Windknots & Tangled Lines

Memorial Day 2012

2012-05-25T14:28:00.001-06:00

While we all enjoy our family time, fishing time or however you choose to spend this long weekend, please take a few moments to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live free.

God Bless the United States and the many that have served.

Shout out to Jay Zimmerman

2012-05-23T07:24:00.001-06:00

I wrote a post yesterday that I really didn't really mean to write. Well, let me clarify. It ended up going in a different direction than what I had originally planned. Not that my post was insincere, it wasn't. I meant every word and really give kudos to those that have amazing fly tying skills and take the time to pass it on.

And every so often I get the opportunity to watch those people with their amazing skills and I appreciate it. But truth be told, my favorite fly tyer is sort of an unsung hero, except perhaps to his legion of followers.

What I admire most about Jay Zimmerman besides his fly tying skills and his sense of humor is that he is approachable. Perhaps better said is, before you get a chance to approach Jay, he's going to approach you hand outstretched with a smile on his face.

According to Jay's bio he's worked as an

archaeologist, infantry paratrooper, commercial halibut fisherman, hunting guide in Alaska and Canada, fly fishing guide, carpenter, has written and published a book of fishing stories (with another one on the way), and perhaps most importantly, he's a contract fly designer and has quite a few commercial patterns with Umpqua feather Merchants and is an ambassador for Loon Outdoors.

You can catch Jay at Rocky Mountain Anglers in person or read his blog at Colorado fly fishing reports.

Geez, I don't do poppers

2012-05-21T10:42:00.000-06:00

What's wrong with me? I used to be a run of the mill type of lunatic. Now I've turned into a fly tying lunatic. Surely the most dangerous (to the wallet) type there is. I used to collect fiberglass rods and fly reels and tie an occasional fly. Now my trusty rods and reels sit abandoned in my cave crying, "use me, abuse me but please take me out!"

It was bad enough when I found it was actually possible to tie small trout flies. It did mean I would have to buy some smaller hooks, smaller size materials, some UV Knot Sense and don't forget a whole new selection of beads. But hey, it was my piggy bank I broke into not yours. So what if I rushed through dinner so I could spend a little more time at the bench. It was my time. Night after night, cranking out every little fly I could think of. When I ran out of patterns, I made up some of my own. So what?

Then I won some warm water flies that intrigued me. I had never had the need for Clousers or poppers or funny looking critters that only a bass or perhaps carp could love. How hard could it be? So I bought some larger hooks and different materials and larger beads and stronger thread. I mean what difference does it make? It was my checking account that I robbed.

I've been on a two day jag of tying warm water fliles and the rods and reels are screaming, "get us out of here!" I finally went to bed last night exhausted, fingers sore, fluffy bits of feathers tickling my nose. I was done tying flies. I have enough to last a lifetime. As I nodded off to sleep, it hit me. Geez, I don't do poppers. Those amazing fish lures that Jeff and Owl are trying to make a living at doing. I tossed and turned fitfully. I think poppers call for someone who actually has some skills. I don't have skills. Well, as a matter of fact, I'm broke as well. Have you ever tried to buy every type of fly tying material available?

I guess I'll go fishing. You know that outdoor activity that started this whole mess to begin with?

A shout out to Pilecast

2012-05-20T06:06:00.000-06:00

I wanted to take the time to send a shout out to some new friends of mine, the folks at Pile Cast. The longer I blog the more amazed I am at all the professional, high quality blogs that are out there floating around the internet. Pilecast deserves a look. Besides some great posts about fishing and the beautiful photography, Pilecast does giveaways! Whether you prefer Facebook or the website, you will enjoy your visit.

I happened on to Pilecast while browsing around FB just in time to enter one of their giveaways a while back. Anytime someone is giving away flies, I'm there. I love to see what other folks are tying. So I entered a simple comment and voila! A short time later I was the proud owner of some of the best ties I've ever seen.

These are some of most professional flies I've ever laid my hands on! And besides these gorgeous flies they sent me enough stickers to not only decorate my car, but I can save one for my Hawg-Brown aquarium.

I'm not a huge warm water guy but I do get out for some bass and some gills. These flies are just what the doctor ordered. I've even been inspired to put together a warm water fly box and plan to tie some warm water flies myself.

Whether you prefer visiting on Facebook or their website, you won't be disappointed.

The way it was...

2012-05-18T19:14:00.000-06:00

I love old fly fishing advertisements as a historical reference to the period of time of my youth. It's so surprising to many folks, say those born after the 1970 when they discover what the U.S. was like before them. Besides the fly fishing advertisements, it's fun to look at some of the products that used fly fishing as a backdrop for selling non-fly fishing related products. Many of those products can't be used for advertising any more. Let's take a look at some of the products I discovered.

Back when I was a kid it was cool to smoke and cigarettes seemed to go hand in hand with fishing. Those ads were banned in the 1960s.

I guess Washington Apples and Bartlett Pears also went together with fishing. You still find apple and pear crates with fishing advertising.

Of course what's a smoke without some alcohol. Liquor companies also played the fly fishing card as a means of drawing people to their products. Liquor ads were also banned in the 1960s.

Even the telephone company got into the act

As did Champion Spark Plugs

If we had all been born in the 30s or 40s we'd all be looking suave and debonair on the water

Oil companies got into the act

As did tire companies

Of course Kodak wanted you to capture those Kodak moments while out on the water.

Women fly fishing was new at the turn of the century

And if you took your best girl fly fishing, better have some Tums around.

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane. That's the way it used to be.

My adventure on the Arkansas River (part 2)

2012-05-17T09:21:00.000-06:00

After an hour or so on the river (out of 4 hour float) and just when I thought it couldn't rain any harder, it did. I can't describe how hard it rained. The important part was the catching came to a halt. It's funny how you don't notice being soaked and cold while the fishing is good. I changed to a large Stimulator and continued to pound the banks to no avail.

On one cast the fly caught on some brush. As the raft continued downstream, it popped free and plopped into the water. I didn't feel a take, but watched in amazement as a large rainbow (probably not a hawg brown but nice size none the less) leaped out of the water. Bill (the guide) strained to keep the raft in position to try and land my prize. It was the only glimpse I had as the swirling water, the raft and the fish all went in opposite directions. I felt the pop and he was gone. The rain hid my tears. This was the only time while fishing that I had truly been disappointed.

The float continued uneventfully for most of the rest of the trip. You notice I said most. For those of you that have never rafted, a really good guide knows the water under all the conditions he is likely to encounter; from very low water to very high water and everything in between. Why you might ask? Boulders and downed trees appear and disappear depending on the water conditions.

Suddenly we were into some rapids and heading towards a large boulder the size of Volkswagen with only the roof showing. Bill was still with us. I think he was bird watching or something. The raft hit the rock sideways before any of us could react and climbed onto the rock. Then it tilted, the back end in the water and the top (my end) sticking straight up in the air. Naturally, people and gear were all moving towards the water, everyone trying to get up to the high side to keep the raft and everything else from sliding into the water. Despite the odds against it, we got the raft righted and didn't lose any gear or people. We got no wetter than we were to start with and soon were on our way towards the end of the float.

When we got to the pickup point, Bill was apologizing for almost dumping us. I'm sure between the weather and the excitement he figured he'd lost his tip. David and I let him yammer for a few minutes and then both handed him $50 each. Bill looked surprised. He shouldn't have...it was the most fun I'd ever had on the water. If you ever float the Arkansas through Arkanglers don't bother trying to book a trip with Bill...he's no long there.

(*note: I would still endorse booking a trip with Arkanglers as they employ some of the best guides in the state."

My adventure on the Arkansas River (part 1)

2012-05-16T16:02:00.000-06:00

My best buddy David use to live part-time in the summer at an RV park in Howard, Colorado. The park sat a mere 100 or so feet from the banks of the Arkansas River. This is the place I wanted to retire to...the place of my dreams. Before he retired and moved to Virginia a year or so ago, it was my favorite place to spend quality fishing time. I guess it still is really. We had some adventures.

Several years ago the wife and I went to visit David and his wife with the extra added bonus of a planned float trip down the Ark. It was to be my first fishing float trip and David's second. The trip turned out to be one I won't soon forget.

We arrived in Howard on Friday afternoon with the float planned for Saturday afternoon. Friday evening while enjoying a leisurely dinner in Salida, it started to rain. By the time

we finished dinner and drove back to Howard, the little dirt road into the RV park was partially flooded out. It rained and rained and rained some more...all night.

The next morning it was raining off and on and easy to tell that several of the small feeder streams were blown out as was the road out of the park. Until they got that fixed, we weren't going anywhere.

By 1 pm, the road was fixed but it was still raining. David and I drove into Salida to Arkanglers to see if the float was still on. The guide asked if we still wanted to go out and maybe looked a little disappointed when we nodded affirmatively. I love to float and wasn't going to let some water stop me.

The raft was loaded on the trailer, so we hopped into the truck and headed off for the put-in. I never checked to see what rate the river was running and it's probably just as well. Let's just say it was prime for rafting...maybe not so much for fishing. But we were off and it was still pouring.

Because David had done this before, he took the back seat with me in front and the guide between us. I don't ever remember rain this hard. We were soaked before we left the shore. I have to say that the guide (who shall remain nameless as you'll see why later.) did a magnificent job keeping us close enough to shore to throw hoppers and we were catching small trout right from the start. As the rain and the catching continued our only thoughts were of tying into a big one.

(Stay tuned for part 2 tomorrow)

My dream of Yellowstone Country

2012-05-14T17:40:00.001-06:00

“This is my submission for the Trout Unlimited, Simms, the Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Outdoor Blogger Network – Blogger Tour 2012 contest.”

When someone asks me what exotic location I would like to go to fish, I get more than a few quizzical looks when I say without hesitation, Yellowstone. I usually go on to explain that although there are many nice places around the world, I am more interested in visiting America's first national park because I've never been there.

From the moment I became aware of Yellowstone I've wanted to go there. No where else in America epitomizes the American West as does Yellowstone. From it's earliest residents to Lewis and Clark to President Teddy Roosevelt, Yellowstone country is a history lesson, both man-made and natural.

After the devastating fires of 1988 a sadness came over me because I would never see the Park as it was. I've now learned that Yellowstone has replenished itself as it was meant to be. Now another occurrence, this one man-made, is threatening Yellowstone Lake; the illegal introduction of lake trout that has threatened the native Yellowstone Cutthroat.

I have many books in my library regarding Yellowstone as I prepared my whole life for this trip yet to be experienced. To see Mother Nature in all her natural splendor would be the fulfillment of a dream I've had since I was a boy. I would like to walk the land as our forefathers did. I want to fish where so many others have before, I want to breathe the clean fresh air of the Yellowstone. Probably the greatest thrill would be to witness Old Faithful and to view wildlife in their natural surroundings.

In the meantime, it's important to recognize that it's up to us to join forces with Trout Unlimited, Yellowstone Park Foundation, Simms and the Outdoor Blogger Network to fight the invasive lake trout in Yellowstone. There is too much at stake.

Happy Mother's Day

2012-05-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

It's been twenty-some years since I saw my mom for the last time. I remember the last Mother's Day gift I bought her. It was some unusual, beautiful exotic flowers in a beautiful vase. I remember the last words she spoke to me. "Get your life together." I remember growing up to the smell of bread baking in the oven, the feasts she put on the table on Sundays for anyone who showed up. I remember the smiles and laughs. I remember how smart she was and how a younger Howard tried to convince her that it really was a baggie of oregano.

1967, a boy and his mom (My favorite picture)

Mom, you are in my heart and mind every day of my life. Happy Mother's Day.

Get you some Hawg-Brown

2012-05-12T11:40:00.000-06:00

There's been a minor phenomenon sweeping the fly fishing blogger world for awhile now. That phenomenon is called Roderick Hawg-Brown; a hawg brown trout who holds all anglermen in disdain. And after all, he is "Roderick Hawg-Brown and he speaks the truth. "

Mr. Hawg-Brown thinks a lot of himself as do most anglers. I mean, who doesn't like to catch hawg browns? I've caught one or two. I find the big ones a little bony and fishy tasting.

But as you can see from the photo to the left, I gave in to the curiosity. I ordered a sticker. In fact I ordered two. True to form, Hawg-Brown did a little editorializing. You got to love a smartass brown.

So here is my personal tribute to the Hawg-Brown.

Q-What do you call the hawg brown you just caught?
A-Dinner.

Q-What does RH-B do when he wins the lottery?
A-Buys a bucket of worms.

Q-What does Hawg-Brown taste like?
A-Chicken of course.

Q-Why does RH-B dislike fishermen?
A-His mother was dinner for one.

My Hawg-Brown aquarium

Coleman for Camping

2012-05-10T13:22:00.000-06:00

“Sponsored by Coleman and hosted by the Outdoor Blogger Network, this is my submission for the Coleman Camping Heritage Essay Contest.”

As a young boy born in Chicago just a hop, skip and jump from Lake Michigan, I didn't have a clue about fishing or camping or other outdoor activities. It wasn't until my family relocated to Colorado that I got my first taste of the outdoors. It should be no surprise that among the words that became a permanent part of my Colorado vocabulary was the word Coleman.

Besides loving the outdoors and fishing and the majestic mountains, camping was a treat for a young boy. I loved cooking and eating outdoors, I loved sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows and I loved crawling into a cold sleeping bag and sleeping under the stars. Coleman was a large part of that experience. One of my first steps into manhood involved being the caretaker of the Coleman lantern on our camping trips. It was my responsibility to check the mantle and gas and carefully light the lantern, making sure to follow the directions. Than carrying the lantern, I carefully hung it in a nearby tree.

Of course, a lot of our meals were cooked on a Coleman 2-burner stove. As I got a little older, not only did I eat many meals cooked with a Coleman, but cooked as well. Eggs and bacon and coffee never tasted so good as when they were cooked in the outdoors on a Coleman stove. I never minded cleaning up.

I always considered myself lucky to not only be out camping, but that my folks knew about great camping equipment. My Coleman sleeping bag saw to it that I had a warm comfortable night sleep. I still have that sleeping bag, it's a happy part of the memories I have of growing up. I suspect that a lot of people today have some of those same memories.

So, to the Coleman Company...Thanks for the memories.

Be sure to check out the Coleman and Outdoor Blogger Network for the Coleman Camping Heritage Essay Contest running through May 30th. Be sure to read all the other terrific entries!

Doing things the heming way

2012-05-09T09:32:00.001-06:00

I hate it when the dark side of my life overtakes and runs over the light side. That means that work, chores around the house and other insignificant matters crowd out the fun, the interesting or the left side of the brain parts of life.

I'm not going to bore you or me for that matter with any details. Yes I am. But just know that when I don't post fairly often (I abhor schedules) it means that life is interfering with my futile amateur attempts at retirement while still juggling a 9 to 5.

Somehow I've managed to keep up with my blog reading. Thanks everyone for keeping me semi-sane. I've spent a lot of time lately living under my wife's kitchen sink. Two days to be exact. Let it suffice to say I've been practicing home plumbing for idiots or how to squeeze a 200 plus pound man in a small, cramped moldy hole where trash and mice live. I was finally released from captivity when I could prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there would be no leaky pipes.

My grass was a foot tall despite the fact that we hadn't had any rain and my sprinkler system wasn't working. Two days of sleeping in the garage forced me to put on my small gas-powered engine mechanic hat. Another out of character part that I play occasionally. After tearing apart the engine, cleaning and adjusting, the engine still didn't start. As a last resort before junking the mower and buying a new one, I checked the gas...doh! Lawn mowed.

So please bear with me until I get back on track...Oops, the tracks broken.

Cats and dogs and the Hippy Dippy Weatherman

2012-05-07T11:42:00.000-06:00

It's raining cats and dogs here in the Denver area. A much needed rain. But what's the deal with cats and dogs? A little research found some pretty interesting answers.

Of course this type of saying is difficult to take literally. I don't recall in my life or my studies actually ever seeing dogs and cats raining from the skies. Well except that time in the 60s when I had a little too much....uh...stuff one night.

One such theory is that perhaps sometime in 17th or 18th century England that the saying was popular after dead animal carcasses floated down the street after a particularly heavy storm. Another popular theory suggests that in the 1500s when roofs were made of thatch that during a heavy rain, dogs and cats would slide off the slick roof. Hmmm.

No matter what expression you use to describe a gully washer, no one said it better in the 1960s than George Carlin as the Hippy Dippy Weatherman. Let's take a look.

What does all this have to do with fishing you ask? Well, it the first measurable moisture we've had for quite some time. Very good sources indicate that runoff is around the corner and once over, that if we don't get some rain, the rivers will be extremely low. This probably won't make much of a difference if the State of Colorado doesn't stop try to burn the place down.

This post is a Dandy!

2012-05-05T10:34:00.000-06:00

My particular "niche" in collecting Wright & Mcgill fiberglass fly rods are those made in the 1950s and 60s. These were the beginning years of fiberglass rod production. Wright & Mcgill rods were made from Trevarno tobacco brown blanks with wraps that came in a variety of colors and were made for the average Joe fisherman, many who were fairly recently home from the military and who wanted to take advantage of America's new prosperity, sense of adventure and available leisure time. This was a historical time in the annals of fly fishing.

It's hard for me to pick out one rod and say, This is my favorite because they are each unique. The Dandy 8A is the simplest and one of my favorites.

There are several reasons why this plain Jane rod is a favorite for me. The first reason is the one I've got is in mint condition. The second reason is it's a nice casting rod for old fiberglass. Where many old glass rods are tip heavy and clumsy feeling, the Dandy isn't. At 4 oz. in an 8 1/2 foot rod, it is 1 5/8 oz. lighter than a comparable 8 1/2 foot rod from W & M's stable of fiberglass. This makes a huge difference.

Besides the usual complaint that Wright & Mcgill didn't use enough stainless steel snake guides, there's not much else to dislike. The rod has red nylon windings, nickel silver "Uni-fit" ferrules, steel tip top and red anodized aluminum down-locking reel seat. The rod has a unique (for WM) modified cigar grip and sold for a whopping $8.95.

The Dandy, produced in 1958 is a unique part of fiberglass fly rod history.

An opportunity

2012-05-04T10:19:00.000-06:00

I ran across this free webinar today and thought that I would post it for everyone. If you've always wanted to help pass on our great pastime to those folks who aren't normally able to fish, but didn't know exactly how to get started, this may help. I'm attending!

Seminars@Hadley Presents:

Fishing: Don't Let the Big Ones Get Away!

Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012

Time: 10:00 AM CDT, 15:00 GMT

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational pursuits, offering many
benefits to people of all ages. But how can a blind or visually impaired
person go fishing? Can they do so independently? What gear is needed?
Are there fishing clubs you can join? Where can you get local advice on
“hotspots?”

Lion Gwen White, executive director of the North Carolina VIP Fishing

Tournament, will describe their annual fishing tournament for blind and

visually impaired participants.

Join Seminars@Hadley as Gwen provides a practical guide to getting out
and fishing more successfully. This seminar will be moderated
by Larry Muffett, a member of Hadley’s Seminars team. A question and
answer period will be included as part of the seminar.

Space in this seminar is limited. Please only register if you know you are

available to attend so that others are not closed out.

To register for this seminar, follow this link.

Why we fish and why we write...

2012-05-03T09:41:00.000-06:00

If fishing is an addiction and a disease as we so often hear, then writing about fishing is certainly that last gurgling whimper of surrender. I need only mention Ernest Hemmingway as a case in point. That's not to say that every man who who fishes and writes succumbs to the disease any more than you can say that every person who has a faulty heart won't instead get run over by a bus.

What is it that drives a man to fish; To make certain sacrifices that pump the body full of adrenaline and leave him either euphorically happy or depressingly sad? And what truly drives us past that point of insanity to want to write about it?

Speaking only for myself, I can honestly say that fishing has almost always been a means to an end. An excuse to spend time doing something inevitably more pleasant than all other daily chores and then relating to friends in an entertaining way. Many fishing writers fished first and began writing later. I wrote first and started fishing later. So it seemed like a natural progression and certainly an argument for my case of insanity being for reasons other than fishing.

Most of our readers know the passion of fishing. I dare say not many know the passion to weave an interesting tale from a mundane fishing trip. I suspect that my fellow writers are much like me, running around the river with a fly rod in one hand and a camera in the other; desperate to get on the water but not wanting to miss that shot of your buddy netting that first fish "for the blog."

I think I'm a writer who fishes. Many of my friends are fishermen who write. I think there is a difference. Not in quality of writing, but the passion by which they fish.

Which are you?

Sticking with what we know...or not

2012-05-01T16:15:00.000-06:00

Truth be told, this blog was started with the idea of being a fly fishing blog. That despite the fact that I certainly didn't consider myself an expert by any definition of the word. I even admitted such in my first one or two posts. That also, despite the fact that I am only able to fish occasionally during the best of times and not at all during the worst of times. (Winter)

I'm a true believer in sticking with what I know...mostly. I've done some posts on vintage Wright & Mcgill fiberglass fly rods and "Orvis" click/pawl reels because I collect them, fish the rods occasionally and only use Orvis click/pawl reels. There have been a few posts about some Colorado waters I've fished, with and without witnesses, my TL Johnson Synergy fiberglass, my Riffle glass (my go-to rods) and The Kabuto yellow glass I want so much I can taste it.

I've talked a bit about my lovely fishing partner who also happens to be my best friend ~~Tim~~ my wife. And I've talked about a few other fishing friends as well. I've tied some flies and even invented one, most notably the Cheezedoodle. Heck, I've even written a couple of fishing dictionaries.

Probably the thing I'm most proud of is the fly tying. Not that I'm an expert, but after all but giving it up to old age, I've fought back and made huge strides towards adequate. You probably won't see any serious tying demonstrations or videos because I don't have those skills, but I am proud of the progress.

Until a few months ago I had never tried to tie anything smaller than a 16. Now I'm able to tie down to a 24. If you're curious as to what these flies are, I suggest you don't bother. I knew what they were when I tied them...but I forgot. Or as my wife so often asks, are they real or did you just make them up? I guess she doesn't understand that they are all made up.

Oh yeah, the fishing part...well not much lately, but stay tuned.

Windknots Profile: Dr. Todd Larson

2012-04-28T09:29:00.001-06:00

It's always a pleasure when I write up a Windknots Profile. Besides choosing people that I hope will interest our readers, it gives me an opportunity to learn about people that interest me. One such person is Dr. Todd E.A. Larson. Many of you may not be familiar with Dr. Todd, but I think you'll find him a most interesting person.

As a dedicated fisherman and college history professor, it seems natural that Dr. Todd's interest in everything outdoors would lead him down the path he has chosen. Publisher, author and entrepreneur, Dr. Todd writes and publishes everything related to the history of fishing, including the history of baits, (lures and flies), rods and reels, technique and people important to the history of fishing (Zane Grey, Ernest Hemingway, etc.

As an owner of Whitefish Press, Dr. Todd is dedicated to publishing a wide variety of works on fishing history and fishing tackle. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Todd along with his partners Marc T. Hanger and Chad S. Beckett, he has worked to make Whitefish Press a unique voice in the publishing world for those interested in preserving our outdoor heritage. The impressive Whitefish catalog includes some of the finest in fishing history including Dr. Todd's own The History of the Fish Hook in America: An Illustrated Overview of the Origins, Development, and Manufacture of the American Fish Hook.

As if this isn't enough to cement Dr. Todd's place in fishing history himself, he writes and publishes a fine blog called Fishing for History: The history of fishing and fishing tackle and more recently acquired ownership of The Classic Fly Rod Forum, one of my favorite daily reads and one of the most widely read web sites in the world.

If you are searching for your fishing roots or are interested in that old tackle that grandpa passed down to you, I highly recommend checking out any or all of the links. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Late breaking news from the non-fishing world...

2012-04-26T18:31:00.000-06:00

I hate to whine, but life has been interfering with the blog and that doesn't make me happy. It's also interfering with fishing, but I can wait until the weekend for that. There are a few tidbits of information I want to pass on that I thought were important for folks to know.

My good friend, Mark Kautz from Northern California Trout is the proud new father of his first book called Fishing Ghosts and My Mother's Gray Hair. The book is going to be released in a few weeks and Mark is taking orders and will be posting a credit card link soon. I recommend you click on Mark's link and check out what Mark has to say and order your autographed copy. I can't wait to read it because Mark is a bit of lunatic (It takes one to know one) so it should be good reading.

Congratulations Mark!

I'm still working on some details for the give-away, so bear with me (or bare with me) and I'll get things done and announced as soon as possible.

Mike (Royal Wulff at of Dry Flies and Fat Tires) just got back from several days fishing on the Arkansas River at the start of the epic Mother's caddis hatch. Mike has a great blog, so check out the beautiful browns he caught. If you want any other information regarding the hatch and fishing, here's a blurb from the report I got today from Royal Gorge Anglers. The Caddis Season on the Arkansas has been nothing short of awesome thus far, and should continue to foster record breaking productivity for anglers... If you'd like to read the whole amazing report, check out RGA's link.

If you go to Uncle Mel's Rainbow Chaser, you might notice that the header now says "On Colorado waters..." instead of Idaho. Mel will be relocating to Colorado in the near future. I hope my fellow Colorado bloggers will help me welcome Mel in a big way. More on this later. Mel has also revamped his blog again so if you go there and it doesn't look familiar, fear not.

I feel pretty fortunate that I've got some loyal followers and appreciate you hanging in when I slack off. Even if you're not a follower, please feel free to drop a comment or question anytime.

Later...

Windknots Give-away

2012-04-24T21:14:00.000-06:00

Well okay, we are going to have a small give-away. I'm working on it and will make an announcement soon.

Driving ourselves crazy

2012-04-22T14:45:00.000-06:00

A famous fly fishing author once said he drives an old beater pickup. The only thing that mattered to him was that it got him to the water and back home again at the end of the day. No doubt our fishing cars say a lot about the type of fisherman we are. Actually, it probably says a lot about the type of mental disorder we all suffer.

I thought it might be fun to take a look around and see what we can discover about this disease we call fishing.

Everybody was lucky except the skunk

2012-04-21T18:15:00.000-06:00

This morning as I started up Clear Creek Canyon I had a sneaking suspicion that things were going to be different today. It was a beautiful morning and the only real activity seemed to be the highway patrol pursuing traffic violators.

The further up I went, the less optimistic I was. I had already passed several bait fisherman and the couple to the left were one group of several I saw panning for gold.

The water was lower than I'm used to seeing and a little stained but definitely fishable. I found a pull-off that was devoid of human life forms and strung up the rod, tying on a bushy caddis and a red beadhead dropper. There didn't appear to be any fish or bug

activity except the deer flies biting on my neck and arms.

For the first 20 minutes or so, the only tug I had on the line was from the bush you see pictured to the right. I don't know how I managed that with so much open area on either side of it. So far it was bush 1 and trout 0. As I moved downstream I began feeling bumps that it took a minute to realize were probably someone testing me, so I set the hook. I won't say the reel started screaming. In fact, it was me. The beadhead flew out of the little guy's

mouth and flew back...hitting my hat. Somewhere in the commotion the brown got hooked on the dry and plopped at my feet. Sounds like a River Damsel trick.

It was still slow, but I was savoring the moment. I had to remind myself that I was looking for small trout and didn't need to set the hook quite so hard. A little bit later, while not paying attention, I felt a tug and watched as my line swam upstream...oops!
Before I could react, my flies and line parted company.

And so it went for the next few hours...another couple of trees, another couple of fish and then it was time to head home. All in all a great day...too short, but not a skunk in sight.

The Education of a Fly Fisherman

2012-04-18T15:34:00.000-06:00

When I look back on my fishing career, I can only say that I’m glad I didn’t have to support my family based on my fishing skills. Not that I’m terribly terrible. Let’s just say that more often than not, I sort of suck.

What this usually means is most times I can pick out the correct size rod and reel, what should be the correct fly, possibly the correct phase of the fly and I can sometimes actually deliver the fly to the water unimpeded by trees, shrubs, wandering fishermen or myself. The thing I have difficulty with is the actual dependable catching of fish.

So, I started dissecting my fishing career to try and stumble upon an answer. Like most fly fishermen, I began at a fairly young age slinging worms and lures. Lacking a formal degree from an institution of higher learning did not seem to be the problem. Periodically I would embed a wiggling critter or grasshopper in my hat or coat sleeve, but I didn’t need to know that E=MC squared.

Later, I used to catch a limit and take them home to savor after a thorough smoking. When I changed to fly fishing the catching slowed down. Perhaps the fishing gods were unhappy for pulling so many of Mother Nature’s creatures out their homes and eating them.

When I first got interested in fly fishing there wasn’t all the fly shop instruction, on-line tutorials or even friends to help me find my way like there is today. I was intimidated by fly shops and the know-it-all attitudes that seemed to delight in humbling you. I was intimidated to go out on the water for fear of bringing on the same ridicule. Perhaps I still had a dried up worm sticking out of my pocket or Powerbait on my nose?

I started off my fly fishing career with a found 9’ Japanese bamboo fly rod. I didn’t know about rod weights, line weights and the different insects we cast or even exactly how to cast. But I practiced day after day in my back yard. I pierced clothes on the clothes line. I hung flies from trees, roofs and anything else within 30-40 feet.

I finally got a “real” fly rod in the form of old Orvis graphite and finally found a fly fishing friend I could embarrass myself in front of without hard feelings. I went to the water and exhibited modest skill in casting whatever fly looked nice in my fly box. I noticed bugs flying around, but didn’t equate them with the large monstrosities I was flinging into trees.

It finally hit me that I was doing something wrong. I wasn’t catching many fish. I began reading and continued practicing and eventually switched from fast graphite to slow fiberglass because the action felt more natural to me. I started seeing the difference in the insects and even starting tying flies to push my education to another level. I can explain the difference between a mayfly and a pheasant tail and now I can snicker at the new guys. But bait fishing still haunts me. Last weekend while fishing I got snagged in a tree and found my fly wrapped around a large rubber worm.

I can catch fish, but I still have to wonder, why I don’t catch fish like the big boys? I dress like a blue collar fisherman. I fish blue collar rods and reels. I try to exchange pleasantries with newcomers. I don’t leave beer cans lying around and I don’t pee in my waders.

Three thumbs up award: and the winner is...

2012-04-16T20:02:00.000-06:00

I'm totally surprised that as much as fly fishermen pay attention to all things fly fishing, everyone has overlooked the year's most important news event involving our sport. As a sportsman and fan, when I heard the momentous news I immediately starting scanning the fly fishing blogs. Surely there was someone out in the blogosphere that was as happy as I was when I heard the news involving one our modern day icons.

I checked all the national fishing magazines...not a whimper. I asked my fishing friends if they had heard the news...only looks of bewilderment.

In honor of this occasion, I have awarded the prestigious Windknots three thumbs up award to Mr. Brad "A River Runs Through It" ~~Jolie~~ Pitt.

Apparently no one watches Entertainment Tonight, so here's the scoop. Brad and Angelina are engaged. Yes, after adopting 3 children and having 3 of their own, Angelina is going to make an honest man of Brad. I for one applaud their belated nuptials. It's hard to have a hero that has been living in sin. Even if it's with Angelina Jolie, despite the boost he gave to fly fishing all those years ago.

In honor of the occasion (whenever it may be) I present to Brad Pitt the Three Thumbs Up!

Congratulations to the lucky couple!

I met the skunk and I am his...

2012-04-14T17:31:00.000-06:00

What a way to have to start out a post.

I had the pleasure today of meeting Sanders from Up the Poudre and Justin from Fishtails and Fishtales to do a little fishing. Yes, sports fans you heard me right...fishing!

After meeting up at Rocky Mountain Anglers we headed off to Boulder Creek (in town). It was a nice day to be out and the fish apparently felt the same. Justin and Sanders had some luck sighting some gorgeous browns and bring them to hand.

Not to out done by my buddies, I caught several nice size trees and even managed to bring in some of the river bottom with a perfect cast to a large tree limb. I did get interrupted a half a dozen times with hooked but unlanded fish.

A few fish, lunch at Mustard's Last Stand and some more fishing with two good friends. It was almost a perfect day.

Justin has Boulder Creek dialed in

It didn't take long for Sanders to get dialed in as well

A woman who thought where I was fishing was a good place to play fetch with her dog

One of Justin's many

Sanders picked up a branch and came back with a handful of midge larva

Sanders with another beauty

Justin untangling his line after I demonstrated why this blog is called Windknots & Tangled Lines