Fishing

There are three knots that I use most of the time because they're simple, quick to tie and dependable. When I'm fishing with monofilament and tying on a topwater lure, buzzbait, soft jerkbait, floating worm or frog, I'll use the Palomar knot. If I'm fishing braid with a single hook for soft plastics, I'll snell the hook. I'll also tie a Palomar with braid or fluorocarbon.

I'm willing to bet that a few of you have come across the Epic Meal Time team at least a time or two during the inevitable late night journey down into the bowels of youtube. A friend of mine showed me a video of one of their exploits a few days ago and it gave me an idea.Now, I'll admit, I'm a fly tying newb but I'll bet that some of you out there in Solid Hookups land have been thinking of, or have already tied an Epic Meal Time fly. A fly so hideous that only the most twisted monsters of the deep would venture a bite while any lesser fish would swim away scared. A fly so repulsive that any fly fishing classicist would vomit, weep, or weep vomit at the sight of anything so far from the "accepted" streamer designs that far too many hold sacred. So let's see em if you got em, substitute bacon strips for rabbit strips and get epic.

As many of you already know, I spent the better part of this past weekend at the Glass Rod Expo which was held at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum in Livington Manor, New York.The event was a very good time with quite a few in attendance from fiberglass fly rod builders, to collectors, to glass geeks that just wanted to check out and cast everything that was brought along to the expo.Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.(These photo can also be viewed on the Flickr website.) The two day event was a mix of presentations, lawn casting, checking out the museum, and some of us even snuck away for a few hours of fly fishing as well. There were fiberglass fly rods of all sorts from rarely seen vintage fly rods, contemporary glass or all sorts, and even a few "secret" project prototypes as well. The highlights from the Glass Rod Expo for me were meeting everyone that attended, the presentations, seeing a few old friends, and casting quite a few fly rods that I've only read about online. Of note in my book were the rare and vintage Shakespeare Dr. Howard Purist and the Studio Thin Line 7' 3/4 weight were both very special. A special thanks to Dr. Todd Larson and Mike McFarland for organizing this event and inviting me to be a part of it. I can only imagine that if this event begins happening on a yearly basis that it will continue to grow. I'll be there if it does.Subscribe in a reader

There has been quite a bit of deserved praise and interest in the Swift Fly Fishing Epic fiberglass blanks and I want to pass along that Custom Fly Rod Crafters is now stocking these blanks in all colors, lengths, and line weights.Included with each Epic blank purchase is a cloth rod bag and the choice to purchase a discounted metal rod tube as well.Check out the Custom Fly Rod Crafters website for more information or to place an order.Subscribe in a reader

When Winston was out here last summer we hit the East on the morning before he had to fly out in the afternoon.  As a nice hatch came off, he urged me to break out the 2-weight and give it a shot. Didn’t catch anything, but it was a good way to end the trip. Photo by Winston Cundiff. Tags: Pic of the Day

The damnedest thing happened yesterday.  I was helping a customer at the store, and he looked at me and said “You’re Jake McGlothlin, right?”.  It surprised the hell out of me.  Turns out he has been a loyal Chi Wulff fan for a long time, and is looking forward to Swing the Fly as well.  Big shout out to Dwight here in Bozeman. That definitely made my day. Fly fishing blogging is an interesting beast.  Ask anybody in the game and I doubt they will say they are in it for the fame and fortune.  I’m certainly not.  That being said, it feels damn good to be noticed and hear someone say they enjoy your work. And it is work.  A lot of thought, planning and effort goes into a fly fishing blog.  But it’s worth it.  You guys make it worth it.  It’s a pretty damn interesting group that reads this blog, and I hope it always stays that way. I hope I get the opportunity to meet more of you guys in the future. Tags: Chi Wulff

Thrift is not for Sissies from Chris Walley on Vimeo. Tags: Fish Stories

Saw this blog recently, Uprising. Brent Wilson, the author, shares a story about day where the weather doesn’t cooperate for poons and snook, but they still find some bones to save the day. I’ve never actually fished the Caribbean side of Mexico. I’ve fished just south of Mexico. I’ve fished within a cast of Mexico, but not actually in Mexican waters on the East Coast. I’d like to, for sure. They are probably out there somewhere. Brent talks about seeing a bunch of tarpon in a cenote and I remember seeing one myself down there on a snorkel trip down a centote south of Cancun. Pretty cool sight.

Uncage the Soul shared this note from Frank Moore to all of the contributors to the Mending the Line project. Dear Friends, those I know personally, and those I hope to see and know soon, so they will become close, loving friends also. When this trip and filming project first came up I told the people in the production company I did not want them to solicit funding from friends and those who would give out of the goodness of their hearts, but to have Corporate Sponsorship. Their answer, my wife’s, my family, and many friends was, “Just remember one thing, you will be honoring all of those who have served, living and dead, as you retrace your steps through Europe oh so many years ago.” I am so grateful, and yes so humbled, by the response individually from all of you to the call, (I still cannot believe it). Also to American Airlines for flying our son Frank, my wife Jeanne, and I, First Class from Portland to Frankfurt and return (WOW), and Patagonia for their above and beyond contribution to the trip. Mark Hemstreet, Shilo Inns, is donating lodging for us coming and going also. Mark’s uncle, Bob Hemstreet, was in my unit during the war, and probably got as close to Berlin before VE Day as any American Soldier. Many years ago Mark donated a long weekend for a reunion of 75 members of our Unit, including rooms, meals, banquet, and a trip to Lincoln City so those from the east coast could see the Pacific Ocean. I wish we could take each and every one of you with us on this amazing trip, that will take us to Luxembourg, and the American Cemetery there where we will be involved with the Memorial Day celebration, the streams of Normandy and Brittany to bring to life a dream of 70 years, then to June 6 services at the huge cemetery above Omaha Beach for that Memorial, as well as visiting the place where we went over the Dune at Utah Beach. I will be carrying the names of everyone of you with us wherever we go, so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, and much more, for the gift you have given and are giving to us. Wish I could hug each one of you. With love, Frank Moore