass in this capacity is a matter of some debate. Certainly there are now two exotic fishes where once there was one and an ecological equilibrium between predator and prey appears to have been established. Populations of both introduced species are stable and an additional cichlid has joined the roster of introduced fishes in South Florida.”

Of course, make sure the water source is safe and not waste water, not that seems to matter to some non-fly fishers. Interesting Florida has intro’d Peacock Bass to help manage the Tilapia. I wondered why I was watching shows re fishing for Peacock in the canal. These fish seem akin to perch or bluegills and are supposedly tasty. If they could readily take a fly (can’t be any harder than a Carp) then a 2-3 wt. would be a sporting combo. I thought the flies above by Graham may have some other applications as well. 

Who Owns the Sea? As the world’s seas become the last–grossly overfished–frontier, who is the sheriff?

“All this begs the question, who owns the sea? You might think that in a modern democracy we, the citizens, should be the owners. But European and national law, such as it is, really protects only the rights of a number of vested interests, such as those of fishermen. Yet few fishermen prosper, for the law as it is keeps them effectively in a state of anarchy, a race for the last fish, in which only the most rapacious and most technologically-advanced survive.”

Volcanic Eruptions and Lightning

Volcanic Lightning, Mt. Redoubt, March 27, 2009

Volcano’s and Lightning

A Wet Fly…A Streamer? Can’t Remember (Forgotten, Found, Give It a Try)

I was out in the shed, the one piled with camping stuff, Christmas stuff and bikes long since abandoned by kids. Setting on a shelf beneath a old external frame backpack, broken white gas camping stove and a cracked plastic toboggan was an old plastic tub. The kind you now buy licorice in at Costco. It was full of several hundred flies that were never used. Discarded as never pulled from the active boxes or just not standing the approval of the moment by me. Dumped into a plastic grave and set on a shelf to be further buried by the outdoor’s discarded tools. I reached into that tub and grabbed a handful of failures and, as a good story goes, saw a couple little glimmering gems. At least this morning they seemed worthy of possible redemption. Simple, suggestive patterns tied about 25 years ago…….

Wet Fly w/ floss body~G. Muncy

Brown Floss Wet~G. Muncy

You know those just might work. This time at least, I plan on making the effort to put these before a fish. The old Mustad hooks deserve a dunking

Dayle's Bend, Montana

Hare’s Ear Nymph (3 Faces of a Rabbit)

Traditional Hare’s Ear w/ Mylar Wingcase~G. Muncy

Hare’s Ear Nymph (Basic Black)~G. Muncy

Hare's Ear Nymph (Combo of Colors)~G. Muncy

Always a staple, The Hare’s Ear Nymph, nothing much changes that. Calculated for the chunky clinger/crawler nymph. Why not mix up the colors beyond basic tan. I tied the tan one with the flashy wingcase. Some have commented that a darker wingcase is in order. Both have merit and both work. 

Oh, this Oregon woman is doing everything in her power to thwart the Hare’s Ear Fly.