Fly Fishing & the Loop Knot

Loop Knot attached to spoon, but perfect for many fly patterns as well. SwittersB

Tie that basic overhand knot first, then run the tag end through the eye of the hook and then finish off like a regular clinch/cinch, Trilene knot,

Just a refresher for the beginning fly fisher to remember this simple loop knot for many of your fly fishing presentations where freedom of movement is desired for the fly pattern. I have seen fly fishers use the loop knot on dry fly patterns, although I haven’t tried it myself. I invariably use this simple knot for all nymphs and streamer/buggers. FlyFishLouisiana

Food: Deep Fried Pickles?

Came across this interesting recipe at Sweet Pea’s Kitchen. I have had a hankering of late for those gems that go so well with beer: deep fried this and that or those salty asparagus spears wrapped in bacon I profiled a ways back. So deep fried pickles might be oh so good in that ranch sauce.

Deep Fried Pickles at Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Sandy River Flooding: Land Use vs. The Reg’s Sloth

The substantial flooding on the Sandy River last January rattled many of home owner’s nerves if that watched their yard crumble away. Now after three quarters of a year, the bureaucracy has squandered the Spring/Summer months for construction efforts. No permits. Your Watch Dog at work. Pathetic. Yes, questions abound about the where/whether homes should be built near rivers. That said, they were built and the ass dragging system of reg’s (the one that many seem hell bent on tripling in size in all directions) has failed this time around, in my humble estimation, to make some decision, any decision, in a timely manner.

OREGON LIVE RE SANDY RIVER REHAB OR LACK OF REHAB 

Hiking Trails & Not Prepared? Oregon Woman Overdue

As I listen to it pouring outside this morning, I can imagine the front bunched up against the Cascade Mountain Range and in particular the Mt. Hood area. Lost is a woman, Lidiya Dmitriyevna Russu, who parked near a trail head to do what, I don’t know (mushroom hunt, take a hike, contemplate a view, etc). The opinion is she was not prepared to spend the night. Another person’s outdoor plight is your reminder to be prepared for outdoor emergencies. You know the drill. I have posted often enough here re outdoor safety considerations. The reminder is don’t make that careless mental decision to forego the pack, the gear, the notifications that will keep you healthy and found. Best wishes Lidiya……. end of 10/10, still not found

Lidiya Dmitriyevna Russu overdue in the Mt. Hood area. Search and Rescuers are no doubt moving in right now at first light.

Update 10-12-2011

“In making the decision to suspend the search, the sheriff’s office consulted with Dr. Terri Schmidt, a medical doctor from Oregon Health & Science University who is an expert in emergency medicine and wilderness survival. They also reached out to other experts in the search-and-rescue community for advice.

“Mrs. Russu had very limited wilderness survival experience and was not properly dressed or equipped to stay in the wilderness,” Rhodes said. “Given the heavy rain, low temperatures and high winds, the likelihood that Mrs. Russu will be recovered alive is outweighed by the extreme risk posed to searchers in this rugged terrain and wintery weather.” HuffPo

Bikers & The Smell of Fear or ………………….

THAT LOOKS REFRESHING ABOUT NOW! 

Of Course, Somethings Are What They Appear...But, Then Again........

Fly Fishing: Avoiding Cuff Creep…Stirrups

Well, the change in the weather sends a reminder of readying our cold weather gear for colder water temps. Long ago, I made the move to pile pants beneath my waders, after I smartly converted from neoprene to Gore-Tex. More recently, I was fortunate to acquire Stirrup’d pile pants (SPP). I suddenly felt a Déjà vu moment in fashion history…..

Perhaps it was the 1960's or was it the 80's? It does take some self confidence to wear this style, especially with Crocs

So, in the Winter when everything is bunched up and binding on cold days, it is nice to feel smooth and non-binding around the legs and ankles when walking/wading. If your wife or gal pal is over 50 (er…40?) y/o, she may have an old pair of polyester stirrup pants stashed away. Actually, I’d check the local fly shop for a more suitable pair with higher insulation.

No creeping cuffs. A fashion statement resurrected. Functional. Forget the big perm.

Hackle & Hair: Passing Fancy?

Hackles in Women’s Hair: I positively am sick of this topic, but I must add a bit to it based on anecdotal evidence of college young women I know. They (3) of them attending game day, frat and sorority events, oh yeah…classes, have observed a drastic fall off of feathers in the hair. Course that is just Dawgs, Ducks and Beavers territories.

Cree Hackle

Now if this be true, let’s hope the gluttony at Whiting ceases and the prices reduce way back down, without excuses, to the pre-hair adornment craze. What was the pre-craze kill rate per day and the craze kill rate…? Just curious. I know, why should I care?

 

Fly Fishing: Prep & Common Sense

Lately my life, like many of yours, has been consistently diverse and problematic. I learned yesterday that a pesky upper back issue requires surgery, and soon. Persistent pain indicated something was not right.

Well geese! Surgery? I will miss out on fishing after surgery. I thought I better get in a little fishing while I could. Silvers, late Summer Steelhead and a few Chinook were pushing up the river. Out I went. I would don my waders and try the two hander. I hadn’t had any chance to use it since last Winter.

I was pretty much alone. Maybe a half dozen anglers, mostly gear guys, & a few ladies, lined the bank. Salmon were breaking the surface. Mischievous Jack's jumped into the air, no doubt avoiding an aggravated mature male. The clouds hung low and only the faintest sprinkles hit my lens.

When I put on my waders and packed away the needed tools and prepared the rod, I felt pretty relaxed. I walked to the river’s edge and felt energized and care free. I had very nice conversations with some fellow fly fishers and lit my briar. What an afternoon…yes, indeed.

The crossover, lifting the line up and back. Pivoting with the bottom hand (not the top...an impulse I may always fight given how infrequently I get out)

There was a hint above: my spey rod hand not been used since last Winter. The Skagit line and 15′ cheater were still on the reel. I gave no consideration to the balancing of the line to the water’s depth etc. I stood out there attempting to get the hang of it all and frankly I sucked. I did not have the proper line on…where was that Scandi…oh, back up at the truck. Too impatient to re-rig or study in advance and re-rig.

I could not get the proper movements down and soon felt this odd sensation in my upper back. Next lesson: passion for fishing…the obsessive drive once on or near the water is a force we praise and cherish. But, sometimes common sense suffers. What a bozo! I had just, this day, received word from the Ortho Surgeon about the need for surgery….he explained why. Definitive…no nonsense advice to ‘take it easy’.

Nope…hear I am on the river needing to wet a line because I could foresee it being a cold day in hell…or December before I fish again. And, by then I will be cold, further out of shape and struggling….yes better to get out there now!

Soon the pain intruded each time I lifted the rod to raise the line and recast. Eventually, I was making a sound like a tennis player who yells each time they hit the ball. I looked about to see if anyone was looking at me. I think they were if only for the crap casting.

I thought perhaps a fish would grab this pink little morsel, plus it was easier to cast. The larger pink Intruder pattern was just that much extra wind resistant calamity upon the water's surface. SwittersB

Eventually, I did the unthinkable. I decided to leave the water at the prime time for the salmon bite. My gut wrenched. My brain quaked. My damn spine was ready to explode. I considered getting the single hander rigged and slinging some egg pattern beneath a strike indicator. Hello!!!

All those considerations went by the wayside as I felt nausea and broke out into a cold sweat. I hiked up the embankment and made it back to my truck. It took all I had to break down the rod. I put it in back with out putting it into its case. I struggled to get into my truck. I didn’t take off the waders. I knew I couldn’t. It was a long drive home. Terrible pain. My guardian angel guided me to safety this evening.

So, as obvious as it appears: balance your gear to the waters at hand. Be prepared. And, recognize fishing’s OCD vs. Common Sense (Risk Avoidance) Dynamic. I am writing this today, slightly medicated….I hope it makes sense. 

 

Fly Rods (Pretty in Pink, er…Raspberry?)

Elkhorn Ladies Series T Fly Reel

The Pink Series Elkhorn Fly Rod

ELKHORN FLY ROD & REEL  &  Project Healing Waters

Fly Fishing: BailFly…Whoa Nice Work!

Check out this site's work....beautiful in deed

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